As subscribers continue to leave general cable and satellite broadcasting, IPTV is maintaining growth and establishing itself as the centerpiece of the pay-TV market.
According to the "Pay-TV subscribers and market share for the second half of 2025" released by the Korea Media and Communications Commission on the 29th, total pay-TV subscribers in the second half of last year stood at 36,150,070, down 76,030 from the previous half. The number of pay-TV subscribers turned downward for the first time in the first half of 2024, and the decline has continued.
By platform, IPTV had 21,535,256 subscribers, accounting for 59.57% of the total. It was the only segment to grow, adding 120,735 from the previous half. In contrast, SO had 11,935,236 subscribers, down 155,820, and its market share fell to 33.01%. Satellite broadcasting also dropped by 40,945 to 2,679,578, accounting for 7.41%.
Over the past three years, IPTV has shown a gentle uptrend, while SO and satellite broadcasting have steadily declined. IPTV's share expanded from 55.25% in the second half of 2021 to 59.57% in the second half of last year.
By operator, KT ranked first with 9,123,463 subscribers, or 25.24%. It was followed by SK Broadband IPTV with 6,691,354 and LG Uplus with 5,720,439.
Industry officials say the spread of OTT and competition in bundled telecom products are reshaping the pay-TV market around IPTV. Going forward, rather than simply offering channels, platform competitiveness that bundles internet, mobile, and OTT is expected to be key to retaining subscribers.