[The Chosun Ilbo, January 11 2008] New TV Services Alter Movie Releasing Schedule

Thanks to new technologies, the television is emerging as a sort of second-run movie theater in Korea.

Hanaro Telecom has started showing recently-released films such as "May 18" and "The Happy Life" through a video-on-demand service on Hana TV, the company's Internet TV service. New movies including "Sex Zero 2" and "Lust, Caution" will be available on Hana TV within the month.

Some of these movies are still playing in theaters while others only closed a month or two ago. The Internet TV service has reduced the time between theatrical distribution and distribution through other media by as much as a year.

Until now, movies were first released in theaters and then made available on DVD or videotape three to six months later. Then it took another six to 12 months before they were aired by terrestrial broadcasters.

Internet TV has started to change that schedule by allowing viewers to watch recent releases at home even before they become available in video or DVD shops.