In a cooperative effort, eight major Japanese broadcasters are set to release brand new, original TV formats on April 6 at the upcoming MIPTV in Cannes, France. The joint project Treasure Box Japan will showcase Japanese formats at MIPFormats, to be held prior to the opening of MIPTV. Under the title “Treasure Box Japan: World Premiere — Brand New Formats!” the pitches will be followed by a snack lunch and networking.

For decades, Japan’s unique creativity and innovation have inspired some of the world’s most famous TV formats. In order to strengthen its efforts to publicise this treasure trove of formats overseas, eight major Japanese broadcasters began the joint promotional project, Treasure Box Japan, in 2012. Member broadcasters are Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK), Nippon Television Network Corporation (Nippon TV), TV Asahi Corporation (TV Asahi), Tokyo Broadcasting System Television, Inc. (TBS), TV Tokyo Corporation (TV Tokyo), Fuji Television Network, Inc. (Fuji TV), Asahi Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation (YTV).

While Japanese broadcasters have been individually active in the international markets for over thirty years, never has there been an all-Japan cooperative effort until Treasure Box Japan. TBJ has actively promoted Japanese TV formats at many international TV markets since its inception. Of the formats released by broadcasters at MIPFormats last year, some of them are already licensed by broadcasters overseas, while others are now being negotiated or in development with international production companies.

On behalf of the Treasure Box Japan organising committee, Senior Corporate Officer of NHK Enterprises Fumio Narashima said, “Once again, we’re releasing eight of the latest Japanese formats. I’m confident that buyers and commissioning editors will find a format here that piques their interest.”

Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) have implemented a policy to actively promote Japanese content globally, and Treasure Box Japan marks the first-ever joint effort between the Japanese broadcasting industry and the Japanese government on the international stage. It is hoped that this continuous joint effort between the two entities will result in a greater awareness and larger distribution of Japanese content around the world.

MIPFormats 2014

Event Outline

Event: Japanese Formats Showcase (a part of MIPFormats) “Treasure Box Japan, World Premiere — Brand New Formats!”

Date: Sunday, April 6, 2014

Time: 12.35pm to 1.25pm

Venue: Auditorium A, Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France

 

New formats scheduled to be introduced: (tentative)

NHK/NEP: Cook the Unknown

Nippon TV: Mansion Madness: Don’t Make Yourself at Home!

TV Asahi: Be A Legend

TBS: Find The WASABI!

TV Tokyo: Can I Follow You Home?

Fuji TV/FCC: Whose Side Are You On?

ABC: The Selfie Show

YTV: Fake Family