We’ve seen South Korea have its day in the sun, with tight, story-driven films and even TV series making it big on the global stage. It looks like Japan may be the next, at least if Netflix’s recent flurry of buying is anything to go by. Entertainment lawyer with Blake & Wang P.A., Brandon Blake, looks deeper.
New Deal with NHK
Under a new deal with Japan’s national broadcaster, NHK, Netflix will now be the proud owner of a spate of dramas and a new variety show. Netflix has been keen on the location for a while now, and will be launching 6 new series as of June. By 2027, that will hit 19.
It’s not the first Japanese partnership Netflix has, but adding NHK to the mix is certainly a major expansion.
Unscripted Novelty
This will also be the first time they’ve taken the plunge on unscripted titles in this market. They will be bringing to the screen their first Japanese variety show, having now bought Nippon TV’s Monday Late Show. It’s got a 15-year track record, so it’s a pretty safe hit to back, and focuses mostly on trendy topics and local stories.
While it’s unlikely to gain much interest with audiences outside Japan, there’s been a growing interest in both Japanese drama and comedy across the world in recent years, and it’s been boosted by the success of so many South Korean titles before it. There’s also been a more general rise in interest in non-English language titles across the board recently.
The only question left now is how well this rather large investment will do for Netflix itself. Perhaps the next breakout title, like Squid Game before it, is lurking in that 19-show lineup, ready to find new audiences across the world.
Film and Television 