Draft:Buddhist Broadcasting System

The Buddhist Broadcasting System (Korean: 불교방송; romanization Bulgyo Bangsong; Hanja: 佛敎放送; abbreviated BBS) is a South Korean Buddhist radio and television broadcaster.

History
On January 15, 1987, the Jogye Order promoted establishment of BBS. Fundraising for the building took place on May 22, 1989. The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications approved the station (HLSG-FM, 101.9MHz) on July 3. The first test broadcast was conducted on March 2, 1990, followed by the first regular broadcast on May 1, 1990. Initially the station broadcast exclusively to the Seoul area on 101.9 MHz in the FM band. On launch day the following congratulatory message from Great Monk Seongcheol was broadcast:

"Let us respect everything. There is nothing that is not Buddha. Therefore, let us honor all as Buddhas, serve them as teachers, and treat them as parents. Moreover, being able to spread this sermon through BBS Buddhist broadcasting is truly the icing on the cake."

After the start of FM broadcasts in Seoul, broadcasts extended to other key cities. Starting in Busan (89.9, February 1, 1995), Gwangju (89.7, March 1, 1995), Daegu (94.5, November 11, 1996) and Cheongju (96.7, April 25, 2007).

BBS began broadcasting its service online on November 1, 2001 and relocated its transmitter from Namsan to Gwanaksan on December 26 the same year. A station in Chuncheon opened on 1 November 2002, subsequently the Daegu station opened relayers in 2003. Digitization of operations started at the main Seoul station in April 2004 and spread to the regional branches in September 2005. A new FM station opened in Ulsan (105.3) on June 30, 2008.

BBS registered for a television license on August 2, 2008 and started television broadcasts on subscription television operators on December 2, 2008, starting with KT's IPTV operator. The service later extended to LG's U+ on January 1, 2009 and SK's IPTV service on April 1, 2009.

BBS TV started broadcasting on cable networks in the 2012-2013 period, as well as the satellite television operator Skylife

In 2017, BBS gained a license to broadcast in Jeju.

In November 2019, Lee Seon-jae, former head of KBS' news department, became its tenth president.

BBS held a special ceremony on April 27, 2020, three days ahead of its third anniversary. In the remote conference, the monk of the Jogye Order and president Moon Jae-in exchanged video messages. This was to be followed by a special season of commmemorative programs on May 1.

Monk Deokmun, abbot of Hwaeomsa Temple in Gurye, Jeollanam-do, became the chairman of BBS on November 15, 2022.

On July 30, 2023, BBS' Gwangju station appointed Kim Dae-won as its third regional president. His plans include a relocation of the local headquarters building and strengthening its news reporting content on terrestrial radio and online platforms as a "content media company".

Branding
The logo, three ovals inside a larger oval, represents the three pillars of the world. The big circle represents the universe, while the three smaller circles represent the three virtues of law: body, power, and consciousness. The garden (shaped like an oval) represents the dynamic cycle of the universe.

Broadcast indicators
Sourced from the official website:
 * Broadcasting that spreads the true word straight
 * Broadcasting that unites the entire nation
 * Broadcasting that leads to unbiased thinking
 * Broadcasting that creates something new for us
 * Broadcasting that shares the joy of sharing