SBS dominated the top viewership ratings for major events such as judo and wrestling, delivering vivid coverage of a flood of medals, including four golds won in a single day at the 2026 Nagoya Asian Games.
According to ratings research firm Nielsen Korea on October 2, SBS recorded a household rating of 2.8% and a 20-49 demographic rating of 0.8% in the Seoul metropolitan area during the broadcast of Huh Mimi's women's judo 57kg final the previous day. This comfortably surpassed MBC (household 1.2%, 20-49 rating 0.4%) and KBS2 (household 0.5%, 20-49 rating 0.2%) by a wide margin, securing first place among terrestrial broadcasters. The broadcast of the men's judo 81kg bronze medal match also achieved a household rating of 2.5% and a 20-49 rating of 0.4% in the Seoul metropolitan area, alongside nationwide figures of 2.2% in households and 0.5% in the 20-49 demographic. SBS swept first place in metropolitan and nationwide households as well as the 20-49 demographic across all judo broadcasts, posting the highest ratings among the three major terrestrial networks. The men's Greco-Roman 60kg wrestling bronze medal match also claimed the top spot among terrestrial channels with a 2.3% household rating in the Seoul metropolitan area, once again proving SBS's reputation as a powerhouse in sports broadcasting.
Thrilling golden news from the South Korean national team followed one after another throughout the day's broadcast. In the men's individual compound archery event, Kim Jong-ho clinched the gold medal, becoming the first South Korean athlete ever to win the title in the event. At the decisive moment with a final 10-point shot on the line, commentator Im Dong-hyun added a witty remark, saying, "We will do the getting excited. Kim Jong-ho, stay calm," and as the gold medal was confirmed, caster Jung Woo-young cheered, "How long have we waited for this gold medal!"
In the women's individual event, Kang Yeon-seo claimed a bronze medal, becoming South Korea's youngest Asian Games medalist. Commentator Im Dong-hyun envisioned a bright future, saying, "She is still only in her third year of middle school. There will be countless opportunities ahead."
In shooting, Lee Geon-hyeok captured a gold medal in the individual final after a fierce shoot-off battle following his team event victory, becoming a double gold medalist at the Games. Caster Yoon Jang-hyun and commentator Kim Joon-hyuk highlighted Lee's unwavering concentration at the crucial moment.
In judo, Huh Mimi reached the pinnacle of the women's 57kg division, earning her first career Asian Games gold medal. Commentator Song Dae-nam expressed his deep emotion, stating, "Our Huh Mimi has now opened the floodgates for South Korea's first gold medal." Lee Joon-hwan also secured a valuable bronze medal in the men's 81kg division.
Meanwhile, on Friday, October 2, Day 13 of the Games, SBS will broadcast live coverage of the recurve archery women's team and mixed team semifinals and finals, the women's 67kg taekwondo semifinals and finals, and the women's soccer bronze medal match, bringing the electrifying atmosphere of the venues straight to viewers at home.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)
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