Dragons’ Den and Old Enough firm hires Kenichiro Akiyama and relocates formats chief Tom Miyauchi to US to grow international sales
Nippon TV is launching an unscripted production outfit in Tokyo and has appointed formats chief Tom Miyauchi to head up a new business hub in LA, as the Japanese giant looks to expand its international reach.
Gyokuro Studio aims to develop 10 unscripted titles each year, reaching a total of 100 titles over the next 10 years, with plans to distribute them to audiences worldwide.
The division will be focused on content development for the global market, co-creating shows with in-house talent and external creators and production firms in Japan and abroad.
Kenichiro Akiyama, previously chief producer of multiple primetime entertainment shows at Nippon TV, has been appointed head of Gyokuro Studio.
Akiyama said the launch of the production label was part of a strategy to refocus efforts on the international market.
“We are restructuring our production framework from a domestic-focused model to one designed for global rollout, accelerating the development of a robust foundation for creating content that resonates with audiences worldwide,” he said.
Akiyama added that the company would “actively engage in truly global ‘co-creation’ with our production partners both in Japan and abroad”.
To bolster this international outlook, head of formats Miyauchi will relocate to the US to oversee Nippon TV’s LA business office. Miyauchi previously helped launch the Canadian adaptation of format Old Enough!
The LA office will focus on driving sales of content and IP in North America and LatAm, while also extending alliances with local distribution studios and building a local production framework.
Miyauchi, who will relocate in June to launch operations from July, said the new office would “tap into the pulse of local trends and connect with global audiences with precision and agility.”
He added: “By strengthening collaboration and co-creation with valued partners and creators, our aim is to lead every phase of the content journey – from content development and full-scale production to distribution and international rollout, and the establishment of local production frameworks.
“In collaboration with Gyokuro Studio, we aim to pioneer new frontiers for globally driven entertainment, proudly originating from Japan.”
Nippon TV has been behind IP ranging from business show Dragons’ Den (aka Shark Tank) and entertainment series Block Out, to hit scripted format Mother and unscripted format Sokkuri Sweets, produced as Eye Candy for The Roku Channel in the US, UK, Canada and the Netherlands for NPO1.
The company also owns local streamer Hulu and has a vast anime library, adding Studio Ghibli to its roster in 2023.
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