Yomiuri TV to End Three Shows in Bold Nippon TV Reform

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?