The Hidden Truth Behind Waruiko Atsumare’s Cancellation

Did it fail to attract yyounger viewers!?

On February 12, NHK announced its new programming lineup for the upcoming fiscal year, revealing that the educational variety show Waruiko Atsumare, featuring members of Atarashii Chizu—Goro Inagaki (51), Tsuyoshi Kusanagi (50), and Shingo Katori (48)—would be ending its broadcast.

In its place, NHK will launch a new program tentatively titled NHK de Yaranasasou na Are, starring talent Yasuko (26). The show will focus on topics and concepts that interest young audiences, aiming to be a fresh, youth-oriented variety program that encourages Generation Z to engage more with NHK.

“Waruiko” originally aired as a special program in 2021 before becoming a regular series in April 2022. With a concept of being an educational variety show that both children and adults can enjoy, it featured innovative segments like Children’s Press Conference, where kids took on the role of reporters and asked guests direct questions. The show gained attention when it first launched.

However, in April last year, its broadcast slot shifted from Saturday mornings at 10 AM on E-Tele to Tuesday nights at 11 PM on NHK General. This change placed it in direct competition with programs like news zero (NTV), news23 (TBS), and London Hearts (TV Asahi), causing its average household viewership rating to drop to the low 2% range. Ultimately, the show failed to attract younger audiences.

Following SMAP’s disbandment at the end of 2016, the three members left the former Johnny’s agency in September 2017, which led to the gradual cancellation of their terrestrial TV programs.