Mnet Plus outlines its 2026 strategy, focusing on original IP growth and global streaming expansion.
Mnet Plus Sets 2026 as a Turning Point
CJ ENM’s global K-pop platform Mnet Plus has announced an ambitious content roadmap for 2026, building on its performance throughout the past year. The platform aims to significantly strengthen its original programming and streaming competitiveness as part of a broader push to expand its K-pop content ecosystem.
According to Mnet Plus, 2026 will mark a key phase in the expansion of its K-pop content universe, with plans to increase both the volume and diversity of its offerings through original intellectual property and K-culture driven formats.
New Originals and Returning Fan Favorites
As part of this expansion, Mnet Plus highlighted several recent and upcoming original programs. These include the travel variety show “ON THE MAP”, the live content series “Introducing Waiting Room Friends”, a spin-off of M Countdown, and the news-focused program “WIDE K-POP NEWS”.
The platform also confirmed that “SUMBAKKOKJIL” has been renewed for a second season. Most notably, a new Wanna One reality series, currently under a working title, is in preparation with a target release set for the first half of the year, drawing attention from long-time fans of the group.
Global Live Streaming Across Platforms
Mnet Plus emphasized its role as a global streaming hub, noting that major programs such as “M Countdown”, “Show Me the Money 12”, “Reply High School”, and “Wooju Record” are available for live viewing worldwide through its PC web service and mobile app.
In addition, the platform plans to globally stream “Produce 101 Japan: New World”, a highly popular Japanese production, further reinforcing its international reach.
Dedicated Channels for Original Content Updates
To support its growing slate of original programming, Mnet Plus has launched a dedicated official social media account titled Mnet Plus Original, where viewers can find the latest updates and announcements related to upcoming releases.
With a mix of legacy hit programs, new original formats, and high-profile projects like the Wanna One reality show, Mnet Plus is positioning itself as a central hub for global K-pop content in 2026.
Editor’s Notes
Mnet Plus’s 2026 roadmap signals a clear shift from being just a distribution platform to becoming a full-scale content IP powerhouse within the global K-pop ecosystem.
By investing heavily in original programming while simultaneously reviving high-recognition brands like Wanna One, the platform is balancing innovation with proven audience demand. This dual strategy reduces uncertainty while ensuring consistent fan engagement across different generations of K-pop consumers.
The emphasis on global live streaming and cross-market content such as Produce 101 Japan also reflects a deeper understanding of how K-pop consumption has evolved. Fans are no longer tied to regional broadcasts they expect simultaneous, accessible content regardless of geography.
More importantly, Mnet Plus is positioning itself as a centralized hub rather than a supplementary platform. By integrating original shows, live broadcasts, and real-time updates under one ecosystem, it is competing not only with traditional broadcasters but also with global streaming giants.
In this context, 2026 may represent a structural turning point where K-pop platforms begin to operate more like global entertainment networks, with IP ownership and fan accessibility at the core of their strategy.