During the World Cup in South Africa, thanks to the Korean national team’s good matches, and with the public having great expectations for entering the top 16, there were great discontent viewers that couldn’t watch the game due to SBS’s exclusive relay. In much of the shadow areas, nationwide residents have problems of finding the town hall or great restaurants to watch the World cup broadcasting late at night. Therefore some people could not watch the games and they unavoidably heard the results through KBS news. Because in some areas, SBS broadcasting equipments were not installed, they could not receive SBS broadcasting directly and had to subscribe to pay-cable. However, if KBS had broadcasted the World cup, more than 600,000 nationwide householders could have been able to watch the broadcast.

KBS relayed exclusively many world competitions including the World Championships in Athletics. KBS plays an important role so that people can access sports and the experience and the know-how of KBS is known worldwide. In World Championship Athletics held in Daegu, KBS had the right to exclusive relay among other broadcasting companies. Many people had a grievance against KBS. However, there are two merits that KBS broadcasts exclusively.
First, if three broadcasting companies covered the same competition, some people that they do not want to watch the game could miss the right of watching TV programs that they want to watch. Therefore, by one certain company relaying exclusively, people could get wider options.
Next, if three broadcasting companies covered the same competition, they could waste much radio wave. Maybe they provide popular games, not unpopular games to increase their profits.
Last, if three broadcasting companies covered the same competition, companies waste money because broadcasting companies should pay fees to associations like FIFA. They should pay fees to broadcast the competitions to our nation’s people. Therefore, one company per one nation should broadcast the competition exclusively.
Be that as it may, are these reasons above larger than the right of watching the World Championship in Athletics? Definitely not.

What is the problem of KBS broadcasting exclusive relay?
Was it because of the expectations that people had showed for KBS? The public was disappointed with KBS. When SBS got the right of the exclusive relay, other broadcasting stations talked badly about them. However, KBS took a completely opposite stand. This time, only KBS broadcasts IAAF.
During the event, KBS didn’t broadcast various plays, and if games were broadcast, it was only the finals, but not all of the qualifiers. For example, on August 28th, all through the morning, KBS2 did not completely broadcast the games and KBS1 did only an hour and a half broadcasting. Besides, KBS has three broadcasting stations. However, only one station is relayed live. Therefore, the fact that a certain Japanese broadcasting station is relayed to Korea was known to the public, so viewers tried to seek those channels. Frankly speaking, many people may think that a majority of people might think that it is better not to play games that do not concern a lot of people and are not as needed, such as qualifiers. However, our country held IAAF and people wanted to see the games, but KBS was overambitious on this occasion. KBS overlooked the fact that they have three broadcasting stations and the ability to give the public abundant information.

Because KBS is also a company, earning higher profits is its primary goal purpose, of course. However, KBS air being indifferent to the world renowned competition IAAF is very disappointing to local citizens as well as foreigners. As exclusive relay broadcasting station, KBS should fulfill its responsibility. If they cannot carry out its responsibility, they should not relay the games exclusively.
KBS can redeem its mistake during the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. During the 2018 Olympics, KBS, MBC, and SBS will broadcast games together. We hope that Winter Olympics will not be a fight between broadcasting stations, but be a peaceful broadcast full of celebration that people can really enjoy.
Korea Communications Commission can take measure for protecting the right of watching TV. However, the right of scheduling television programs is the freedom of the press, so Korea Communications Commission could not resort to forceful measures. Therefore, each company should be faithful to their roles ethically.