A recent survey reveals that 7 out of 10 potential viewers prefer to watch the upcoming 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games via live broadcast.
On Monday, the Korea Broadcast Advertising Corporation (KOBACO) released the results of its 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Viewing Intent Survey, which polled 2,000 adults aged 20 to 64 nationwide.
The survey aimed to assess viewers’ intentions and preferences for watching the 2026 Asian Games, scheduled from September 19 to October 4 in Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya City, Japan.
The findings show that 73.4% of respondents plan to watch the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, with a strong preference for live coverage over replays.
Of the 1,468 potential viewers surveyed about their preferred viewing methods, an overwhelming 71.6% opted for live broadcasts.
Following that, 45.4% favored highlight reels, 22.5% planned to watch later, and 22.0% preferred short-form content. These percentages reflect combined first and second choice responses.
When asked about their preferred media for watching the Asian Games, traditional television (TV) (including both network and cable) led the pack at 79.3%.
Video platforms like YouTube followed at 56.7%, with streaming services (such as Coupang Play and Tving) at 35.8%, and web portals (like Naver) at 34.7%.
Despite the proliferation of viewing options, the strong preference for TV and live broadcasts underscores television’s enduring importance during major sporting events.
Football and archery emerged as the fan favorites among potential Asian Games viewers.
The survey revealed that 48.7% of participants were most interested in football, with archery a close second at 48.1%.
Baseball also drew significant attention at 38.4%, while badminton and swimming garnered 17.9% and 15.5% respectively. This spread of interest reflects high engagement across various sports featuring Korean athletes.
A KOBACO spokesperson noted that this survey highlights the public’s keen interest in the Asian Games, with a clear preference for live TV coverage. Even in the increasingly diverse media landscape, television remains the go-to medium for major sporting events that capture national attention.
The 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, set for September 19 to October 4, will see athletes from across Asia competing in a range of sports including football, baseball, archery, swimming, and badminton.
