KBS Leads 2024 Broadcast Viewership Share; TV Chosun Tops General Programming Channels

The latest figures from the Korea Communications Commission reveal that KBS, South Korea's public broadcaster, continues to hold the leading position in broadcast viewership share for 2024. While its share has seen a marginal decline from 21.475% to 20.862%, it remains significantly ahead of its competitors. This data, which consolidates viewing time across all television broadcasts and converts the subscription rates of affiliated newspapers, offers a comprehensive view of media consumption habits in the country.

Among the terrestrial broadcasters, MBC and SBS follow KBS, securing 10.978% and 7.476% of the market share, respectively. In the competitive landscape of general programming channels (종합편성채널), TV Chosun has emerged as the frontrunner with a 7.441% share, surpassing JTBC (6.145%) and Channel A (4.877%). News channels like YTN and Yonhap News TV also maintain their presence, indicating a diverse media environment.

The methodology of calculating viewership share, which includes the conversion of newspaper subscription rates, is particularly noteworthy. For instance, JTBC's 6.145% share is a composite figure that includes the viewership of its television channel and the converted subscription rate of the JoongAng Ilbo newspaper. This integrated approach reflects the interconnectedness of different media platforms and acknowledges the influence of print media in the overall media consumption landscape. As the media environment continues to evolve, these metrics provide crucial insights into the reach and impact of various broadcasting entities in South Korea.