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Region: Empire of Andrew

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The Infinite Empire of Cybus1

The Orson Empire wrote:Kimaam Media Corporation

Kimaam Media Corporation (KMC) is the Orsonian public broadcaster for radio and television, headquartered in Aturo, New Guinea. KMC held a virtual monopoly over mass media in Orson until the 1970's, when private companies were permitted to compete. Nevertheless, KMC retains 70% market share in Orsonian mass media, and remains the dominant film distributor and publisher via Kimaam Central Studio. KMC is among the world's largest broadcasters and film studios, employing 75,000 people in 2021.

History

KMC was founded in 1889, originally as the Kimaam Théâtrophone Company. The théâtrophone ("theater phone") was first demonstrated by French inventor Clément Ader at the 1881 International Exposition of Electricity in Paris. It permitted theater and opera programs to be broadcast live over telephone lines, heard using headphones. Performances at the Paris Opera, located two kilometers away from the Exposition, were successfully broadcast for visitors using this technology, causing much excitement among Orsonian businessmen and engineers present, who began installing their own transmitters inside theaters across Orson.

Emperor Shoan Jackson and much of Orson's high society became enraptured with the technology. As his health gradually declined in old age, Shoan listened to performances from the comfort of the Imperial Palace, leading to théâtrophones becoming popular within the royal court. This motivated Shoan to establish the company via royal charter with a group of New Guinean investors; the company's name references Kimaam Island in Aturo. In exchange for Imperial funding and support, Kimaam would return 50% of all revenue back to the government, and all royal family members were granted free service. Over the following decade, théâtrophones spread widely across Orson, as Kimaam aggressively advertised them and rapidly dominated the market. Hotels, shops, clubs, and other venues purchased coin-operated receivers, where customers could pay to listen to a variety of programs and even early news broadcasts. Individuals purchased subscriptions to enjoy broadcasts in their home, but only upper class customers could afford the price.

In 1913, Kimaam Central Studio (KCS) was founded as a subsidiary. Its original purpose was to produce propaganda films supporting traditional Orsonian culture and Empress Alinta Jackson's reign, who had recently seized power in the 1911 coup and brought a violent end to the Palace Feud. During WW1, it created propaganda demonizing the Central Powers; post-war, it expanded into normal entertainment, with KCS films earning large box-office revenues and becoming a viable competitor to Hollywood.

In the 1920's, radio technology experienced an explosion in popularity worldwide, and was initially resisted by Kimaam executives due to their profitable monopoly over théâtrophones. Ultimately, changing consumer tastes forced the company to embrace radio or risk losing their market dominance. Théâtrophone subscriptions were suspended by 1933, and one year later, the company was reorganized into modern KMC, a fully state-owned enterprise. It was granted the sole right to broadcast radio (and later television) programs in Orson, allowing KMC to organize a nationwide network of radio stations. The first television channel, KMC 1, launched in 1938, and KCS introduced a television production division to create content.

In 1977, the Imperial Senate overturned KMC's broadcast monopoly, permitting private broadcasters to enter the market for the first time. Despite this, many Orsonians perceive the quality of private programming to be worse, and find advertisements intrusive. Combined with KMC being free to watch or listen, this has allowed the company to remain relevant well into the 21st century.

In 2009, KMC Online was launched as a streaming application available on the state-run Orsonian intranet (or Orsonet). It is now the common means for customers to watch television shows, with older cable services progressively being phased out.

Organization

As Orson's public broadcaster, KMC reports directly to the Imperial government. Its regular operations are overseen by a board of directors, whose Senior Director represents KMC in the Imperial Council. New directors are appointed with Council consent. KMC's core headquarters remain in Aturo, though it also holds an office in Ravenwood for more direct contact with government officials. KCS's national newsroom and studio are also located in Aturo.

KMC's funding primarily comes from taxes, overseas syndication, ticket sales, and merchandise sales. Advertisements on KMC programs are prohibited.

Television Channels

KMC 1: The first television channel in Orsonian history. It usually broadcasts highly acclaimed shows in the primetime slot, alongside soap operas, sitcoms, game shows, and other typical daytime programming.

KMC 2: Broadcasts 24-7 news from KCS's Aturo newsroom.

KMC 3: Broadcasts reruns of content from channel one, alongside late-night talk shows, reality TV, and comedy segments. Orson at Midnight is this channel's most popular program.

KMC Government: This channel is used for public service announcements and government propaganda. Programs glorifying aspects of Orsonian culture (such as traditional music and literature), military parades, and battle reports regarding the ongoing Third World War are common. Sessions of the Imperial Council are also broadcast live here.

KMC Children: Hosts a variety of content aimed at young children, including animation, movies, and educational shows.

KMC Educational: Broadcasts documentaries, historical programs, and art programs.

KMC Music: Broadcasts music videos and live performances of both popular and niche singers/bands. Entertainment focused on the music industry is also shown here.

KMC Sports: Airs content regarding a wide range of sports, from documentaries to live matches. This channel also broadcasts violent blood sports fully uncensored, generating international controversy, but impressive ratings domestically.

KMC Anime: Shows animated content primarily aimed at teenagers and adults. This channel includes both Japanese and Orsonian anime; due to a long history of excellent relations and cultural exchange, Japanese animated programming is highly regarded in Orson, and practically ubiquitous.

KMC World: Syndicates programming from international markets (especially the American market, due to friendly Orson-Timmian relations), some of which is in high demand. Examples include certain Wagain shows on MPP 1 or MPP Nova, and Cybusian Dark Deco shows from IWC Black.

KMC Movies: Broadcasts movies from the KCS catalogue, alongside international titles.

Excellent work Orson! I’m pleased to see yet another national broadcaster be added to the regional canon! I’m surprised a show as controversial as Orson At Midnight is actually government sponsored, but this is the Artuorist regime after all.
The IWC would be unwilling to syndicate any of their shows during the Imperial period, but would agree to such an arrangement after the Federalist regime is formed.

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