entertainment

Japan's Netflix contender bets on youth-driven viral hits

15 Comments
By Sam Nussey

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15 Comments
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Nothing..... nothing stays pure and real for long anywhere where there are vested and interested existing platforms that want to make money.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Part of Netfilx's appeal is their production of movies and series from all over the world. Until the Japanese producers can find a viable market outside of Japan their growth will be limited.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

I understand what AbemaTV is trying to do, but they also need to pay close attention to the potential rivals in the business. Netflix is continually taking on huge amounts of debt and hasn’t been profitable in years. The user base has also stagnated. While Netflix rose quickly, it also hasn’t created a sustainable business model because it hasn’t handled competition well.

Amazon is a beast that ties too many services into each other and that is how it maintains profitability.

Streaming services are ending up on the same path as regular TV and cable services.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Sounds awful like regular tv...…………..PASS!!!

4 ( +5 / -1 )

I like AbemaTV, it's a free alternative to something like Skyperfect and I can see why it's popular here. Originally it was supposed to be only the "premium" option where you pay the 1000yen to view it, but they quickly decided to adapt the current model which probably saved the company.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Looks like utter dross. I wish Japan world make some serious dramas. I guess the domestic market is not that interested.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Over the past decade of living in Japan, I've tried on numerous occasions to try and "get into" some of the TV here. Whether it be dramas, variety shows, etc. I just can't stomach it.

Before I could understand Japanese all that well, it was at least entertaining to try and figure out what the people were saying, but now I realize they aren't saying much at all. It's just boring drivel with no real substance.

I was never a fan of just regular TV anyway (except premium TV dramas) and since Japan lacks in that department, then I finally just throw in the towel. I can easily say my life would not benefit at all from watching television here ever again.

If AmebaTV gains some footing and gets something truly unique (and not try and just copy regular TV format) then perhaps I'll give it a shot.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

AbemaTV is betting on low-budget, reality-based fare with colorful graphics, relatable young faces and a relentless focus on generating social media buzz.

Oh my god!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I guess because it doesn't fit the "Youth" narrative of the article. But for combat sports fans in Japan AbemaTV is the go to for MMA and Kickboxing. The big Kickboxing shows on 3/10 from K-1 and RISE (Featuring Tenshin) pulled in at least a combined 4 million viewers if not more (Data is screwy as they were showing on various streaming channels at the same time.) The fact it is free is great. They have niche channels for everyone so I hope they can turn a profit and grow as the analysts forecast.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Neither of these staments are true: "Netflix is continually taking on huge amounts of debt and hasn’t been profitable in years. The user base has also stagnated. " Netlix spends billions which is insane... but they make billions. 100,000,000 subscribers x 12 months x less an avearage of 6dollars a month = 7.2 billion USD.

https://www.theverge.com/2017/4/17/15327840/netflix-earnings-report-q1-2017-subscribers-quarterly-release

1 ( +1 / -0 )

A lot of good stories to tell in Japan.... but Japanese Directors don't seem to want to add real meaningful emotion to them. Just a bunch of muted drama.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Netlix spends billions which is insane... but they make billions. 100,000,000 subscribers x 12 months x less an avearage of 6dollars a month = 7.2 billion USD.

You have to wonder what they spend on servers and data transfer every month though. It's got to be staggering.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Japan's traditional broadcasters, boxed in by government regulations and concerned about upsetting their regional stations, have mostly left the internet field clear for upstarts like AbemaTV and foreign players like Netflix and Amazon.com.

Yet AbemaTV remains an unproven bet for its biggest backer, online ad agency CyberAgent, which launched the network three years ago with TV Asahi

Not exactly leaving the field clear, huh?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Calling this garbage a 'contender' to Netflix is laughable!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

There aren't Japanese movies on Netflix except very few anime and dramas.

Wait until Korean Broadcast will open the Asian version of Netflix later this year or early next year.

Better include 90s Jdrama and 50s to 90s Japanese films in high qualities.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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