Mansudae Television Explained

Mansudae Television
Launch Date:,
November 2015
Network:cable, IPTV
Country:North Korea
Language:Korean
Area:Pyongyang, Sinuiju, Sariwon (via Manbang IPTV)
Terr Serv 1:Analog VHF
Terr Chan 1:Channel 5 (77.25 MHz) in Pyongyang
Hanja: 텔레비죤
Rr:Mansudae Tellebijyon
Mr:Mansudae T'ellebijyon
Context:north

Mansudae Television is a state-owned entertainment television channel based in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.[1] It broadcasts movies, selected foreign films and entertainment programming every weekend with occasional advertising.[2] Mansudae began transmissions on 1 December 1973, and broadcasts for three hours (19:00–22:00) on Saturdays, and nine hours (10:00–13:00, 16:00–22:00) on Sundays.[3]

From its inception to 13 July 2015, broadcasting was carried out on channel 5 from the Pyongyang TV Tower and a special app on the Samjiyon tablet computer. In August 2016, the channel was added to the Manbang IPTV service, being available on the second button of the "Aircast" section.

Temporary closure

In July 2015, Mansudae Television ceased broadcasting[4] for unknown reasons. However, two reasons were considered in the Newstopia online edition (South Korea): According to one reason, this step could be taken by the North Korean authorities to restrict the access of Pyongyang residents to foreign content broadcast on the channel. According to the other, reported by Radio Free Asia, in the editorial board there was an incident with unfiltered content, shown on air on the channel.[5] It was also reported that the launch of the broadcasting of the new Athletic Television, carried out on 15 August of the same year, was made at a frequency previously owned by Mansudae Television.[6] As a result of internal checks of the government of North Korea, the television channel was rehabilitated only in 2016 (according to other sources - in November 2015). The message of South Korean news agency Yonhap from 18 May 2016, reported that access to the television channel was proposed to be carried out through cable networks.[7]

Pay channel proposal

In March 2018, Daily NK reported about the proposal by the North Korean government to convert the broadcasting of Mansudae Television on the principle of a paid subscription;[8] however, according to the Daily NK, it was not established that the project is supposed to be carried out using traditional cable TV or Manbang IPTV. One of the main reasons for the decision of the North Korean government was the high popularity of films and programs that appear on the channel. The price was set at 650 won.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Understanding North Korea: Totalitarian dictatorship, Highly centralized economies, Grand Socialist Family. 2015. Institute for Unification Education, Ministry of Unification. Seoul. 342. GGKEY:Q35FXTAE44S.
  2. News: Rise in advertising as North Korea embraces nascent consumerism . Andray Abrahamian . The Guardian . 17 June 2016 . 18 June 2016.
  3. TV Broadcasting and Its Development in DPRK. https://web.archive.org/web/20150801234645/http://www1.korea-np.co.jp/pk/188th_issue/2003013008.htm. 1 August 2015. The People's Korea. 188. 2003.
  4. Web site: 외화 대신 스포츠 채널 신설…北 주민 '부글'. m.ichannela.com. 26 January 2018. 29 April 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210429072144/http://m.ichannela.com/news/main/news_detailPage_mob.do?publishId=73120277-1#imadnews. dead.
  5. Web site: RFA "北, 외부영상 유포 적발…만수대TV 제작진 숙청". 24 November 2015. 뉴스토피아.
  6. Web site: [국민정책평가신문] 외화방영 北만수대TV 방송 중단]. 18 August 2015. 국민정책평가신문. 9 October 2019. 9 October 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191009133020/http://m.people21.co.kr/46363. dead.
  7. Web site: "北, 외국인 전용 만수대TV 모든 주민에 개방". m.yna.co.kr. 18 May 2016 .
  8. Web site: North Korean authorities sell restricted TV channel to residents for cash. Kang Mi. Jin. 21 March 2018.