Manbang
만방
Home Screen of Manbang 2.0.5
Home Screen of Manbang 2.0.5
DeveloperKorean Central Broadcasting Committee
TypeDigital media player
Release dateAugust 2016
Operating systemAndroid 4.4.2 (heavily modified to include security function to monitor usage and prevent unauthorised apps from being installed and used)[1]
ConnectivityRCA cable and HDMI[2]

Manbang (Korean: 만방) is 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. It was created in response to streaming platforms like Netflix and Roku in the west, and the popularity of Chinese-made Notel players in North Korea.[3][4]

Manbang, which translates to "everywhere," is only available to citizens in Pyongyang, Siniju and Sariwon. Due to North Korea's isolationism, users connect to the service not by internet but via the state-controlled intranet using the IPTV protocol. It's hard to tell if the technology at play is IPTV or VOD but according to description it is a mixture of both.[2][5]

Like Apple TV or Roku, the device is an Internet Protocol Television that works through a separate box. The system comes as a set-top box which first has to be connected to a modem and after that to the phone line. The box can be connected to a television through a HDMI cable.[6][7][8]

History

Exact release date of Manbang system is unclear. One of the first set-top box appears to be manufactured in 2015. An intranet sites listing in 2015 included a site named “Manbang” with the operator being Korean Central Television.[9]

On 16 August 2016, Manbang for the first time appeared on a report “망 TV다매체열람기‘만방'” by Korean Central Television. It reported that the implementation of “Intranet” Protocol Television (IPTV) which run on North Korea’s Kwangmyong intranet has begun. It also showcased a set-top box which was developed by Manbang IT company on which Manbang is based. KCTV also stated that the new service already has "several hundred users" and is "making the lives of citizens and children flourish" .[10][11][12]

On 25 August 2016, Netflix took a light-hearted jab at Manbang by changing its Twitter bio description to read: "Manbang knockoff."[13][14][15]

During the following years it appears that the North Korean government working towards making the service widely accessible . It was reported that the demand is rising in Sinuiju with hundreds of people using the service.[16][17]

In 2017, additional TV stations were added with a wider selection of movies, sports and documentaries.[18]

The state owned company Myohyang IT announced the Ryonghung iPad which can support an app for Manbang.[19]

In November 2019, during Exhibition of IT Successes, Manbang IT company showcased a version of Manbang working on a tablet PC.[20]

As of 2020, according to Asia Press (Rimjingang), price of a set-top box brought monthly installments is 6,000 North Korean won per year ($7). A box can be purchased outright for around 22,000 North Korean won ($24). The boxes can also be taken on subscription. [21]

In 2020, it was reported that the North Korean authorities were pressuring overseas North Korean residents in China to purchase IPTV set-top box as to monitor users activities and strengthen ideological education. The North Korean embassy in China is selling set-top boxes at a price of RMB 2,000 [USD 282] per box. These set-top boxes appear to be connected the Internet.[22][23]

Content

In addition to video on demand, Manbang is reported to offer live streams of at least 5 channels:[24][25]

#ChannelKorean name
1Korean Central Television조선중앙텔레비죤
2Mansudae Television만수대텔레비죤
3Ryongnamsan Television룡남산텔레비죤
4Athletic Television체육텔레비죤
5Korean Central Broadcasting Station중앙방송

Users may also find political information regarding the Supreme Leader and Juche ideology, and read news articles from the Rodong Sinmun as well as Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).[26][27][28]

Users can access an entire week's state television broadcasts as well as older programs and propaganda films are also available.[29][30]

It appears to be useful for students, as academic materials from various institutions as well as textbooks for primary and middle school can be browsed. It also that claims the service will allow viewers to learn English and Russian languages.[31][32]

Worker education services for North Korean enterprises are also available via the Manbang service. On January 20, 2019, in a report it showed workers at the “Rangrim Forest Management Office” (랑림림산사업소) receiving science and technology lessons.[33]

The government via Manbang could spread its propaganda deeper into the country and it can get greater insight into the habits of the nation.[34][35][36]

References

  1. ↑ Williams, Martyn (2019-02-22). "Manbang IPTV Service in Depth". 38 North. The Henry L. Stimson Center. Retrieved 2020-03-05.
  2. 1 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. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  3. ↑ "North Korea 'Netflix' device unveiled". BBC News. 2016-08-22. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  4. ↑ "North Korea Unveils a Netflix-like Service Called "Manbang"". Big Think. 2016-08-26. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  5. ↑ Carpenter, Shelby. "Kim Jong-un To Give North Korea Its Own Mysterious, Authoritarian-style Netflix Called 'Manbang'". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  6. ↑ Liptak, Andrew (2016-08-21). "North Korea has released its own on-demand video service". The Verge. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  7. ↑ Francisco, Iain Thomson in San. "North Korea unveils its home-grown Netflix rival – Manbang". www.theregister.com. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  8. ↑ "Despite limited internet access, North Korea introduces on-demand TV". NBC News. 2016-08-22. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  9. ↑ Crook, Jordan (2016-08-24). "North Korea launches a Netflix-style streaming service called Manbang". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  10. ↑ "North Korea has created its own Netflix and called it 'Manbang'". Times of Malta. 2016-08-23. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  11. ↑ 조선의 오늘 (2016-08-16), 망TV다매체열람기 《만방》, retrieved 2023-10-28
  12. ↑ Warwick, Martyn (2016-08-24). "North Korea launches the "Manbang". For once it's not a missile". TelecomTV. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  13. ↑ Vincent, James (2016-08-26). "Finally, Netflix admits it's nothing more than a North Korean knockoff". The Verge. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  14. ↑ "North Korea Launches Netflix-Type Service Called 'Manbang' - CBS San Francisco". www.cbsnews.com. 2016-08-25. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  15. ↑ "Netflix jokes about N Korean imitator Manbang in Twitter bio". BBC News. 2016-08-26. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  16. ↑ "North Korea launches on-demand streaming TV box called Manbang". Neowin. 2023-10-28. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  17. ↑ ""Manbang" is North Korea's Netflix". WSPA 7NEWS. 2016-08-25. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  18. ↑ "The Stranger Things of North". Times of Malta. 2017-01-29. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  19. ↑ "North Korean company Myohyang IT releases a new tablet called... the iPad". Neowin. 2023-10-28. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  20. ↑ Williams, Martyn (2020-12-16). "North Korea's Multi-Channel TV Age - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea". 38 North. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  21. ↑ "＜A Look at the Latest in N. Korean TV＞ Regime Introduces New TV Channels to Combat the Popularity of K-Dramas". RIMJIN-GANG (in Japanese). 2020-06-19. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  22. ↑ "Computing/IT « North Korean Economy Watch". North Korean Economy Watch. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  23. ↑ Hui, Mun Dong (2020-06-10). "N. Korean citizens in China pressured to buy IPTV set-top boxes | Daily NK English". Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  24. ↑ Williams, Martyn (August 17, 2016). "Now Streaming: Intranet Protocol TV Service Arrives in North Korea". 38 North. Archived from the original on March 30, 2018.
  25. ↑ "Now Streaming: North Korea Gets Intranet Protocol TV Service". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  26. ↑ "Netflix for North Korea – Manbang".
  27. ↑ Ji, Dagyum (2016-08-22). "Manbang and chill: North Korea gets video on demand". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  28. ↑ "'Manbang' is North Korea's Netflix". Yahoo Finance. 2016-08-22. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  29. ↑ Riley, Charles (2016-08-26). "Netflix jokes about North Korean knockoff 'Manbang'". CNNMoney. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  30. ↑ "North Korea unveils Netflix-style TV streaming box dubbed 'Manbang'". The Drum. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  31. ↑ "Kim Jong Un making 'authoritarian-style Netflix' for North Korea". The Independent. 2016-08-22. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  32. ↑ Fried, Ina (2016-08-21). "The Netflix of North Korea features propaganda films and Russian lessons". Vox. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  33. ↑ Williams, Martyn (22 February 2019). "Manbang IPTV Service in Depth". 38 North. The Henry L. Stimson Center. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  34. ↑ "North Korea Unveils Netflix-Like Service With Propaganda on Demand".
  35. ↑ "Netflix isn't too worried about the 'Netflix of North Korea'". Business Insider. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  36. ↑ Smith, Oliver. "Manbang: The Netflix of North Korea is here". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
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