JTBC

JTBC
Country	South Korea
Broadcast area	South Korea, Worldwide
Programming
Language	Korean
Picture format	1080i (HDTV)
Ownership
Owner	JTBC
History
Launched	December 1, 2011; 14 years ago (cable)
Availability
Streaming media
JTBC On air	Watch live (only in South Korea)
Korean name
Hangul	중앙동양방송
Hanja	中央東洋放送
RR	Jungang dongyang bangsong
MR	Chungang tongyang pangsong

JTBC
JTBC
	The JTBC Trust Building located in Digital Media City
Founded	March 21, 2011; 15 years ago
Headquarters	48-6, Sangamsan-ro, Mapo District, Seoul, South Korea
Area served	South Korea
Key people	Hong Jeong-do (Vice Chairman & CDXO); Lee Soo-young (CEO & President); Jeon Jin-bae (CEO & Head of News Division);
Owner	JoongAng Group [ko] (25%) ; DY Asset (5.92%) ; JoongAng Ilbo (4.99%) ; Warner Bros. Discovery (5.72%) ; S&T Dynamics (2.37%) ; Sungwoo Hitech (2.37%) ; Sungbo Cultural Foundation (1.18%) ; Daehan Steel (1.18%) ; Ace Bed Co. (1.18%) ; Hanssem Co. (1.18%)
Subsidiaries	SLL ; JTBC Mediacomm ; JTBC Mediatech ; JTBC Plus
Website	jtbc.co.kr (in Korean)

JTBC (an acronym from Joongang Tongyang Broadcasting Company; Korean: 제이티비씨; stylized in all lowercase) is a South Korean nationwide cable network whose primary shareholder is JoongAng Holdings with a 25% stake. Launched on December 1, 2011, JTBC is a generalist channel, with programming consisting of television series, variety shows, and news broadcasting. Its news division is held in similar regard to the three main terrestrial networks in South Korea.

When launched in 2011, JTBC was one of four new South Korean nationwide generalist cable TV networks, the other three being The Dong-A Ilbo's Channel A, The Chosun Ilbo's TV Chosun, and Maeil Business Newspaper's MBN. These networks serve as supplementary networks to the existing conventional free-to-air TV networks like KBS, MBC, SBS and the other smaller channels launched following deregulation in 1990.

History

The origins of the network can be traced back to 1964, when the newspaper JoongAng Ilbo, then a part of Samsung, founded the Tongyang Broadcasting Corporation (TBC). JoongAng Ilbo ran the network for 16 years until it was forced by the military regime of Chun Doo-hwan to merge with the state-run KBS in 1980.

At its founding in 2011, some media analysts considered the return of JoongAng Ilbo to television via JTBC as the reincarnation of TBC. Indeed, JoongAng Ilbo had wanted to reuse the name Tongyang Broadcasting Corporation but was unable to because Taegu Broadcasting Corporation has held the rights to the acronym "TBC" in South Korea since 1994.

Timeline

June 26, 1964: Tongyang Broadcasting Corporation launches.
December 7, 1964: TBC-TV starts broadcasting on channel 7.
November 30, 1980: TBC-TV merges with KBS Television under a special law of Chun Doo-hwan, president of the military authorities, resulting in the launch of KBS 2TV.
July 22, 2009: Amendment of the media law passed by the national assembly in order to deregulate the media market in South Korea. A response from the South Korean government to the Chojoongdong (the major media conglomerates of The Chosun Ilbo, JoongAng Ilbo, and The Dong-A Ilbo), which were aiming to launch the cable market.
December 31, 2010: JTBC, TV Chosun, MBN, and Channel A selected as "general cable television channel broadcasters".
March 11, 2011: JoongAng Ilbo establishes the JTBC corporation.
December 1, 2011: JTBC starts broadcasting on channel 15.
May 2013: Former MBC news anchor Sohn Suk-hee designated as JTBC's new president of its news division.
January 2015: JTBC constructs a new building in Digital Media City in Sangam-dong, Seoul.
November 2018: Sohn Suk-hee promoted to JTBC's president and CEO.
June 2019: JTBC acquired the South Korean media rights to the Olympic Games from 2026 to 2032. The company also later secured exclusive South Korean rights to FIFA tournaments from 2025 to 2030, including the 2026 and 2030 FIFA World Cups and the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.
April 2020: JTBC moves its newscasts to Creation Hall, starting with JTBC Newsroom, with its other programs following suit on May 18.
June 2021: JTBC buys a majority stake in production company Wiip from Creative Artists Agency (CAA).
June 2026: JTBC defaulted on ₩20.6 billion of securitized loans after failing to repay principal and interest by the due date. NICE Investors Service downgraded the broadcaster's long-term credit rating from BBB to CCC, and later to D. JTBC subsequently filed for court-supervised corporate rehabilitation with the Seoul Rehabilitation Court, while stating that its broadcasting operations would continue normally.

August 2026: JTBC decided not to seek a further extension of its Autonomous Restructuring Support (ARS) program, which was set to expire on August 30, after negotiations with creditors over a voluntary restructuring and funding plan failed to reach an agreement. The decision made it likely that the Seoul Rehabilitation Court would formally commence rehabilitation proceedings, under which the court directly oversees the company's debt adjustment and restructuring, comparing its going-concern value against its liquidation value; if the going-concern value is higher, a rehabilitation plan is pursued, while a higher liquidation value can lead to the proceedings being discontinued. JTBC had applied for the ARS program — a mechanism that allows the court to defer its decision on commencing proceedings while the debtor and its creditors negotiate a voluntary restructuring — after its June 12 default on ₩20.6 billion in securitized borrowings. The court accepted the application on June 30 and extended the deferral once, on July 29, to August 30. Meanwhile, the four other JoongAng Group affiliates that had filed for rehabilitation, including JoongAng Holdings, had already entered court-supervised proceedings, while the JoongAng Ilbo began a creditor-approved debt workout on July 10. On August 28, 2026, the Seoul Bankruptcy Court approved the commencement of rehabilitation proceedings for JTBC. Following the court's decision, JTBC began the sale process as part of its efforts to normalize its management.

Programs

News programs include JTBC Newsroom, After News 5, Newsroom Now, and Sangam-Dong Class.
JTBC dramas hold 9 spots in the top 50, including The World of the Married. This is the highest-rated drama in cable television, surpassing JTBC's previous record with SKY Castle.
Cultural productions include Begin Again and Ssulzun
Variety shows include Knowing Bros, Let's Eat Dinner Together, Traveler, and more.

Drama

Currently airing TV series
Airtime	Program	Original title	Start date
22:40 on Saturdays and 22:30 on Sundays (KST)	The Apartment Job	아파트	July 11, 2026

Variety

Currently airing variety shows
Airtime	Program	Original title	Start date
Monday at 20:50 (KST)	Talk Correspondent 25 O'Clock	톡파원 25시	February 2, 2022 (2022-02-02)
Tuesday at 20:50 (KST)	Love War	연애전쟁	June 23, 2026 (2026-06-23)
Thursday at 22:30 (KST)	Divorce Camp	이혼숙려캠프	August 15, 2024 (2024-08-15)
Saturday at 21:00 (KST)	Knowing Bros	아는 형님	December 5, 2015 (2015-12-05)
Sunday at 21:00 (KST)	Please Take Care of My Refrigerator	냉장고를 부탁해	November 17, 2014 (2014-11-17)

Viewership ratings

The table below lists the top 10 cable dramas ranked by average national audience share ratings.


Ranking	Drama	Episodes	Highest Nielsen Korea Nationwide Rating	Date	Airing Period
1	The World of the Married	16	28.371%	May 16, 2020	Fridays and Saturdays
2	Reborn Rich	16	26.948%	December 25, 2022	Fridays to Sundays
3	Sky Castle	20	23.779%	February 1, 2019	Fridays and Saturdays
4	Doctor Cha	16	18.546%	June 4, 2023	Saturdays and Sundays
5	Itaewon Class	16	16.548%	March 21, 2020	Fridays and Saturdays
6	Agency	16	16.044%	February 26, 2023	Saturdays and Sundays
7	King the Land	16	13.789%	August 6, 2023	Saturdays and Sundays
8	The Tale of Lady Ok	16	13.575%	January 26, 2025	Saturdays and Sundays
9	Reborn Rookie	12	13.568%	July 5, 2026	Saturdays and Sundays
10	Welcome to Samdal-ri	16	12.399%	January 21, 2024	Saturdays and Sundays

「Ratings」data sourced from Nielsen Korea nationwide rating of cable channel, with the inclusion of occasional advertisement

Subsidiaries

Name	Description
JTBC Plus	Operates the JTBC's specialty cable channels, JTBC2, JTBC Sports, JTBC4 and JTBC Golf Publishes Ilgan Sports since 2015
JTBC Mediatech
SLL (formerly JTBC Content Hub and JTBC Studios)	Provides in-house drama and film production Subsidiaries include Drama House [ko], Zium Content, BA Entertainment, Film Monster Co. and Perfect Storm Film
JTBC Mediacomm	Conducts broadcast advertising sales on behalf of JTBC, JTBC Plus and Baduk TV

Awards

Year	Award	Category	Recipient	Result	Ref.
2019	23rd Asian Television Awards	Cable & Satellite Network of the Year award	JTBC	Won

References

↑ Choi, Hee-jin (January 3, 2011). 종편 주주 현황 어떻게. Kyunghyang Shinmun (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
↑ Shin, Hae-in (November 30, 2011). "New cable channels go on air". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
↑ "South Korea country profile". BBC News. October 19, 2011. Archived from the original on January 27, 2024. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
↑ Kim, Tong-hyung (December 12, 2011). "What else can new channels do to boost ratings?". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
↑ Noh, Hyun-gi (January 4, 2012). "Four new TV channels face uncertain futures". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
↑ Yoon, Ja-young (January 20, 2012). "Low ratings weigh on new channels". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
↑ Kim, Tong-hyung (June 2, 2012). "New channels remain 'anonymous'". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
↑ Kim, Tong-hyung (November 29, 2012). "New TV channels are niche, not gold mine". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
↑ "Four New TV Broadcasting Networks Debut in S. Korea". Gold Sea. Archived from the original on June 19, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
↑ Kim, Chyun-hyo (February 26, 2016). Samsung, Media Empire and Family. London: Routledge. doi:10.4324/9781315669045. ISBN 9781315669045.
↑ JTBC: 고객센터 (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 26, 2015.
↑ "A fresh start by JTBC". Korea JoongAng Daily. December 7, 2011. {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
↑ Kim, Hee-jin; Han, Eun-hwa (May 11, 2013). "JTBC chooses news chief". Korea JoongAng Daily. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
↑ 손석희 JTBC 사장, 대표이사로 승격...홍정도 중앙일보 대표는 발행인 겸해. The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). November 19, 2018. Archived from the original on May 7, 2021. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
↑ "JTBC, 2026∼2032년 올림픽 중계권 획득(종합)" [JTBC acquires broadcasting rights to the Olympic Games from 2026 to 2032]. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). June 4, 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
↑ "JTBC, 지상파 3사에 "월드컵 중계권료 절반씩 부담하자" 제안" [JTBC proposes that the three terrestrial broadcasters share half of the World Cup rights fee]. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). March 23, 2026. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
↑ 중앙일보와 JTBC, 상암시대 열다...15일 창조관 기공식. JTBC (in Korean). November 15, 2017. Archived from the original on September 29, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
↑ Lee, Wendy (June 1, 2021). "CAA to sell majority stake in production firm to South Korea's JTBC Studios Co". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
↑ "JTBC defaults as credit downgrades strike group". The Star. Bloomberg. June 15, 2026. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
↑ "JTBC, 206억원 규모 채무불이행…"모든 수단 동원해 해결"" [JTBC defaults on 20.6 billion won in debt; says it will use all available means to resolve the situation]. The Hankyoreh (in Korean). June 13, 2026. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
↑ "JTBC·중앙홀딩스 등 중앙그룹 계열사 4곳 법원에 '회생절차' 신청" [JTBC, JoongAng Holdings and other JoongAng Group affiliates file for rehabilitation proceedings]. Kyunghyang Shinmun (in Korean). June 15, 2026. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
↑ "JTBC 등 중앙그룹 5개사, 오늘 법원서 회생 대표자 심문". n.news.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved June 23, 2026.
↑ "[JTBC, 자율 구조조정 추가 연장 신청 않기로…법정관리 개시될 듯]". The Dong-A Ilbo (in Korean). August 21, 2026. Retrieved August 24, 2026.
↑ "[공식] JTBC, 결국 매각 절차 돌입". Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). August 28, 2026.
↑ '부부의 세계', 비지상파 최고 시청률 28%로 마무리. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). May 17, 2020. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
↑ '재벌집 막내아들' 시청률 26.9%로 종영...'SKY캐슬' 뛰어넘었다. 이투데이 (in Korean). December 26, 2022. Archived from the original on December 26, 2022. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
↑ 드라마 'SKY캐슬', 시청률 23.8% 케이블 사상 최고 기록 경신. The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). February 2, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
↑ '닥터차정숙' 엄정화, 전문의로 인생 리부팅 성공...18.5% 자체 최고 시청률 종영. News1 (in Korean). June 6, 2023. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
↑ "`이태원 클라쓰` 16회 자체 시청률 기록하며 종영". Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). March 22, 2020. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
↑ JTBC, 대상·'미스티' 김남주 최우수 포함 ATA 첫 4관왕 영예. Naver News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved January 14, 2019.

External links

JTBC official website (in Korean)

[1] Choi, Hee-jin (January 3, 2011). 종편 주주 현황 어떻게. Kyunghyang Shinmun (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved May 12, 2020.

[2] Shin, Hae-in (November 30, 2011). "New cable channels go on air". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2013.

[3] "South Korea country profile". BBC News. October 19, 2011. Archived from the original on January 27, 2024. Retrieved March 28, 2025.

[4] Kim, Tong-hyung (December 12, 2011). "What else can new channels do to boost ratings?". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved June 2, 2013.

[5] Noh, Hyun-gi (January 4, 2012). "Four new TV channels face uncertain futures". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved June 2, 2013.

[6] Yoon, Ja-young (January 20, 2012). "Low ratings weigh on new channels". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved June 2, 2013.

[7] Kim, Tong-hyung (June 2, 2012). "New channels remain 'anonymous'". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved June 2, 2013.

[8] Kim, Tong-hyung (November 29, 2012). "New TV channels are niche, not gold mine". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved June 2, 2013.

[9] "Four New TV Broadcasting Networks Debut in S. Korea". Gold Sea. Archived from the original on June 19, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2024.

[10] Kim, Chyun-hyo (February 26, 2016). Samsung, Media Empire and Family. London: Routledge. doi:10.4324/9781315669045. ISBN 9781315669045.

[11] JTBC: 고객센터 (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 26, 2015.

[12] "A fresh start by JTBC". Korea JoongAng Daily. December 7, 2011. {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)

[13] Kim, Hee-jin; Han, Eun-hwa (May 11, 2013). "JTBC chooses news chief". Korea JoongAng Daily. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)

[14] 손석희 JTBC 사장, 대표이사로 승격...홍정도 중앙일보 대표는 발행인 겸해. The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). November 19, 2018. Archived from the original on May 7, 2021. Retrieved May 11, 2020.

[15] "JTBC, 2026∼2032년 올림픽 중계권 획득(종합)" [JTBC acquires broadcasting rights to the Olympic Games from 2026 to 2032]. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). June 4, 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2026.

[16] "JTBC, 지상파 3사에 "월드컵 중계권료 절반씩 부담하자" 제안" [JTBC proposes that the three terrestrial broadcasters share half of the World Cup rights fee]. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). March 23, 2026. Retrieved June 20, 2026.

[17] 중앙일보와 JTBC, 상암시대 열다...15일 창조관 기공식. JTBC (in Korean). November 15, 2017. Archived from the original on September 29, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2020.

[18] Lee, Wendy (June 1, 2021). "CAA to sell majority stake in production firm to South Korea's JTBC Studios Co". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 29, 2021.

[19] "JTBC defaults as credit downgrades strike group". The Star. Bloomberg. June 15, 2026. Retrieved June 20, 2026.

[20] "JTBC, 206억원 규모 채무불이행…"모든 수단 동원해 해결"" [JTBC defaults on 20.6 billion won in debt; says it will use all available means to resolve the situation]. The Hankyoreh (in Korean). June 13, 2026. Retrieved June 20, 2026.

[21] "JTBC·중앙홀딩스 등 중앙그룹 계열사 4곳 법원에 '회생절차' 신청" [JTBC, JoongAng Holdings and other JoongAng Group affiliates file for rehabilitation proceedings]. Kyunghyang Shinmun (in Korean). June 15, 2026. Retrieved June 20, 2026.

[22] "JTBC 등 중앙그룹 5개사, 오늘 법원서 회생 대표자 심문". n.news.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved June 23, 2026.

[23] "[JTBC, 자율 구조조정 추가 연장 신청 않기로…법정관리 개시될 듯]". The Dong-A Ilbo (in Korean). August 21, 2026. Retrieved August 24, 2026.

[24] "[공식] JTBC, 결국 매각 절차 돌입". Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). August 28, 2026.

[25] '부부의 세계', 비지상파 최고 시청률 28%로 마무리. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). May 17, 2020. Retrieved May 22, 2025.

[26] '재벌집 막내아들' 시청률 26.9%로 종영...'SKY캐슬' 뛰어넘었다. 이투데이 (in Korean). December 26, 2022. Archived from the original on December 26, 2022. Retrieved May 22, 2025.

[27] 드라마 'SKY캐슬', 시청률 23.8% 케이블 사상 최고 기록 경신. The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). February 2, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2025.

[28] '닥터차정숙' 엄정화, 전문의로 인생 리부팅 성공...18.5% 자체 최고 시청률 종영. News1 (in Korean). June 6, 2023. Retrieved May 22, 2025.

[29] "`이태원 클라쓰` 16회 자체 시청률 기록하며 종영". Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). March 22, 2020. Retrieved May 22, 2025.

[30] JTBC, 대상·'미스티' 김남주 최우수 포함 ATA 첫 4관왕 영예. Naver News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved January 14, 2019.

v t e JTBC current original programming
Drama	Final Table (since 2026) JTBC Drama Festa (since 2017)
News	JTBC Newsroom (since 2014) Political Desk (since 2014)
Current affairs	Lee Kyu-yeon's Spotlight (since 2015) Scandal Supervisor (since 2014)
Variety	Knowing Bros (since 2015) The Gentlemen's League (since 2019)
Category Current programming Television dramas (2020-present) Entertainment shows

v t e JTBC entertainment shows
Airing	Knowing Bros The Gentlemen's League Please Take Care of My Refrigerator
Ended	Peak Time Music Universe K-909 Music on Top Shinhwa Broadcasting Hidden Singer Battle of Tongues Witch Hunt With You Crime Scene Non-Summit Welcome Back to School 100 People, 100 Songs Dating Alone Where Is My Friend's Home My House Two Yoo Project Sugar Man Code: Secret Room Cook Representative Tribe of Hip Hop Half-Moon Friends Hitmaker Girl Spirit We Will Eat Well Hello I.B.I Let's Eat Dinner Together Phantom Singer Carefree Travellers Begin Again Hyori's Homestay Night Goblin Mix Nine Perfect on Paper Blackpink House Idol Room Cool Kids Traveler Superband The Night of Hate Comments Five Cranky Brothers Love of 7.7 Billion Travelling Market Don't be the First One! Gamsung Camping Long Live Independence Sea of Hope Petkage Sing Again Hot Singers The Second World Street Alcohol Fighter My Name Is Gabriel My Sibling's Romance Extreme Tour
Special	Baeksang Arts Awards Golden Disc Awards
Category Current programming Television dramas (2020-present) Entertainment shows

v t e JTBC television dramas (2020–present)
2020	Itaewon Class When the Weather Is Fine The World of the Married Mystic Pop-up Bar Sweet Munchies The Good Detective (2020–2022) Was It Love? Graceful Friends 18 Again Private Lives More Than Friends Live On Hush Run On
2021	She Would Never Know Sisyphus: The Myth Beyond Evil Law School Undercover Nevertheless Monthly Magazine Home Lost Reflection of You Inspector Koo Idol: The Coup Artificial City Snowdrop The One and Only
2022	Forecasting Love and Weather Thirty-Nine My Liberation Notes Green Mothers' Club Cleaning Up Insider The Empire Reborn Rich The Interest of Love
2023	Agency Divorce Attorney Shin Doctor Cha The Good Bad Mother King the Land Miraculous Brothers Behind Your Touch Destined with You Strong Girl Nam-soon Welcome to Samdal-ri
2024	Queen of Divorce Doctor Slump Hide Frankly Speaking The Atypical Family My Sweet Mobster Miss Night and Day Romance in the House Family by Choice A Virtuous Business The Tale of Lady Ok
2025	The Art of Negotiation Heavenly Ever After Good Boy The Nice Guy Beyond the Bar My Youth A Hundred Memories The Dream Life of Mr. Kim Love Me Surely Tomorrow
2026	The Practical Guide to Love Still Shining We Are All Trying Here Reborn Rookie The Apartment Job Salon De Nabi
Upcoming	Final Table
Category Current programming Television dramas (2020-present) Entertainment shows

Authority control databases
International	ISNI VIAF 2
National	United States Korea Israel
Other	Yale LUX

JTBC

The JTBC Trust Building located in Digital Media City
Founded	March 21, 2011; 15 years ago (2011-03-21)
Headquarters	48-6, Sangamsan-ro, Mapo District, Seoul , South Korea
Area served	South Korea
Key people	Hong Jeong-do (Vice Chairman & CDXO) Lee Soo-young (CEO & President) Jeon Jin-bae (CEO & Head of News Division)
Owner	JoongAng Group [ko] (25%) DY Asset (5.92%) JoongAng Ilbo (4.99%) Warner Bros. Discovery (5.72%) S&T Dynamics (2.37%) Sungwoo Hitech (2.37%) Sungbo Cultural Foundation (1.18%) Daehan Steel (1.18%) Ace Bed Co. (1.18%) Hanssem Co. (1.18%)
Subsidiaries	SLL JTBC Mediacomm JTBC Mediatech JTBC Plus
Website	jtbc.co.kr (in Korean)