 | |
 Home Screen of Manbang 2.0.5 | |
| Developer | Korean Central Broadcasting Committee |
|---|---|
| Type | Digital media player |
| Operating system | Android 4.4.2 (heavily modified to include security functions to monitor usage and prevent unauthorised apps from being installed and used)[1] |
| Connectivity | RCA cable and HDMI[2] |
Manbang (Korean: 만방) is a series of state-owned digital media players issued by North Korea's Korean Central Broadcasting Committee, providing over-the-top content in the form of channels. It was created in response to streaming platforms like Netflix and Roku in the west, and the popularity of Chinese-made Notel players in North Korea.[3][4]
Manbang, which translates to "everywhere", is only available to citizens in Pyongyang, Sinuiju and Sariwon.[verification needed] Due to North Korea's isolationism, users connect to the service not by the internet, but via the state-controlled intranet using the IPTV protocol. It's hard to tell if the technology at play is IPTV or VOD, but according to the description it is a mixture of both.[2][5]
The device is an Internet Protocol Television that works through a separate box. The system comes as a set-top box, which first has to be connected to a modem, and after that to a phone line. The box can be connected to a television through an HDMI cable.[6][7][8]
- ^ Williams, Martyn (2019-02-22). "Manbang IPTV Service in Depth". 38 North. The Henry L. Stimson Center. Archived from the original on 2020-08-07. Retrieved 2020-03-05.
- ^ a b Ji, Dagyum (18 August 2016). "Netflix style video-on-demand comes to North Korea, state TV shows". NK News. Korea Risk Group. Archived from the original on 25 August 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
- ^ "North Korea 'Netflix' device unveiled". BBC News. 2016-08-22. Archived from the original on 2023-10-29. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
- ^ "North Korea Unveils a Netflix-like Service Called "Manbang"". Big Think. 2016-08-26. Archived from the original on 2023-10-29. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
- ^ Carpenter, Shelby. "Kim Jong-un To Give North Korea Its Own Mysterious, Authoritarian-style Netflix Called 'Manbang'". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-02-10.
- ^ Liptak, Andrew (2016-08-21). "North Korea has released its own on-demand video service". The Verge. Archived from the original on 2023-10-28. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
- ^ Francisco, Iain Thomson in San. "North Korea unveils its home-grown Netflix rival – Manbang". www.theregister.com. Archived from the original on 2023-10-29. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
- ^ "Despite limited internet access, North Korea introduces on-demand TV". NBC News. 2016-08-22. Archived from the original on 2023-10-29. Retrieved 2023-10-29.