TBS Lays Out Global Plans at Tokyo Market, From Legendary to Ninja Warrior Spin-Offs
Japanese broadcaster TBS used a Thursday morning session at TIFFCOM, the content market linked to the Tokyo International Film Festival, to set out how it wants its shows and stories to travel abroad. Speaking were Watanabe Shinya, president of the global business division at TBS Holdings, and Setoguchi Katsuaki, executive officer of the same division and president and chief executive of The Seven and The Seven U.S.
The biggest financial thread is the link with Legendary Entertainment, the Hollywood production company. TBS made a $150 million equity investment in Legendary earlier this year. An equity investment means buying a share of a company, so TBS now holds a stake in it. Variety reported that Setoguchi described TBS as a "cultural translator" for Legendary. The partnership focuses on turning Japanese manga (comics), anime (animation) and novels into live-action projects, meaning stories filmed with real actors.
Setoguchi said his mission is to spread Japanese content around the world and to build what he called a new genre of "J-content." He did not give a timetable for specific projects.
TBS also pointed to Studio Monowa, a joint venture with South Korea's CJ ENM and Japan's U-Next Holdings. The studio is set up to develop intellectual property, or IP, which is the term for a story, character or brand that can be turned into shows, films and merchandise. The aim, according to the group, is IP that appeals to audiences in many countries. TBS and CJ ENM first agreed a strategic partnership in 2021.
The format side of the business is where the numbers are most concrete. A format is a TV show concept that can be sold to other broadcasters to remake in their own country. Sasuke: Ninja Warrior, the Japanese obstacle-course show, is now in its third decade on air. Local versions exist in 25 countries, and Banijay Entertainment is partnering on new local adaptations.
In the United States, NBC's American Ninja Warrior is in its 18th season. Seasons 19 and 20 have already been greenlit, which means formally approved for production. Variety also reported on Kasso, a skateboarding-focused spin on the Ninja Warrior formula. It is planned as a street culture IP, with rollouts in the U.S. and China. No broadcast dates for Kasso were given.
For viewers, the common thread is the same franchise showing up in new places. An obstacle course that began in Japan now has versions in dozens of countries, and a skateboarding version is being planned for a new audience. For the people who make these shows, the work is in the adaptations: local crews, local hosts and local rules built around one original idea.
TBS's session was one of several at TIFFCOM, which runs from October 28 to 30. The group's stated global brand purpose is "Inspiring Global Love for Japan through Timeless Moments."
