SK Broadband tops IPTV market share in first half

By Kim Jae-heun

SK Broadband achieved the highest net increase in its internet protocol television (IPTV) market share in the first half of this year, and also secured 9.17 million paid-membership users by releasing new products in response to customers' changing needs. It is seeing continuous sales growth by strengthening its service competitiveness through content curation based on customer lifestyles learned through big data.

B tv ZEM KIDS, SK Broardband's kid-specialized service for infants and children, recommends and offers a total of 80,000 contents from play to learning according to age, level and propensity.

The internet service provider also launched a customized homeschooling content program called “Today's Learning” last November. “Today's Learning” is the first IPTV service in Korea to recommend free lessons every day for children from the ages of 1 to 13. It focuses on the composition of TV-based “Learning Flow” to develop children's habit and self-motivation to learn more. The cumulative number of viewers exceeded 3 million in May and the number of audiences increase by 400 percent on a quarterly basis.

“Albert AI x B tv ZEM Kids Homeschooling Pack” is an easy and fun service by SK Broadband that helps students from the age of 3 to the lower grades of elementary school to learn coding. It is the first coding robot education product in the IPTV industry here.

In addition to content curation, the internet service provider has introduced various products utilizing devices, including home entertainment platform PlayZ, launched in January this year. PlayZ offers an over-the-top portal, some 40 livestreaming channels and 7,000 free VODs as well as karaoke service and online games.

“PlayZ is a new media platform that can be enjoyed without subscription or basic fees. We will continue to promote distinguished content services by strengthening partnership with OTT firms,” an SK Broadband official said.