14.47 Million Viewers for Uruguay Match... 1st Place with 18.2% on MBC

KBS, MBC, and SBS Combined Viewership Ratings Reach 41.7%

On the afternoon of the 24th (local time), the Group H first match between South Korea and Uruguay took place at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, during the 2022 Qatar World Cup group stage. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jung-wan] The first match of South Korea's national team in the Qatar World Cup against Uruguay, broadcast live through the three terrestrial broadcasters from 10 PM KST on the 24th, ended amid the passionate support of the public.

According to TNMS, 14.38 million viewers (KBS2 2.32 million, MBC 7.28 million, SBS 4.78 million) simultaneously watched the first half of the match between our national team and Uruguay, and 14.47 million viewers (KBS2 2.13 million, MBC 7.20 million, SBS 5.14 million) simultaneously watched the second half.

During the first half match time slot, the total number of viewers on the three terrestrial broadcasters was 12.53 million more than the same day and time slot one week earlier (November 17). For the second half match time slot, the viewership increased by a remarkable 12.56 million.

Among the three broadcasters, MBC ranked first in ratings for the Korea vs. Uruguay match. According to Nielsen Korea, the 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup Group H first-round match between Korea and Uruguay, broadcast from 8:30 PM to around midnight, recorded a nationwide rating of 18.2%.

Next, SBS recorded 15.8%, ranking second, while KBS recorded 7.7%, which was less than half of MBC and SBS's ratings. The combined rating of the three terrestrial broadcasters was 41.7%.

KBS and SBS analyzed strategies and more starting from 9 PM, one hour before the match began, while MBC started broadcasting about 30 minutes earlier at 8:30 PM, which appears to have influenced the ratings.

MBC's broadcast was led by commentators Ahn Jung-hwan and Seo Young-wook, with caster Kim Sung-joo. SBS featured commentators Park Ji-sung and Lee Seung-woo, with caster Bae Sung-jae. KBS presented commentator Koo Ja-chul and caster Lee Kwang-yong.

On this day, the South Korean national football team, led by coach Paulo Bento, drew 0-0 with Uruguay, earning 1 point. On the 28th at 10 PM (KST), they are scheduled to face Ghana in the second group stage match of Group H at the Qatar Education City Stadium.