Exclusive: Secret Salary List of MC Comedians – Arai 800K, Chidori 1M, Who’s No. 1?
While the big-name talents were losing money and "Chidori" and "Kamaitachi" were making great strides, it was that duo that dominated the top spot!
With the rise of subscription streaming services and online television, the financial situation of terrestrial TV stations has significantly changed. In the past, a one-hour variety show broadcast during the golden time slot would cost tens of millions of yen to produce, but now that amount has decreased to about one-third. Amid these struggles, TV station staff are troubled by the issue of talent fees.
“Talent fees are calculated based on potential viewership ratings and their contribution to the station. Potential viewership refers to the estimated rating a single talent could achieve. Contribution refers to how much the talent favors the station’s programs. Contribution is determined by the number of previous appearances, so naturally, it increases as the talent becomes more experienced” (a variety show director at a major network).
This time, FRIDAY obtained a latest salary list of popular MC comedians created by a major TV station as of the end of September 2024. The list includes the minimum amounts for MCs hosting one-hour programs in the golden and prime time slots (7–11 p.m.). FRIDAY also succeeded in obtaining a salary list from 10 years ago. The table below ranks the salaries of popular MC comedians in 2024 based on the list, analyzing the fluctuations over the past 10 years from 2014, and examining who the real powerhouses are.
Non-hurting duo tied for first place with the same amount.
Amidst the fierce competition among popular comedians, the top spot is shared by the duo “Uchiyan-Nanchan” (Uchimura and Nannbara).
“In contrast to the type of humor often used by ‘Downtown’ and ‘Tunnels’—which involves mocking people’s appearance, actions, or scolding fellow performers—Uchiura Mitsuyoshi (60) and Minamihara Kiyotaka (59) have gained support for their style that doesn’t hurt anyone. Their high fees can also be attributed to their agency, Masaki Geinosha, negotiating strongly, but what really matters is that they continue to pull in solid ratings,” said an executive from a key network.
Following in the footsteps of these reigning champions are the mid-career comedians.
“Comedians like ‘Banana Man’ Shitara Osamu (51) and Teruyuki Tsuchida (52) may seem relaxed, but the ‘Cree-Muchu’ duo of Ueda Shinya (54) and Arita Teppei (53), who are close in age, take the lead in energizing the studio, actively engaging in witty banter and creating a lively atmosphere. As of 2024, their potential ratings are solid, and their high fees remain intact.”
Although Hiroiki Ariyoshi (50) arguably deserves a higher fee, he is considered reasonably priced because his agency does not take a strong stance in negotiations. Some say that due to his background of struggle, Ariyoshi prefers to keep his own fees low in order to give more opportunities to younger comedians. A prime example of this is “Ariyoshi no Kabe” (Nippon TV), where this attitude is evident.
The rising stars among comedians in their 40s.
The duo “Chidori” has seen their fees skyrocket by ten times, gaining momentum with their rising popularity.
“Both Nobu (44) and Daigo (44) of Chidori have a potential viewership rate exceeding 8%, yet their fees start at just 1 million yen. Having only risen to fame about five years ago, they are still being cast at relatively affordable prices. In today’s television industry, where production costs are being slashed, they are highly valued. With their fees fitting into the budget for golden time slots, shows like Chidori no Kuse Sugoi! (Fuji TV) can bring in popular actors, famous idols, and young comedians as guests, creating a lively atmosphere and aiming for higher viewership.
A similar strategy is being successfully implemented by Akira Kawashima (45) from Kirin, who hosts Lavit! (TBS). Despite his potential viewership rate nearing 8%, his fee is only 600,000 yen, which allows for the casting of many young hina-dan comedians. This approach has contributed to the success of Lavit!—a style that isn’t possible for programs hosted by veteran stars.”
Following Chidori are the two comedy duos “Kama Itachi” and “Shimofuri Myojo.”
“In today’s variety casting, the number of YouTube subscribers is also taken into account. Both duos have over 2 million subscribers, which guarantees a strong core viewership. Plus, they’re still affordable, which is why the networks favor them.”
Hiroiki Ariyoshi (50): Ariyoshi has a signature program on every major commercial TV network. The reason these networks continue to hire him, despite his popularity, is that his fee remains relatively affordable for a top star.The Declining Value of Veteran Entertainers
While there are comedians making great strides, there are also those like Tamori (79) and Akashiya Sanma (69), veterans whose fees have dropped by hundreds of thousands of yen. A programming executive from a major TV network explains:
“When entertainers reach their 70s, there’s often a disconnect with the public’s perception, which leads to lower ratings, and there’s also the risk of controversy, making them harder to use. The 700,000 yen fee for Matsumoto Hitoshi (61), who is currently on hiatus, is likely the amount TV stations would offer, assuming the ongoing legal case is settled. It should normally be around 3 million yen. TV stations prioritize ratings from the core demographic (ages 13-49). Even with high fees, people like Masanori Hamada (61) and Noritake Kinashi (62) aren’t resonating with the core audience. Young staff on set are saying, ‘We should use mid-career MCs with lower fees and invest more in guests and sets.'”
With TV networks’ production budgets continuing to decrease, it’s only natural that cost-effective, true talents are in demand.
Masanori Hamada (61): With his potential viewership rating dropping to less than half, Hamada’s fee has also decreased to about a third. The question remains whether he can continue to be active at the forefront until his partner returns.PHOTO： Ippei Hara (Hamada, Ariyoshi) Keisuke Nishi (Imada, Daigo) Yusuke Kondo (Arita) Takao Kawakami (Uchimura)
