Examining sources of competitiveness in broadcasting industry in the era of convergence

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine how terrestrial broadcasting networks in South Korea have adapted to changing media environments by leveraging their internal resources and capabilities. The current research is based on a resource-based framework and provides a case study of the Korea Educational Broadcasting System (KEBS), a representative broadcasting network in South Korea. We conducted in-depth interviews with senior officials and experts at KEBS. The results show that there are several unique resources including public character, long-term investment, and contents that allow KEBS to maintain competitiveness among South Korean broadcasting networks. The implications of the results are also discussed.

Keywords:

• convergence
• case study
• Korean broadcasting
• KEBS

Notes

1. A previous version of this paper was presented at the annual meeting of Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC), St. Louis, MO, August 10–13 2011. This version is considerably revised from the previous version.

2. IPTV is a system that delivers television content using broadband internet lines and a set-top box, instead of traditional TV antennas, cable boxes and satellite dishes. IPTV delivers multimedia services such as television, video, audio, text, graphics and data over IP-based networks that are managed to provide the required levels of service quality, security, interactivity and reliability (Lee & Shin 2010).