{"id":257521,"date":"2026-04-17T15:48:58","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T06:48:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tenbizt.com\/en\/news\/uncategorized\/2026\/04\/17\/revamping-koreas-animation-industry-new-regulations-and-incentives-for-2026\/"},"modified":"2026-04-17T15:48:58","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T06:48:58","slug":"revamping-koreas-animation-industry-new-regulations-and-incentives-for-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tenbizt.com\/en\/news\/media\/2026\/04\/17\/revamping-koreas-animation-industry-new-regulations-and-incentives-for-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Revamping Korea’s Animation Industry: New Regulations and Incentives for 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Translation result.<\/p>\n

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Proposed Directions for Improving Domestic Animation Scheduling Regulations and Recognition Criteria<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"Korea\"\n<\/div>\n

Experts are calling for a policy shift toward a points-based incentive system.<\/p>\n

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They argue regulators should strengthen scheduling rules and modernize recognition criteria to help Korea\u2019s broadcast animation industry compete in a rapidly changing media environment. Rather than relying on fixed quotas, policymakers should reward broadcasters and producers based on performance and quality.<\/p>\n

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The Korea Information Society Development Institute (KISDI) on April 16 published a report titled \u201cStudy on Rationalizing Domestic Animation Scheduling Regulations and Recognition Criteria,\u201d diagnosing the limits of current broadcast animation scheduling rules and outlining reforms to boost industry competitiveness.<\/p>\n

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Animation generates high added value, spurs growth in related sectors and contributes to cultural touchstones that reach audiences of all ages.<\/p>\n

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The report examined how the rapid rise of digital platforms like OTT services and YouTube has eroded traditional broadcast audiences. It assessed the effectiveness of existing scheduling regulations for animation and proposed short-, medium- and long-term reforms to align policy with the changing broadcast landscape.<\/p>\n

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As a near-term fix, the report recommends analyzing actual viewing data for children aged 4\u201314 and shifting the weighted \u201cchildren\u2019s prime\u201d scheduling window to reflect real viewing habits\u2014expanding it into late afternoons and weekend daytime slots.<\/p>\n

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Another short-term proposal calls for updating the revenue brackets used to determine broadcasters\u2019 mandatory domestic animation quotas.<\/p>\n

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Specifically, the report suggests adjusting the current \u201c1% of total broadcast hours\u201d obligation\u2014now applied uniformly to terrestrial broadcasters\u2014so it varies by broadcaster revenue, bringing terrestrial rules in line with other platforms.<\/p>\n

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The aim is to eliminate regulatory blind spots, improve fairness across media and increase policy effectiveness by modernizing revenue categories.<\/p>\n

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The report also recommends updating recognition criteria to reflect the rise in international co-productions. For multinational collaborations, it proposes lowering the domestic investment threshold from 30% to 20% to encourage cross-border partnerships.<\/p>\n

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It further proposes revising bonus-point categories to reflect current production conditions.<\/p>\n

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Research fellow Joo Seong-hee said, \u201cA quota-centered system places burdens on traditional broadcasters and animation producers already strained by digital platform growth, and it ultimately works against viewer welfare.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Drawing on international examples, the report recommends a long-term redesign that evaluates content quality, job-creation impact and global performance to award points or credits. Those credits could be tied to government support and tax incentives, reframing regulation as an investment rather than a mandatory cost.<\/p>\n

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The report also argues animation policy should evolve beyond scheduling rules into an integrated framework covering production, investment and distribution, and it maps out a strategic direction for domestic broadcast animation policy.<\/p>\n

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Key recommendations include redesigning scheduling hours and weighting based on children\u2019s viewing habits; rationalizing quota brackets according to broadcaster revenue; easing recognition criteria to promote international co-productions; shifting from quota-based rules to performance-based policies; and expanding policy to encompass OTT and other platforms as part of an integrated content strategy.<\/p>\n

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\u00a9 Dailian Co., Ltd. Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited.<\/p>\n