SBS 'Hot Blood Basketball Team' Enters Netflix TOP10 After First Broadcast!

SBS's new sports variety show 'Hot Blood Basketball Team' has started off with a bang from its first broadcast.

Less than a day after airing, it climbed to the top ranks of Netflix's popular series, and the official YouTube content views for Hot Blood Basketball Team are also on the rise.

As of the 30th, Hot Blood Basketball Team has made it to the Netflix South Korea TOP10 series ranking. It is rare for a new variety show released on OTT right after terrestrial broadcasting to enter the rankings within a day. Analysts suggest that the excitement surrounding this global variety show in a national competition format contributed to the enthusiastic viewer response after its premiere.

An industry insider stated, "It is unusual for a new variety show to show such rapid growth on OTT," adding, "The quality and appeal of the first episode seem to have driven viewer reactions."

The official YouTube channel of Hot Blood Basketball Team's Rising Eagles also saw explosive reactions. Related videos surpassed 260,000 views just one day after the premiere, exceeding a total cumulative view count of 1.9 million. This surge in views is attributed to the highlights, interviews, and behind-the-scenes content released alongside the broadcast.

The first episode featured introductions of the cast and a self-evaluation match ahead of team formation. This match was conducted under the observation of legendary basketball player Lee Sang-min, the coach of Busan KCC Egis, and player Heo Hoon, creating a tension comparable to an actual game.

In particular, the 1:1 matchups among the cast, the 5:5 evaluation match conducted at a competitive level, and the unexpected charm of Coach Seo Jang-hoon, who encouraged the cast with smiles throughout the game, quickly spread on social media, leading to viewer praise such as, "Even though it's a variety show, the basketball level is too high."

Online, positive reactions are pouring in, with comments like, "The members' basketball skills and willingness to participate in the program are not typical of a variety show," "Coach Seo Jang-hoon's laughter is an unexpected healing point," and "If it's this fun from the first episode, I can't help but keep watching." The cast also showcased concentration and performance beyond expectations in front of the current coaching staff. There were reactions that, despite the competitive atmosphere, they maintained the fun of a variety show, balancing sports and entertainment. The ratings also showed a smooth start, recording 1.6% according to Nielsen Korea (based on metropolitan households). This is seen as a significant presence even in a time slot crowded with competing variety shows.

Hot Blood Basketball Team is a global sports variety show led by Seo Jang-hoon, who was known as a 'national treasure center' during his playing days, as he leads the celebrity basketball team 'Rising Eagles' in competitions against teams from various Asian countries. The first overseas destination is the Philippines, where basketball has become a national sport, and the match against the local celebrity basketball team has garnered significant interest locally. The production team stated, "Since we are facing a strong opponent from the first overseas location, the growth process of the cast and the formation of teamwork will be key points to watch in future broadcasts."

An SBS representative stated, "From the first broadcast, we have confirmed a balanced performance across OTT, online, and ratings indicators, showing significant viewer interest," and added, "Given the nature of the program, we expect to deliver even greater fun and emotion as the episodes progress."