Debate over restructuring South Korea’s Broadcasting and Communications Development Fund has stalled for years, as some now call for expanding it into an “audiovisual media development fund” that also covers OTT services and platforms. Seoul National University professor Hong Jong-yoon proposed broadening contributors and using the money for regional and smaller media support and content diversity. Separately, calls persist to merge the fund with the Information and Communications Promotion Fund, a move repeatedly recommended by government evaluators.

South Korea has created a legal basis for the government to support programme production by small and mid-sized programme providers (PPs) facing difficult business conditions. The Broadcasting, Media and Communications Commission said a partial amendment to the Broadcasting Act was approved at a cabinet meeting on Oct. 13. The amendment allows support for PPs classified as small businesses under the Framework Act on Small and Medium Enterprises, excluding general programming, news and home shopping PPs.