Kyokai live stream may be a lot more popular in Nagoya

[Peterao 3]

The TV director of NHK (is that how you translate 日向英実放送総局長?) is apparently studying its options for the Nagoya Basho. One of the options on the table is not broadcasting the event. How they would replace the dozens of hours of regularly scheduled programming is unclear at this time. It would be the first time since sumo broadcasts started in 1953 that such a thing has happened.

"It's not like we've made a final decision yet, but we are watching the situation with grave concern." said the grim-faced director. "What concrete measures the Nihon Sumo Kyokai announces to deal with this will have an impact on our final decision."

[Harry 67]

I thought the stream was finished though?

[Kintamayama 45,086]

I thought the stream was finished though?

A. The stream is not finished-it was a question of English.

B. No way NHK will not broadcast,

I give you my word.

[Asashosakari 19,306]

B. No way NHK will not broadcast,

I give you my word.

I agree. One might even read as much into the quoted statement above:

"What concrete measures the Nihon Sumo Kyokai announces to deal with this will have an impact on our final decision."

Decryption: If the NSK decides to deal with the situation by cancelling the basho, then NHK won't be broadcasting the (non-existent) basho. Well, yeah. I seriously doubt any other "concrete measure" or lack thereof will prompt NHK to not broadcast.

[Kotoviki 16]

If they did decide not to cover it they could just show even more stupid Japanese Diet Sessions which often preempt the sumo anyway... (Sign of approval...) ;-)

[ilovesumo 12]

B. No way NHK will not broadcast,

I give you my word.

I agree. One might even read as much into the quoted statement above:

"What concrete measures the Nihon Sumo Kyokai announces to deal with this will have an impact on our final decision."

Decryption: If the NSK decides to deal with the situation by cancelling the basho, then NHK won't be broadcasting the (non-existent) basho. Well, yeah. I seriously doubt any other "concrete measure" or lack thereof will prompt NHK to not broadcast.

Yup. Exactly the way to read that one.

[sekihiryu 51]

TOKYO

[Kintamayama 45,086]

The TV director of NHK (is that how you translate 日向英実放送総局長?) is apparently studying its options for the Nagoya Basho. One of the options on the table is not broadcasting the event. How they would replace the dozens of hours of regularly scheduled programming is unclear at this time. It would be the first time since sumo broadcasts started in 1953 that such a thing has happened.

"It's not like we've made a final decision yet, but we are watching the situation with grave concern." said the grim-faced director. "What concrete measures the Nihon Sumo Kyokai announces to deal with this will have an impact on our final decision."

That's Hinata-san the broadcast bureau director. He was interviewed together with NHK board member Mr. Imai. Asked about what would replace the sumo broadcasts if and when, Hinata replied: "The usual stuff.." The gist of the interview can be summed like this: "We will wait and see what the Kyokai will do about this scandalous affair and it better be public and it better be serious. They plan to decide about Nagoya on July 4th? I just hope we can wait that long.. How are we going to explain this to our loyal viewers? It will probably cause an uproar, but we'll just have to apologize and hope they accept it."

[Kotoviki 16]

So I better get my video camera & tripod ready for Nagoya then???

[Peterao 3]

The always reputable newspaper ZAKZAK reports on some of the "tactics" in play.

Comments coming into NHK are about 14 to 1 in favor of not broadcasting the Nagoya Basho. However, they report that NHK currently pays the NSK 500,000,000 yen for the broadcast rights to each basho. If the basho takes place, they are obligated to pay the full amount, regardless of whether or not they actually broadcast it. They irritate a vocal contigency if they broadcast the basho, and they take a financial bath if they don't. So naturally, someone affiliated with NHK has let slip his true feelings. "We really want the basho itself to be cancelled. We don't want 500 million yen to go to waste." But broadcasts rights represent about 35% of the yearly revenue of the NSK, so of course they will do everything in their power to continue collecting that fee.

The broadcast bureau director has also mentioned that the possibility that NHK will make a decision on whether or not to broadcast the Nagoya basho before the special Riji meeting on July 4th is "not zero".

Edited June 24, 2010 by Peterao

[Jonosuke 28]

The always reputable newspaper ZAKZAK reports on some of the "tactics" in play.

Comments coming into NHK are about 14 to 1 in favor of not broadcasting the Nagoya Basho. However, they report that NHK currently pays the NSK 500,000,000 yen for the broadcast rights to each basho. If the basho takes place, they are obligated to pay the full amount, regardless of whether or not they actually broadcast it. They irritate a vocal contigency if they broadcast the basho, and they take a financial bath if they don't.

Granted it's Zakzak but why are they saying NHK will take a financial bath if they decide not to air the Nagoya? They have no commercial revenue so it's not as if they are getting money from sponsors to cover it. Actually it saves the money not to broadcast live events as they have tons of archive video to show that on BS and they just simply go on with their daily regular programming on Sogo..

They may irritate the vocal minority but they are the very tiny minority. Has NHK already shipped their sumo magazine for Nagoya yet? If so, then chances are likely that they may want to do so. Not sure what the other bi-monthly magazine Ozumo is doing to prepare for Nagoya but then again they are going out of circulation as of this September so they probably don't care much any more.

Whether having Nagoya or not, Musashigawa's reign as the chairman won't be long now with his Miyabi and Kakizoe involved. Perhaps the Kyokai realizes they need once an all to clean up this whole mess and to show the general public they really mean business by turfing out all the old guards and electing Takanohana as the new chairman and takes his rightful place, which has been his destiny all along.

Edited June 24, 2010 by Jonosuke

[Kintamayama 45,086]

They may irritate the vocal minority but they are the very tiny minority. Has NHK already shipped their sumo magazine for Nagoya yet?

No. They planned on shipping it on the 24th but have announced they are postponing it at least till July 4th when the Kyokai hopefully will make its mind up.

Edited June 24, 2010 by Kintamayama

[Asashosakari 19,306]

Whether having Nagoya or not, Musashigawa's reign as the chairman won't be long now with his Miyabi and Kakizoe involved. Perhaps the Kyokai realizes they need once an all to clean up this whole mess and to show the general public they really mean business by turfing out all the old guards and electing Takanohana as the new chairman and takes his rightful place, which has been his destiny all along.

As skeptical as I am of Taka, I'll give him credit for likely being intelligent enough to not make his move just yet. Musashigawa will be gone in a year and a half anyway, much easier for Taka to let Musashigawa remain the figurehead leader while the Augean stables continue to be cleaned, and then ring in the "new era" with Taka-rijicho on schedule in Feb 2012. Pushing ahead now makes him Obama squared, not only in danger of disappointing because the expectations would be so high, but even moreso because he'd be coming in as an emergency replacement.

Edited June 24, 2010 by Asashosakari

[ilovesumo 12]

I bet Musashigawa resigns along with the whole bunch of riji.

[Kintamayama 45,086]

I bet Musashigawa resigns along with the whole bunch of riji.

And I bet not one of them will resign.

[nonews 0]

I guess someone needs to educate me on why the sumo may be canceled next month. how will that punish those who bet on baseball? that punishes us who watch and like it. those who are offended by the wrestlers betting can push the off button on the tv or change the channel. they didn't bet on sumo where they could throw a match. they bet on baseball which has nothing to do with sumo. if they need to be punished then make them play and all of their winnings go to some charities. or send it to me. I will be more than happy to accept the money

[Kotoviki 16]

I guess someone needs to educate me on why the sumo may be canceled next month. how will that punish those who bet on baseball? that punishes us who watch and like it. those who are offended by the wrestlers betting can push the off button on the tv or change the channel. they didn't bet on sumo where they could throw a match. they bet on baseball which has nothing to do with sumo. if they need to be punished then make them play and all of their winnings go to some charities. or send it to me. I will be more than happy to accept the money

You don't need any education here..... you are right on the money. Really cancelling the basho punishes those innocent rikishi who have done nothing but prepare for the basho, it punishes the fans as well.

The people calling for the basho to be cancelled are people who wouldn't watch it anyway.

Punish the rikishi & oyakata doing illegal things but don't punish innocent people!!!

I like your idea, let the basho go on, let them fight and then let their salaries and if any kensho go to charity!

Really, to cancel the basho EVEN IF 20 are absent is stupid. There are hundreds more rikishi who are not guilty of anything except practicing hard!

[Gusoyama 103]

If they were smart, they'd go ahead with the basho, and not only broadcast, but make it a point to broadcast for the full time, makushita matches and all.(if there really are going to be 20 absences in the upper ranks, which I doubt) Give it a tag line of "See tomorrow's stars today! Clean, pure, hard working young men who are more interested in sumo than gambling, doing all they can to give it their best!" or something like that.

[Kotoviki 16]

If they were smart, they'd go ahead with the basho, and not only broadcast, but make it a point to broadcast for the full time, makushita matches and all.(if there really are going to be 20 absences in the upper ranks, which I doubt) Give it a tag line of "See tomorrow's stars today! Clean, pure, hard working young men who are more interested in sumo than gambling, doing all they can to give it their best!" or something like that.

You are right! The kyokai and NHK should try to put the focus on the ones who are not in trouble!! They could even broadcast earlier the sandame matches. Turn it around to get more fans and more support for the "clean living" rikishi and oyakata.

[Peterao 3]

Mainichi and others are reporting that the Kyokai, acknowledging the conditions put forth by the special committee, have made the decision to go ahead with the Nagoya Basho as planned. However, the exact punishments for Kotomitsuki and the others will not be decided upon until the July 4th special meeting.

[Kotoviki 16]

Mainichi and others are reporting that the Kyokai, acknowledging the conditions put forth by the special committee, have made the decision to go ahead with the Nagoya Basho as planned. However, the exact punishments for Kotomitsuki and the others will not be decided upon until the July 4th special meeting.

I for one am not surprised.

[Peterao 3]

Upon the news that the Nagoya Basho would be held, NHK gave further comment on the status of their decision whether or not to broadcast. "Regarding the Kyokai's decision and our manner of handling it, we will continue to consider based on the findings of the special committee and the opinions of our viewers before making a final decision."

[sekihiryu 51]

No NHK coverage will be a convenient excuse to skip a basho myself: no watching and no games. Good opportunity to have break over summer and when Sept rolls around perhaps things will be back to a status resembling "normal" and the fools have been broomed from the sumo world.

[Kintamayama 45,086]

The Ministry of Communication has declared it will not intervene in NHK's decision regarding the Sumo broadcasts. "A lot of people are mixed up with the underworld and gambling, and that is very regrettable and a serious reaction to that is necessary. OTOH, many folk are looking forward to watching sumo on the telly, so I hope they the Kyokai will clean up their house quickly..", said Sou Mushou, the Minister.

Edited June 29, 2010 by Kintamayama

[Babaryutaikai 1]

If they were smart, they'd go ahead with the basho, and not only broadcast, but make it a point to broadcast for the full time, makushita matches and all.(if there really are going to be 20 absences in the upper ranks, which I doubt) Give it a tag line of "See tomorrow's stars today! Clean, pure, hard working young men who are more interested in sumo than gambling, doing all they can to give it their best!" or something like that.

You are right! The kyokai and NHK should try to put the focus on the ones who are not in trouble!! They could even broadcast earlier the sandame matches. Turn it around to get more fans and more support for the "clean living" rikishi and oyakata.

As much as I love the boys in the lower ranks, I'd probably say "some too poor, cautious or scared to gamble their money" rather than a blanket "clean living", since I doubt that the urge or desire, not to mention the examples, have not been there in a lot of cases. (Help me...)