[Asia Exclusive] "Accident on OOO, Please Detour"…Drivers' Companion 'Korea Transportation Broadcasting'

Real-Time Information Delivery Boosts Listenership
Customized 'TBN Tong' App for the Smart Era Also Available

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] "We have just received news of an accident. Correspondent ○○○ has reported that a collision between a passenger car and a motorcycle occurred and is currently being handled. Please take note of this section as you pass through."

At 6 p.m., when the evening rush hour begins to get congested, the 'Running Radio' program, a driver's companion that soothes tedious driving with everyday stories and exciting songs, starts. However, accident reports are already coming in from various places. Interrupting the ongoing content, the radio DJ first delivers the traffic news. Drivers who are all ears quickly take detour routes. This is a unique charm found only on TBN Korea Transportation Broadcasting.

Operated by the Korea Road Traffic Authority, TBN Korea Transportation Broadcasting is the radio channel with the highest listenership on public transportation nationwide, except for parts of Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. Because it delivers traffic and weather information in real-time faster than anyone else, countless drivers are avid listeners. Lee Jumin, Director of the Korea Road Traffic Authority, said, "Since 50% of our programming is regionally tailored, we provide information closely connected to local areas," adding with a smile, "In the provinces, our listenership is much higher than that of terrestrial radio."

Launched in 1997, TBN Korea Transportation Broadcasting changed to its current name in 2005 and has been steadily growing ever since. Starting with Gwangju, the first city to launch, it now provides regionally customized broadcasts nationwide except for Seoul, including Busan, Daejeon, Daegu, Gangwon, Gyeongin, Jeonbuk, Ulsan, Gyeongnam, Gyeongbuk, Jeju, and Chungbuk (in order of launch dates). While it offers music, entertainment, and current affairs programs, the core focus, fitting its name as a transportation broadcaster, is delivering traffic and weather information. Reports from numerous taxi drivers and motorists, called 'correspondents,' deliver local traffic news faster than any other news source. The strength of TBN Korea Transportation Broadcasting comes directly from its listeners. In the smartphone era, TBN Korea Transportation Broadcasting is also evolving. By installing the smartphone application 'TBN Tong (TONg),' users can listen to radio broadcasts nationwide in real-time, participate, and check real-time traffic information simultaneously.

However, there are some shortcomings. Excluding Seoul (TBS), which has its own broadcasting station, the Gyeongin headquarters does not cover the entire Gyeonggi Province. As a result, it is currently difficult to obtain traffic information via radio in the southern Gyeonggi region. Recently, the Korea Road Traffic Authority applied for the new radio broadcasting operator selection contest for the frequency (FM 99.9 MHz) returned by Gyeonggi Broadcasting due to its closure. Currently, seven organizations, including Gyeonggi Province, are competing for this frequency. Director Lee said, "We prepared diligently and submitted our application."