Fomos reports that MBCGame director Jang Jae Hyuk is refuting the TIG story below as a rumor, saying that "nothing has been determined yet" and "there are internal discussions." He also explained that even in the case that a decision was reached, they had not even begun the bureaucratic procedure to turn it official.
TIG's Shim Hyun (former editor-in-chief of Fomos) had broken the story on MBCGame's switch to a music channel, on the heels of a flurry of ominous twitter messages between MBCGame employees.
Transcript of Twitter conversations between MBCGame employees:
Kim Cheol Min (announcer): "This summer, a huge conspiracy awaits!" it would be great if this were just some tagline following a movie, but it's happening for real..
Yooi (announcer): What is it hyung? What? What is it?
KCM: I think you know already. Go play some soccer, like you always did.
Yooi: It's the end then T_T
KCM: Yeah.
Lee Seung Won (announcer): But I had hoped...
MBCGame staffer #1: It's confirmed?
LSW: Yes, such awesome news to hear this morning.
MBCGame staffer #2: So it's true. One of the things that made me happy is going to disappear T_T. But I'll cheer it on till the end.
MBCGame staffer #1: We're screwed, sigh...
LSW: Should I just get drunk and throw myself in Gang Nam Station?
MBCGame staffer #3: Can I go with you?
MBCGame staffer #4: If there's room, I'll go too.
Source: This Is Game
Not actually "shutting down" on paper, but it is in effect. The company that operates MBCGame has decided to change it into a music cable channel instead, planning to begin the process in August and complete the switch by the end of the year.
All game related activities will be wrapped up by then, with the current MSL becoming the final MBCGame Starcraft League.
EDIT:
On August 27 2011 14:53 T.O.P. wrote:
MBC has announced that they’re preparing to launch a new music-dedicated cable channel by the beginning of 2012.
MBC Plus Media has already recruited some of the biggest music PDs in the industry, including a number of Mnet’s main PDs. Not only has Mnet’s director Hong Soo Hyun jumped ship, but he’s been joined by PD Park Chan Wook and Kim Hyun Joong, both of whom are known for their extensive work with music programs and festivals.
MBC Plus Media will be changing over their MBC Game channel to run exclusive musical content and productions. With the rising popularity of music programs like ‘I Am a Singer‘, ‘Immortal Song 2‘, ‘Birth of a Great Star‘, and ‘Superstar K‘, many are looking forward to seeing what MBC will be bringing to the table through a entire channel dedicated entirely to music.
Considering the fact that Mnet has enjoyed the monopoly of music content on cable channels, the extra competition will surely boost the production and diversity of creative content.
http://www.allkpop.com/2011/08/mbc-to-establish-their-own-music-cable-channel-next-year
MBC has announced that they’re preparing to launch a new music-dedicated cable channel by the beginning of 2012.
MBC Plus Media has already recruited some of the biggest music PDs in the industry, including a number of Mnet’s main PDs. Not only has Mnet’s director Hong Soo Hyun jumped ship, but he’s been joined by PD Park Chan Wook and Kim Hyun Joong, both of whom are known for their extensive work with music programs and festivals.
MBC Plus Media will be changing over their MBC Game channel to run exclusive musical content and productions. With the rising popularity of music programs like ‘I Am a Singer‘, ‘Immortal Song 2‘, ‘Birth of a Great Star‘, and ‘Superstar K‘, many are looking forward to seeing what MBC will be bringing to the table through a entire channel dedicated entirely to music.
Considering the fact that Mnet has enjoyed the monopoly of music content on cable channels, the extra competition will surely boost the production and diversity of creative content.
http://www.allkpop.com/2011/08/mbc-to-establish-their-own-music-cable-channel-next-year