KBS America
KBS America is a Los Angeles-based subsidiary of Korean Broadcasting System that distributes Korean-language news, entertainment, and cultural programming to Korean-American and Hallyu audiences across the Americas via satellite, cable, over-the-air broadcast, and online streaming, monetized through advertising and pay-TV carriage fees.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What KBS America does
KBS America, Inc. is a California-incorporated broadcasting subsidiary of Korean Broadcasting System (KBS), South Korea's public broadcaster, founded in July 2004 and headquartered in Los Angeles. The company distributes KBS-produced Korean-language news, entertainment, dramas, and cultural programming to Korean diaspora audiences across North, Central, and South America. Its core products include the KBS World channel (the primary Korean-language TV offering in the U.S.), KBS World Latino (targeting Central and South American markets), KBS World 24 News (continuous news service), and flagship programs such as News 9, News Plaza, Music Bank, and The Return of Superman.
KBS America's technology infrastructure centers on broadcast television production and distribution, with HD production and transmission systems completed in 2014 and over-the-air digital terrestrial (DTV) broadcast capabilities across multiple major U.S. markets. Content is distributed through a multi-platform strategy encompassing satellite (DirecTV Channel 2082, DISH Network), cable carriage (Comcast, Time Warner Cable/Spectrum, Cox, Charter, Cablevision), over-the-air DTV (KXLA Ch. 44 in Los Angeles and regional affiliates), and online streaming. Multilingual subtitling in English, Chinese, and Spanish extends reach beyond Korean-speakers to Hallyu (Korean Wave) audiences.
The business operates on a dual revenue model: (1) advertising sales — both national placements and local placements in Los Angeles, Seattle, and Atlanta, sold quote-based to Korean-American-facing businesses; and (2) content distribution and licensing through carriage fees and licensing arrangements with pay-TV operators. KBS America was originally capitalized with a $1.2 million investment from KBS Media in 2010, has 11-50 employees, and operates with relatively low overhead funded by its parent state broadcaster.
KBS America firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- KBS America
- Legal name
- KBS America Inc.
- Website
- https://kbs-america.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- KBS America is a Los Angeles-based subsidiary of Korean Broadcasting System that distributes Korean-language news, entertainment, and cultural programming to Korean-American and Hallyu audiences across the Americas via satellite, cable, over-the-air broadcast, and online streaming, monetized through advertising and pay-TV carriage fees.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
KBS America industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Korean-Language Television Broadcasting
- NAICS
- Television Broadcasting Stations (516120)
- SIC
- Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Local Multicultural/Language Broadcasters (Spanish/Asian/Other Local Markets) (MPABACAI)
Keywords
Where KBS America is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
KBS America business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Advertising Revenue: KBS America generates revenue through national and local advertising sold to businesses targeting Korean-American consumers. Advertisers can purchase nationwide or local placements in Los Angeles, Seattle, and Atlanta markets.
- Content Distribution and Licensing: KBS America distributes KBS programming content across the Americas through various pay-TV platforms, generating revenue through channel carriage fees and content licensing arrangements with operators like DirecTV, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, and others.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | National advertising placement |
| Other | Other | Local advertising placement (Los Angeles, Seattle, Atlanta) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
KBS America product offering
Product offeringCore offering
KBS America is the U.S. and Americas-based subsidiary of Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) that distributes Korean-language television programming to Korean-speaking audiences across North, Central, and South America. The company delivers news, dramas, K-Pop, and cultural content through satellite (DirecTV), cable operators (Comcast, Time Warner/Spectrum, Cox, Charter, Cablevision), and over-the-air DTV, and sells national and local advertising placements targeting Korean-American consumers.
Product overview
KBS America is a California-based broadcaster and content distributor serving Korean-American communities across the Americas. The company operates a portfolio of television channels including KBS World (primary Korean-language channel distributed via cable, satellite, and DTV), KBS World Latino (Latin American entertainment channel), and KBS World 24 News Channel (24-hour news service). The company distributes content through multiple platforms including DirecTV, cable operators (Comcast, Time Warner, Cox, Spectrum, AT&T), and online streaming services. Programming includes news programs (News 9, News Plaza), entertainment shows (Music Bank, The Return of Superman), documentary programs (K-People), and live event broadcasts.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- KBS World Latino: Entertainment channel exclusively for Central and South Americas
- KBS World 24 News
Products and services
- KBS World Primary Korean-language television channel distributed across the United States via cable, satellite, and digital terrestrial television, offering Korean news, entertainment, and cultural programming to Korean-American viewers with multilingual subtitles.
- KBS World Latino Entertainment television channel exclusively targeting Central and South American viewers with Korean-language programming.
- KBS World 24 News Channel 24-hour news channel providing continuous Korean-language news coverage, available on LA DTV Ch. 44.8.
- National Advertising Placement Advertising slots sold to businesses nationwide targeting Korean-American consumers across KBS America's broadcast footprint.
- Local Advertising Placement Regional advertising placements sold to businesses in Los Angeles, Seattle, and Atlanta markets targeting local Korean-American consumers.
- Online Streaming Service Internet-based streaming service enabling viewers to watch KBS content online.
- Online DVD Store Internet-based retail service for purchasing KBS programs on DVD format.
Companies that use KBS America
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
KBS America technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
KBS America partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.
- The Walt Disney Company KoreaminorThe Walt Disney Company Korea collaborated with Seoul Spring Festival to produce a Star Wars-themed drone show featuring approximately 2,000 drones at Jamsil Hangang Park for Children's Day, though this partnership relates to Korean cultural events rather than direct KBS America business.
- NEW (Korean Film Distributor)minorKBS America signed a distribution contract with NEW for the Korean film 'The Tiger' in November 2014, marking the beginning of U.S. distribution of Korean films.
- DirecTVcoreDirecTV partnership launched August 2013 with formal announcement in November 2013 at Beverly Hills Paley Media Center event. KBS World channel available on DirecTV Channel 2082, providing nationwide satellite coverage for Korean programming including news, documentaries, dramas, and entertainment shows like '1 Night 2 Days' and 'Gag Concert'. This was a landmark partnership bringing Korean broadcasting to satellite subscribers nationwide.
- DirecTV (Satellite Premium Service)coreKBS World launched on DirecTV from August 10, 2013 as a premium satellite service providing Korean language programming to subscribers nationwide.
- Cablevision (New York/New Jersey)majorCablevision premium service launched March 2013 for New York and New Jersey markets, expanding KBS America's reach to the East Coast Korean-American population.
- Time Warner Cable (New York)majorNew York Time Warner Cable basic service launched January 2012 (Channel 536), with channel placement secured in October 2010. This was KBS America's initial major cable carriage agreement on the East Coast.
- Comcast (Atlanta)majorAtlanta Comcast Cable basic service launched June 2011, providing KBS programming to the growing Korean-American community in the southeastern United States.
- Comcast (San Francisco)majorSan Francisco Comcast Cable basic service launched November 2009, expanding KBS coverage to the West Coast Korean-American population in the Bay Area.
- DISH NetworkmajorDISH Network satellite basic service launched October 2005, providing another satellite distribution channel for KBS programming to American viewers.
- KBS World (Initial Cable Launch)coreKBS World launched through cable television in five U.S. cities/states (Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Virginia, Seattle) in September 2004, marking the initial major U.S. cable distribution expansion.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights5 records
KBS America competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
KBS America social profiles
Digital presenceKBS America financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
KBS America leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
KBS America funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
KBS America M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about KBS America
What does KBS America do?
KBS America is the U.S. and Americas-based subsidiary of Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) that distributes Korean-language television programming to Korean-speaking audiences across North, Central, and South America. The company delivers news, dramas, K-Pop, and cultural content through satellite (DirecTV), cable operators (Comcast, Time Warner/Spectrum, Cox, Charter, Cablevision), and over-the-air DTV, and sells national and local advertising placements targeting Korean-American consumers.
Is KBS America a public or private company?
KBS America is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was KBS America founded?
KBS America was founded in 2004. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is KBS America based?
KBS America is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does KBS America make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Advertising Revenue is the primary driver. The others are content Distribution and Licensing.
Does KBS America have an API?
No public API is recorded for KBS America.
What industry is KBS America in?
KBS America's product category is Korean-Language Television Broadcasting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPABACAI, Local Multicultural/Language Broadcasters (Spanish/Asian/Other Local Markets). Its NAICS code is 516120 and its SIC code is 4833.