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Summary
of Press Conference (February 2012)
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Prospects for the fifth period of the current fiscal year
(Comments by Masayuki Matsumoto, President)
Cancellation of contracts due to effects the Great East Japan Earthquake and the end of analogue broadcasts mean that the increase in terrestrial TV contracts and contracts for satellite TV is expected to be below the level for last year. Up to the end of January, the effect of the disaster on contract numbers is as follows: 217,000 households granted exemptions from paying receiving fees, while 59,000 households are estimated to have canceled contracts. The end of analogue broadcasts is estimated to have resulted in the cancellation of 154,000 contracts. In response to the continuing tough economic conditions, NHK will carry on working hard to ensure viewers renew contracts and to improve the efficiency of our operations. As of the end of December, the total number of satellite TV contracts exceeded 16 million. The sudden increase in the number of digital receivers that has occurred along with digitalization is seen as one of the main reasons for this.
[Q & A session]
Q:How has the number of cancelation of contracts due to the end of analogue broadcasts compared with NHK’s predictions?
A:(Comments by Masayuki Matsumoto)
This last month has seen 10,000 cancelations, a tough climate, I think.
Q:What is the final estimate of cancellations due to the end of analogue broadcasts?
A:(Comments by Tomio Hatanaka, Head of Audience Service Department)
At the December president’s press conference, it was stated that the number of cancelations was predicted to be about 160,000 but the number looks likely to be slightly higher than that.
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On Public Participation in Programs
(Comments by Naoji Ono, Executive Vice-President)
In order to connect closely with audiences, NHK will broadcast 801 television and radio programs, including NHK’s Nodo Jiman, recorded around the nation during the coming fiscal year. Some of the popular programs will be recorded in Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima in order to help encourage the people of the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. In addition, NHK will produce programs that have a strong appeal to the younger generation. There will also be similar public performance programs recorded at NHK Hall and the Fureai Hall at the NHK Broadcast Center, both in Shibuya, Tokyo.
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On the 41st Broadcast Engineering Exhibition
(Comments by Kenji Nagai, Executive Director-General for Engineering)
The event will be held on February 11th to 14th in the main entrance hall of the NHK Broadcast Center, where television technicians from across the country will show the knowledge and techniques they have learned directly from working in TV production. Special exhibitions will include equipments used in disaster broadcasting of the Great East Japan Earthquake and a high sensitivity camera used to film the aurora from space.
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On participating in the VOD (video on demand) service “Motto TV” with the commercial channels and Dentsu.
(Comments by Masayuki Matsumoto)
NHK is trying out various measures to promote and increase access to NOD (NHK On Demand), and we regard “Motto TV” as one of those opportunities. “Motto TV” is unique in that NHK and commercial channels will work together. I hope we can cooperate closely and make most of this opportunity to increase the appeal of television and its programs. We are preparing for the service but the schedule and details of the contents are still under deliberation. Television services that go beyond simply broadcasting programs are now the focus of attention around the world. NHK, beginning with further promoting the appeal of NOD, is aiming to introduce new services in line with the ongoing convergence of broadcasting and other forms of communication. NHK is willing to help if there are other opportunities to cooperate with the commercial broadcasters on new services.
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On the complaints about the Tsuiseki! Shinso File “Teisenryou Hibaku Yuragu Kokusai Kijun” program
(Comments by Masayuki Matsumoto)
NHK, as a public broadcaster, must produce fair, just and accurate programs. When there is an issue about which there are differing opinions, then programs should analyze it from various angles and clearly present all the arguments. That is the basic approach to making programs. On this ground, we will respond sincerely to various opinions expressed on this program.
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On the issue of the onscreen images from the Taiga Drama Taira no Kiyomori
(Comments by Masayuki Matsumoto)
I accept there are various opinions about this. The production uses the latest equipment and techniques to depict, as much as possible, a realistic portrayal of the historical period. During the drama, the character of Taira no Kiyomori carries on developing. Kiyomori was a pioneer in politics and a revolutionary thinker; to portray such a person on screen is a great thing. Listening to the opinions of the people from the area where the drama is set, they have very high expectations for it. At the same time, there is widespread economic benefit for the local area from the drama being broadcast, so having the spotlight turned on the region is very positive. Going forward, as the drama progresses, new techniques will be used to portray the various historical aspects of the story.
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