Kyokai site new thingy

[Kintamayama 45,011]

I'm not sure if it's new, but they are offering every day's bouts (streaming) in a VOD format, i.e. you can choose to watch any bout from any day whenever you like. You can also watch famous past bouts. It's all part of the "showtime" network.

Catch-only available to Japan residents, and it has a 296 yen per month tag.

I hope we are not approaching the day when the feed starts costing money..

http://sumo.goo.ne.jp/ozumo_joho_kyoku/spe...time/index.html

[Mark Buckton 1]

I'm not sure if it's new, but they are offering every day's bouts (streaming) in a VOD format, i.e. you can choose to watch any bout from any day whenever you like. You can also watch famous past bouts. It's all part of the "showtime" network.

Catch-only available to Japan residents, and it has a 296 yen per month tag.

I hope we are not approaching the day when the feed starts costing money..http://sumo.goo.ne.jp/ozumo_joho_kyoku/spe...time/index.html

I honestly think we are heading that way long-term. It is something that has been suggested several times I understand and I have been asked about it by one official - at least twice.

If it does turn out that way though,I wouldn't heap all of it on the NSK.

The goo board is hosted and essentially run by a minor part of NTT - the Japanese telecom people - and sumo IS a business in many ways. Hell, Japan IS a business in many ways.

They, Japan and the NSK, are certainly becoming more switched on tech wise and Japan as a whole is definitely waking up to data protection / rights protection online and the like.

Let's not forget, at least 2 folk copy the NHK show as it is and sell the CDs openly online - not the best way to 'appreciate' the free feed.

[Randomitsuki 2,819]

I'm not sure if it's new, but they are offering every day's bouts (streaming) in a VOD format, i.e. you can choose to watch any bout from any day whenever you like. You can also watch famous past bouts. It's all part of the "showtime" network.

Catch-only available to Japan residents, and it has a 296 yen per month tag.

I hope we are not approaching the day when the feed starts costing money..

http://sumo.goo.ne.jp/ozumo_joho_kyoku/spe...time/index.html

Personally I wouldn't mind paying for a feed that I can watch on demand. What bugs me, is the part in bold. If they want to adapt to the latest technological developments, why don't they consider offering a service that can be used worldwide?

[Mark Buckton 1]

good point above but it might be a 'norm'? I often try to look at BBC site feeds - get hit with a UK readers only message.

[Harry 67]

The problem is that other companies have bought exclusive rights to broadcast sumo in their areas. Therefore they must limit their use to in Japan until those contracts expire and they choose not to extend them; then they could sell it to anyone. You might try an anonymizer to fool the site into thinking you're from Japan.

[Danjinoumi 9]

If and when the feed becomes pay-per-view, does that mean the quality will increase also?

One can only hope ... (Scratching chin...)

[Kintamayama 45,011]

They, Japan and the NSK, are certainly becoming more switched on tech wise and Japan as a whole is definitely waking up to data protection / rights protection online and the like.

Let's not forget, at least 2 folk copy the NHK show as it is and sell the CDs openly online - not the best way to 'appreciate' the free feed.

If they do, I hope that "savvy Japanese technology" I've been hearing about will finally materialize regarding online sumo broadcasts. It's by far the worst quality sports live stream. Great to have when free, but PPV? Better be up to par with the likes of Baseball, NBA etc.. when and if they start ironing my credit card.

As for the NHK ripping off, let's face it-how many people watch them? 200? 300? It does no damage to NHK. Principle, piracy, yeah yeah.. I know.

Believe me, if NHK had their heads out of the clouds, they would be broadcasting worldwide, and any true sumo fan would be willing to "dish" (hehehe, clever..) out any reasonable amount of cash for the privilege. Not only Sumo, the cultural thing, etc. Why only the US? Satellite stingy?? They just don't care.

The only way we non-US plebs can watch live is through the feed. I really hope they don't make the"business" mistake of charging for it.

They will rue the day!! Tell them that next time they ask you, and say I said it..

[Asashosakari 19,213]

The problem is that other companies have bought exclusive rights to broadcast sumo in their areas. Therefore they must limit their use to in Japan until those contracts expire and they choose not to extend them; then they could sell it to anyone. You might try an anonymizer to fool the site into thinking you're from Japan.

With the demise of the Eurosport agreement I'm not sure which locations actually still have broadcasting deals in place...Mongolia, I guess, but other than that?

[ilovesumo 12]

"Japan only" hurts...

I love the french forum,

I love youtube...

gochan desu.

[Harry 67]

The problem is that other companies have bought exclusive rights to broadcast sumo in their areas. Therefore they must limit their use to in Japan until those contracts expire and they choose not to extend them; then they could sell it to anyone. You might try an anonymizer to fool the site into thinking you're from Japan.

With the demise of the Eurosport agreement I'm not sure which locations actually still have broadcasting deals in place...Mongolia, I guess, but other than that?

TVJapan serves North America and Hawaii and I believe many people buy the channel JUST to watch the sumo with the English secondary audio. If they were smarter perhaps they could just prevent this viewing area from connecting but they may still have other deals in place. Just because Eurosport isn't broadcasting it doesn't mean that don't have the rights to do so.

[Asashosakari 19,213]

Just because Eurosport isn't broadcasting it doesn't mean that don't have the rights to do so.

No, by all reports Eurosport actually chose not to extend their deal at the end of last year. AFAIK nobody owns any broadcast rights for Europe now, or at least nobody has stepped forward and said they do.

TV Japan doesn't quite fit what I was thinking of, either, within the context of regional broadcast rights...they're a subsidiary (in some way, anyway) of NHK and as such I'm guessing their sumo broadcasts are within the scope of the Kyokai's deal with NHK proper, not a separate contract.

[Harry 67]

Just because Eurosport isn't broadcasting it doesn't mean that don't have the rights to do so.

No, by all reports Eurosport actually chose not to extend their deal at the end of last year. AFAIK nobody owns any broadcast rights for Europe now, or at least nobody has stepped forward and said they do.

TV Japan doesn't quite fit what I was thinking of, either, within the context of regional broadcast rights...they're a subsidiary (in some way, anyway) of NHK and as such I'm guessing their sumo broadcasts are within the scope of the Kyokai's deal with NHK proper, not a separate contract.

I don't know then, but that was my best guess.

[ilovesumo 12]

Just because Eurosport isn't broadcasting it doesn't mean that don't have the rights to do so.

No, by all reports Eurosport actually chose not to extend their deal at the end of last year. AFAIK nobody owns any broadcast rights for Europe now, or at least nobody has stepped forward and said they do.

TV Japan doesn't quite fit what I was thinking of, either, within the context of regional broadcast rights...they're a subsidiary (in some way, anyway) of NHK and as such I'm guessing their sumo broadcasts are within the scope of the Kyokai's deal with NHK proper, not a separate contract.

I can tell for Germany, DSF won't ever show Sumo "Sumo is against our concept".

[Hashira 0]

I work at TSN in Canada, and we air some sumo, but it is always packaged programming that we have bought from ESPN in the states. I haven't bothered to watch them recently, but I don't think ESPN is making any new ones, as the ones that I have seen have all been from the Musashimaru era.

When I started watching sumo in 2000/2001, the stream was amazing, but with no changes over 8 years, it is now very old. I think On Demand is the way for them to go, because at least they will then get business from Japanese people. There are very few people who want to watch sumo in the middle of the afternoon in Japan, but don't have access to a TV, only a computer. As long as the price remains reasonable, say under $5/basho, I think there will be many people in Japan and around the world willing to subscribe for On Demand, especially if it is the NHK footage, rather than the single camera streamy doodad

[Jonosuke 28]

Catch-only available to Japan residents, and it has a 296 yen per month tag.

I hope we are not approaching the day when the feed starts costing money..

Actually that's the monthly membership fee for ShowTime, company that provides anything from Korean dramas, adult movies to sportiing events. The Kyokai is only riding on their service to generate more interests from casual fans. If you are a member of ShowTime service, it is free.

The reason it is only for Japanese residents is because they only have their permission from copyright holders to provide their service in Japan only. Nothing to do with Ozumo.

[Shibouyama 1]

I live in Japan, but work during the day so, if I don't stay up to watch the nightly 25 minute sumo program I miss the day's action. That 'watch the day's invidual bouts at my leisure' thing sounded good, so I just went and signed up. Without commenting on older featured bouts, I just watched the first half of the maknouchi bouts. All the first half bouts were cut down to fit into a 1 minute and 30 second clip! Forget about any pre-bout drama. You can't even see the whole bout. It was basically just the finishing moves. Jeez, what a let down. And to think, I complain about the hurried pace of the 25 minute show.

(Sign of disapproval...) (Sign of disapproval...) (Sign of disapproval...) (Sign of disapproval...) (Sign of disapproval...) (Sign of disapproval...) (Sign of disapproval...) (Sign of disapproval...) (Sign of disapproval...) (Sign of disapproval...) (Sign of disapproval...) (Sign of disapproval...)

Now, to figure out how to unregister from this service. That always seems harder to do than signing up.

(Scratching chin...) (Holiday feeling...) (Applauding...) (Applauding...) (In a state of confusion...) (In a state of confusion...) (In a state of confusion...)

[Kintamayama 45,011]

Catch-only available to Japan residents, and it has a 296 yen per month tag.

I hope we are not approaching the day when the feed starts costing money..

Actually that's the monthly membership fee for ShowTime, company that provides anything from Korean dramas, adult movies to sportiing events. The Kyokai is only riding on their service to generate more interests from casual fans. If you are a member of ShowTime service, it is free.

The reason it is only for Japanese residents is because they only have their permission from copyright holders to provide their service in Japan only. Nothing to do with Ozumo.

I thought so, but I was thinking about the feed itself and its future, and my fears were backed up by Mark.

[Fukurou 534]

TVJapan serves North America and Hawaii and I believe many people buy the channel JUST to watch the sumo with the English secondary audio. If they were smarter perhaps they could just prevent this viewing area from connecting but they may still have other deals in place. Just because Eurosport isn't broadcasting it doesn't mean that don't have the rights to do so.

Of course, not everyone in NAm can get TVJapan. In the US, if you have a satellite dish you can probably get it, but if you don't have a dish and you're not on the west coast or in New York, you're quite likely out of luck.

Edited March 11, 2008 by Fukurou

[Fukurou 534]

I work at TSN in Canada, and we air some sumo, but it is always packaged programming that we have bought from ESPN in the states. I haven't bothered to watch them recently, but I don't think ESPN is making any new ones, as the ones that I have seen have all been from the Musashimaru era.

ESPN hasn't done any sumo for years. IIRC, Dejima was the hot new rikishi pushing for sanyaku.

Edited March 11, 2008 by Fukurou

[Harry 67]

TVJapan serves North America and Hawaii and I believe many people buy the channel JUST to watch the sumo with the English secondary audio. If they were smarter perhaps they could just prevent this viewing area from connecting but they may still have other deals in place. Just because Eurosport isn't broadcasting it doesn't mean that don't have the rights to do so.

Of course, not everyone in NAm can get TVJapan. In the US, if you have a satellite dish you can probably get it, but if you don't have a dish and you're not on the west coast or in New York, you're quite likely out of luck.

Actually if you check http://www.tvjapan.net/en/watching/cabletv.php you'll see that the cable TV coverage isn't that bad. It certainly isn't everywhere but more than just Cali and NY. IPTV also has it in other areas though I'm not sure how well that works. In Canada it is just the west coast and Ontario (where I am) which are where most of the Japanese population lives.

Edited March 11, 2008 by Harry

[Jonosuke 28]

I don't know abut the future of Kyokai feed but the way they work, I believe it will go on for a foreseeable future as it isn't them doing it, just an add-on from their system provider.

As for ShowTime, theirs ins't a live streaming, they just provide video clips, likely from NHK.

TV Japan isn't a service of NHK by the way. It is owned by a consortium of Japanese trading companies. Since NHK offers news and public affairs programs free of charge to them, they air most of those. I believe other NHK programs have higher fee but not as much as Japanese commercial broadcasters charge with a possible exception of Televi Tokyo which airs mostly low budget shows.

However TV Japan is gradually showing more non-NHK material like Bambino and Fufu-doh drama series as well as Music Station show. As certain Fuji TV Netwok programs are already broadcast in certain parts in US, they usually don't get their programs.

[Asashosakari 19,213]

TV Japan isn't a service of NHK by the way. It is owned by a consortium of Japanese trading companies. Since NHK offers news and public affairs programs free of charge to them, they air most of those. I believe other NHK programs have higher fee but not as much as Japanese commercial broadcasters charge with a possible exception of Televi Tokyo which airs mostly low budget shows.

FWIW, I don't claim any special knowledge, I was simply going by (possibly faulty) recollection and this page:

Major Shareholders [in TV Japan]

NHK Enterprises, Inc.

Media International Corporation

ITOCHU Corporation

Japan Airlines Corporation

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation

The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd.

Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd.

[Mark Buckton 1]

I'm not sure if it's new, but they are offering every day's bouts (streaming) in a VOD format, i.e. you can choose to watch any bout from any day whenever you like. You can also watch famous past bouts. It's all part of the "showtime" network.

Catch-only available to Japan residents, and it has a 296 yen per month tag.

I hope we are not approaching the day when the feed starts costing money..http://sumo.goo.ne.jp/ozumo_joho_kyoku/spe...time/index.html

They, Japan and the NSK, are certainly becoming more switched on tech wise and Japan as a whole is definitely waking up to data protection / rights protection online and the like.

Let's not forget, at least 2 folk copy the NHK show as it is and sell the CDs openly online - not the best way to 'appreciate' the free feed.

According to a chat with a bod in the business, four major Japan based IP agencies representing many thousands of smaller IP type groups will soon be forcing 'shutdown' on file sharing gamers and the like I understand - in Japan only. Apparently this will also apply to music sharing. - The logic behind all this - copyright violation and the far stricter application of the law I mentioned a while ago.

This may be in the papers already - may not have made it yet. No idea but with the neighbor we have churning out everything in pirated form within 10 mins of it going on sale, can we really blame the wish to protect what is theirs.

Of course, this is a different ketle of fish to the use of NSK vid streams / vids online but it wouldn't be too hard to link these areas of online dissemination of copyrighted material - again back to NHK, NTT as opposed to NSK.

[Takamizakura 1]

Believe me, if NHK had their heads out of the clouds, they would be broadcasting worldwide, and any true sumo fan would be willing to "dish" (hehehe, clever..) out any reasonable amount of cash for the privilege. Not only Sumo, the cultural thing, etc. Why only the US? Satellite stingy?? They just don't care.

The only way we non-US plebs can watch live is through the feed.

Not quite; do you know about JSTV (http://www.jstv.co.uk)? Although it's based in the UK, it lists the Tel Aviv Hilton as one of the hotels that receive it so the signal should be available to Israel as well as most of Europe (if I've assumed correctly that's where you are).

I've subscribed to it for over a year now and it covers my Sumo/cultural cravings. And you can choose to have English-language feeds for sumo. Highly recommended.

[Kintamayama 45,011]

it lists the Tel Aviv Hilton as one of the hotels that receive it so the signal should be available to Israel as well as most of Europe (if I've assumed correctly that's where you are).

I've subscribed to it for over a year now and it covers my Sumo/cultural cravings. And you can choose to have English-language feeds for sumo. Highly recommended.

Yes indeed, but it requires installing a dish-an expensive one, which the Hilton can afford, but I, regretfully cannot at this point. NHK is not part of any cable bundle or regular satellite bundles. I've written everyone to try to change that, but it just isn't commercial, as not many people here are interested. I believe that in this rapidly changing world, this will change soon too and we'll get everything from the Net.

I wish..