The live news channels of EBC News, SET News, and TVBS have recently posted announcements stating that starting April 8, they will stop broadcasting live on YouTube.
The announcements from these news stations are largely similar; taking EBC Television as an example:
[EBC News Announcement] EBC News’s “24-hour online live stream” on the “EBC News CH51” YouTube channel will, due to an adjustment in operating strategy, be expected to suspend its live news service starting Friday, April 8, 2022. We thank our vast audience and netizens for their long-term support. Afterward, viewers can still watch EBC News through the EBC News app or on the EBC News official website, and stay informed of major domestic and international events at any time.
Official announcement from EBC News
The most noteworthy part of the announcement text is the phrase “adjustment in operating strategy,” which also appears in the announcements of other TV stations — it does have a bit of the flavor of a standard template.
In fact, after the earlier incident in which the DPP government forcibly shut down CTi News on channel 52 of cable television, many people did take the opportunity to cut off their cable TV. For example, the author switched to Chunghwa Telecom’s MOD[1] and has happily watched ever since, without any viewing obstacles. Under diverse media platforms such as Netflix, YouTube, and iQIYI, it even feels like liberation from being controlled by others.
Therefore, in December of last year (Year 110), when cable system operators and channel providers were negotiating licensing fees, the reason the system operators gave for demanding a licensing fee reduction was: “News channels put their news content on YouTube channels for live streaming. Since it’s already given to viewers for free, why should licensing fees be charged on the system platform?” This very likely planted the fuse for today’s closure of the online channels.
Well, although everyone will have fewer choices for live news channels such as EBC News, SET News, and TVBS online in the future, there is no need to re-subscribe to cable TV because of this.
The YouTube online news live channels that still exist include the old three terrestrial stations and CTi, which was originally forced out of the cable TV system. They will still continue to broadcast real-time news to the public online:
- TTV News Live
- CTV News Live
- CTS News Live
- CTi News Live
In fact, what the author finds most humorous about this period is that a few years ago, society once stirred up a wave of public outcry over the possibility that CTi News might become a media monster.
I believe many people still remember this, and some even proudly took part in that movement amid passion and sweat.
That little media beast of those years was, after a change of ruling party, ultimately slaughtered by the new ruling party. Yet now, under the mutual checks and balances of various interests and powers, restricting the broadcast channels of other fourth-estate media instead shows signs of about to raise a brand-new internet media monster.
People who once took part in anti-monopoly and anti-media-monster movements, we need you to step forward again.
Join now
References
- Cutting off cable TV — Canceling Cable TV and switching to MOD 🎉
- Annual commercial negotiations between channels and system operators; NCC: We respect both sides and will also pay attention
Support Independent Perspectives & In-Depth Insights
Every thoughtful analysis and candid critique comes from our dedication to truth and quality. We choose not to follow sensational algorithms or clickbait headlines.
Sustaining independent research requires reader support. Make a one-time or monthly contribution, securely processed by Google.
Payments secured by Google · Manage or cancel anytime in your Google Account
Comments