KBS recorded a higher viewership rating than JTBC in broadcasting the Group A second-round match between South Korea and Mexico at the 2026 FIFA North America World Cup.
According to ratings research firm Nielsen Korea on the 20th, the South Korea-Mexico match aired the previous day drew a rating of 10.9% (nationwide) on KBS 2TV and 6.8% on JTBC. The combined rating of the two broadcasters was 17.7%. In particular, the 10.9% rating recorded by KBS 2TV was the highest figure among all programs aired on KBS 2TV that day.
KBS 2TV, which fielded a lineup of commentator Lee Young-pyo, caster Nam Hyun-jong and special caster Jun Hyun-moo, had also recorded an 8.5% rating in the first-round match against the Czech Republic held on the 12th. That figure outpaced JTBC (5.7%), whose broadcast was handled by commentators Park Ji-sung and Kim Hwan and caster Bae Sung-jae.
Following the Mexico match, KBS 2TV and JTBC plan to air live the final Group A match between South Korea and South Africa at Monterrey Stadium in Mexico at 10 a.m. on the 25th. South Korea, with one win and one loss (three points), missed first place in the group, but can advance to the round of 32 as the group runner-up with just a draw against South Africa.
Meanwhile, JTBC had earlier secured exclusive broadcasting rights for the 2026-2032 Winter and Summer Olympics and the 2026-2030 World Cups. JTBC subsequently resumed negotiations with the three terrestrial broadcasters and, in April, resold the broadcasting rights for this North America World Cup, confirming a joint broadcast with KBS.
