Yomiuri TV to End Three Shows in Bold Nippon TV Reform

It has been reported by Nikkan Sports that the popular Nippon Television show “Gyoretsu no Dekiru Soudanjo” (Sundays at 9 PM) will end in March 2025. 

In response to the inquiry, NTV commented, “We are not providing details about the programming changes,”

But the possibility of the long-running show ending after nearly 23 years seems high.

Behind this, it has been revealed by sources that affiliated station Yomiuri TV will also be ending several of its iconic programs. 

The popular variety show “Asa Para S” (Saturdays at 9:25 AM) will reportedly end at the end of March.

Imada’s comments are featured in online news almost every week.

The predecessor show, “Asa Para!”, is a long-running program that has been on air since April 6, 1996. It was revamped in March 2021 under the guise of a new show, but now, even this version is coming to an end, marking the close of its more than 29-year history.

In the original “Asa Para!” the hosts were Haikheel and Shunichi Kawai, the former captain of the Japan men’s volleyball national team.

“I think it’s a cost-performance issue. Despite having multiple Yoshimoto talents, including Haikheel, the ratings have not been improving. Haikheel’s fees are high, so when ‘Asa Para S’ started, Kawai was let go. I believe the lack of improvement in the ratings is the main reason. A new show for this time slot is being considered, but nothing has been decided yet.” (Yomiuri TV insider)

Additionally, at this time, Yomiuri TV is reportedly making significant changes to its Saturday programming lineup.

The talk variety show “Imada Koji no Netabare MTG” (Saturdays at 11:55 AM) airing after “Asa Para S” is also set to be canceled in the spring. The show originally started in October 2012 as “Tokumori! Yoshimoto Imada & Hachiko’s Oshaberi Jungle” and had been a popular program for over 10 years.

“This show primarily covers current news and trends, with lively discussions in the studio. It has high industry ratings, and the topics discussed by Imada and others often make headlines in online news every week. However, due to the many Yoshimoto comedians appearing on the show, the costs have increased. The new program is also expected to cover news-related topics.”

Another shock within the company is that Wake Up (Saturdays at 8:00 AM) will also be ending in March next year. This show is nationally broadcast, with the host being Shinobu Nakatani, a reporter from Yomiuri TV. In the past, the show was hosted by Jiro Shimbo.

“At one point, lawyer Shuya Nomura also joined as a host, but it didn’t go well, and he left the show early. As one of the few nationally broadcast programs on Yomiuri TV, there are many voices of regret within the company. It is expected to be rebranded as a new information program with a change in timeslot.” (Yomiuri TV source)

Yomiuri TV underwent a leadership change in June this year, with Yozo Matsuda becoming the new president. Additionally, starting in April next year, Nippon Television Holdings (HD) will merge with four key regional stations—Sapporo Television Broadcasting, Chukyo Television Broadcasting, Yomiuri Television Broadcasting, and Fukuoka Broadcasting. The aim is to enhance economies of scale and efficiency while leveraging the unique qualities of each station to stabilize the management foundation.

“It seems that the time slot of ‘Wake Up,’ which was a nationwide broadcast, will be handed over to Nippon Television. For Yomiuri TV, losing the production of such programs is quite a blow. This reflects the growing pressure from NTV. The four companies merged to survive, but there hasn’t been a clear vision for the future, leading to growing uncertainty among employees. If things continue like this, it might result in Nippon Television tightening its grip on its affiliated stations.” (Another Yomiuri TV insider)

Nippon TV Network’s Unprecedented Program Restructuring

Next spring, it has been reported by Bunshun Online on November 19 that Nippon TV’s Zoom In Saturday‼ will also end, and Shūichi, currently airing every Sunday morning, may also be broadcast on Saturdays, becoming a twice-weekly show called Shūni. It seems likely that the time slot of Wake Up will be absorbed by Shūni.

When Yomiuri TV was contacted for confirmation regarding the end of Asa Para, Netabare, and Wake Up by the end of March next spring,

“We cannot provide an answer.”

They responded.

“In an industry said to be in sharp decline, Nippon TV is taking the lead with major reforms. After integrating the management of its four affiliate stations, they are making unprecedented changes to their program line-up. The aim is to boost advertising revenue, with a greater focus on core (individual) viewer ratings.  Not only April’s restructuring but 2025 will see a cancellation→new program rush for the Nippon TV network. Other stations are closely monitoring Nippon TV’s actions,” said an insider from a Tokyo-based TV station.

With such major organizational changes, intensive efforts to revamp will follow. Nippon TV seems to be focusing on making changes to its Saturday and Sunday schedules first, but the real question is, who will laugh and who will cry in the process?