TV Networks May Withdraw from Table Tennis Coverage Due to High Rights Fees

On the 18th, the Japanese table tennis team, led by Hina Hayata (24), left for the venue where they hope to achieve their long-awaited goal of winning gold by defeating strong opponents like China at the Paris Olympics.

For this Olympics, matches are scheduled to align with China’s peak viewing hours (7-11 PM), which benefits Japan due to the minimal time difference.

 

“Table tennis has shown more popularity than expected in meetings determining which sports will be broadcast. With Japan winning gold in mixed doubles at the Tokyo Olympics, the interest in table tennis this time is the highest ever.” (says an advertising agency insider)

In addition to broadcasting, TV networks are extensively covering table tennis as a key sport. However, a Tokyo-based TV insider reveals: “There is a major issue with table tennis coverage.”

“The Olympic table tennis representatives earned their spots by competing in international tournaments abroad. However, the cost of footage from these international matches is incredibly high.”

The broadcasting rights are held by IMG, a major global sports management company. IMG represents well-known athletes such as Kei Nishikori (34, tennis), Kasumi Ishikawa (31, table tennis), Tomokazu Harimoto (21, table tennis), Yuki Matsui (28, Padres baseball), Shinnosuke  Ogasawara (26, Chunichi Dragons baseball), and Kanoa Igarashi (26, surfing, Paris Olympics), and operates on a global scale. 

“For example, the cost of using footage in sports news is about ¥400,000 per minute. With networks trying to cut costs, they are struggling with payments and, in some cases, skipping table tennis news or using photos from news agencies instead.”

This makes it nearly impossible to produce special feature programs like “The Journey of Japan’s Table Tennis Team to Paris.”

“The footage from the ‘WTT Star Contender Bangkok,’ held from July 2 to 7 in Thailand, was shown on many sports news programs as it was the last major international tournament before the Olympics. However, the reality is that networks wish they could return to domestic selection for coverage.”

“With the rising cost of travel due to the weak yen, the burden has increased. If the same selection method continues for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, it is highly likely that many TV networks will withdraw from table tennis coverage.” (says a table tennis insider)

The high broadcast rights fees are causing networks to withdraw from table tennis coverage. It’s a heartbreaking situation, especially since the athletes are not at fault.