'Running Man' changes broadcast time slot with sluggish viewer ratings

'Running Man' has been an all-time favorite variety entertainment program of many South Koreans, but recently, the viewer ratings have been sluggish.

SBS recently decided to move 'All The Butlers Season 2' to 5:00 PM, which is the current time slot for 'Running Man.' The longest-running SBS entertainment program, 'Running Man,' has been moved to 6:20 PM.

This decision was revealed in a surprise on 'Running Man,' during the episode that aired on December 11. During the broadcast on this day, Jeon So Mi got in a taxi, and when the driver asked which program she is filming, she replied by saying, "Running Man that is airing at 6:20 PM." The producers confirmed that the time slot has indeed changed by posting on the subtitle, "The broadcast time has been changed to be 6:20 PM starting January 1."

It has been revealed that SBS made this decision to maximize viewer ratings by shifting time slots; however, this has caused some viewers to complain about the frequent changes in the broadcasting schedule.

Previously, 'Running Man' has changed its time slot several times since its first broadcast in 2010. 'Running Man', which was broadcast its 5th season in 2010, moved to the 6:20 PM time slot in 2012. After that, for various reasons, the time slot was moved in both 2015 and 2016. In 2017, the broadcast time was changed again as new members Yang Se Chan and Jeon So Min were recruited. With this schedule change, 'Running Man' will be shifting to a new time slot for the first time in five years.

Currently, 'Running Man' is experiencing sluggish viewer ratings. According to Neilsen Korea, 'Running Man' has been recording a 3~4% viewer rating for the past 6 months while KBS2's 'Boss In the Mirror,' which is airing in the same time slot as 'Running Man' is recording 5~6% viewer rating.