Engineering:Manbang
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| Developer | Korean Central Broadcasting Committee |
|---|---|
| Type | Digital media player |
| Release date | August 2016 |
| Operating system | Android 4.4.2[1] |
| Connectivity | RCA Cable and HDMI[2] |
Manbang (Korean: 만방) are a series of state-owned digital media players issued by North Korea's Korean Central Broadcasting Committee, providing over-the-top content in the form of channels. Created in response to streaming platforms like Netflix and Roku in the west, and the popularity of Chinese-made Notel players in North Korea, the name comes from the Korean word 만방 (manbang) meaning "everywhere" or "every direction", conveying the on-demand nature of the service.[3] Due to North Korea's isolationism, users connect to the service not by internet but via the state-controlled intranet using the IPTV protocol.[2][4]
Content
In addition to on-demand video, Manbang is reported to offer viewers the ability to watch live streams of at least 5 channels:[5]
| # | Channel | Korean name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Korean Central Television | 조선중앙텔레비죤 |
| 2 | Mansudae Television | 만수대텔레비죤 |
| 3 | Ryongnamsan Television | 룡남산텔레비죤 |
| 4 | Athletic TV (sports) | 체육텔레비죤 |
| 5 | Central Broadcasting (Voice of Korea) | 중앙방송 |
Users may also find political information regarding the Supreme Leader and Juche ideology, and read articles from the newspaper Rodong Sinmun and the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).[4]
Worker education services for North Korean enterprises are also available via the Manbang service.[4]
Availability
According to Korean Central Television (KCTV), viewers can use the service not only in Pyongyang, but also in Sariwon and Sinuiju - a region in which KCTV states demand for the equipment is particularly high, with several hundred users in the region.[2]
References
- ↑ Williams, Martyn (2019-02-22). "Manbang IPTV Service in Depth". The Henry L. Stimson Center. https://www.38north.org/2019/02/mwilliams022219/.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Ji, Dagyum (18 August 2016). "Netflix style video-on-demand comes to North Korea, state TV shows". NK News (Korea Risk Group). Archived from the original on 25 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160825123938/https://www.nknews.org/2016/08/netflix-style-video-on-demand-comes-to-north-korea-state-tv-shows/. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
- ↑ Lepp, Mike (August 25, 2016). "'Manbang' is North Korea's Netflix". WJBF. https://www.wjbf.com/news/manbang-is-north-koreas-netflix/1015841166.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Williams, Martyn (22 February 2019). "Manbang IPTV Service in Depth". 38 North (The Henry L. Stimson Center). https://www.38north.org/2019/02/mwilliams022219/. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
- ↑ Williams, Martyn (August 17, 2016). "Now Streaming: Intranet Protocol TV Service Arrives in North Korea". 38 North. https://www.38north.org/2016/08/mwilliams081716/.
External links
- Updating the Manbang app, demonstration of the system GUI by Martyn Williams, North Korea Tech
Template:Media specialized on news and/or analysis about North Korea
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