Asia

Public Media Worldwide

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NHK
Japan

National Networks

2 terrestrial TV channels
4 satellite TV channels
3 radio channels

International Networks

NHK WORLD-JAPAN (TV & radio, 17 languages)
NHK World Premium
NHK WORLD RADIO JAPAN

Online 

www.nhk.or.jp

Nippon Hoso Kyokai (NHK)

Radio | Television | Online

60%

of audience
consider NHK
most trusted
outlet (RISJ)

160

Available in
160 countries

97.6%

total income
from receiving
fees

Overview

Updated: April 2021

NHK remains the country’s only public broadcaster amongst Japan’s large commercial media market. Since it was founded in 1925, emergency broadcasting has been at the forefront of NHK’s work, dedicating a considerable amount of its budget to broadcasting technology for disaster prevention, preparedness and reporting. As a result, NHK has proven itself to be the most watched and trusted source of news during natural disasters, which are highly common in Japan.  

Unlike other established public broadcasters in Asia, NHK is predominantly funded by a ‘receiving fee’, which ensures NHK’s financial and editorial independence. However, there has been growing discussion about proposed changes to the viewing fee due to evasion rates, relevance of NHK’s content as well as growing pressure placed on the broadcaster to reduce its cost (the full viewing fee is currently set at 24,770 yen per year).  

Regardless of recent challenges, NHK continues to make headway with technological advancements. At the start of 2020, legislation was finally enacted to enable NHK to simultaneously stream content on digital platforms and, ahead of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic games, NHK began expanding its multi-lingual services and preparing to broadcast the games in 8k. 

In detail

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Ownership: Public

NHK is a statutory corporation chartered under the Broadcasting Act of 1950. Articles 28-30 of the Broadcasting Act also set out the establishment, authority, and organisation of NHK’s Board of Governors (the decision-making body for management policy and operations). According to NHK, “The governors are approved by both houses of the Diet on behalf of the people of Japan and are appointed by the Prime Minister.” While annual budgets are also approved by the diet, NHK is an independent legal entity, funded by its viewers. 

  • Receiving fee: 13,990 yen per year (terrestrial); 24,770 yen per year (satellite)
    Received 699.5 billion yen from receiving fees (97.6%) of total operating income (FY 2018)
  • 54 Domestic broadcasting stations; 31 overseas offices.
  • NHK WORLD PREMIUM reaches approximately 20 million households in over 100 countries
  • 6 Domestic TV Channels:
    • Two terrestrial TV channels: General TV and Educational TV; Four satellite TV channels: BS 1, BS Premium, BS4K and BS8K
    • 3 radio channels: Radio 1, Radio 2 and FM
  • External channels:
    • NHK WORLD-JAPAN (English TV channel and Radio service for 17 languages); NHK WORLD PREMIUM (Japanese TV channel); NHK WORLD RADIO JAPAN (Japanese Radio service)

10,333

NHK WORLD-JAPAN operates in 17 languages

Proposals have recently been put forward to decrease the cost of NHK’s licence fee by around 10% for fiscal year 2023. Plans have already been announced to cut NHK’s managerial staff by around 30% to help make up for the shortfall in revenue from the proposed reduction, among other cost-cutting measures.

Read our latest report: Proposed licence fee amendments for public broadcasters in Japan and South Korea

 

KBS
South Korea

National Networks

4 terrestrial TV channels
2 satellite TV channel
7 radio channels

International Networks

KBS World Television
KBS World Radio

Online 

http://kbs.co.kr

Korean Broadcasting System (KBS)

Radio | Television | Online

#1

most trusted
media during
pandemic in
South Korea

50%

of South Koreans
use KBS Weekly

11

languages
available via
KBS World Radio

Overview

Updated: April 2021

Founded in 1927 and transformed into a public broadcaster in 1973, the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) is the largest of the three public broadcasters in South Korea, which also include the Educational Broadcasting System (EBS) and Munwha Broadcasting Corporation (MBC). All three organisations are supported by a licence fee, which has been set at 2,500 won per month since 1981 and levied alongside electricity fees. KBS also generates its own revenue through advertising although, in recent years, KBS has experienced financial difficulties with declining advertising revenue and the fixed licence fee rate. 

With 4 terrestrial TV channels, 2 satellite TV channels and 7 radio channels, KBS has the largest offline reach among South Korea’s broadcasters. It operates broadcasting systems in 9 major cities nationwide, with 50% of audiences turning to KBS every week. Its core values include trust, creativity and innovation.  

KBS is committed to maintaining its emergency and disaster broadcasting services. This was demonstrated in its continuous coverage of the recent typhoon in South Korea as well as during the COVID-19 pandemic, where it launched the ‘COVID-19 Integrated Newsroom’ to help keep the nation informed with the latest COVID-19 information. Its extensive coverage placed KBS as the “most trusted media organisation and source of news among Korean viewers” during the pandemic. 

In detail

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The fact that the Board of Governors and executives are appointed by the Korean President has raised concerns in recent years about the independence of KBS from the state. This has been recognised among KBS’ management and as a result, the public broadcaster has implemented measures, including amending the Broadcast Planning Regulation to better protect its independence. In its 2019 Annual Report, KBS stated:  

“In order to institutionally establish the autonomy and independence of broadcasting production, the Broadcast Planning Regulation was amended for the first time in 16 years. We increased institutional effectiveness by making Planning Committee meetings mandatory and newly implementing a regulation for executive director appointment approval. We also created a new provision to guarantee independence, making it clear that we must maintain our independence from external pressure and unfair interference.” 

KBS is funded by a licence fee that is levied alongside electricity fees. It also generates its own revenue through advertising.

Licence Fee: 2,500 won a month (the licence fee has been set at this price since 1981; however, recent proposals by the KBS Board of Directors considers increasing it to 3,840 won per month).

    • Licence Fee Income (end of 2019): 670.5 billion KRW 
    • Licence fee supplemented by advertisements.

KBS operates broadcasting stations in 9 major cities nationwide and broadcasting stations in 9 regions, and has opened overseas offices in 14 regions. 50% use KBS weekly (RISJ Digital News Report 2020).

50% trust in KBS News – 3rd highest online news brand (RISJ Digital News Report 2020). It was also considered the 2nd most trusted media outlet in South Korea in 2019 (The Korea Bizwire).

4, 701

During the COVID-19 pandemic, KBS launched the ‘COVID-19 Integrated Newsroom’ to help keep the nation informed with the latest COVID-19 information. Its extensive coverage placed KBS as the “most trusted media organisation and source of news among Korean viewers” during the pandemic in 2020.

KBS’ Board of Directors recently submitted a proposal to increase the licence fee to 3,840 won per month. If approved, this will be the first increase in the licence fee for 40 years. The fee has been earmarked at 2,500 won per month since 1981.

Read our latest report: Proposed licence fee amendments for public broadcasters in Japan and South Korea

PTS
Taiwan

National Networks

Hakka TV channel
Taiwanese-language channel

Online

www.pts.org.tw
https://www.peopo.org/
https://www.ptsplus.tv/

Public Television Service (PTS)

Television | Online

#1

trusted source
of news in
Taiwan

43rd

World Press
Freedom ranking

1/3

of online PTS
traffic derived
from PeoPo

Overview

Updated: January 2022

The idea for public media in Taiwan had been brewing for several years before the launch of PTS in 1998, when it became Taiwan’s first independent public broadcaster. Since then, it has steadily developed into becoming the most trusted media brand in Taiwan (52% voted in favour of trusting PTS in RISJ’s Digital News Report 2021.  

Since its launch, a central role of PTS has been to represent the diversity of Taiwan and promote democratic values. As part of its mission, PTS states that: “PTV belongs to all the people and does not exclusively serve the government or a certain political party; it is not for profit, nor is it subject to commercial or interest groups. PTV, as the name implies, is a television media whose purpose is to receive entrusted by the whole people and serve the public interest.” 

PTS has also led the way for multiplatform and public engagement initiatives in Asia with its citizen journalism platform, People Post or ‘PeoPo’. Launched in 2007, PeoPo has been vital in improving digital media literacy and helping to put the public at the heart of public media by engaging them in citizen-led news coverage. 

Even though Taiwan maintains relatively high levels of media freedom, maintaining its ranking at 43rd in RSF’s World Press Freedom Index, it experiences some interference from China. That said, there have been signs of pushback against growing influence, such as the recent decision by the media regulator not to renew the broadcast licence of pro-China TV news channel, Chung T’en News over disinformation claims.  

In detail

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The PTS Act was legalised in 1997. The law stipulated the major mandate and performance of Taiwan’s public service broadcaster, and editorial guidelines were ratified by staff and management. This has since been continuously documented by PTS’ 18-member Board of Governors from 2005 onwards.

Amendments to the Broadcasting and Television Act, Cable Television Act, and Satellite Broadcasting Act in 2003 also ensure that government, political parties, and elected party officials cannot invest in broadcasting and television industries. PTS’ funding model also ensures that it remains independent from political or commercial interference. 

PTS has received a fixed annual appropriation since the PTS Act was legalised. Since 2003, other government grants are regularly disbursed into annual operation based on the projects of digitalisation proposed by the public broadcaster.  

To avoid relying on the government as a source of income, PTS Taiwan supplements government donations by self-funding through commercial sponsorship by public or private organisations that do not interfere with the nature of its programming; personal donations through the ‘Friends of Public Television’ membership system and other activities including programme marketing and studio rentals. Three special grants also come from the Cable Radio & Television Development Fund, the Divestment of Shares in Terrestrial Television Act, and funding by the Development of National Languages Act. 

Total revenue (2019): NTD 2,224,864,868 (USD 74,211,636). 

Government grants included = NTD 900,000,000 (USD30,020,013) 

In September 2021, PTS Taiwan launched “PTS World Taiwan,” an international YouTube channel that offers an incredible variety of programmes for viewers worldwide. This media service will allow Taiwan to be seen and heard by an international audience, shining a spotlight as Taiwan takes the global stage. It has close to 4,000 subscribers.

Read our latest report: PTS Taiwan’s New Frontier: PTS World Taiwan

Thai PBS

National Networks

 

International Networks

Thai PBS World

Online 

www.thaipbs.or.th

Thai Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)

Radio | Television | Online

13

years since it
became an
established PSB

70%

Thai PBS is
one of the most
trusted sources
of news in Thailand

2 billion THB

received from
'Sin tax' funding
mechanism
per year

Overview

Updated: July 2021

Established in 2008, Thai PBS is one of the world’s newly established public broadcasters and is already one of the most trusted source of news in Thailand. Its commitment to being a trusted public media institution lies with its strong public broadcasting ethos: “To encourage public awareness and participation in the building of a just and democratic society through bold and impartial reporting with public interest at its heart.”

The independence of Thai PBS is supported under the Public Broadcasting Service Act of Thailand 2008, which protects it from political or commercial influence. The Act established Thailand’s first non-profit public media organisation, which also supports social development. Thai PBS hosts and supports many social and cultural campaigns, including educational resources and activities that bring society together.

Thai PBS strongly believes that public participation is a key part of public broadcasting. It operates a citizen journalism initiative called C-site, which enables the general public to report on issues that matter to them while increasing the organisation’s citizen engagement. An audience council supports independent producers while a societal network helps to support the development of Thai PBS, known as ‘Friends of Thai PBS’.

In detail

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Thai PBS is protected from political or commercial influence under the Public Broadcasting Service Act of Thailand 2008.

Thai PBS also has a policy committee, which has been selected through an independent and transparent process.

Thai PBS receives income from excise taxes, also known as ‘sin tax’, which is collected from liquor and tobacco sales. The tax is earmarked between 1.5 – 1.8 percent, and does not exceed THB 2 billion per year.

According to the RISJ 2021 Digital News Report, Thai PBS’s offline weekly reach is 25%, it is the second highest reaching broadcaster online, reaching around 32% of respondents weekly.

It is also one of the most trusted sources of news in Thailand, with 70% of those surveyed stating that they trust the public broadcaster.

In its 14th year, Thai PBS has sharpened its focus on audience engagement, putting the ‘audience first’ and at the heart of its public broadcaster.

Thai PBS also contributes to society through social and cultural campaigns and initiatives. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Thai PBS offered its educational resource, ‘Thai PBS Learning Shelf’, a kit that consists of DVDs, Thai PBS programmes and various other learning and skills-building materials, to several government departments and education institutions.

The public broadcaster launched three new online channels dedicated to real-time updates, including a section for its citizen journalism initiative. Meanwhile, the Thai PBS Foundation launched a campaign to invite donations to help fund the purchase of televisions, set-top boxes and other equipment and accessories needed for schoolchildren to access educational content at home.+

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Header Image: NHK Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan. Credit: mizoula/istock