The History of Arirang TV Overseas
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Arirang TV now reaches more than 89 million households in 188 countries: more than 31 million in Europe, nearly 18 million in the Americas, and close to 20 million in Asia, presenting a successful path to follow for other international broadcasters.
It was in 2009, the year marking the 10th anniversary of its overseas broadcasting services, that Arirang TV began its digital terrestrial service in the United States. Starting from June 1st, 2009, 5.6 million viewers in LA were able to enjoy access to Arirang TV's 24-hour DTV broadcasting service.
Although Arirang TV had already been accessible via satellite in the US from 2001, digital terrestrial service promised greater accessibility, earning enthusiastic reception by viewers there.
What's also noteworthy is that Arirang's target viewers were not limited to Korean-Americans living in the US, but many other nationalities residing in the country.
[Interview : Chung Kuk-lok, President Arirang TV] "By airing top-quality programs, we will do our best to position Arirang DTV in the US as a global channel that brings Korea closer to Americans and rekindle Korean pride in Korean-Americans".
And in just two months time since its launch in LA, on August 12th, 2009, Arirang's DTV kicked off in New York, and Atlanta.
Arirang TV's reaching out to an American audience is also expected to boost the "Korean Wave", the spread of Korean pop-culture, which is extending far beyond Asia and into North America.
[Interview : May 4, 2011
Arirang TV launches DTV service in Washington, DC] And now, in May 2011, two years after the initial launch of Arirang's DTV service in the United States, this pioneer broadcaster has reached one of the world's political, as well as economic centers, Washington D.C.
What started off as a relatively modest project to get the word out on Korea has now grown into a full-fledged operation reaching virtually every corner of the globe. And with Korea's growing stature internationally, it looks like Arirang certainly has its job cut out for itself.
It was in 2009, the year marking the 10th anniversary of its overseas broadcasting services, that Arirang TV began its digital terrestrial service in the United States. Starting from June 1st, 2009, 5.6 million viewers in LA were able to enjoy access to Arirang TV's 24-hour DTV broadcasting service.
Although Arirang TV had already been accessible via satellite in the US from 2001, digital terrestrial service promised greater accessibility, earning enthusiastic reception by viewers there.
What's also noteworthy is that Arirang's target viewers were not limited to Korean-Americans living in the US, but many other nationalities residing in the country.
[Interview : Chung Kuk-lok, President Arirang TV] "By airing top-quality programs, we will do our best to position Arirang DTV in the US as a global channel that brings Korea closer to Americans and rekindle Korean pride in Korean-Americans".
And in just two months time since its launch in LA, on August 12th, 2009, Arirang's DTV kicked off in New York, and Atlanta.
Arirang TV's reaching out to an American audience is also expected to boost the "Korean Wave", the spread of Korean pop-culture, which is extending far beyond Asia and into North America.
[Interview : May 4, 2011
Arirang TV launches DTV service in Washington, DC] And now, in May 2011, two years after the initial launch of Arirang's DTV service in the United States, this pioneer broadcaster has reached one of the world's political, as well as economic centers, Washington D.C.
What started off as a relatively modest project to get the word out on Korea has now grown into a full-fledged operation reaching virtually every corner of the globe. And with Korea's growing stature internationally, it looks like Arirang certainly has its job cut out for itself.
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