[Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games] SBS Ranks 1st in TV Ratings and YouTube Performance

As the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games concluded on October 4, SBS revealed the achievements it achieved in TV ratings and YouTube views during the tournament period. SBS announced that it ranked first in the prime-time 2049 average ratings and placed the most matches in the TOP20 for major co-broadcasted match ratings. In baseball, fencing, badminton, and gymnastics, it recorded first place in ratings for all matches. On YouTube, as of 9:00 AM on October 4, the cumulative views for SBS-produced content exceeded 102.3 million. SBS also introduced its broadcasting achievements, including videos of major matches, local fancams, and match analysis by commentators.

1st in Prime-time Ratings, 10 Matches in Major Match TOP20

According to SBS, the average prime-time 2049 rating during the tournament was 1.3%. MBC recorded 1.2%, and KBS1 recorded 0.9%. SBS stated that it recorded the highest figure among terrestrial broadcasters in the average ratings for the 2049 viewership, which advertisers focus on. In the TOP20 for major co-broadcasted match ratings based on the Seoul metropolitan area by Nielsen Korea, SBS placed 10 matches. MBC had 7, KBS2 had 2, and KBS1 had 1.

By sport, SBS recorded first place in ratings for all matches in baseball, fencing, badminton, and gymnastics. The baseball final between South Korea and Japan recorded a 2049 rating of 3.1% in the Seoul metropolitan area and a household rating of 6.7%, ranking first among the three terrestrial broadcasters. It ranked 2nd in the TOP20 for co-broadcasted matches. SBS also stated that it showed strength in the baseball group stage and the matches against Japan and China in the Super Round. The men's basketball final ranked 3rd in the TOP20 with a 2049 rating of 3.1%. The men's 4×100m relay athletics preliminary and women's volleyball semifinal were also included in the TOP20.

YouTube Cumulative 102.3 Million Views... Also Leading in Average Views per Content

The YouTube tally released by SBS is as of 9:00 AM on October 4. The cumulative views for videos produced primarily by SBS Sports during the tournament period exceeded 102.3 million. A total of 256 pieces of content were tallied, including 166 clips and 90 shorts. SBS stated that during the same period, MBC recorded 77 million views with 380 pieces of content, and KBS recorded 37.6 million views with 301 pieces.

SBS explained that the average views per content were about 400,000, which was double MBC's approximately 200,000 and triple KBS's approximately 120,000. There were 27 pieces of content with over 1 million views, and among them, 11 had over 2 million views. The video with the highest views was the men's football quarterfinal between North Korea and Japan, which recorded approximately 5.25 million views. The men's football semifinal between South Korea and China recorded 3.14 million views, the final between South Korea and Japan recorded 2.84 million views, and the quarterfinal between South Korea and Vietnam recorded 2.82 million views. The women's basketball final recorded 2.18 million views, and the badminton women's singles semifinal between An Se-young and Chen Yufei recorded 2.11 million views.

Legends and New Faces Join... Match Analysis Also Included in Broadcast

SBS presented a commentary team consisting of former athletes by sport, such as Park Tae-hwan, Lee Dae-ho, Lee Soon-chul, Lee Yong-dae, and Hyun Jung-hwa, along with new faces such as Park Joo-ho, Gu Bon-gil, and Jun Hyun-moo. In the swimming broadcast, commentator Park Tae-hwan analyzed, "If they record a time in the 3:31 range, they are definitely in medal contention." The men's 400m medley national team set a new Korean record of 3:31.97 and won a bronze medal. SBS stated that it ranked first in four indicators, including Seoul metropolitan/national household ratings and 2049 ratings, for this match.

In the football broadcast, commentator Park Joo-ho said during the match against Saudi Arabia, "A good chance is coming to Shin Min-ha." Shin Min-ha actually scored the opening header goal in the 21st minute of the second half. After commentator Park mentioned the importance of set pieces again, a goal by Kim Myung-jun followed. SBS stated that the Seoul metropolitan 2049 rating for this match was 1.2%, ranking first among the three terrestrial broadcasters during the same time slot. They explained the broadcasting performance by sport by introducing the commentators' match-by-match analysis and the ratings.

Gu Bon-gil and Jun Hyun-moo's Commentary Challenge and Local Fancam Videos

Gu Bon-gil, who took charge of fencing commentary, explained the match details based on his experience as an athlete. According to SBS, ahead of his commentary debut, Gu Bon-gil said, "I want to explain things easily with my commentary to show more of the charm of fencing." Jun Hyun-moo participated as a sports caster for the archery recurve broadcast. While broadcasting Lee Woo-seok's match in the men's recurve individual final, he said, "I think it was the difference between having steadiness and not having it."

The YouTube performance released by SBS included not only major match videos but also fancam content produced locally. 'Crazy~ Lee Jun-seok reaches the first final in Techball' capturing Lee Jun-seok's advancement to the Techball final recorded 3.15 million views. 'The wall of the world number 1 - An Se-young' recorded 2.05 million views, and 'Preparing for competition while working delivery, defeating Japan to achieve 5 consecutive wins' recorded 1.69 million views. SBS stated that videos capturing the athletes' match scenes and unusual sports also recorded high views.

The Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games ended on October 4. The TV ratings announced by SBS are based on the Seoul metropolitan area by Nielsen Korea, and the YouTube views are tallied as of 9:00 AM on the same day. SBS released the prime-time ratings, major match results, and the number and views of YouTube videos during the tournament period.

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