Traditional media usage in South Korea - statistics & facts

According to a survey conducted in South Korea in 2021, television, including streaming, was the most popular traditional form of media. While TV ownership has been slowly decreasing, the usage rate of over-the-top (OTT) services and video on demand (VoD) services has been steadily climbing. With broadcast media as popular as ever, the medium of access has shifted in favor of digital services, which can generally be accessed through several kinds of devices rather than being confined to just a TV. The most popular content on subscription-based VoD services are still television broadcasts or repeats thereof.

A digital shift in consuming media

This shift from traditional means of access to more flexible, internet-based points of access can be observed in digital and traditional media alike. In particular, the world of entertainment has been quick to adapt to digital access to media. Less than four percent of webtoons are now read in print format, while physical music records are bought by one in three people. While most South Koreans keep up with the news, the share of people who read printed newspapers decreases drastically by age group. Alongside the popularity of digital news and online newspapers among younger demographics, it is possible that overall readership of printed newspapers will continue to decrease in the long term.

Low frequency of radio use

The only notable exception to this digital shift is radio. Car radios are the main method of access to radio channels, while smartphone apps are used by around 14 percent of radio listeners. Together, regular radio devices and car radios make up approximately 85 percent of radio use, while internet-based access via mobile or PC add up to less than 15 percent of use cases. However, radio use in South Korea has been on the decline over the past decade, and the time spent listening to the radio tends to be low compared to other entertainment media.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by Statista Research Department, Jan 19, 2024

Key insights

Average daily time spent watching TV
161 minutes
Most trusted news brand
MBC News
Most common type of radio in households
Car radios
Get more insights

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Most frequently used music streaming or download services in South Korea as of July 2023

Music

Most frequently used music streaming or download services South Korea 2023

Most trusted news brands in South Korea as of February 2023

News Industry

Highly trusted news brands in South Korea 2023

Share of TV ratings for major terrestrial TV channels in South Korea from 2012 to 2022

TV

TV ratings for major terrestrial TV channels South Korea 2012-2022

Related topics

Recommended

5

Recommended statistics

Overview

6

Overview

News

5

News

Radio

5

Radio

Television

5

Television

Movies

5

Movies

Music

6

Music

Further reportsGet the best reports to understand your industry

Media usage in the United States
Media usage in the United States
Social media usage in South Korea
Social media usage in South Korea
Social media usage in Japan
Social media usage in Japan
Coronavirus: impact on social media usage worldwide
Coronavirus: impact on social media usage worldwide
Digital media usage in South Korea
Digital media usage in South Korea

Contact

Get in touch with us. We are happy to help.
Statista Locations
Contact Meredith Alda
Meredith Alda
Sales Manager– Contact (United States)
Email
support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm (EST)

Contact Yolanda Mega
Yolanda Mega
Operations Manager– Contact (Asia)
Email
asia.support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm (SGT)

Contact Kisara Mizuno
Kisara Mizuno
Senior Business Development Manager– Contact (Asia)
Email
asia.support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 10:00am - 6:00pm (JST)

Contact Lodovica Biagi
Lodovica Biagi
Director of Operations– Contact (Europe)
Email
eu.support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9:30am - 5pm (GMT)

Contact Carolina Dulin
Carolina Dulin
Group Director - LATAM– Contact (Latin America)
Email
latam@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm (EST)

Menu