Photo: Pakutaso
national

N Korean missile launches may cost Japanese broadcasters billions of yen

19 Comments
By SoraNews24

For the second time in only a matter of weeks North Korea sent a missile straight over Japan and into the ocean, and as a result the international community has come together as one and declared: “It’s the other guys’ problem.”

So we can probably expect more rockets to whiz over our heads in the future, each time triggering the J-Alert system which sends an automatic warning to everyone’s mobile phone and instructs us to take cover. As scary as that is, at least no actual harm is coming to Japan, right?

“Wrong,” say the television networks of the country who have taken damages in several ways and are seriously concerned about future missile launches. For starters, Kim Jong-Un’s timing is particularly rude, cutting into the peak hours of morning television which is made up largely of “wide-shows:” the Japanese equivalent to a program titled "Good Morning [insert place name here]."

These shows are live and often feature field segments or celebrity guests that cost a significant amount to produce, only to be wiped out at the slightest beep of a J-Alert. These programs are essentially just news-based talk about issues of the day, but studies show that about 70 percent of viewers tune in for them.

Unfortunately, its hard to give weight to a comedian’s drunk driving charges while weapons of mass destruction are flying around. So these shows are forced to cover the more pressing matters of the day at the expense of their audience. The added costs of producing these segments on the fly are also incurred.

That normally wouldn’t be bad, since the first thing most people would do following an alarm is check the TV for more info. However, it seems that in the event of a J-Alert people are by-and-large instinctively tuning into Japan’s public broadcaster NHK for information, since that organization would have the closest connection to the government.

Ironically, NHK makes no money from ad revenue, so they don’t really benefit from the added attention. Meanwhile, the other stations simply lose out.

Despite this, NHK has also managed to have been hurt by North Korean missile launches. On the morning of the 15 September launch, they were scheduled to air an episode of the popular daily morning drama "Hiyokko." However, that was preempted by assurances that we weren’t all going to die that day, leaving fans of the plucky career woman wondering what happened next.

But it’s the ad revenue where private broadcasters are bracing to receive the largest blow. As of yet, no sponsors have complained, but an industry spokesperson told Nikkan Gendai, “When J-Alerts become the norm, there may have to be price cuts to the advertising fees. The damages could reach into billions of yen.”

Such a financial burden could have an effect on future programming.

Source: Nikkan Gendai

Read more stories from SoraNews24.

-- Hackers to Gundam: 5 rumors about failed North Korean missile launch surface on Japanese Internet

-- North Korea fires new missile over Japan, residents woken by government warning systems

-- Close call – Passenger plane passed through North Korean missile trajectory just 6 minutes later

© SoraNews24

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

19 Comments
Login to comment

I keep saying this.... unless there is a Bang at the end of the missile's flight, don't bother to make a big deal of it... at least in the media. Yes... the military needs to take it seriously but the media should treat it like a petty crime. Kim Jung Un loves the attention.... don't give him it.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

If Kim Jong Un wanted to do real harm, he should launch the rockets during evening's "gourmet" shows. This would be real terrorism for a lot of people here.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Finding it difficult to muster up much sympathy for the broadcasters.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

BTW what does "Wide" mean in a TV show title? It's like English Kanji. Too bad real Japanese language was lost to English that makes no sense.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

I assume King jong Un hates Japanese TV.

For sure, he is obviously waiting each time when best to kill audiences.

Blame the politicians, not him this time. He does'nt even deserve it !

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

It's good news, this will turn the TV networks who are suffering from these NK launches ever more closer to a hawkish response from the government in order to protect their businesses

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

This title issue probably goes only to NHK. The others broadcast stations get more money from sponsors for showing sensational event that attract viewers at every 'variety' show programs, and no need to pay to Kim Jong-Un...

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Oh cry me a river!

Once Johnny's talent agency figures out what a computer and streaming is they'll be pushing their "talents" to streaming services and tv stations will be left hoping for another missile because that'll be the only reason anyone would ever tune in :P

3 ( +4 / -1 )

If Kim Jong Un wanted to do real harm, he should launch the rockets during evening's "gourmet" shows. This would be real terrorism for a lot of people here.

Ha, ha. Japanese TV is mostly brain dead but people lap it up. It's bizarre.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

 he should launch the rockets during evening's "gourmet" shows. or worse still during the evenings "talento" game shows, it would be akin to taking away an addicts, heroin , there will be blood!!!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Is it true that McDonald's is making a "Missile Meal" for kids? There's a tiny NK missile and a fat little Kim Jong Un toy in every kid's meal.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Not to worry... the networks are scratching Abe's back, so he'll scratch theirs with our tax money.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Hmmmm.......   no doubt lots of Japanese companies will blame the missiles for their rubbish performance.  In this case you would think that these shows would thrive on the topic of NK missiles.  Certainly lots of other programmes are almost non stop showing footage and having old "experts' talking endlessly about it.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

These shows are live and often feature field segments or celebrity guests that cost a significant amount to produce, only to be wiped out at the slightest beep of a J-Alert.

Z listers wiped out by J-Alert!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Such a financial burden could have an effect on future programming.

You mean it might get better? It can't get any worse.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

It surprises me how a nation that can produce cinematic masterpieces (and anime classics) can get the formula wrong for television.

Although it was nice to see Tora-san on the other night...

1 ( +2 / -1 )

While I think the J Alerts are being used to scare and control the public I seriously have no symathy for fat media companies and the talento(less) programs

1 ( +2 / -1 )

What an utter nonesense article, if there is a serious event happening this should take precedence over nearly everything including TV!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites