Round-the-clock cable network MBN enjoyed the highest viewer ratings among the four general-programming channels that have been in operation since Dec. 1 last year.

According to the AGB Nielsen Media Research’s study on paid-television subscribers from Dec. 1 last year to Nov. 18, MBN marked an average viewer rating of 0.643 percent, followed by jTBC’s 0.565 percent and Channel A’s 0.552 percent. TV Chosun marked the lowest with 0.432 percent.

MBN, formerly a 24-hour business news channel run by Maeil Business newspaper, has outranked jTBC, run by JoongAng Ilbo, since July. Still, jTBC, an all-entertainment channel, remained firmly planted in the market, sweeping six of the top 10 programs in the survey.

The most-watched programs were the Korea vs. Lebanon and Korea vs. Qatar football matches for the Brazil World Cup qualification, which were broadcast live only on jTBC. “Mujashiki Sangpalja (No children is good fortune),” “Anaeeui Jagyeok (Terms of a wife)” “Dangshineui Iyagi (Your story),” all jTBC TV dramas, followed. Placed sixth was MBN’s chat show “Sokpurishow Dongchimi,” followed by the same broadcaster’s re-run of the MBC documentary “Tears of Amazon.” Seventh was chat show “Gosueui Bibeop,” followed by “Hwanggeumal (Golden Egg)” and another episode of “Tears of Amazon,” all at MBN. “Padam, Padam” on jTBC ranked 10th place.

The performance of the four new channels is below expectations, according to industry watchers, who point out that the combined viewing figures of the four general programming channels fall far behind the terrestrial TV broadcaster MBC’s all-day viewing rate, which stands at about 4 percent.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)