Strengthening program planning, content procurement, promotion, marketing and sales capabilities

「We broadcast 4 premium-content programs using strong group intellectual property and achieved a certain level of success in maintaining viewer numbers and preventing cancellations.」

「In the music business, hit releases followed one after another, with each release ranking highly on the Oricon charts. Our own-label releases also received strong recognition through synergies with social-media promotion, and royalty income remained stable.」

「In the media business, we broadcast 4 premium-content programs, including SMTOWN LIVE and SHINee, leveraging group synergies. As a result, we broadcast a cumulative total of 10 programs during the interim consolidated accounting period.」

「In the media business, we broadcast 6 K-pop premium-content programs designated as KPIs on KNTV. In particular, live broadcasts of NCT DREAM, RIIZE and aespa’s Korean concerts contributed to attracting new viewers, although viewer numbers are trending downward as the multi-channel services market contracts.」

「In the broadcasting business, we broadcast 5 K-pop premium-content programs designated as KPIs on KNTV,」

「In the Rights & Media business, during the cumulative third-quarter period, we broadcast 10 K-pop premium-content programs designated as KPIs on KNTV, including “SMTOWN LIVE 2023: SMCU PALACE@JAKARTA with KB Bank,” held in Jakarta, Indonesia for the first time in 11 years.」

「In the Rights & Media business, during the cumulative second-quarter period, we broadcast 6 K-pop premium-content programs designated as KPIs, including the exclusive TV live broadcast of Red Velvet’s “Red Velvet 4th Concert: R to V,” its first concert in approximately three and a half years. We already planned to broadcast 3 such programs in the third quarter,」

「In the Rights & Media business, we broadcast 2 K-pop premium-content programs during the first quarter, including the major online concert “SMTOWN LIVE 2023: SMCU PALACE@KWANGYA.” We plan to broadcast 4 such programs in the second quarter to promote new subscriptions.」

「In the music business, we released 5 music titles through the third quarter, and all 5 works ranked highly on the Oricon charts, demonstrating continued popularity. In the fourth quarter, Super Junior released its 11th album, “The Road: Celebration,” on 15 December.」

「In the media business, KNTV broadcast live the major event “SMTOWN LIVE 2022: SMCU EXPRESS @HUMAN CITY_SUWON,” hosted by our group and held in Korea in August.」

「In the music business, we released 2 albums. Red Velvet’s first full-length Japanese album, “Bloom,” released on 6 April, ranked No. 5 on the Oricon weekly chart.」

「Against this backdrop, during the cumulative first-quarter period of the consolidated fiscal year, the Rights & Media business improved operating efficiency and reduced costs in the broadcasting business while concentrating investment in major productions to further enhance the premium positioning of its channels. In the Rights business, it continued to focus on acquiring rights to high-profile Korean dramas.」

「We released 5 music titles during the period. BAEKHYUN’s (EXO) first mini-album “BAEKHYUN” ranked No. 1 on Billboard Japan and on iTunes in 21 countries. NCT 127’s mini-album “LOVE HOLIC” was certified Gold Disc by the Recording Industry Association of Japan and also ranked No. 1 on various charts, including Oricon. SHINee’s Japanese original mini-album “SUPERSTAR” ranked No. 1 on Oricon, while CHANGMIN’s (TVXQ) mini-album “Human” ranked No. 2 on Oricon, maintaining strong performance.」

「On KNTV, we broadcast in Japan for the first time the hit drama “The Penthouse 3” and the major period drama “Bossam: Steal the Fate,” which recorded the highest ratings in the history of MBN’s Korean cable dramas. We also provided a high-quality and varied lineup, including 10 consecutive hours of BTS-related programming and the first Japanese broadcast of the food variety program “Paik’s and Kyuhyun’s National Food,” co-produced with Korean broadcaster JTBC and featuring Kyuhyun of SUPER JUNIOR, thereby strengthening channel competitiveness and meeting viewers’ diverse needs.」

「On KNTV, we strengthened channel competitiveness by providing premium content, including the exclusive live broadcast in Japan of popular Korean actor Park Seo-jun’s online fan meeting “Park Seo-jun, Comma” in May and the hit drama “The Penthouse 2,” which recorded a peak rating of more than 30% in Korea. We also offered a broad range of music content, including special programming featuring popular K-pop stars such as SHINee and BTS.」

「On KNTV, we broadcast numerous popular dramas, including “The Penthouse,” which won a record nine awards at the 2020 SBS Drama Awards and caused a sensation in Korea, and “Delayed Justice,” starring popular actor Kwon Sang-woo. In March, we also programmed 12 consecutive hours of content featuring SUPER JUNIOR, an SM Entertainment Group artist, providing a broad range of K-pop content.」

「In the newly launched online streaming business, the online-only performances under “Beyond LIVE” featured a succession of popular artists from SM Entertainment Group and JYP Entertainment, including TVXQ, SuperM and TWICE, in a collaboration between the two companies, generating significant attention.」

「On KNTV, we broadcast in Japan for the first time the hit drama “The World of the Married,” which recorded the highest-ever rating for a Korean cable drama. We also began broadcasting the online-only concert “Beyond LIVE” every week from September, generating significant attention.」

「On KNTV, we broadcast in Japan for the first time popular programs including season two of the hit drama “Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim 2” and the special program “SuperM: The Beginning,” which followed SuperM, SM’s globally popular group, through its debut.」

「On KNTV, we broadcast in Japan for the first time popular Korean dramas and variety programs, including the major period drama “My Country” and “Doctor John,” a remake of a classic Japanese medical novel, as well as the educational variety program “TVXQ Changmin’s Food’s Good Sense,” featuring Changmin of TVXQ.」

「We also focused on producing original programming, including regular public recordings and live-broadcast programs,」

「On Kchan! Korean TV, the original program “Power of K Lab7,” featuring promising next-breakout idols performing fresh stages, began in September. We also produced and distributed original programming, including monthly live broadcasts from Seoul.」

「On DATV, under the banner of a special feature on SM artists, we broadcast variety programs in Japan for the first time, including “SJ Returns 2 – E.L.F’s Table” and “EXO’s Travel the World via a Ladder in Kaohsiung & Kenting.” On Kchan! Korean TV, we produced and distributed original programs that capitalized on the strengths of a specialist channel, including “Power of K TOKYO LIVE,” “SUPER JUNIOR – Leeteuk’s Solo Trip: Kagoshima” and “Team SUPERNOVA Restaurant,” a work commemorating the 10th anniversary of SUPERNOVA’s Japanese debut.」

「In the broadcasting business, we sought to attract viewers by broadcasting the original music program “Power of K TOKYO LIVE” live from Tokyo every month on Kchan! Korean TV.」

「In the next fiscal year, we will further strengthen our programming structure by leveraging each channel's distinctive features. For Kchan! Korean TV, we will seek to reach new viewer segments by enhancing live broadcasts and original programming, while working to stabilize recurring subscription-fee revenue and expand distribution channels through synergies across the three channels.」

「Going forward, we will work to strengthen the programming, content sourcing, advertising and promotion, marketing and sales capabilities that both companies have developed in the pay-TV business.」