The 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Paralympic Games, taking place from March 7 to March 16, will be available to audiences through the South Korean digital platforms SOOP and CHZZK. Both services secured broadcasting rights following a significant shift in the local media market. This partnership ensures that viewers can follow the South Korean national team’s performance and major international events across a variety of digital devices.
The acquisition of these rights by SOOP and Naver’s CHZZK follows the withdrawal of traditional media outlets. JTBC, the exclusive rights holder for the Winter Olympics, decided to abandon its Paralympic coverage due to concerns regarding profitability and projected viewership. This move allowed digital streaming platforms to step in, utilizing their interactive tools to reach a dedicated audience that traditional television often struggles to capture.
SOOP enters this competition with a strategy centered on its established live-based viewing culture. The platform focuses on major matches involving South Korean athletes, offering these broadcasts through official channels and individual streamer-led cheering rooms. This marks SOOP’s second consecutive year of Paralympic coverage after the 2024 Paris Games. The platform leverages its long-standing relationship with the Korea Paralympic Committee to provide a community-driven experience for fans.
SOOP and CHZZK have the biggest audience among mid-tier live-streaming platforms
In contrast, Naver’s CHZZK utilizes the broader technological infrastructure of the Naver Sports ecosystem. Following a record-breaking performance during the recent Winter Olympics, CHZZK provides high-definition clips and AI-generated highlights for rapid consumption. While SOOP emphasizes social interaction through creators, CHZZK focuses on technical integration and data-driven content, such as real-time medal standings and interactive schedules.
The 2026 Winter Paralympics also serve as a milestone, marking the 50th anniversary of the first Winter Paralympic Games. Both SOOP and CHZZK provide free access on mobile and PC platforms to increase the visibility of para-sports. By offering diverse viewing options, these digital services aim to support the growth of the Paralympic movement and ensure comprehensive coverage of the 79 medal events scheduled in Italy.