Kouhaku and Countdown Concerts Highlight Challenges Facing Japan’s Television Industry

King & Prince and SixTONES appear for the first time in three years from STARTO Co.

The NHK “Kōhaku Uta Gassen” will be broadcast on New Year’s Eve. On the Red Team, there is the 48th-time participant Sayuri Ishikawa (67), as well as idols making their first appearance, such as CANDY TUNE and FRUITS ZIPPER, increasing the presence of the idol contingent.

On the White Team, the rumored grand finale performer is Masaharu Fukuyama (56), along with popular groups like Mrs. GREEN APPLE and Sakanaction.

“This year, for the first time in three years, two groups from the former Johnny’s agency, STARTO Co., King & Prince and SixTONES, will appear. This can be considered one of the highlights,” said an entertainment reporter for a sports newspaper.

In the past, former Johnny’s has sent many groups to Kōhaku.

In 2020, the year with the most selections, seven groups including Arashi were entered (Snow Man had to withdraw at the last minute due to members testing positive for COVID-19), and they were literally a backbone of the program.

However, due to the Johnny’s scandal that emerged in 2023, STARTO Co.’s groups were not selected for two consecutive years, 2023 and 2024. That’s why even with just two groups, their first appearance in three years is big news in the entertainment world.

“The presence of Arashi is undoubtedly a major factor behind this,” said the same sports reporter.

“Arashi has announced that their activities will end with their final tour in 2026. NHK really wanted Arashi to perform and be the highlight of Kōhaku. Behind the scenes, they made very enthusiastic offers,” he added.

However, it seems highly unlikely that Arashi will appear. A music industry source revealed the reasons to our site.

Fuji TV, which had been broadcasting since 1998, was left out

“As Arashi, it seems they strongly feel that their activities were resumed for the fans—the ones who have supported them all this time. Because of that, they aren’t really interested in appearing on TV anymore. It’s not just NHK; other commercial broadcasters also desperately want Arashi to appear. Still, they refused. That shows just how strong their resolve is,” the reporter explained.

Moreover, it wasn’t just Arashi. NHK was also turned down by Snow Man, another top-tier popular group under STARTO Co. Failing to bring both groups to Kōhaku was likely a major miscalculation.

Additionally, when it comes to former Johnny’s, New Year’s Eve means the Countdown Concert.

This year, after three years, it will be held at Tokyo Dome under the title “COUNTDOWN CONCERT 2025-2026 STARTO to MOVE.”

However, except for 2014, Fuji TV had broadcast the Countdown Concert live every year since 1998—but this year, it will not be aired.

NHK’s “Kōhaku Uta Gassen” has been rejected by both Arashi and Snow Man, and Fuji TV cannot broadcast the Countdown Concert. Behind this lies a dark side of the TV industry, where talents and production companies have said NO.

[YouTube] On FRIDAY Digital’s “Entertainment Reporter Channel,” active entertainment reporters explain in detail: “Arashi and Snow Man will not appear on NHK’s Kōhaku. What Fuji TV not broadcasting the Countdown Concert reveals about the crisis in the TV industry.”