Special Hosting of '9595 Show' for One Week Without Appearance Fee
Comedian Kang Seok and actors Kim Seong-hwan and Park Cheol, along with broadcaster Jo Young-gu, have decided to appear without pay on Seoul Media Foundation’s Traffic Broadcasting System (TBS) radio, which is facing a financial crisis due to reduced Seoul city subsidies.
'Will it be a breakthrough for 'content enhancement'... Kang Seok, Kim Seong-hwan, Park Cheol, Jo Young-gu volunteer their talents
Jung Tae-ik, CEO of TBS (right), and department heads are bowing in greeting after announcing the innovation plan to strengthen fairness at the TBS Radio Public Hall in Mapo-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
On the 18th, TBS announced a special edition of the FM radio (95.1MHz) program '9595 Show,' planning to broadcast a four-week series from the 24th of this month to the 18th of next month featuring 'Four Radio Legends with Four Unique Styles.'
TBS explained, "Kang Seok, Kim Seong-hwan, Park Cheol, and Jo Young-gu will each serve as special hosts for one week, co-hosting the show with TBS announcer Kang Ji-yeon," adding, "This is a talent donation without any appearance fees."
Goh Min-seok, head of TBS Radio Production Headquarters and Strategic Planning Office, said, "The four graciously agreed to participate with 'no guarantee' amid the difficult financial situation faced by TBS. We sincerely thank them."
Some analysts interpret this as an effort to address the shortage of TBS content raised after the abolition of the politically controversial program 'Kim Eo-jun’s News Factory' as a self-help measure.
This year, Seoul city’s subsidy to TBS was set at 23.2 billion won, reduced by 8.8 billion won compared to last year. Moreover, a Seoul city ordinance suspending support for TBS was promulgated in December last year, meaning that from next year, TBS will no longer receive about 70% (approximately 30 billion won) of its total budget from Seoul city contributions. This raises concerns about worsening financial conditions.
Gathering of veteran broadcasters... "Featuring listener stories and impromptu skits"
The radio show will be hosted by Kim Seong-hwan in the first week, followed by Park Cheol, Jo Young-gu, and Kang Seok in order. The broadcast airs Monday through Friday from 12:10 PM to 2:00 PM.
Kang Seok is a veteran comedian who debuted in 1978 through the MBC Gag Contest and hosted MBC radio’s 'Single Bungle Show' from 1984 to 2020.
Veteran actor Kim Seong-hwan, who debuted as a TBC public talent in 1970, has been a radio DJ at TBS for over 20 years.
Park Cheol has hosted SBS radio’s 'Escape at Two' and TBN’s 'Bang Bang Gok Gok,' while Jo Young-gu worked as a reporter for 'Midnight TV Entertainment' for 19 years.
The special broadcasts are expected to include listener stories and impromptu skits.
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