The CTBS would later be renamed Korean Central Television (KCTV) and was officially relaunched at 17:00 local time on 3 January 1973 (the first working day in 1973 in North Korea).

On 19 January 2015, KCTV began experimental high-definition transmissions via satellite, although only the live in-vision continuity at sign-on and sign-off was presented in HD.

Occasionally, dubbed and ideologically safe foreign films and television from allied Russia and China are aired on the network during times of warmer relations with the countries.

[9] By December 2018, KCTV's programmes had begun to gain a more contemporary feel as opposed to the strictly authoritarian style used before, with more programming showcasing the North Korean people.

[10][11][12][13] Kim Jong Un's New Year's address similarly saw the leader delivering the speech from an armchair in the Workers' Party headquarters, rather than from a podium in an assembly hall.

The latter's Round of 16 match and loss to Brazil was the first time a game involving the South Korean team was broadcast in North Korea during the tournament.

[19][20] One of the few instances in which KCTV broadcasts live is during the annual New Year's Eve concert in Kim Il Sung Square, which was first televised in 2018.

The concert is aired in two parts including a roughly 50-minute show from 11 p.m., with the second half comprising the raising of the North Korean flag, the playing of the national anthem, and a fireworks display at midnight.

[7][8] KCTV broadcasts daily news bulletins under the title Bodo (보도, 'News' or 'Report'), which serve as one of the main propaganda organs of the Workers' Party of Korea.

[22][13][12][8] Weather reports aired on KCTV place Paektu Mountain, which the country claims to be the birthplace of Kim Jong Il, ahead of all other cities besides the capital of Pyongyang.

Long-time chief newsreader Ri Chun-hee is well known for her melodramatic style, and for typically wearing a traditional, pink Chosŏn-ot dress on-air.

[24][25][26] By September 2012, after receiving new equipment from Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, KCTV introduced a refreshed set for its bulletins, which featured a new anchor desk and a video backdrop.

[13][12] KCTV may return to air or remain on-air past its usual sign-off time during special occasions and breaking news situations.

The following morning, KCTV broadcast extended coverage of the storm's arrival and impact, including live reports from Pyongyang and Nampo.

[31][32] KCTV was broadcast free-to-air on Thaicom 5 until 25 February 2020, so with the appropriate equipment can be picked up in Southeast Asia, Australasia, Middle East, Africa and Europe.

In 2013, British broadcaster Channel 4 offered editions of the daily bulletin with English subtitles as part of its web series North Korea Uncovered.