North Korea TV Channels

As of August 16, 2016, there are four television channels in North Korea. All are state-owned and usually last from daytime to prime time.

Korean Central Television

This is the oldest and main television channel in North Korea, and it started regular broadcasting in 1963. As of 2017, it's the only North Korean TV channel broadcasting to the outside world via satellite television aside from domestic transmissions. On satellite, KCTV is available in standard definition as well as in Full HD. Since December 4, 2017, a test air broadcast in the format 16:9 SDTV was started.

Mansudae Television

Mansudae Television broadcasts educational material with the occasional advert on weekends to Pyongyang. It opened on December 1, 1973. The Mansudae TV Broadcasting Station broadcasts three hours (19:00–22:00) on Saturdays, and nine hours (10:00–13:00, 16:00–22:00) on Sundays.

Ryongnamsan Television

Ryongnamsan Television is an educational channel provided by University Student TV Department of Korea Radio and Television.[14] De facto the director of this channel is Yang Chun Won.

The channel started broadcasting on April 1, 1971 under the name "Kaesong". On October 10, 1991, that channel has transitioned to color broadcasting. On 1 February 1997 (some sources say 16 February 1997), the channel was rebranded as the "Korean Educational and Cultural Network". According to the North Korea Handbook, the rebranding was connected with the 55th anniversary of Kim Jong-il.[citation needed The channel was broadcast on Channel 9 in Pyongyang from 17:00 to 22:00 on weekdays and from 12:00 to 22:00 on weekends. Also in the 1990s, the television station carried out experimental broadcasting from the television tower in Kaesong on Channel 8 in the NTSC-M format, as a way to promote North Korean culture among South Korean viewers. Channel 8 was chosen to prevent the signal from being jammed by South Korean broadcasters, since in Seoul, Channels 7 and 9 were used for KBS2 and KBS1 until that country's analogue shutdown on December 31, 2012. KBS1 and KBS2 were also broadcast in the demilitarized zone on Channels 29 and 28, respectively, although their signal was jammed by the North Korean government.

On September 5, 2012 the channel received its current name. Its schedule includes science documentaries in English, television lectures and educational programs for learning foreign languages. The channel is available for viewing to students of all universities of Pyongyang. The station broadcasts on Channel 9 from the Pyongyang TV tower, on the Manbang IPTV service, and on apps on Samjiyon tablets.

Athletic Television

Athletic Television (Cheyug TV) is the sports channel launched on August 15, 2015. Athletic Television presents sports competitions involving North Korean athletes, and documentaries and programs about the history of sports in North Korea and the world. The channel broadcasts on Saturdays and Sundays from 19:00 to 22:00. At 20:00, the channel broadcasts the Podo news program by Korean Central Television.

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