Furudate’s Concern: Apathy in the TV Industry — Can That Show Be Fuji TV’s Savior?

The third-party committee issued quite a harsh statement

Fuji TV’s future remains uncertain.

The controversy sparked by former talent Masahiro Nakai’s (52) personal issues has spilled over to Fuji. Over 80 sponsors have halted their commercials, and major shareholder, U.S. investment fund Dalton Investments, is demanding a leadership overhaul, including the dismissal of executives like Director Hisashi Hieda.

The third-party committee, composed of external lawyers, is expected to release its findings by the end of March, but the tone among station employees is grim.

“Flags have already been raised. With so many issues being pointed out, there’s no way they can announce no governance issues. It’s expected that there will be some very harsh wording. After seeing that, sponsors will have no reason to approve the resumption of commercials. It’s said that this situation could continue until the fall, not just until the April programming change,” says a television industry insider.

While Fuji’s problems are many, veteran freelance announcer Ichirō Furudate (70) has found resonance among people in the entertainment industry. On the February 8 broadcast of Yomiuri TV’s “Soko made itte NP” (local Kansai program), Furudate shared insights into the inner workings of the TV industry, not just at Fuji:

“Capturing big-name MCs and those with connections is how producers rise in the ranks. Fuji TV may have the most prominent example of this, but it’s happening across other stations too,” he said. He continued:

“Once you have that big-name MC, it feels like the work is almost done. After that, it’s just a matter of playing some VTRs. In such an environment, you need to address the background that led to the issues we’re seeing now. If there was a scheme like this, it’s over. That’s the end.”

Furudate lamented the stagnation in thinking among station employees. A senior figure in a veteran talent agency agreed with his sentiments.