Seoul Broadcasting System - History

History

SBS was launched and formed on the day MBC celebrated its 30th Anniversary on October 9, 1991. SBS is the second commercial broadcaster in South Korea after MBC. The purpose was to become an attractive and alternative channel to the audience that before 1990 was mastered by MBC. In 1980s, MBC was a mouthpiece of KBS to broadcast sporting events like the 1986 FIFA World Cup. After the democratic reform in 1987, as well as the separation of MBC from KBS, the government allowed the creation of a second commercial station in Seoul on November 14, 1990. SBS began trial transmissions on its television and radio channels on December 1, 1990 in Seoul. On March 20, 1991, the first regular SBS Radio broadcasts was launched on AM 792kHz, marking the start of SBS.

On December 9, 1991, SBS TV started broadcasting at 15:00 in Seoul, which was designated as the "The Day of Birth of SBS". Initially, SBS only broadcast terrestrially in Seoul and its surrounding areas. On October 9, 1992, the government began accepting applications for private broadcasting stations in other regions of the country. SBS had planned for a television and radio broadcast affiliate network that aims to air SBS' programs in other new regional channels before its 5th anniversary. In 1994, the private channels KNN in Busan, TJB in Daejeon, TBC in Daegu, and kbc in Gwangju were created after government approval. On May 14, 1995, SBS successfully launched its national television network with its new local affiliates, KNN, TJB, TBC, and kbc. SBS had managed a network that airs SBS programs in other regional channels while local stations created local programming to suit the local residents needs.

In 1996, plans for a FM radio station to complement the existing AM station became realized. On November 14, 1996, SBS Power FM began broadcasting on 107.7 MHz as a music-centric station. On January 4, 1999, the original SBS Radio on AM 792 kHz began broadcasting on FM as well. The station rebranded as SBS Love FM on 103.5 MHz, simutaneously airing on both AM and FM frequencies. High-definition digital television was introduced in 2001. Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) was introduced in 2005.

SBS introduced its current logo on November 14, 2000 after its 10th anniversary celebrations and new corporate identity expression, proclaiming a vision of a comprehensive broadcasting group and SBS to ensure the overall coherence of the current identity. Design firm Infinite, has made elements to the corporate identity which includes human-centered, cultural and creative, future-oriented management philosophy and symbolism. SBS' logo has three embryos placed in a circle of the model where three colors are used to represent the symbol of human-centered, cultural and creative, future-oriented management philosophy, showing that the 'life' and 'the seeds of civilization' has centered on the theme of SBS.

The introduction of SBS' current corporate branding means that SBS is able adapt to the paradigm and multimedia, enhancing its social image, multi-channel broadcasting, competition among other broadcasters, its competitiveness and at the time of the employee is expected to contribute to armed morality. SBS' branding is used in all sectors such as vehicle, microphone, envelopes, business cards, memorabilia, helicopter, signs, ganpanryu, seosikryu, uniforms, program title, etc. SBS also had used the slogan "Humanism thru Digital" until January 2010 where a new slogan is currently used. The slogan for the digital age will continue to lead a comprehensive visual media group which is representing the will of SBS. Gomi is the mascot of SBS-oriented as the new face of 'Humanism thru Digital' through the harmony of nature and human life where green environment is important. The new slogan introudced in 2010 is "See the Bright Tomorrow".