JTBC Fails to Reach Deal With MBC, SBS... Only KBS to Co-Broadcast World Cup

Yonhap News

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Negotiations for the resale of broadcasting rights between JTBC, which holds the exclusive broadcasting rights to the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, and MBC and SBS have broken down.

On April 22, JTBC announced, "We offered the same terms to all three terrestrial broadcasters, and as a result of receiving their responses by yesterday, only KBS agreed to a joint broadcast."

The negotiations fell through due to disagreements over the broadcasting rights fee. It is reported that JTBC and KBS have reached an agreement at 14 billion won. MBC and SBS maintained that they could not pay more than 12 billion won and ultimately gave up on purchasing the rights.

After securing the exclusive broadcasting rights for the Summer and Winter Olympics from 2026 to 2032 and for the World Cup from 2025 to 2030, JTBC attempted to resell them to the three terrestrial broadcasters. In February, the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics were broadcast exclusively by JTBC after failed negotiations. At that time, there was criticism from civil society and others that the public's universal viewing rights had been undermined.

JTBC stated, "We feel responsible for the growing concerns caused by the prolonged negotiations for the World Cup broadcasting rights, following the exclusive broadcast of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics," and added, "We will prepare thoroughly to deliver a solid broadcast."

The North and Central America World Cup, which opens on June 11 (local time), will be co-hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico. For the first time in history, a total of 104 matches will be played.

JTBC and the three terrestrial broadcasters are also expected to enter negotiations over the broadcasting rights for the Summer and Winter Olympics through 2032 and the 2030 World Cup.

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