tokyo 2020 olympics

TV viewership for Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony 56.4% in Japan

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I tried to watch something else on TV but it's on every channel ... Every(!) Channel

21 ( +24 / -3 )

You can't generalize viewership in Japan with data only from Kanto.

10 ( +13 / -3 )

Count me in as one of the proud 43.6%

26 ( +33 / -7 )

Everyone I know in Japan watched it.

This morning on my way to work, all my commuter friends said they watched it.

95% of my coworkers here watched it.

And they continue to watch every day's games.

In my Mom and Pop Izakaya, the Olympics are running every evening on TV.

Also In my home country, almost all my friends watched it and will continue to watch the Olympics.

-13 ( +11 / -24 )

Can't find anywhere else to post but why is NHK not streaming the swimming events live, like right now? They're streaming every other sport under the sky, or are they waiting for an event which includes a Japanese swimmer?

13 ( +15 / -2 )

Wait, I thought over 80% were against the Olympics. Couldn't be!

This is why they shouldn't have decided to ban fans simply based on (supposed) public sentiment.

-10 ( +7 / -17 )

Watched the first 30 minutes then kids whined that it was boring and wanted to watch their favorite YouTube channels, the ones with people making millions of dollars just playing Minecraft/Roblox.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Of course the number will be high at 56%. It is shown on every channel. Many people I know just have the TV on for background noise while teleworking.

19 ( +21 / -2 )

Not bad #s. Due to the time zone difference I recorded the opening ceremony so that my my wife and I could watch it at a later time. I enjoyed the production and the Japanese anthem song by Misia.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Was really hoping that they would have pulled a spectacular WOW moment with this opening ceremony and tuned in with the wifey to be dazzled. The first five or so minutes was really cool. It was very classy, minimal but cool and very Japan. Yes, we both thought! Classy.

Then the woodblocks came out, ok. Yep shokunin bunka I dig it , but it didn’t exactly razzle and then things started going downhill rather fast. Just didn’t really happen did it. All of the great artists in this country with such sublime instincts and sense, but when the Imagine song came on it was just corny, unoriginal, unimaginative and bland. Couldn’t believe it. The kabuki appearance was promising until it turned into the awkward walking Godzilla like ‘character’ and although the jazz piano was awesome it was just hodgepodge and dint really blend nor work. So wanted to love it too.

Once again we were treated to the ‘Dentsu’ effect where a bunch of people that shouldn’t be near artistic works managed to screw things up yet again. The drama of art directors quitting, being forced out and the complete disarray from within let the whole thing down. This was THE moment to pull the magic and it was lost. It’s a horrible feeling when you start to think, maybe we have overestimated the potential for Japan to ever get it right again. The bubble is a thing of the past and just ain’t ever coming back. It’s wasn’t an absolute disaster, wasn’t even bad, but it certainly wasn’t great now was it? When will the business interests that pull so much weight over here learn when to get out of the way? Luckily the medals are rolling in and the athletes stories will carry this thing but come on Reiwa Japan, don’t let the fools spoil the broth at every corner please! You are better than this! Have seen and met too many wonderful artists and thinkers hear to know that they are out there.

Thoughts people? What did ya think?

7 ( +11 / -4 )

Proud for that silliness??. lol..

Ok, If it makes you happy..

Congratulations, you won your lollipop and your Mickey Mouse hat !!.. lol..

It's hard to know if you're actually Japanese, or someone trolling as a Japanese. I'm guessing the latter, in which case I hope you're enjoying yourself, but if it's the former, I can understand your reaction. You've never lived anywhere where people have differing opinions.

Anyway, I've been against these games from the start and will be until they end. If that bothers you, I'm sure there's a website populated by uyoku types which will be more to your taste.

17 ( +18 / -1 )

Thoughts people? What did ya think?

I think you were pretty naive for watching it and expecting anything better!

You know that the Japanese, while not lacking in talented artists, have a tendency towards nauseating sentimentality and clumsy symbolism.

(Hey, you asked).

15 ( +17 / -2 )

I tried to watch something else on TV but it's on every channel ... Every(!) Channel

That's why I have netflix! (There is also the option of NHK's Educational Channel!)

6 ( +8 / -2 )

I switched off when there was some bloke in a shroud-type thing throwing himself on the floor in clouds of dust. I'm assuming it was some form of self-pitying "we Japanese are unique in having suffered" schtick, but when his gown flopped over his head by mistake and he had to do the rest of his convulsions blindfold, it was time to put a film on.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Did not watch. Enjoyed camping

9 ( +10 / -1 )

THIS is why they were still held… well, this and Bach’s cash-in. Weren’t broadcasting companies laughing and saying COVID-19 would result in exponentially higher ratings?

5 ( +6 / -1 )

It's so good to see the openly public Olympic love.

The naysayers will find their pompous self-righteousness will start to balance out with an increasing sense of embarrassment.

-14 ( +2 / -16 )

The naysayers will find their pompous self-righteousness will start to balance out with an increasing sense of embarrassment.

Dont be so condescending toward Japanese people, the majority of whom wanted this rubbish cancelled or postponed. Its not all about YOU and your wish to watch sport.

High TV ratings is NOT proof this should be happening in thr middle of an emergency.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

The naysayers will find their pompous self-righteousness will start to balance out with an increasing sense of embarrassment.

Make a note of the date and time you wrote that: 12:15 on July 26.

Come back to us in a month and let's see if you're right.

I'm serious. If these games result in lots of medals for Japan and somehow don't result in a super-spreader, you will have been proven correct.

So let's see. You confident?

7 ( +7 / -0 )

@O'Brien

I've been saying it would go this way for months.

I have an intense confidence driven by data and experience.

You make the note. I'll be off enjoying the Olympics.

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

Proud to be in the 43.6%. That's big of you. Show some respect to the athletes, who are putting on a great show under the circumstances or just don't comment. Sad.

-13 ( +1 / -14 )

Proud to be in the 43.6%. That's big of you. Show some respect to the athletes, who are putting on a great show under the circumstances or just don't comment. Sad.

This is a place for discussion. I have as much right to comment as you do. No more and no less.

Course if that offends your sensibilities, you're free to log off and enjoy the Olympics without having to defend them, which you seem to be doing a lot of...then again there's a lot to defend.

Anyway, I'm currently on 16 up to 3 down with that comment, so it seems that quite a few people agree with me.

Freedom of speech. Got to love it.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

I tried to watch something else on TV but it's on every channel ... Every(!) Channel

Well, that figures the high viewership percentage. I just turned off the TV and watched YouTube videos. I do like the Olympics, but this year, I was and still am against the politics, self-interest, the priority of the Olympics ahead of people's lives, and wasted taxpayer money. They're expecting a typhoon tomorrow. Let's see what happens.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Just in case you didn't see the Nikkei Poll today -

Holding with no spectators is appropriate: 37%

Should have held with spectators: 28%

Should have postponed or canceled: 31%

A majority of Japanese want the Games to be happening

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

A majority of Japanese want the Games to be happening

Of course. Only time it was a minority was during the worst wave in May. Japan shot themselves in the foot for nothing.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Just in case you didn't see the Nikkei Poll today -

Holding with no spectators is appropriate: 37%

Should have held with spectators: 28%

Should have postponed or canceled: 31%

A majority of Japanese want the Games to be happening

Cherry picking at its finest.

So, just ignore ALL previous polls, eh?

Start respecting Japanese people - your hosts. Its not all about you.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

But apart from that?

How should I know?

Do I know each single person on the planet?

Man, What a question...

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Haven't watched anything except Hiromi's blistering (as always) piano playing. Very happy to see her there, and for her to get the recognition she deserves... but afraid it will be harder to get tickets to her shows now.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

I’ve boycotted this super spreading event that puts money over people’s lives. It is ludicrous that it went ahead. And it’s going to cost us dearly in increased taxation and extra covid deaths.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Watched it in the local pub (which is open.... door is locked as per tatemae, but you knock and they let you in), and nobody was complaining. I think the readers section here gives a very distorted view of the public opinion.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Haven't watched anything except Hiromi's blistering (as always) piano playing.

As in Uehara?

That would almost have been enough to get me to watch for the time she was on.

Not quite, but almost.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Honestly, that is way lower than I expected because unless you were actively avoiding it, it would be on TV. Given that everyone is supposed to be at home, that means a LOT of people made the conscious choice to boycott watching anything at all. Not to mention the opening ceremonies are usually peak viewership, so I would expect it to drop way off from here.

Short of watching things on a streaming service (what my SO and I did) you aren't going to see anything else on TV itself during opening ceremonies.

Personally I have not watched one bit of olympic coverage yet, and won't be ever again I am reasonably sure.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

@blue

I've put a poll up there. The most current I'm aware of. Make of it what you want.

You've replied with an editorial position from January and a poll from last week that suggests 45% of people were not against the Olympics even prior to it going as well as it currently is.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

An interesting figure from the US, for whose benefit alone these games are being held: viewing figures for the opening ceremony down 36% compared to the previous games.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/ratings-for-olympics-opening-ceremony-fell-36-compared-with-2016-games-11627171200

1 ( +2 / -1 )

@Michael O’ Dereiter

What is interesting to you about this figure?

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

What is interesting to you about this figure?

These games are happening solely at the behest of the IOC and the American broadcasting companies who have paid a ton of money to cover them.

These games are now essentially a made-for-television event, as fans have been banned from almost all venues.

Yet the viewing figures for the opening ceremony, in the one country where it counts most, are down by over a third compared to the last games.

That is what is interesting to me about this figure.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Good to see common sense prevails and the public get behind and enjoy the wonder. Time to let go of negativity and get on with our lives.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

@Michael O’ Dereiter

Why is it 36% down?

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Of course viewing figures way down in the US! 7am start on the East Coast and 4am on the West Coast! What;s your point? These figures don't include catch up viewing via the NBC app - Which if you have access too is offering magnificent coverage 24/7 ALL live events/highlights/replays, all On Demand.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

I know some of you aren't watching but a 13 year-old just earned Japan's 6th Gold.

A 13 year-old!

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

@theResident

London 2012 was the best.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

@Rowan - was pretty spectacular wasn't it? Hard to upstage the Queen and 007.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

I tried to watch something else on TV but it's on every channel ... Every(!) Channel

They have to milk as much money as they can with everything they invested in these games, that’s how it goes

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

These games are happening solely at the behest of the IOC and the American broadcasting companies who have paid a ton of money to cover them.

These games are now essentially a made-for-television event, as fans have been banned from almost all venues.

Yet the viewing figures for the opening ceremony, in the one country where it counts most, are down by over a third compared to the last games.

That is what is interesting to me about this figure.

Excellent post. You covered a crucial point that no one wants to talk about or approach.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

London 2012 was the best.

Oh man, no. Overall, absolutely not.

The Queen and Bond, yes. I'll concede that.

The rest of it was just violently twee, and Mr. Bean is about as funny as a train wreck. And I consider myself something of an Anglophile.

Best? Beijing. The drums alone.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@bass4funk, Point covered. Lowest in 33 years...Time Zone Seoul and Tokyo? You don't think?

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

@Thomas

that the Olympics are some sort of roaring success.

Ah, sorry...there is a misunderstanding.

I just wanted to pointed out my experience with the people I met here during my daily life, and my friends in my home country.

I can not judge if the Olympics are a success or not, but I was really surprised that so many people are watching the Olympics.

Of course only the people I know.

But also my wife, she is really a big fan of the Olympics and every evening she is watching.

And also today during my lunch time at my company, in the Cantine the TV shows Olympics and everyone was watching.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Yet the viewing figures for the opening ceremony, in the one country where it counts most, are down by over a third compared to the last games.

Same happened with Kohaku, with almost every TV ‘event’. People just don’t watch tv so much anymore, no mystery behind it.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@bass4funk, Point covered. Lowest in 33 years...Time Zone Seoul and Tokyo? You don't think?

I'm sure Mr Funk will answer, but have you ever heard of an alarm clock?

If these games, and the opening ceremony are so star-spangled awesome, you'd think that people in the US wouldn't mind getting up a bit early to watch them.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@O'Brien - Well quite a lot of people clearly did!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

@O'Brien - Well quite a lot of people clearly did!

Yeah. Nearly two thirds as many as did for Rio, which was actually open to spectators.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

And was pretty much in the same time zone

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

What's the first thing Japanese people do when they are home? Before looking at there phones? Turn on the TV, huge grain of salt on this one.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

It's been fun waking up everyday and seeing events pretty much all day and night. Japan looking strong in many events, hope they continue to get medals. Still early in the tournament but overall seems things running smoothly.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@O'Brien - Yes - you said the 2/3 of people only watched compared to Rio - Which is hardly a surprise as its in the same time zone.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

If these games, and the opening ceremony are so star-spangled awesome, you'd think that people in the US wouldn't mind getting up a bit early to watch them.

They probably would if these games weren’t so politicized this time around.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

I must admit an hour of the opening ceremony was my limit, many friends were struggling with the will to live.

It was gin and bear it, dark and gloomy.

We probably ended up missing the some of the most memorable opening ceremony event's

This pandemic is the deal breaker. Covid has no respect for such type of gatherings.

The vast amounts of money thrown at what is after all a sporting event in the midst of what could become a potential super-spreader with so few citizens fully vaccinated, has to be fully understood and taken into account.

I wanted to attend, a once in a lifetime event for my nephews and nieces, I spent silly money, and was prepared to lose, however was refunded the expense.

It is a misnomer to quote the viewing numbers, the J taxpayer has been, and will continued to be, fully held accountable.

Whilst the IOC collects the broadcast and advertising revenue.

That is a travesty, a mockery, and totally unjustified.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Is it just me or is there something very strange about this article.

1-) only mention Kanto, Why?

2- Comparing figures with 1964 and 1984? What happened to Rio, London and all the rest in-between?

3-) if they wanted to really see what local unrest was wouldn't the Nagano winter Games have been a better comparison?

Over 82 million Japanese viewers watched the Opening Ceremony – 69 percent of the total potential viewers (120 million)

And winter Games are generally far lower in viewership

4-) 17 million people in the United States, comparison with Rio on the same time zone as the USA, why?

Wouldn't it be better to compare to Nagano or PyeongChang both winter and got 25 million and 27 million viewership even with the time zone difference.

Clearly the viewership and interest in these games is way way down!

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

I am 26 years old and an Olympic volunteer, albeit a foreigner. Yet I did not watch the Olympic opening ceremony and nor in most of my (Japanese) friends - and in fact the only ones that did were a couple of sports friends watching bits of the Olympics. We mostly want the Olympics cancelled.

I have however been getting hate messages from Japanese Olympic fanatics complaining that I am "anti-Japanese" for opposing the Olympics...

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Some posted here the Olympic is on every channel. Don’t exaggerate it! It sounds like you are spreading fake news!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Some posted here the Olympic is on every channel. Don’t exaggerate it! It sounds like you are spreading fake news!

You mean like some here and on much of the Japanese news saying how this was the highest opening ceremony rating in Japan.

But Nagano winter Olympics which traditionally get a far lower viewership got 69%.

When the winter Olympics get a far higher rating than summer, that isn't good.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

@Antiquesaving, I did not refer to the ratings. I referred to the fact that the Olympic is not on every channel. There is something else for you to watch if you don’t want to watch the Olympic

1 ( +1 / -0 )

These games are no more or less politicized than any other Olympics.

If they weren’t the. We wouldn’t be debating the subject of the polarization of the games stemming from the Pandemic and less than half of the public that will watch the games.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Despite innumerable scandals that unfit to "Diversity and Harmony", this society forget soon whatever happen.

And problematic regime will continue.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I’m watching the crypto markets …

0 ( +1 / -1 )

All Diversity All Harmony. Games of a lifetime.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

The opening ceremony wasn't so good, but I'm glad the games were hype.

Archery best showing.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

I was watching an Australian Football League match. I enjoyed the wonder. It was full of positivity.

At the end of a busy week, it was great to see a great game rather than a ‘show.’

Interestingly, watching AFL matches on a Friday night is normalcy for me.

Watching an Olympic opening ceremony, in contrast, would not be normal.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Wow so much negatively. I wish I was in Japan. I am in Sydney under a 3rd week lockdown. I am proud to have been able to watch the Olympics. Aussie Aussie Aussie oi oi oi.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Didn’t “polls” show 80% were opposed to the Olympics?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

It was as interesting as the rest of Japanese TV generally is... but just different, so I guess that's why people tuned in and switched off...

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

There's nothing else to do for some, so watching the Olympics it is.

Nothing else to do? Lol, the rest of the world is enjoying the Olympics and supporting the many inspirational athletes breaking records. Meanwhile, a few of you are left hanging around JT every day making bitter comments.

Maybe you should have said:

"There's nothing else to do for some, so complaining on JT it is."

Let people do what they want. In general, people are bland

Lol, okay buddy. Whatever you say

1 ( +1 / -0 )

So far, 0% viewing time…

0 ( +0 / -0 )

As in Uehara?

Yes. But judging from the downvotes people here hate Hiromi Uehara. What an odd place.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I watched most of the opening ceremony and enjoyed it, I do like to watch the parade and realise that nations exist I've never even heard of and then find them on Google maps. Given the circumstances, I thought the opening ceremony was okay. Personally, I think sport is for playing not watching so normally wouldn't bother watching any of the Olympics. However, last two nights I caught Japan females indoor volleyball thrash Kenya, and then Japan's indoor volleyball men's team make a thrilling come back and beat the Canadian team. Two brilliant games. I'm still furious though that the utterly incompetent Japanese government haven't allowed me to get vaccinated yet, and that vaccinating the entire Japanese population first wasn't given priority over the games.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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