Germany's World Cup exit boosts SBT ratings to record highs
Broadcasting the 2026 World Cup has driven record viewership for SBT, marking the channel's best performance on a weekday since 2023.
Image generated with Gemini
Brazilian television channel SBT has recorded historic viewership figures during its coverage of the 2026 World Cup. Monday, June 29, proved to be a milestone day, with the network achieving its best weekday audience performance since October 2023.
A significant driver of these numbers was the Brazil vs. Japan match. The broadcast, led by Galvão Bueno, averaged 12.77 points in the Greater São Paulo region—the best performance for that time slot on the channel in a decade, with a peak of 14.05 points.
The unexpected elimination of Germany by Paraguay also proved to be a major ratings draw. The match, narrated by Tiago Leifert, ensured second-place status for SBT in Rio de Janeiro, outperforming competitors in the same time slot.
Since the tournament began, SBT has emerged as the free-to-air broadcaster with the highest growth in the Greater São Paulo market. Compared to Brazil's opening match, viewership for the national team's games has increased by 23% in the country's most significant metropolitan area.