SBS News Split into Two Parts with Similar Mid-Roll Ads... Newspaper Association Criticizes "Must Be Strictly Regulated"

SBS 8 News Introduced from the 21st
Newspaper Association: "Broadcasting Commission Must Regulate SBS's Unfair Practices"

[Asia Economy Reporter Shim Nayoung] The Korea Newspaper Association issued a critical statement regarding SBS, a terrestrial broadcaster, deciding to introduce quasi-mid-roll advertisements in its main news program 'SBS 8 News' starting from the 21st. The association urged the Korea Communications Commission to regulate this, stating that dividing 'SBS 8 News' into two parts and inserting premium commercials (PCM) in between is no different from mid-roll advertising.

In a statement released the previous day, the Newspaper Association said, "The Broadcasting Act has prohibited mid-roll advertisements on terrestrial broadcasts for over 40 years since 1973. However, terrestrial broadcasters have been circumventing the current legal framework by splitting a single program into two parts and effectively implementing PCM, which is identical to mid-roll ads, for several years, and have even expanded this practice to news programs."

It continued, "The inconvenience felt by viewers due to the expansion of advertisements through such loopholes is increasing. Despite this situation, the Korea Communications Commission, the competent authority, has been standing by under the pretext of regulatory inadequacy," and pointed out, "viewers, civic groups, and various sectors including the Newspaper Association have repeatedly pointed out that such loopholes are illegal, yet the KCC has shown neither willingness nor effort to improve the situation."

Furthermore, it stated, "The KCC's attitude of turning a blind eye to these loopholes amounts to dereliction of duty," and urged the KCC to promptly regulate the PCM loophole practices of terrestrial broadcasters and take active measures such as amending broadcasting laws to prevent further spread."

The Newspaper Association emphasized, "It is true that terrestrial broadcasters are facing a difficult management environment due to declining viewership, but they should compete through improving content quality and services rather than resorting to loophole advertisements as a temporary fix," and added, "We hope terrestrial broadcasters will stop using such shallow tricks and seek management normalization through self-help efforts such as improving content quality."