-

·
Pyongyang is not happy about foreign radio broadcasts
North Korea’s state-run news agency has hit out against propaganda radio broadcasts targeted at the country. (This post has been updated. See below) In a commentary published on Wednesday, the Korean Central News Agency criticized the broadcasts for using “the same frequency band as used by the TV broadcasting in the DPRK and conducting its anti-DPRK radio propaganda with…
-
·
AP expands KRT video deal to high-def
The Associated Press has signed a deal with North Korean state television that gives it exclusive rights to high-definition video of major news events in the country. The deal comes as AP and its biggest competitor, Reuters, race to expand their access to North Korea ahead of the 100th anniversary of Kim Il Sung’s birth…
-

·
Group plans satellite TV to North Korea
A private South Korean group is planning to raise US$46 million to fund the launch of a satellite TV station aimed at North Korea, according to a report by VOA News. Unification TV, which could be on the air as early as next year, plans to beam South Korean dramas and other entertainment programs, according…
-
·
KCNA video in demand by foreign agencies
Two recent deals with western news agencies stand to put Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) video in front of millions of viewers. The deals, with The Associated Press and Reuters, give each agency the ability to redistribute KCNA footage to TV stations around the world as part of their video news service. Such deals are…
-
·
AP, Reuters battle for Pyongyang bragging rights
Pyongyang is suddenly the hottest place to have a newsroom. In the space of two weeks, both The Associated Press and Reuters have announced plans to source more content from inside the country. The AP has signed a memorandum of understanding (which typically precedes an official deal) on the establishment of a text and photo…
-

·
Expansion at Pyongyang TV Tower
There appears to have been a significant expansion of communications capability at Pyongyang TV tower over the last decade. Analysis of satellite imagery through Google Earth shows big expansion of a neighboring building and the addition of multiple satellite dishes. (See the bottom of this post for updates.) Here’s what the building looked like on…
-

·
KCNA launches video news
The Korean Central News Agency carried video news for the first time on its new home page on Jan. 1, 2011. Two video clips were posted as part of the daily news offering. The first shows scenes from around Pyongyang, including families visiting the Mansudae Grand Monument, while the second includes more shots of the…
-
·
KCTV moving on Thaicom-5
Korean Central Television (KCTV) is moving transponders on the Thaicom-5 satellite at the end of this month. Anyone receiving the channel via satellite will have to retune to continue watching. It’s moving from the current transponder 3G at 3504MHz H to transponder 7G at 3695MHz H. KCTV has been on its current transponder since at…
