Nippon TV will head into Virtual Screenings Worldwide (September 21-30) with two new formats: Money or Junk (60min – 105min episodes), an unscripted business survival game show format where contestants are sent to remote locations and compete by creating new value out of seemingly junk, and Life’s Punchline (10×’60), a scripted dramedy series that tells the story of three young comedians who face many obstacles after they decide to give up on their dream of pursuing comedy and sisters who cross paths with them through their skits. Both formats just recently aired on Nippon TV to stellar ratings.
The announcement was made by Mikiko Nishiyama, Managing Director, International Business Development, Nippon TV, who said: ‘Our new formats for this fall are unique in that their idiosyncrasies and quirks that give them quite the twist. Following in the footsteps of Nippon TV’s highly successful business format Dragons’ Den/Shark Tank (+40 versions in 186 territories), Money or Junk was created with a business concept at its core, updated with craft, survival elements for the entire family audience in the digital era. Additionally, Life’s Punchline has ‘clues’ that will make viewers drop their jaw in surprise and laughter. The story centers around a comedy trio, and each episode opens with a comedic skit which eventually blends into bigger plots of the drama. Vividly depicting each character’s worries and emotional conflicts in their late 20s that stem from their dream, job, family, and romantic interest, viewers are sure to find someone they can relate to’.
Money or Junk hit the airwaves in July 2021 on Nippon TV to stellar ratings among children, teenagers, and 20-to-34-year age group females. With the concept to “make money out of nothing”, contestants compete by self-monetizing in remote locations using available resources to sell various items on e-commerce apps. All it takes is a smartphone in one hand and the drive to make money anytime, anywhere. Located in abandoned factory sites or remote villages, each contestant will try to create value in what seems like junk. Whoever earns the most cash within the time limit is named the winner. It is a thrilling new game show that will test who can come out on top of this zero-to-cash-scramble. Due to its high ratings, the format has already earned a second slot on Nippon TV for later this year.
Life’s Punchline was broadcast weekly from April to June 2021 with almost 14 million total views to date on VOD and has now become the most viewed series on the platform from Nippon TV’s Saturday night slot. The series follows the story of three “masters of comedy” who decide to give up on their dream after struggling to make their big break and sisters living in the next apartment who are also lost without a meaningful goal in life. All in their late 20s, they find themselves stuck in a situation that anyone would call a failure. However, the obstacles they face become a telling prelude into a glittering future.
Other new scripted formats will be produced by Nippon TV for later this year and 2022, including the co-production project of an innovative crime drama series with Envision Entertainment (UK), which was announced in July.
