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Manbang

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Manbang
만방
Home Screen of Manbang 2.0.5
Home Screen of Manbang 2.0.5
DeveloperKorean Central Broadcasting Committee
TypeDigital media player
Operating systemAndroid 4.4.2 (heavily modified to include security functions 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, Sinuiju and Sariwon.[verification needed] Due to North Korea's isolationism, users connect to the service not by the 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 the description it is a mixture of both.[2][5]

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 a phone line. The box can be connected to a television through an HDMI cable.[6][7][8]

History

[edit]

The exact release date of Manbang system is unclear. One of the first set-top box appears to be manufactured in 2015. An intranet site listing in 2015 included a site named “Manbang”, with the operator being the Korean Central Television.[9][10]

On 16 August 2016, Manbang appeared for the first time on a report “망 TV다매체열람기‘만방'” by the Korean Central Television. It has been reported that the implementation of the “Intranet” Protocol Television (IPTV), which runs on North Korea’s Kwangmyong intranet, has begun. It also showcased a set-top box, which was developed by the 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".[11][12][13]

On 25 August 2016, Netflix took a light-hearted jab at Manbang by changing its Twitter bio description to read: "Manbang knock-off."[14][15][16]

During the following years, it appeared that the North Korean government is working towards making the service widely accessible. Reports stated that the demand is rising in Sinuiju with hundreds of people using the service.[17][18]

In 2017, additional TV stations were added with a wider selection of movies, sports, and documentaries.[19]

The state-owned company Myohyang IT announced the Ryonghung iPad, which can support an app for Manbang.[20]

In November 2019, during the Exhibition of IT Successes, the Manbang IT company showcased a version of Manbang working on a tablet PC.[21]

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

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 the set-top boxes at a price of RMB 2,000 [USD 282] per box. These set-top boxes appear to be connected to the Internet.[23][24]

In 2023, it was revealed that in order to pay in Manbang, people need to have their electronic certificate and copy certificate connected to a storage device, and connect it to the app in order to run Ullim in Manbang.[25]

Content

[edit]

In addition to video on demand, Manbang is reported to offer live streams of at least 5 channels:[26][27]

# Channel Korean name
1 Korean Central Television 조선중앙텔레비죤
2 Mansudae Television 만수대텔레비죤
3 Ryongnamsan Television 룡남산텔레비죤
4 Athletic Television 체육텔레비죤
5 Korean Central Broadcasting Station 중앙방송

Users may also find political information regarding the Supreme Leader and the Juche ideology. Users are also able to read news articles from the Rodong Sinmun, as well as the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).[28][29][30]

Users can access an entire week's state television broadcasts, as well as older programs and propaganda films.[31][32]

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 claims to allow viewers to learn English and Russian languages.[33][34]

Worker education services for North Korean enterprises are also available via the Manbang service. On 20 January 2019, a report showed workers at the “Rangrim Forest Management Office” (랑림림산사업소) receiving science and technology lessons.[35]

The government could spread its propaganda deeper into the country via Manbang, and get greater insight into the habits of the nation.[36][37][38]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Williams, Martyn (2019-02-22). "Manbang IPTV Service in Depth". 38 North. The Henry L. Stimson Center. Archived from the original on 2020-08-07. Retrieved 2020-03-05.
  2. ^ a b 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. Archived from the original on 2023-10-29. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  4. ^ "North Korea Unveils a Netflix-like Service Called "Manbang"". Big Think. 2016-08-26. Archived from the original on 2023-10-29. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  5. ^ Carpenter, Shelby. "Kim Jong-un To Give North Korea Its Own Mysterious, Authoritarian-style Netflix Called 'Manbang'". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-02-10.
  6. ^ Liptak, Andrew (2016-08-21). "North Korea has released its own on-demand video service". The Verge. Archived from the original on 2023-10-28. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  7. ^ Francisco, Iain Thomson in San. "North Korea unveils its home-grown Netflix rival – Manbang". www.theregister.com. Archived from the original on 2023-10-29. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  8. ^ "Despite limited internet access, North Korea introduces on-demand TV". NBC News. 2016-08-22. Archived from the original on 2023-10-29. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  9. ^ Crook, Jordan (2016-08-24). "North Korea launches a Netflix-style streaming service called Manbang". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on 2023-10-28. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  10. ^ Williams, Martyn (2015-07-05). "A peek inside North Korea's intranet". North Korea Tech - 노스코리아테크. Retrieved 2024-02-10.
  11. ^ "North Korea has created its own Netflix and called it 'Manbang'". Times of Malta. 2016-08-23. Archived from the original on 2023-10-28. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  12. ^ 조선의 오늘 (2016-08-16), 망TV다매체열람기 《만방》, retrieved 2023-10-28
  13. ^ Warwick, Martyn (2016-08-24). "North Korea launches the "Manbang". For once it's not a missile". TelecomTV. Archived from the original on 2023-10-29. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  14. ^ Vincent, James (2016-08-26). "Finally, Netflix admits it's nothing more than a North Korean knockoff". The Verge. Archived from the original on 2023-10-28. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  15. ^ "North Korea Launches Netflix-Type Service Called 'Manbang' - CBS San Francisco". www.cbsnews.com. 2016-08-25. Archived from the original on 2023-10-29. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  16. ^ "Netflix jokes about N Korean imitator Manbang in Twitter bio". BBC News. 2016-08-26. Archived from the original on 2023-10-29. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  17. ^ "North Korea launches on-demand streaming TV box called Manbang". Neowin. 2023-10-28. Archived from the original on 2023-10-28. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  18. ^ ""Manbang" is North Korea's Netflix". WSPA 7NEWS. 2016-08-25. Archived from the original on 2023-10-29. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  19. ^ "The Stranger Things of North". Times of Malta. 2017-01-29. Archived from the original on 2023-10-28. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  20. ^ "North Korean company Myohyang IT releases a new tablet called... the iPad". Neowin. 2023-10-28. Archived from the original on 2023-10-28. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  21. ^ Williams, Martyn (2020-12-16). "North Korea's Multi-Channel TV Age - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea". 38 North. Archived from the original on 2021-02-13. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  22. ^ "＜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. Archived from the original on 2023-10-28. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  23. ^ "Computing/IT « North Korean Economy Watch". North Korean Economy Watch. Archived from the original on 2023-10-29. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  24. ^ Hui, Mun Dong (2020-06-10). "N. Korean citizens in China pressured to buy IPTV set-top boxes | Daily NK English". Archived from the original on 2023-10-29. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  25. ^ Hui, Mun Dong (2023-12-01). "N. Koreans must use electronic certificates to make digital payments". Daily NK English. Retrieved 2024-02-10.
  26. ^ 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.
  27. ^ "Now Streaming: North Korea Gets Intranet Protocol TV Service". thediplomat.com. Archived from the original on 2023-10-29. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  28. ^ "Netflix for North Korea – Manbang". Archived from the original on 2023-10-28. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  29. ^ Ji, Dagyum (2016-08-22). "Manbang and chill: North Korea gets video on demand". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 2023-10-28. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  30. ^ "'Manbang' is North Korea's Netflix". Yahoo Finance. 2016-08-22. Archived from the original on 2023-10-28. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  31. ^ Riley, Charles (2016-08-26). "Netflix jokes about North Korean knockoff 'Manbang'". CNNMoney. Archived from the original on 2023-10-29. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  32. ^ "North Korea unveils Netflix-style TV streaming box dubbed 'Manbang'". The Drum. Archived from the original on 2023-10-29. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  33. ^ "Kim Jong Un making 'authoritarian-style Netflix' for North Korea". The Independent. 2016-08-22. Archived from the original on 2023-10-28. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  34. ^ Fried, Ina (2016-08-21). "The Netflix of North Korea features propaganda films and Russian lessons". Vox. Archived from the original on 2023-10-29. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  35. ^ Williams, Martyn (22 February 2019). "Manbang IPTV Service in Depth". 38 North. The Henry L. Stimson Center. Archived from the original on 7 August 2020. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  36. ^ Boehler, Patrick; Sang-Hun, Choe (25 August 2016). "North Korea Unveils Netflix-Like Service With Propaganda on Demand". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2023-10-28. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  37. ^ "Netflix isn't too worried about the 'Netflix of North Korea'". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 2023-10-29. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  38. ^ Smith, Oliver. "Manbang: The Netflix of North Korea is here". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2023-10-29. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
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