Lineup Industries to provide consultation and sales outside of Asia for NHK’s format slate

Independent international distribution company Lineup Industries and NHK Enterprises (the distribution arm of Japanese broadcaster NHK) are partnering to drive the global exploitation of NHK’s slate of highly creative prize-winning formats.

With an affinity for factual content, Lineup Industries will use its specialist insights and deep knowledge of the global market to advise on and bring the Japanese public broadcaster’s formats to Western territories with a focus on Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. The first formats to headline the new partnership are: The Late Night Show with Nitty & Gritty; 72 Hours and Chiko’s Challenge.

NHK/NHK Enterprises and Lineup Industries originally began collaborating with the hugely successful Japanese adaptation of Radio Gaga, a uniquely touching format which follows a hyper-local, intimate radio station, now in its third season on NHK.

Ed Louwerse and Julian Curtis, co-founders of Lineup Industries, said: “Although many Japanese formats can seem puzzling to audiences outside of Asia, they are often only a few small tweaks away from captivating Western viewers. NHK has an extensive library of standout, innovative formats that we believe can be successfully adapted for local markets, while still respecting and retaining the core creative elements that made the original so special. We look forward to working with the talented team at NHK and NHK Enterprises to maximise the international potential of their formats, building on our successful partnership on Radio Gaga.”

Junko Ogawa, Executive Controller-General, Content Distribution Department of NHK Enterprises adds: “We are absolutely excited to be able to team up with Lineup Industries. The adaptation of Radio Gaga has not only been a great hit for NHK but has helped us offer warmth, compassion, and laughter to NHK’s audience, which is an important element for its factual entertainment. We believe Lineup Industries and NHK share similar sensibilities and, we hope the partnership will let us connect with more companies that may take interest in our wonderful content.”

Going into its fifth season on NHK and causing significant social media buzz with each episode, The Late Night Show with Nitty & Gritty celebrates the underground and little-known-but-rumored ways of life through a candid talk show…using puppets. People have their obsessions. Many may not garner mainstream television coverage, but we often read about them on social media. From the incomprehensible “work” hours of an online game addict, the secretive life of an ex-Yakuza, to the bizarre rituals of a multiple lottery winner, the series using puppets as a way to free guests to speak their minds and shine a light onto the weird, the dark, and the niche.

72 Hours is a compelling, authentic documentary format that captures the real stories of ordinary people who come and go at a specific location during a 72-hour period. A format that allows you to tell stories that neither mainstream documentaries nor news programs can, this series has proven hugely popular on NHK constantly recording high viewer engagement. Since its first broadcast on NHK’s main channel in 2006, the series now runs weekly with almost 300 episodes filmed. Tencent has successfully posted a Chinese version gaining nearly 300 million views.

Chiko’s Challenge is a co-viewing comedy show which challenges celebrities with child-like questions which are often surprisingly difficult to answer. The quizmaster is an “eternal 5-year-old” character named Chiko. She is half CGI, half costume with a voice of a famous male comedian.  Very curious and hard to please, Chiko challenges the celebrity panel with questions like “Why is it slippery on ice?” “Why do grandpas have long eyebrows?” But be careful! If you cobble together flimsy answers like you do with your kids, Chiko will have a tantrum. Currently one of the biggest studio entertainment shows in Japan.  Are you up for a challenge by this cheeky know-it-all?