Media companies turn to FAST channels amid pressure on traditional broadcasting models
More and more Korean content is making its way to international television screens as entertainment companies search for fresh revenue streams to offset rising costs and slow domestic ad sales.
Entertainment giant CJ ENM announced the launch of "CJ ENM K-Dance," a channel dedicated to Korean dance content in North America through LG Channels.
Operated by LG Electronics, LG Channels is a global Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television service offering around 5,000 channels across 37 countries. FAST services allow viewers to stream a wide range of television content for free. Programming is supported by advertising rather than subscriptions.
The launch marks CJ ENM's first dedicated FAST channel on the platform, giving viewers in the United States and Canada free, 24-hour access to its programming.
According to CJ ENM, the "CJ ENM K-Dance" channel will feature the company's exclusive lineup of dance and music content, such as Mnet's hit competition series "Street Woman Fighter" and "Street Man Fighter," dance reality show "Somebody," "MPD FanCam" videos and performances from the Mnet Asian Music Awards.
"FAST and advertising-based video on demand are playing an important role as key hubs in strengthening CJ ENM's global distribution capabilities for Korean content," Kim Do-hyun, head of content distribution at CJ ENM, said in a press release.
"We will continue to expand partnerships with global platforms such as LG Channels to introduce Korean entertainment to more viewers overseas while exploring new business opportunities."
Meanwhile, KT Studio Genie, which oversees media content operations within the Korean conglomerate KT Group, is expanding its presence on connected TV platforms by bringing vertical short-form dramas to television audiences alongside its existing lineup of films and full-length dramas.
The company recently partnered with global cloud-based broadcasting platform Amagi to launch "Genie Shorts," a smart TV channel dedicated to vertical short-form dramas. The channel debuted on LG Channels with a library of 73 titles before expanding to Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates.
"Genie Shorts" adapts content originally produced in a 9:16 vertical format for mobile viewing to fit 16:9 connected TV screens. The unused space on either side of the video is filled with dedicated graphic panels displaying channel branding and program information.
The launch forms part of KT Studio Genie's broader push into the global FAST market. Last year, the company also launched 12 new channels on Samsung TV Plus, the FAST service operated by Samsung Electronics.
The lineup comprised 10 Korean drama channels and two international film and drama channels, featuring a range of the company's hit original productions, including "Dear Hyeri" and "Your Honor."
The growing move to distribute Korean content through overseas FAST platforms reflects a broader industry effort to find alternatives to traditional broadcasting and distribution models amid rising production costs and sluggish advertising revenues. Global smart TV manufacturers are emerging as key distribution partners, giving Korean media companies access to established audiences and infrastructure in international markets.
Currently, Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, which operate Samsung TV Plus and LG Channels, respectively, hold leading positions in the global television market. According to London-based technology research firm Omdia, Samsung retained its position as the world's largest TV manufacturer for the 20th consecutive year in 2025, accounting for 29.1 percent of global TV revenue. LG Electronics ranked second with a 15.2 percent share.
Meanwhile, according to Omdia, the global FAST market is projected to expand from $6.3 billion in 2023 to $12 billion by 2027.
yoonseo.3348@heraldcorp.com
