Bae Sung Jae & Park Ji Sung Leave SBS for JTBC

SBS, unable to secure broadcasting rights for the 2026 North, Central American World Cup, has seen its main broadcasting team, commentator Bae Sung-jae and analyst Park Ji-sung, move to JTBC. JTBC announced on the 27th that they have confirmed commentator Bae Sung-jae and analyst Park Ji-sung as the main broadcasting team for the 2026 North, Central American World Cup. This marks the third World Cup where the two will work together, following the 2018 Russia World Cup and the 2022 Qatar World Cup, but this time they will meet viewers through JTBC, not SBS.

The Bae Sung-jae and Park Ji-sung duo is considered an already proven combination in domestic sports broadcasting. Commentator Bae Sung-jae has earned viewers' trust with his stable game commentary skills and quick wit, while analyst Park Ji-sung provides in-depth analysis based on his experience in World Cup finals and major European leagues. JTBC's strategy is to take the lead in the World Cup broadcasting competition by leveraging this powerful broadcasting team.

JTBC's main competitor is KBS. KBS had previously confirmed announcer Jeon Hyun-moo and analyst Lee Young-pyo as their main broadcasting team. The pairing of Jeon Hyun-moo, who possesses broadcasting experience and popularity, with Lee Young-pyo, who has established himself as a representative figure in football commentary, creates a matchup between 'National Team Commentator and Legendary Analyst' versus 'Star Broadcaster and Football Analyst' for this World Cup broadcast.

JTBC had previously secured exclusive broadcasting rights for the 2026 North, Central American World Cup and then proceeded with resale negotiations with the three terrestrial broadcasters, ultimately confirming joint broadcasting with KBS. In contrast, SBS and MBC will not be participating in this World Cup broadcast due to failed negotiations.

SBS, in particular, cannot help but feel great regret over its non-participation in this World Cup broadcast. Having never missed a World Cup broadcast since its inception, this absence carries significant symbolic meaning. SBS and MBC stated that they found it difficult to accept JTBC's proposed broadcasting rights due to reasons such as issues related to digital rights and financial burdens. Ultimately, SBS has lost not only the World Cup broadcasting rights but also the Bae Sung-jae-Park Ji-sung duo, who had long represented the company's World Cup broadcasts.