Focusing on the Essence of 'Content'... LG Uplus Shuts Down Family Channel

Photo and Video Sharing Service Discontinued
Only Real-Time Streaming Feature Remains
Existing Customers Express Complaints

LG Uplus Family Channel Service

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] Following the termination of its personal cloud service ‘U+Box,’ LG Uplus is also effectively discontinuing its family channel service, which allowed users to share photos and videos on TV.

According to industry sources on the 7th, LG Uplus will end the family channel service that transmits photos and videos taken on mobile phones to channel 970 on its IPTV service U+tv as of December 1. Only the real-time streaming (live broadcast) feature in the form of a fancam will remain as a TV pop-up window.

This discontinuation of the family channel service is a follow-up measure after LG Uplus ended its personal cloud service U+Box in August. With the personal cloud service discontinued due to low usage rates, the personal storage service has also disappeared from ‘U+ Smart Home’ and ‘U+ Smart Home Easy’ services.

The photo and video sharing feature had gained more attention during last year and this year’s COVID-19 pandemic, which created an atmosphere of ‘contactless holidays.’ The parent generation, less familiar with mobile functions, could receive their children’s videos and photos directly on IPTV and watch them on a large screen. It was also popular among families with young children for its convenience in storage and viewing.

The sudden termination of the service has led to a flood of consumer complaints. Reviews on the U+tv Family Broadcasting mobile application included requests for service resumption, such as "I was uploading and enjoying photos and videos of babies on the family channel, but the photo upload function disappeared." There were also criticisms about insufficient guidance from the company as the service termination notice was not reflected on IPTV.

An LG Uplus representative explained, "As part of efforts to focus on the essence of IPTV services, we have previously reduced services with low usage such as games," adding, "We will support customers in backing up photos and videos they have uploaded before the service ends."

Meanwhile, LG Uplus, which was the first to partner with the online video service (OTT) Netflix on IPTV, is preparing for the official launch of Disney Plus (+) on November 12. In addition to strengthening kids’ content including ‘U+ Idle Nara,’ it recently launched a dedicated children’s channel ‘The Kids’ through its subsidiary Medialog.