KBS ranked first in ratings for the closing ceremony of its broadcast of the '2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.' The network aired 8 of the top 10 most-watched events featuring South Korean athletes, reaffirming its status as a 'broadcasting powerhouse of sports coverage.'

During the Games, KBS delivered extensive live coverage across two channels, covering not only popular sports but also less mainstream ones, showcasing the performances of the South Korean delegation over 16 days without missing a moment.

■ Women's Basketball Final Hits Peak with 10.3%

The women's basketball final against Japan, broadcast exclusively on KBS 1TV on September 26, recorded a 10.3% nationwide rating according to Nielsen Korea, the highest among events involving South Korean athletes. This was followed by the men's high jump final featuring Woo Sang-hyeok on October 3 at 9.8%, and the women's 400m relay preliminaries in athletics on September 27 at 8.5%.

Of the top 10 events by cumulative ratings, KBS broadcast 8, including women's basketball, athletics, handball, and fencing. The network also exclusively broadcast less popular sports that were hard to find on other channels, such as athletics, rhythmic gymnastics, table tennis, shooting, and artistic gymnastics, drawing viewers' attention.

■ Closing Ceremony Ratings Reach 2.8% Nationwide… Ahead of MBC in the Same Time Slot

The closing ceremony broadcast on October 4, held at the Mizhuo Park Athletics Stadium in Nagoya, Japan, was called by announcer Lee Jae-hu with commentator Kim Moon-jung. Sports climbing gold medalist Seo Chae-hyun led the athletes' parade while carrying the Taegukgi.

The live broadcast of the closing ceremony recorded 2.8% nationwide and 2.3% in the metropolitan area. In the same time slot, MBC recorded 1.8% nationwide and 1.9% in the metropolitan area.

■ Jang Sung-kyu, Lee Young-pyo, Park Yong-taik… A Broadcast Team Combining Expertise and Entertainment

The broadcasting team also drew attention. TV personality Jang Sung-kyu and commentator Ki Bo-bae partnered for the archery coverage, while Kangnam and music director Kim Moon-jung provided commentary for the opening ceremony. Lee Young-pyo joined as a football commentator, and Park Yong-taik and Kim Tae-gyun participated as baseball commentators, delivering both expertise and entertainment.

Commentator Kim Moon-jung shared her thoughts at the closing ceremony, saying, 'It makes me reflect once again on the saying that sport is art.'

KBS accompanied viewers throughout the Games under the slogan, 'The Moment We Become One Again — For the Asian Games Too, It's KBS.'