-
·
North Korea Expands Satellite Distribution of Domestic TV Channels
All four of North Korea’s state-run domestic TV channels are being distributed by satellite for the first time. The new feed provides a backup to the country’s existing terrestrial distribution system and could help expand TV coverage to more regions of the country. It could also make possible direct reception of state TV with small…
-
·
North Korea’s other TV: What you don’t see on KCTV
Among the many sources used to analyze North Korea is Korean Central Television (KCTV), the main, state-run television channel. KCTV carries coverage of Kim Jong Un’s activities and key announcements and decisions from the Workers’ Party, provides updates on priority economic initiatives, and airs historical documentaries and cultural fare such as movies, children’s programming and…
-
·
North Korea’s first multi-channel IPTV service apparently launched
North Korea’s Manbang Supply Center (만방보급소) appears to have launched a multi-channel Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) streaming service, providing 20 channels of linear television across the country’s internal data networks. It is the first cable TV-like service in the country and represents a significant expansion in entertainment options for subscribing households. Alongside electronic payment services,…
-
·
The Importance of Foreign Information Access in North Korea
For decades, North Koreans have relied on illicit foreign information to provide news, information, entertainment, knowledge and — perhaps most importantly — ideas they would otherwise never have access to. But since the beginning of this year, the amount of radio and television programming being beamed into North Korea has plummeted. Radio broadcasting is down…
