A screenshot of streaming platform operator Tving’s Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) League baseball mobile broadcasting service. Courtesy of Tving
By Baek Byung-yeul
Korean streaming platform Tving, entering its second year of broadcasting the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) League, will introduce more user-friendly services for the 2025 season starting March 22.
The streaming arm of the entertainment conglomerate CJ ENM said Thursday that it will introduce a search function to allow fans to easily find game replays, highlights and interview videos to get closer to baseball fans.
The platform will also strengthen short-form content, providing short-form videos through a Shorts tab for viewers' ease. Additionally, Tving will support a more three-dimensional analysis of game flow by applying advanced pitcher-batter win rate prediction data in text-based live broadcasts.
"We are preparing a more advanced broadcasting service this year based on the opinions of baseball fans through last year's KBO League broadcasts," a Tving spokesperson said.
The platform will also increase its self-produced "Tving Super Match" broadcast service to twice a week, airing every Tuesday and Friday and featuring broadcasts using special cameras and sophisticated graphics that allow viewers to see the game from various angles.
Tving is engaged in fierce competition with global streaming giants such as Netflix and Disney+, as well as domestic streaming platform Wavve. Seeking a breakthrough, it signed a three-year contract with the KBO for 135 billion won ($93.5 million) to offer online streaming service of the KBO League from 2024 to 2026.
Kia Tigers players celebrate after clinching the Korean Series championship of the Korea Baseball Organization League postseason series with a 7-5 victory in Game 5 against the Samsung Lions at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field in Gwangju, Oct. 28, 2024. Korea Times photo by Seo Jae-hoon
Launched in 1982, the KBO League is Korea's undisputed No. 1 professional sports league in scale and topicality. In 2024, the league surpassed 10 million spectators for the first time in its history, attracting more than 10.88 million viewers.
The effect of taking on the online broadcast of the most popular professional sports league here was immediate. Last year, Tving's annual sales increased by 33.4 percent year-on-year to 435.3 billion won ($301.8 million).
While Tving did not disclose specific operating profit figures, it is estimated that it recorded an annual operating loss of about 71 billion won, based on the figures announced in its quarterly earnings reports last year, which is about half the loss in 2023.
Tving's strategy aims to further improve the KBO League broadcasting system, which has significantly boosted its performance, to attract more paid subscribers and increase profits.
"We will contribute to the development of the KBO League and increase the satisfaction of baseball fans through Tving's 2025 KBO League broadcasts this year as well," the spokesperson added.
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