Naver is transforming its video service platform, Naver TV, into an open platform similar to YouTube, allowing anyone to create and manage their own channel. This change is part of a strategy to expand the content available on its short-form video service, Clip, which is linked to Naver TV. Additionally, Naver plans to integrate its game streaming service, CHZZK, with Clip by the end of this year.

Launched in 2012, Naver TV is Naver’s comprehensive video streaming platform, offering drama, sports, and entertainment content, as well as personal broadcasting similar to YouTube. Last year, Naver merged its other video service platform, NOW, with Naver TV, operating Naver TV for the PC version and NOW for the mobile app.

Illustrated by Dall-E 3

According to sources familiar with the matter, Naver plans to remove the requirements for creating a channel on Naver TV by the third quarter of this year. Currently, users must have over 100 subscribers on another platform like YouTube or a blog to create a channel on Naver TV. Previously, the requirement was 300 subscribers, but this was lowered to 100 in January 2019, particularly due to the increase in remote learning and religious activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, live broadcasting remains limited to individual creators with more than 300 subscribers unless they are a religious organization or corporation.

Naver TV has faced criticism for its entry barriers, making it difficult to attract general creators, especially since global platforms like YouTube, Meta, and TikTok dominate the video ecosystem without such requirements. As short-form videos from creators on platforms like TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels become increasingly popular, Naver needed to adapt. Currently, most Naver TV content is produced by major broadcasters and companies, mainly consisting of edited TV broadcasts.

According to Mobile Index, Naver TV’s app (NOW) had nearly 2 million monthly active users at its peak, but this number dropped to around 310,000 last month, significantly lower than YouTube’s approximately 46.24 million.