"Due to OTT, Pay TV Subscribers Fall to 36.23 Million in First Half... Down for Third Consecutive Period"

More Cancellations Due to OTT Services Like Netflix
IPTV Subscriber Numbers Continue to Rise

In the first half of this year, the number of pay TV subscribers-including Internet Protocol TV (IPTV), comprehensive cable TV (SO), and satellite broadcasting-stood at approximately 36.23 million, marking a decline for the third consecutive half-year period.

According to the 'Number of Pay TV Subscribers and Market Share for the First Half of 2025' released by the Broadcasting, Media, and Communications Committee on November 24, the number of domestic pay TV subscribers in the first half of this year was 36,226,100, a decrease of 138,546 (0.38%) compared to 36,364,646 in the second half of last year.

After a decrease of 5,755 in the first half of last year and a further drop of 19,964 in the second half, the decline accelerated this year, with the number of subscribers falling by nearly 140,000 in the first half.

The downward trend, which began in the first half of last year, has continued as more users cancel their pay TV subscriptions in favor of watching online video services (OTT) such as Netflix and Tving.

The number of pay TV subscribers reached a peak of 36,390,365 in the second half of 2023 and has now declined for three consecutive half-year periods.

Among pay TV services, the number of IPTV subscribers has steadily increased over the past three years. As of the first half of this year, IPTV subscribers totaled 21,414,521 (59.11%), an increase of 104,270 compared to the second half of last year.

In contrast, SO subscribers fell by 182,044 to 12,091,056 (33.38%), and satellite broadcasting subscribers decreased by 60,772 to 2,720,523 (7.51%).

By service provider, KT reported 9,028,900 IPTV subscribers and 2,720,523 KT Skylife satellite broadcasting subscribers. SK Broadband had 6,768,835 IPTV subscribers and 2,785,114 cable TV subscribers. LG Uplus reported 5,616,786 IPTV subscribers and LG HelloVision had 3,435,058 cable TV subscribers.

The number of pay TV subscribers is determined through a practical survey of IPTV, SO, and satellite broadcasting operators conducted by the Korea Association for ICT Promotion (KAIT), and is reviewed and approved by a specialized review committee composed of private sector members under the Broadcasting, Media, and Communications Committee.