diff --git a/youtube_dl/extractor/afreecatv.py b/youtube_dl/extractor/afreecatv.py
index 0f4535804..bb3728bb0 100644
--- a/youtube_dl/extractor/afreecatv.py
+++ b/youtube_dl/extractor/afreecatv.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
     determine_ext,
     ExtractorError,
     int_or_none,
+    urlencode_postdata,
     xpath_text,
 )
 
@@ -28,6 +29,7 @@ class AfreecaTVIE(InfoExtractor):
                         )
                         (?P<id>\d+)
                     '''
+    _NETRC_MACHINE = 'afreecatv'
     _TESTS = [{
         'url': 'http://live.afreecatv.com:8079/app/index.cgi?szType=read_ucc_bbs&szBjId=dailyapril&nStationNo=16711924&nBbsNo=18605867&nTitleNo=36164052&szSkin=',
         'md5': 'f72c89fe7ecc14c1b5ce506c4996046e',
@@ -172,6 +174,51 @@ def parse_video_key(key):
             video_key['part'] = int(m.group('part'))
         return video_key
 
+    def _real_initialize(self):
+        self._login()
+
+    def _login(self):
+        username, password = self._get_login_info()
+        if username is None:
+            return
+
+        login_form = {
+            'szWork': 'login',
+            'szType': 'json',
+            'szUid': username,
+            'szPassword': password,
+            'isSaveId': 'false',
+            'szScriptVar': 'oLoginRet',
+            'szAction': '',
+        }
+
+        response = self._download_json(
+            'https://login.afreecatv.com/app/LoginAction.php', None,
+            'Logging in', data=urlencode_postdata(login_form))
+
+        _ERRORS = {
+            -4: 'Your account has been suspended due to a violation of our terms and policies.',
+            -5: 'https://member.afreecatv.com/app/user_delete_progress.php',
+            -6: 'https://login.afreecatv.com/membership/changeMember.php',
+            -8: "Hello! AfreecaTV here.\nThe username you have entered belongs to \n an account that requires a legal guardian's consent. \nIf you wish to use our services without restriction, \nplease make sure to go through the necessary verification process.",
+            -9: 'https://member.afreecatv.com/app/pop_login_block.php',
+            -11: 'https://login.afreecatv.com/afreeca/second_login.php',
+            -12: 'https://member.afreecatv.com/app/user_security.php',
+            0: 'The username does not exist or you have entered the wrong password.',
+            -1: 'The username does not exist or you have entered the wrong password.',
+            -3: 'You have entered your username/password incorrectly.',
+            -7: 'You cannot use your Global AfreecaTV account to access Korean AfreecaTV.',
+            -10: 'Sorry for the inconvenience. \nYour account has been blocked due to an unauthorized access. \nPlease contact our Help Center for assistance.',
+            -32008: 'You have failed to log in. Please contact our Help Center.',
+        }
+
+        result = int_or_none(response.get('RESULT'))
+        if result != 1:
+            error = _ERRORS.get(result, 'You have failed to log in.')
+            raise ExtractorError(
+                'Unable to login: %s said: %s' % (self.IE_NAME, error),
+                expected=True)
+
     def _real_extract(self, url):
         video_id = self._match_id(url)