Back in the early 1990s, Bruce Springsteen wrote a song called 57 Channels (and Nothing On), because thats about how many TV channels were available on cable packages back then. Now, those with cable in the Western world have access to hundreds of channels, although the streaming revolution has kind of made channels an obsolete concept for many.
In North Korea, however, they have finally jumped from one channel to four, according to a new report.
38 North, a website that covers events in North Korea, reported this week that multi-channel television has expanded beyond Pyongyang into the provinces in North Korea in the last year. Most of the country had long only had one channel available, but now have up to four, although Pyongyang has had multiple channels for several years.
However, the arrival of the new channels isnt an example of competition emerging against the incumbent state media-in fact, per the report, the new channels can be seen as an attempt to make state media more attractive in the face of competition from illicit foreign content.
Indeed, the new channels require either a digital television or a set-top box. However, the channels run on a standard, (DVB-T2), which is different from those offered in neighboring South Korea and China, meaning that North Koreans cant receive signals from outside the country.
There is also a streaming service, called Manbang, which offers the four channels, while an app is available as well.
The other channels include Ryongnamsan TV, which shows a great deal of science programming; Mansudae TV, which offers arts, culture and sports programming, and Sports Television, which offers both domestic competitions and even some from outside the country, although the non-North Korean sports tend to be more outdated.
Korean Central Television, the main state channel, is described by the site as the primary channel that carries news, propaganda and ideology to the entire nation. The site published a daily programming guide from September of 2019, which included multiple speeches by Kim Jong-un, as well as shows with such very North Korean titles as Pumped Up by Struggle to Increase Production, Heightening Pride of Mine Workers, In Peoples Bosom for Eternity, and Future That Cannot be Even Bought by Millions of Gold.
The lone sports competition on Korean Central Television was a FIFA 2022 World Cup Asian Qualifier, between North Korea and Lebanon; this was presumably the match from September 5, 2009, when the North Korean squad defeated Lebanon 2-0.
In other North Korean technology news, the website North Korea Tech reported this week that Korean Central Radio has been testing digital signals, using the DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) format. The company is thought to have originally attempted such broadcasts in 2012.
Stephen Silver, a technology writer for The National Interest, is a journalist, essayist and film critic, who is also a contributor to Philly Voice, Philadelphia Weekly, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Living Life Fearless, Backstage magazine, Broad Street Review and Splice Today. The co-founder of the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle, Stephen lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two sons. Follow him on Twitter at @StephenSilver.Image: Reuters.read more
North Korea Now Has 4 TV Stations: Report
