November 15, 2007
TV sets a turn-off for South Korea's youth
In South Korea, peer-to-peer video services have exploded. Laptops are the gateway to entertainment. Reuters reports.
"For a small subscription fee to an Internet service, users can download thousands of movies, including Hollywood films not yet released in South Korea.
South Koreans can also receive TV shows such as "American Idol," complete with Korean subtitles, less than 24 hours after airing.
User-generated content sites such as "ipop " have clubs where users can pay by the download or pony up monthly subscription fees of about 10,000 won to 20,000 won ($11 to $22) that will let them tap into a huge library of U.S., Japanese, Chinese and Korean TV programming and movies.
One of the most popular peer-to-peer clubs, Mansal, has had nearly 50 million visitors. While many are repeaters, the total is still almost equal to the country's population.
The clubs make money from subscription fees and advertising. Young professionals with little time to spare and students with an abundance of time to search for material are the main clients for these services -- making cable TV and TV sets obsolete.
The clubs often obtain content from Koreans living abroad who upload movies. They also upload TV programming within hours after it airs and translate it.
The clubs have helped to make shows such as Prison Break and Ugly Betty hits first among Internet users. Cable companies later picked up local broadcasting rights.
South Korea this year stepped up penalties for those who violate copyright laws by downloading pirated material, but that has had almost no effect."
Related:
-- Mobile TV users surpass 6-millions in Korea
-- Korea in the Grip of U.S. TV Series Fever
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