"World Cup, can't watch from the Round of 32?"…JTBC refutes halted broadcast reports

[Dispatch=Myeong-ju Lee] JTBC denied reports of a halt to its broadcast of the 'North/Central/South America World Cup.'

On the 24th, JTBC published a statement on its homepage regarding broadcast coverage of the '2026 FIFA North/Central/South America World Cup.' The broadcaster claimed the Japanese media report contained "incorrect information."

It went on to say, "We will broadcast through the World Cup final. We will convey the vivid on-site coverage of the World Cup through the final stages of the tournament, including matches of the Korean national team."

Japanese broadcaster TBS exclusively reported on the 23rd that "JTBC has failed to pay part of the broadcast rights fees owed to FIFA for the North/Central/South America World Cup."

The outlet attributed this to the broadcaster's financial difficulties, adding that "if payment is not made by the scheduled deadline, there is a possibility that TV broadcasts will be suspended starting from the 29th."

JTBC had secured broadcast rights for the Summer and Winter Olympics from 2026 to 2032 and the World Cup from 2026 to 2030. It signed a joint broadcast agreement with KBS before the tournament began.

However, financial crisis ensued. This was due to failure to repay principal and interest on securitized borrowings in the tens of billions of won. Ultimately, it filed for commencement of rehabilitation proceedings alongside its parent company.

Meanwhile, the Korean national football team is set to face South Africa on the 25th in the third group stage match of the North/Central/South America World Cup. The team currently stands in second place in the group with one win and one loss.