North Korea’s KCTV said to launch streaming service

An unlikely new player has reportedly entered into the video streaming business, according to reports – North Korean state broadcaster KCTV.

BBC News notes that the broadcaster’s new set-top-box, Manbang, has been called North Korea’s version of Netflix in some reports.

Manbang is said to connect to the North Korean intranet and allow viewers to watch documentaries on demand and five TV channels.

While KCTV claims that consumer demand for the price is high, connectivity in North Korea remains at very low levels.

This is not the first time that North Korea, notorious for keeping a tight grip on the control of information entering into and coming out of the country, has been found been developing its own limited versions of popular internet services.

In May, researchers found a rudimentary social network, resembling a crude version of Facebook, designed for users of North Korea’s intranet. But this was quickly pulled down after pranksters started creating spoof profiles, including one for Kim Jong-Un.