MBC Secures LCK Finals Broadcast Rights Through 2026
MBC has secured the exclusive rights to broadcast the LCK Championship finals live on terrestrial television until next year, dedicating its prime 2:00 PM slot to the event at the KSPO Dome.
The decision marks a significant shift in how e-sports are covered by major South Korean broadcasters. While last year's viewership stood at just 0.4% according to Nielsen Korea, industry experts note that comparing this figure directly to professional baseball is premature given the lack of prior terrestrial experience for the genre.
Despite conservative attitudes among some sports media professionals, MBC emerged victorious in a competitive bid against another terrestrial channel. The broadcaster confirmed it will maintain high production standards and field a star-studded commentary team including casters Seong Seung-heon, Jeong No-cheol, Go Soo-jin, and analysts Lee Seo-haeng and Eom Sung-hyun.
The strategic move is driven primarily by advertising revenue. With audiences increasingly shifting to OTT platforms like YouTube, securing a live terrestrial slot allows MBC to sell out its commercial inventory—a rare achievement in the current media landscape. The broadcaster aims to introduce new fans to the league while satisfying existing supporters with professional analysis.
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