Domestic Local TV Operating Profit Down 57%… A Critical Situation! Is the “Collapse of Terrestrial TV” Starting in the Regions!?

Even the “resident comedians” are losing their jobs

Local stations are at a crossroads. Advertising revenue has declined due to the television industry slump. While it has been widely reported that major networks are cutting production costs, local stations face an even tougher situation.

“In September, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications amended the ministerial ordinance under the Broadcasting Act. This amendment now permits the merger of two competing commercial television stations operating in the same region. Even after a merger, a single station will operate two channels, so the total number of channels will remain unchanged.With this new “one station, two channels” model now possible, we can expect management mergers that transcend network affiliations—such as those between the Nippon TV and Fuji TV networks—as well as cost reductions through the shared use of facilities.Radio stations are already permitted to operate up to four frequencies per station, and three companies in Fukuoka Prefecture—RKB Mainichi Broadcasting, Kyushu Asahi Broadcasting, and Love FM International Broadcasting—announced this spring that they had begun exploring a merger of their radio operations,” said a source at an advertising agency.

According to data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the total operating profit for 114 domestic local television stations in fiscal year ’24 was 25 billion yen. This represents a 57% decrease from the 58.6 billion yen recorded in fiscal year ’15, a steeper decline than the 35% drop seen among key and secondary key stations.

“Since the COVID-19 crisis, the funds available for on-site production have visibly decreased. There have been numerous cases where information programs that previously featured local talent on location have started using station announcers instead, or where the programs themselves have been canceled,” said a director at a production company.

Yoshimoto Kogyo launched the “I’ll Live in Your Town” Project (Resident Comedians) in 2011, stationing comedians in all 47 prefectures. As this initiative achieved a certain degree of success, an increasing number of major talent agencies began establishing branch offices in regional areas; however, it is reported that even these resident comedians are now losing their jobs.

“Nagasaki-based Nagasaki-tei Kiyo Champon (46), who was considered the most successful example, saw his four regular shows end one after another. He is currently working part-time jobs while trying to make a comeback through live streaming. If even ‘Resident Comedians,’ who command low fees, are facing such circumstances, the situation must be even tougher for former nationally recognized celebrities who have moved to regional areas,” said a broadcast writer.

The director at the production company mentioned earlier says, “At local stations, the number of variety and information programs is decreasing, while news programs are on the rise.”

“Since we don’t have to cast celebrities, we can keep production costs down, and because the content can be repurposed as online articles, it’s easier to monetize. Major incidents that capture public attention—like the Kyoto boy’s body abandonment case—or disaster-related news can also generate a lot of views on the station’s YouTube channel.”

In regional areas, there’s also fierce competition for event work.

“There used to be high demand for comedians who live in the area, but now local idols—who are expected to draw crowds—are in high demand. Since many idols these days have members dedicated to talking, they can also serve as MCs.In addition, former TV station announcers who have married wealthy local business executives are gaining prominence. Perhaps because they’re not struggling financially but still want to be fawned over, quite a few are willing to take on gigs for fees below market rate. When well-known former announcers can be hired cheaply, there’s no room left for ‘resident comedians,’” said an executive at a talent agency.

As the consolidation of local stations progresses, the culling of talent who had been seeking opportunities in rural areas will likely accelerate. The collapse of terrestrial television is beginning in the regions.

From the October 23–30, 2026, combined issue of *FRIDAY*