MBC dominates viewership in the the 3rd local election count broadcast, reaching a peak of 9.8%

*This content was translated by AI.

MBC demonstrated its strength as a leader in election broadcasting through 'Selection 2026'.

The MBC broadcast 'Selection 2026' for the 9th National Simultaneous Local Elections, aired on the 3rd, secured an overwhelming first place with an average household viewership of 6.9% (based on Nielsen Korea) and a 2054 viewership of 3.1% across all segments of the count broadcast. While KBS 1TV recorded a household viewership of 3.3%, SBS 2.6%, and JTBC 1.7% during the same time slot, MBC proved its superiority with viewership rates more than double those of the second-place competitors in both household and 2054 demographics.

For the 30th minutes immediately following the exit poll release, MBC's 'Selection 2026' recorded a household viewership of 8.6% and a 2054 viewership of 3.6%. The 'Selection 2026 Broadcast Special Newsdesk', which began airing at 7:20 p.m., also achieved a peak instantaneous viewership of 8.9%, maintaining a stable viewership flow during the full-scale count phase. Subsequently, around 9 p.m., 'Selection 2026' reached a peak instantaneous viewership of 9.8%. This indicates that viewers' attention was concentrated on MBC during the time when major count results and analyses of competitive districts began in earnest.

This 'Selection 2026' campaign, with the slogan 'Democracy Among Us', emphasized that local elections represent the most accessible site of democracy in citizens' daily lives. Additionally, MBC introduced the LED cube 'Cube M' for the first time in election broadcasting, presenting a dynamic stage production. The main LED, with a total width of 33.7 meters and a height of 6.5 meters, along with Cube M, which can move up, down, left, right, and rotate 360 degrees, realized real-time election data like a panorama, enhancing immersion. The stage, combining up to 18K ultra-high-definition video with AR graphics, contributed to intuitively conveying the complex dynamics of the local elections.

Data formats and planning segments were also differentiated. Over 50 types of data formats, including AR productions resembling the National Museum of Korea being moved into the studio, 'Rewriting Hunminjeongeum' retracing the narrative of Hangul, 'Revisiting Korea, Our Year' reflecting on major moments in South Korea over the past year, and 'Fly, Republic of Korea' capturing national landmarks with racing drones, added fun and emotion to information delivery.

The generative AI-based countdown video 'Girl, and Us' also received significant attention. The structure, following the perspective of a girl symbolizing South Korea through major scenes of modern history, conveyed the historical significance of voting and the value of democracy with powerful visuals.

In 'Seoul or Chungju?', Kim Seon-tae, Kwedo, and Fabian appeared, exploring the meaning of regional balanced development and local elections from various perspectives. In 'Debate M', anchored by Kwon Sun-pyo, Jung Kyung-jae, Yoon Geon-young, Park Won-seok, and Yoon Hee-seok appeared to analyze the dynamics of major competitive districts and the flow of public sentiment. Anchors Cho Hyun-yong and announcers Lee Jae-eun and Kim Soo-ji, along with MBC reporters, assisted viewers' understanding by delivering real-time data and count updates.

MBC's election probability prediction program 'Hit 2026' was also utilized in the broadcast. By comprehensively analyzing exit polls, current count status, and past election data, the program predicted the likelihood of each candidate's election, provided information such as 'likely' and 'certain', and visually conveyed the count flow.

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*This content was translated by AI.