Manbang

Manbang (Korean: 만방) is a North Korean state-run over-the-top (OTT) IPTV service. Launched in 2016, it provides viewers access to five channels that feature content such as documentaries, educational programs, sports broadcasts, and reruns of state television programming. It also offers access to digitized versions of newspapers and selected video on demand (VOD).

The service is delivered via a set-top box connected to the North Korean intranet, known as Kwangmyong. Access to the wider internet is severely restricted for most North Korean citizens, making Manbang a primary source of officially sanctioned media and information.

The name "Manbang" roughly translates to "every direction" or "every side," implying the comprehensive nature of the information it provides. It is seen as a key tool for the North Korean government to disseminate propaganda and maintain control over information flow within the country.

Access to Manbang requires registration and is subject to state monitoring. The content is heavily curated and censored to align with the ruling ideology.