TvN (South Korean TV channel)

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Wikipedia

tvN
Logo used since 2021
CountrySouth Korea
Broadcast area
  • South Korea
  • Southeast Asia
HeadquartersCJ E&M Center, 66 Sangamsan-ro, Sangam-dong, Mapo District, Seoul, South Korea
Programming
LanguageKorean
Picture format1080i HDTV
Ownership
OwnerCJ ENM Entertainment Division (CJ Group)
Key peopleKang Ho-sung (President & CEO)
Sister channels
History
LaunchedOctober 9, 2006; 19 years ago (2006-10-09)
Former namesChannel M (Asian feed)
Links
Websitetvn.cjenm.com Edit this at Wikidata
Availability
Streaming media
TVING (South Korea)Live C00551

tvN (originally standing for Total Variety Network) is a South Korean nationwide pay television network owned by CJ ENM Entertainment Division. tvN programming consists of a variety of entertainment content focused on television series and variety shows. It is available on cable, on satellite through SkyLife, and on IPTV platforms in South Korea.[1][2][3][4][5] Since 2014, the network has been headed by Kang Ho-sung. From June 28, 2010, to April 30, 2013, tvN Go was broadcast by renting a channel from Korea DMB.

Logos

Programming

Dramas

tvN dramas are exported to various countries in Asia and the Americas. tvN's highest-rated television series are Queen of Tears, Crash Landing on You, Reply 1988 and Guardian: The Lonely and Great God. The final episode of Queen of Tears recorded a 24.850% nationwide audience share, making it the third highest ratings recorded by a Korean cable television drama.[6] While Crash Landing on You became the first tvN drama to cross 20% ratings, and was critically acclaimed for its screenplay, direction and performances.[7] Reply 1988 received both critical and audience acclaim, with its finale episode achieved an 18.8% nationwide audience share and making it the highest rated drama in Korean cable television history for the next three years.[8] In addition, Guardian: The Lonely and Great God was also a hit and consistently topped cable television viewership ratings in its time slot. Its final episode recorded an 18.680% nationwide audience share, the second highest ratings of a Korean cable television drama at the time.[9] It received critical acclaim and became a cultural phenomenon in South Korea.[10]

To date, tvN dramas hold 28 spots of the 50 on the list of highest-rated Korean dramas in cable television.

Variety shows

Currently airing tvN variety shows
Airtime Show Korean title Start date
Sunday at 19:45 (KST) Comedy Big League[11] 코미디빅리그 September 17, 2011
Saturday at 19:40 (KST) DoReMi Market 도레미 마켓 April 7, 2018
Wednesday at 20:40 (KST) You Quiz on the Block 유 퀴즈 온 더 블럭 August 29, 2018

Sports

Along with sporting lineups aired on tvN – tvN Sports was launched as a standalone channel in 2022.

Football
Mixed martial arts

Viewership ratings

The table below lists the top 20 dramas with the highest average audience share ratings (nationwide), corresponding episode with highest rating and the date.

Top 20 series per nationwide household rating
# Series Nationwide
household rating
(Nielsen)		 Final episode date Ref.
1 Queen of Tears 24.850% April 28, 2024 [16]
2 Crash Landing on You 21.683% February 16, 2020 [17]
3 Reply 1988 18.803% January 16, 2016 [18][19]
4 Guardian: The Lonely and Great God 18.680% January 21, 2017 [20]
5 Mr. Sunshine 18.129% September 30, 2018 [21]
6 Mr. Queen 17.371% February 14, 2021 [22]
7 Bon Appétit, Your Majesty 17.107% September 28, 2025 [23]
8 Crash Course in Romance 17.038% March 5, 2023 [24]
9 Under the Queen's Umbrella 16.852% December 4, 2022 [25]
10 Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born 16.458% November 17, 2024 [26]
11 Vincenzo 14.636% May 2, 2021 [27]
12 Our Blues 14.597% June 12, 2022 [28]
13 100 Days My Prince 14.412% October 30, 2018 [29]
14 Hospital Playlist 14.142% May 28, 2020 [30]
15 Hospital Playlist 2 14.080% September 16, 2021 [31]
16 Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha 12.665% October 17, 2021 [32]
17 Signal 12.544% March 12, 2016 [33]
18 Hotel del Luna 12.001% September 1, 2019 [34]
19 Marry My Husband 11.951% February 20, 2024 [35]
20 Twenty-Five Twenty-One 11.513% April 3, 2022 [36]

The table below shows the top 20 dramas with the highest nationwide viewers (in millions), corresponding episode with highest nationwide viewers and the final episode date.

Top 20 series per nationwide viewers (million)[note 1]
# Series Nationwide viewers
number in million
(Nielsen)		 Final episode date Ref.
1 Queen of Tears 6.399 April 28, 2024 [37]
2 Crash Landing on You 6.337 February 16, 2020 [38]
3 Mr. Queen 4.749 February 14, 2021 [39]
4 Mr. Sunshine 4.631 September 30, 2018 [40]
5 Crash Course in Romance 4.329 March 5, 2023 [41]
6 Bon Appétit, Your Majesty 4.213 September 28, 2025 [42]
7 Under the Queen's Umbrella 4.029 December 4, 2022 [43]
8 Hospital Playlist 2 3.853 September 16, 2021 [44]
9 Vincenzo 3.841 May 2, 2021 [27]
10 Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born 3.840 November 17, 2024 [45]
11 Hotel del Luna 3.674 September 1, 2019 [46]
12 Our Blues 3.419 June 12, 2022 [47]
13 100 Days My Prince 3.264 October 30, 2018 [48]
14 Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha 3.237 October 17, 2021 [49]
15 Prison Playbook 3.063 January 18, 2018 [50]
16 Twenty-Five Twenty-One 3.047 April 3, 2022 [51]
17 Marry My Husband 2.938 February 20, 2024 [52]
18 Memories of the Alhambra 2.853 January 20, 2019 [53]
19 Little Women 2.618 October 9, 2022 [54]
20 Jirisan 2.586 December 12, 2021 [55]

Notes

  1. ↑ All 10 South Korea matches on tvN, plus selected matches on tvN Show & TVING; shared with Coupang Play
  2. ↑ Finals tournament only
  3. ↑ Beginning from UFC 274; live streaming on TVING for selected events
  1. ↑ The number of viewers was released on Nielsen starting January 2018.

References

  1. ↑ Park, Si-soo (May 9, 2014). "tvN turns disadvantages into critical edge". The Korea Times. Retrieved May 11, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Cable Channels Woo Viewers Away from News". The Chosun Ilbo. January 12, 2007. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
  3. ↑ Kim, Tong-hyung (March 3, 2010). "Cable TV Industry at a Crossroads". The Korea Times. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
  4. ↑ "CJ E&M makes 13.3 bil. won in TV drama exports". The Korea Times. October 30, 2012. Retrieved December 5, 2012.
  5. ↑ Sunwoo, Carla (October 31, 2012). "CJ E&M sees its programs spread far and wide". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
  6. ↑ Kim, Joon-suk (April 29, 2024). '눈물의 여왕' 시청률 24.9%…'사랑의 불시착' 넘어 tvN 드라마 시청률 1위 [Queen of Tears viewership rating of 24.9%…Surpasses Crash Landing on You, tvN drama ranking #1 in viewership ratings] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Retrieved April 29, 2024 – via Naver.
  7. ↑ Dong, Sun-hwa (February 17, 2020). "21.7%: Crash Landing on You sets record for tvN drama". The Korea Times. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  8. ↑ "January 16, 2016 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved July 3, 2024. 1st (tvN) 응답하라1988<본> 18.803%
  9. ↑ "January 21, 2017 Nationwide Cable Ratings" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. Retrieved July 3, 2024. 1st (tvN) 쓸쓸하고찬란하신도깨비<본> 18.680%
  10. ↑ "Goblin Rom-Com Sets New Milestone for Cable Soaps". The Chosun Ilbo. January 23, 2017. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  11. ↑ Ko, Dong-hwan (April 10, 2016). "Comedy Big League no laughing matter". The Korea Times. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
  12. ↑ "CJ ENM wins exclusive S. Korean media rights to Asian football matches". Yonhap News Agency. January 29, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  13. ↑ "티빙, tvN·XtvN과 '유로 2020' 독점 생중계" (in Korean). ET News. May 24, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  14. ↑ Hellbusch, Lucas (July 9, 2021). "CJ E&M and Bundesliga agree broadcast deal". Bundesliga International. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  15. ↑ Jones, Rory (May 3, 2022). "UFC lands on CJ ENM in South Korea". SportsPro. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  16. ↑ "April 28, 2024 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved July 3, 2024. 1st (tvN) 눈물의여왕<본> 24.850%
  17. ↑ "February 16, 2020 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved July 3, 2024. 1st (tvN) 토일드라마(사랑의불시착<본>) 21.683%
  18. ↑ "Reply 1988 Writes Cable Television History". Stoo Asaie.
  19. ↑ "January 16, 2016 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved July 3, 2024. 1st (tvN) 응답하라1988<본> 18.803%
  20. ↑ "January 21, 2017 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved July 3, 2024. 1st (tvN) 쓸쓸하고찬란하신도깨비<본> 18.680%
  21. ↑ "September 30, 2018 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved July 3, 2024. 1st (tvN) 미스터션샤인<본> 18.129%
  22. ↑ "February 14, 2021 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea.co.kr. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  23. ↑ "September 28, 2025 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved September 29, 2025. 1st (tvN) 토일드라마(폭군의 셰프<본>) 17.107%
  24. ↑ "March 5, 2023 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  25. ↑ "December 4, 2022 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  26. ↑ "November 17, 2024 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved November 17, 2024. 1st (tvN) 정년이<본> 16.458%
  27. 1 2 "Nielsen Korea". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  28. ↑ "June 12, 2022 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved July 3, 2024. 1st (tvN) 토일드라마(우리들의블루스<본>) 14.597%
  29. ↑ "October 30, 2018 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved July 3, 2024. 1st (tvN) 월화드라마(백일의낭군님<본>) 14.412%
  30. ↑ "May 28, 2020 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved July 3, 2024. 1st (tvN) 슬기로운 의사생활<본> 14.142%
  31. ↑ "September 16, 2021 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved July 3, 2024. 1st (tvN) 슬기로운의사생활2<본> 14.080%
  32. ↑ "October 10, 2021 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved July 3, 2024. 1st (tvN) 토일드라마(갯마을차차차<본>) 12.665%
  33. ↑ "March 12, 2016 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved July 3, 2024. 1st (tvN) 시그널<본> 12.544%
  34. ↑ "September 1, 2019 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved July 3, 2024. 1st (tvN) 토일드라마(호텔델루나<본>) 12.001%
  35. ↑ "February 20, 2024 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved July 3, 2024. 1st (tvN) 내남편과결혼해줘<본> 11.951%
  36. ↑ "April 3, 2022 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved July 3, 2024. 1st (tvN) 스물다섯스물하나<본> 11.513%
  37. ↑ "April 28, 2024 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved July 3, 2024. 1st (tvN) 눈물의여왕<본> 6,399
  38. ↑ "February 16, 2020 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved July 3, 2024. 1st (tvN) 토일드라마(사랑의불시착<본>) 6,337
  39. ↑ "February 14, 2021 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved July 3, 2024. 1st (tvN) 토일드라마(철인왕후조선중전영혼가출스캔들<본>) 4,749
  40. ↑ "September 30, 2018 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved July 3, 2024. 1st (tvN) 미스터션샤인<본> 4,631
  41. ↑ "March 5, 2023 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielson Korea. Retrieved July 3, 2024. 1st (tvN) 일타스캔들<본> 4,329
  42. ↑ "September 28, 2025 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved September 29, 2025. 1st (tvN) 토일드라마(폭군의셰프<본>) 3,260
  43. ↑ "December 4, 2022 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved July 3, 2024. 1st (tvN) 슈룹<본> 4,049
  44. ↑ "September 16, 2021 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved July 3, 2024. 1st (tvN) 슬기로운의사생활2<본> 3,853
  45. ↑ "November 17, 2024 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved July 3, 2024. 1st (tvN) 정년이<본> 3,840
  46. ↑ "September 1, 2019 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved July 3, 2024. 1st (tvN) 토일드라마(호텔델루나<본>) 3,674
  47. ↑ "June 12, 2022 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved July 3, 2024. 1st (tvN) 토일드라마(우리들의블루스<본>) 3,419
  48. ↑ "October 30, 2018 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved July 3, 2024. 1st (tvN) 월화드라마(백일의낭군님<본>) 3,264
  49. ↑ "October 10, 2021 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved July 3, 2024. 1st (tvN) 토일드라마(갯마을차차차<본>) 3,237
  50. ↑ "January 18, 2018 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved July 3, 2024. 1st (tvN) 수목드라마(슬기로운감빵생활<본>) 3,063
  51. ↑ "April 3, 2022 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved July 3, 2024. 1st (tvN) 스물다섯스물하나<본> 3,047
  52. ↑ "February 20, 2024 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved February 20, 2024. 1st (tvN) 내남편과결혼해줘<본> 2,938
  53. ↑ "January 13, 2019 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved July 3, 2024. 1st (tvN) 토일드라마(알함브라궁전의추억<본>) 2,853
  54. ↑ "October 9, 2022 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved July 3, 2024. 1st (tvN) 작은아씨들<본> 11.105%
  55. ↑ "October 24, 2021 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Retrieved July 3, 2024. 1st (tvN) 특별기획지리산<본> 2,586