KBS1
| KBS 1 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Launched | 31 December 1961 |
| Owned by | Korean Broadcasting System |
| Picture format |
4320p UHDTV (downgraded to 1080i and letterboxed 480i for the HDTV and SDTV feeds, respectively) |
| Country | South Korea |
| Language | Korean |
| Formerly called |
KBS-TV; KBS Channel 9 (1961-1980) |
| Replaced | HLKZ-TV (Daehan Bangsong) (1956-1961) |
| Sister channel(s) |
KBS2 KBS World |
Availability | |
| Terrestrial | |
| UHF | Channel 29 (Korean Demilitarised Zone) |
| Digital terrestrial television |
Seoul: Channel 9.1 |
| Satellite | |
| SkyLife |
Channel 209 (SD) Channel 9 (HD) |
| Cable | |
| Available on every South Korean provider | Channel slots vary on each operator |
| IPTV | |
| B TV | Channel 9 (HD) |
| U+ TV | Channel 9 (HD) |
| Olleh TV | Channel 9 (HD) |
KBS1 is South Korea's public television network. Its programming is generalistic, ranging from news programmes, culture shows, sports events, entertainment series and kids shows.
History
KBS TV began broadcasting on 31 December 1961, as South Korea's first full-scale television station. Regular broadcasts commenced on January 15 the following year.
KBS1 was once known for being one of the first commercial TV stations in South Korea. But in 1963, the South Korean government through its parliament, introduced the Television License Fee system. Advertisements on KBS1 were abolished in 1994.
The monopoly was broken in 1965 when TBC began broadcasting. In 1980, following KBS's acquisition of various private broadcasters, it became known as KBS1.
KBS 1TV began 24-hour broadcasting on 8 October 2012, the first channel in South Korea to do so, in line with the digital switchover and following the lifting the ban of broadcasting into the early hours of the morning on terrestrial television. Even though KBS1 is 24 hours, they continue closing down on Sunday and Monday nights, due to technical maintenance.
Programming
KBS 1TV is the home of predominantly the news, current affairs, talkshow and documentary programmes being produced by KBS, as well as primetime daily dramas and weekend historical and literature series. It also airs musical shows. All KBS 2TV dramas are also shown on this channel as reruns, notably the Monday/Tuesday dramas & Wednesday/Thursday dramas.
KBS 1TV has musical variety shows, but unlike its sister channel, KBS 2TV and most commercial stations which air it on a live basis, most KBS 1TV musical shows are either recorded or broadcast live on special occasions as specials. The only live music program shown on this channel is National Singing Contest (also known as Korea Sings), a talent contest currently shown since 1980.