Interview
Interview
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  • 승인 2007.07.13 15:04
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Q: What do your members feel are the key issues that need to be addressed in the next year

A: Well frankly speaking I haven't really thought of next year's plan but the optimal goal shared by all the members is the digitalization by 2012. As you know analog will be switched off by 2012 as the government says, so the coming five years will be very crucial for the cable industry to accomplish this conversion in the Korean market. So this is the main focus for us. We also believe that this is the only way to survive in the market and to increase our competitiveness in the world, and also to face IPTV competition in the market. The second point is that we have a lot of discussion on how to improve the SM management and also how to increase the corporate value of the SOs, how to increase customer service to maximize customer satisfaction, and how to minimize customer complaints. So SO has to prepare themselves to face these challenges and we believe we have to keep making efforts regarding these issues. The third point is that with the FTA it is true that a lot of fears are in the market.

So in three or four years we have to get rid of the fears in the market and prepare for the coming FTA. As you know Korean PP are often depending on Hollywood oriented international programming in terms of program acquisition.

So to improve their international competitiveness in the market the Korean local PPs have to make a lot of effort in terms of production and distribution. I believe that in doing that I can anticipate that some cable-only PP can be produced by local companies. So this is an opportunity to enchance our competitiveness in the market. These are the kind of things that we have been discussing in the conference yesterday and today. The other thing is that we have to develop new bundled products . digital video, VoIP and high speed internet. Through the strategy alliance we can add mobile wireless. I think that is the way we can increase the corporate value of the industry and also to increase the approachability. That would maybe be a strategy of the industry and we will pursue these goals for the coming two years.

Q: How do you feel about the conference has gone this year

A: We tried to put all the current issues in the conference, all the issues I mentioned. Maybe because of that reason, but we were surprised at the level of the passion and enthusiasm of the audience, also of the panel. I could feel the passion of the industry. They were very serious and also passionate about all the problems that we have dealt with. So far so good, I would say they have been very successful. In fact compared to the previous conferences the first day was ok but the second day was quite relaxed and people came in and went out. But this time it was very well attended and very full and there were many participants until the end. So personally I participated in the second session and the moderator was a professor from Yonsei University. The interactivity between the panel and the audience was great. The moderator said that if he graded the audience they would receive a triple A, an A+++. So I would say that it has been quite successful.

Q: There's already been a lot of cable merger and acquisitions. If SK Telecom were to acquire all the cable companies in Korea, where would that leave the cable industry Or if another company bought all media, where would that leave the industry

A: M&A can happen whenever in the Korean market, because it's a changing market. Actually for both small SOs who don't afford a digital system it is very possible to merge with other SOs in the market. These acquisitions will happen. It is very possible that MNOs such as SK will keep trying to merge. But the telco's strategy regarding SOs, there was a rumor, yes, but in a press conference both parties denied their intention to buy out or merge. So I don't believe that SK Telecom has an intention to buy MSO in the near future. But it will be more like a strategic alliance level for bundled products. PP is more possible to be acquired or merged because SK, even though they have some challenges, have been successful, and KT hasn't prepared well for formal launching, so it is very possible for them to see the potential of the PPs.

Q: What is your opinion on the importation of foreign content into the Korean market with the Korea- US FTA Do you think it will be a bad thing

A: If there is more American content in Korea there's nothing bad about that, of course. Because Korean views have a right to see diverse content as much as possible. So its more like a viewer's decision. They have to be exposed to all different cultures and programs as much as possible so they can decide which content they would like. So legally we don't have any system to legislate the arrival of new content to the Korean market. Of course with the FTA there will be more US content in the market.

There are certain worrying voices about this situation. As American culture is coming more and more to the Korean market there are some people worrying about the increased influence in the Korean market. But I don't think the viewers are against that. Another opinion about the PPs, small PPs would worry about their position in the market.

More content means a more competitive market so small PPs can feel more threatened by this movement. But there are also positive aspects of the FTA.

With the FTA maybe more American content can be introduced into the Korean market. And some of the major media groups who don't have a presence in the Korean market with the FTA, then that's good for Korean viewers actually, they can have more options and more variety. In the level of corporate competition Korean companies must find a way to survive in the changing environment.

We have to think of how we will improve our competitiveness in the international market. We have to think of how to make appealing content for viewers. The local companies should really focus on the production of appealing content to improve their productivity and the efficiency of the production.

The FTA is nothing bad in itself, and more content in the local market doesn't mean anything bad, but the question is how to face these changes and challenges. Take HBO for instance. In the past five or six years ago HBO had an experience to work together with a Korean PP.

But under the Korean regulations they felt they could not succeed in business in Korea so they withdrew instantly. As far as I know they are considering re-entering the Korean PP market. Because I believe that with the signing of the FTA between the Korea and the US they think the opportunity will be good for them to re-enter the Korean market. I think HBO or Showtime is an attractive PP and will have a good chance to start their business again in Korea in a few years.

But I don't know which form they will start their business again in the Korean market. Maybe it will be an alliance with a Korean PP or maybe with an MSO.


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