Korean public broadcaster KBS is once again attempting to raise its TV license fee. The move has sparked strong opposition from viewers who question the broadcaster’s credibility and relevance.
On June 24, the KBS National Viewers’ Committee held its first nationwide conference and issued a joint declaration in support of the license fee hike. The fee has remained unchanged for 45 years. KBS President Park Jang Beom stated that the license fee is essential for producing quality programs and promised that KBS would do its best to serve the public as a true public broadcaster.
In an official press release, KBS explained that it is expecting a deficit of nearly 100 billion KRW (approximately $72 million) this year. The broadcaster pointed to several factors, including changes in TV license fee collection methods, the rapid growth of online video platforms (OTT), and a decline in advertising revenue. KBS stated that without an adjustment to the license fee, it would be difficult to avoid major financial losses, which could threaten the stability of public broadcasting.
Despite these claims, the public response has been largely negative. Many viewers remain doubtful about KBS's current influence and question whether it continues to fulfill its responsibilities as a public broadcaster. KBS has struggled to make a strong impact in news, dramas, and entertainment programs, which has led to increased criticism.
Some of the public comments include, “I don’t watch KBS, so I don’t want to pay,” “Why should this be mandatory?” and “Show us the value of the license fee before asking for more.”
Adding to the controversy, KBS recently decided to air the drama 'Dear.M' during prime time. The drama was originally postponed for four years due to school bullying allegations against one of the lead actors. Earlier this year, it was quietly released on the KBS Joy cable channel, but KBS has now scheduled it as a main Wednesday-Thursday drama. This decision has caused further criticism, as it appears to contradict the network’s promise to improve program quality as justification for the fee increase.
While KBS argues that a fee hike is necessary to fulfill its public mission, its actions and content choices continue to raise doubts. As the broadcaster asks for more financial support, trust from viewers seems to be declining.
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