Despite Low Budgets and Rising Prices: The Resilience of Overseas Travel Variety Shows Amidst a Weak Yen

Are Production Costs Safe?　A Surprisingly Large Number of “Overseas Location” Programs

Many travel and location-based programs are still broadcast on commercial terrestrial TV. While the COVID-19 crisis has become a thing of the past, and travel to and from foreign countries has become smoother, we often hear that production costs for programs on commercial TV stations are still not abundant. In addition, we often hear about the astonishingly high cost of living in some countries.

Despite such circumstances, it is sometimes surprising to see a surprisingly large number of programs shot on location overseas.

For example, it can be inferred that popular programs such as “Itte Q to the Ends of the World” seem to have strong sponsors. and other programs provided by a single company are understandable. On the other hand, I also notice that many foreign location programs and travel programs are aired late at night or in the late afternoon on weekends, when airtime fees are not so high.

Why is this?　How are they able to afford it?

I asked a broadcaster who works on popular variety and information programs about this program.

He said that in the TV industry as a whole, the production budget for TV programs itself is basically small. Based on this premise, he said that overseas location programs, with the exception of some programs that have ample sponsorship fees, are not a good option,

“We often float the budget through tie-ups,” he said.

He reveals the secret behind this.

The key is to make full use of tie-ups and local staff.

According to the aforementioned broadcaster, tie-ups for overseas location filming are as follows,

Tie-ups with local tourism bureaus

Tie-ups with airlines and local facilities

These are the two main types of tie-ups (and sometimes a combination of the two). The idea is to reduce the budget for location filming by showing the “pictures” and introducing the information that the tie-up destination is looking for.

In the case of commercial broadcasters, the premise is to find ways to cut costs, and this is not limited to overseas location shooting. If you have to pay all the travel expenses, I think it is quite difficult.

Another major cost-saving point is the reduction of labor costs.

In many cases, the cost of airline tickets and hotels is cut by reducing the number of staff from Japan as much as possible and hiring local staff. In some cases, the director, the performers themselves, and local staff do the rest.

In terms of budget, there are some one-off programs broadcast on weekends in the late afternoon that have unexpectedly large budgets.

Some of them are so-called “trial slots,” but some of them are produced by local stations that are putting a lot of effort into their productions. In a sense, these are programs that are the company’s most important, so a large amount of budget is sometimes invested in them.

Large-scale overseas filming may be done for large-scale drama series or special anniversary dramas that are produced by key stations in prime or prime time, but not for variety shows or regular travel programs.

In an age when “solid footage” is no longer necessary

What about the performers?

Sometimes, celebrities and actors turn the camera on themselves,” he said. But this style of filming is a well-established method in location programs, not only overseas, so I don’t think there is any resistance on the part of either the actors or the viewers.

One of the ultimate forms of this style is Nasdaq’s programs, in which the director is a staff member who shoots everything himself and appears in the program himself.

The increase in distribution and other forms of broadcasting is also a big factor for both the viewers and the performers.

Of course, the talent and directors are not professionals in filming, but in recent years, viewers are not looking for perfection, but are more interested in what happens on the set.

High-quality shots of spectacular scenery are another thing, but with the evolution of smartphone cameras, people don’t care so much if the picture is a little blurry or the angle of view is subtle in city location programs.

For example, as long as the food you want to show is captured in a separate cut, it is enough to create an atmosphere of fun.

Taking advantage of the low budget, the film may include funny happenings such as staying in cheap hotels or communicating with people in the local market or on public transportation, so it is enjoyable for viewers who expect such things. I think it will be enjoyable for viewers who expect such things.

However, the problem of the yen’s ongoing depreciation and the high cost of living in the region, which has calmed down compared to the past, is still a concern.

I have the impression that many travelers are choosing to go to countries in Asia and Southeast Asia, such as South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand, where the difference between the yen and the local currency is not so great, prices are low, and the distance from Japan is very close.

I have the impression that many people choose Asia and Southeast Asia because there is not much difference in exchange rates between Japan and Taiwan, prices are low, and they are close to Japan. but “I can eat so much food for such a low price! would probably make viewers want to go there.

It seems that the budgets of TV stations themselves have not changed much, but through wisdom, ingenuity, and a style adapted to the times, the enjoyable scenery, cuisine, expressions of people, and atmosphere of foreign countries are being delivered even on terrestrial TV.