'JTBC Default' Not an Isolated Incident.. KBS Also on High Alert: "No Sense of Crisis Despite 10 Billion Won Deficit"

*This content was translated by AI.

While the comprehensive channel JTBC sent shockwaves through the broadcasting industry by declaring a debt default worth 20 billion won, KBS announced it is entering a company-wide crisis management system, projecting a deficit in the range of 10 billion won for this year.

KBS Chairman Park Jang-beom pointed out at the 'Q3 2026 Subsidiary Cooperation Meeting' held on the 14th that "the entire broadcasting industry is facing extremely difficult circumstances due to recent changes in the media environment, and it seems there is no sense of crisis whatsoever because the environment allows for almost exclusive use of reception fees."

Chairman Park then emphasized, "Although the deficit this year has decreased compared to last year, this is not a situation we can afford to be complacent about. Just as KBS successfully overcame critical situations such as the IMF crisis and 'separate collection of reception fees' through continuous structural reforms, we must establish new survival strategies this time as well to turn around into profitability."

The meeting was attended by Chairman Park and other executives from headquarters, along with representatives from nine KBS subsidiaries including KBS Media and KBS N, who presented business performance results and discussed growth strategies for the second half of the year.

KBS has continued to record deficits over the past four years, with 80 billion won last year and 70 billion won in 2024. With a deficit in the range of 10 billion won expected this year as well, the company plans to enter a crisis management system and implement company-wide 'financial risk management,' including budget cuts and efforts to expand revenue.

Chairman Park particularly highlighted KBS's recent achievements in content competitiveness, expressing confidence that profitability can be fully achieved through AI innovation. He also urged active utilization of 'Kairus,' an independently developed proprietary AI model recently created by the company.

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*This content was translated by AI.