Manbang

Manbang 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.

Manbang, which translates to "everywhere", is only available to citizens in Pyongyang, Siniju and Sariwon. 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.

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.

History
The exact release date of Manbang system is unclear. One of the first set-top box appears to be manufactured in 2015. An intranet site listing in 2015 included a site named “Manbang”, with the operator being the Korean Central Television.

On 16 August 2016, Manbang appeared for the first time on a report “망 TV다매체열람기‘만방'” by the Korean Central Television. It has been reported that the implementation of the “Intranet” Protocol Television (IPTV), which runs on North Korea’s Kwangmyong intranet, has begun. It also showcased a set-top box, which was developed by the Manbang IT company, on which Manbang is based. KCTV also stated that the new service already has "several hundred users", and is "making the lives of citizens and children flourish".

On 25 August 2016, Netflix took a light-hearted jab at Manbang by changing its Twitter bio description to read: "Manbang knock-off."

During the following years, it appeared that the North Korean government is working towards making the service widely accessible. Reports stated that the demand is rising in Sinuiju with hundreds of people using the service.

In 2017, additional TV stations were added with a wider selection of movies, sports, and documentaries.

The state-owned company Myohyang IT announced the Ryonghung iPad, which can support an app for Manbang.

In November 2019, during the Exhibition of IT Successes, the Manbang IT company showcased a version of Manbang working on a tablet PC.

As of 2020, according to Asia Press (Rimjingang), the price of a set-top box bought with monthly installments is 6,000 North Korean won ($7) per year. A box can be purchased outright for around 22,000 North Korean won ($24). The boxes can also be leased on a subscription.

In 2020, it was reported that the North Korean authorities were pressuring overseas North Korean residents in China to purchase IPTV set-top box as to monitor users activities and strengthen ideological education. The North Korean embassy in China is selling the set-top boxes at a price of RMB 2,000 [USD 282] per box. These set-top boxes appear to be connected to the Internet.

In 2023, it was revealed that in order to pay in Manbang, people need to have their electronic certificate and copy certificate connected to a storage device, and connect it to the app in order to run Ullim in Manbang.

Content
In addition to video on demand, Manbang is reported to offer live streams of at least 5 channels:

Users may also find political information regarding the Supreme Leader and the Juche ideology. Users are also able to read news articles from the Rodong Sinmun, as well as the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Users can access an entire week's state television broadcasts, as well as older programs and propaganda films.

It appears to be useful for students, as academic materials from various institutions as well as textbooks for primary and middle school can be browsed. It also claims to allow viewers to learn English and Russian languages.

Worker education services for North Korean enterprises are also available via the Manbang service. On 20 January 2019, a report showed workers at the “Rangrim Forest Management Office” (랑림림산사업소) receiving science and technology lessons.

The government could spread its propaganda deeper into the country via Manbang, and get greater insight into the habits of the nation.