Ministry of Science and ICT, Decision to Re-license DLive Co., Ltd. and Nam Incheon Broadcasting Co., Ltd.

The Ministry of Science and ICT (Minister Yoo Sang-im, hereinafter referred to as the ‘MSIT’)  notified 16 comprehensive cable broadcasting companies (hereinafter referred to as ‘SOs’) affiliated with DLive Co., Ltd. of the ^re  –  licensing  and Nam Incheon Broadcasting Co., Ltd. 

  * DLive (14 SO), DLive Gangnam (1 SO), DLive Gyeonggi-dongbu (1 SO)

In order to  ensure objectivity and fairness in the re-licensing review,  the Ministry of Science and ICT  formed the SO Re-licensing Review Committee comprised  of private sector experts from six fields, including  broadcasting, law, management, accounting, technology, and viewers , and conducted the review from November 26 to 29.

 The Relicensing Review Committee decided to  relicense all 17 operators as they exceeded the relicensing standard of 400 points (out of 600), and presented  its opinion that it is necessary to impose conditions such as ▲faithful operation of the Viewers’ Committee, ▲ compliance with relevant guidelines such as PP  contracts ,  and ▲faithful implementation of regional channel investment plans  . Regarding DLive,  it presented a separate opinion that it is necessary to improve its financial soundness .  

The Ministry of Science and ICT set the validity period  of re-licensing to 5 to 7 years   based on the results of the re-licensing review committee review  , and  imposed re-licensing conditions presented by the review committee.

The Ministry of Science and ICT has finalized the relicensing of 17 SOs after receiving prior consent from the Korea Communications Commission   regarding the results of the relicensing review committee’s review  , and plans to regularly inspect the performance to ensure that  the conditions for future  relicensing are faithfully observed .