Hiro Morita’s “Sumo Prime Time”

[Yamanashi 3,904]

Did anyone else catch this tidbit?  About six months ago, NHK decided that all Japanese names on NHK World will use the Japanese form, so Hiro Morita became Morita Hiroshi.  Now on his own channel, he's back to Hiro Morita.

[Churaumi 745]

  On 02/08/2022 at 17:07, Yamanashi said:

Did anyone else catch this tidbit?  About six months ago, NHK decided that all Japanese names on NHK World will use the Japanese form, so Hiro Morita became Morita Hiroshi.  Now on his own channel, he's back to Hiro Morita.

Makes sense, since the target audience does names that way. We'll have to see how he treats other Japanese names.

[Inside Sport Japan 762]

  On 02/08/2022 at 13:25, Seiyashi said:

 Is it just me, or are there tinges of NHK involvement in some of the overlays, or was that an NSK design choice in e.g. Sumopedia all this while?

The main producer / director of this channel is another former NHK employee who was responsible for much of the NHK World sumo content over the past decade or so.

His style is unmistakeable so it's no surprise it feels similar.

[Inside Sport Japan 762]

  On 02/08/2022 at 17:07, Yamanashi said:

Did anyone else catch this tidbit?  About six months ago, NHK decided that all Japanese names on NHK World will use the Japanese form, so Hiro Morita became Morita Hiroshi.  Now on his own channel, he's back to Hiro Morita.

It's part of a long running battle between the government and English language media in Japan. 

 

 

[Seiyashi 4,108]

  On 02/08/2022 at 23:47, Inside Sport Japan said:

The main producer / director of this channel is another former NHK employee who was responsible for much of the NHK World sumo content over the past decade or so.

His style is unmistakeable so it's no surprise it feels similar.

That explains a lot, yes. Well, if it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? It was very well put together in any case so a good beginning for the channel.

[Kintamayama 45,534]

Now, the question is, well, now that they are doing this, well, will they, you know.. will they? Is it going to be daily digests? If so, how long after the bouts will it be uploaded (edit- will be broadcast daily from 9 PM GST, I think)? Is it going to be (gulp) live? Will I have much more free time now?

We shall see.

Coming days' broadcast:

August 2nd -「ＳＵＭＯ　ＰＲＩＭＥ　ＴＩＭＥ　ＳＴＡＲＴＩＮＧ！！」

August 3rd -「ＮＡＧＯＹＡ　ＳＵＭＯ　ＴＯＵＲＮＥＹ　ＳＵＭ　ＵＰ」

August 4th - 「ＢＥ S T　ＯＦ　ＮＡＧＯＹＡ　ＳＵＭＯ」 　

August 5th - 「ＳＵＭＯ’Ｓ　ＤＡＶＩＤ　ＶＳ　ＧＯＬＩＡＴＨ」

Edited August 3, 2022 by Kintamayama

[Eikokurai 3,437]

Nagoya sumo tournament summary is up. Nothing too deep but as a simple digest I think it’s well put together. Something to watch before next basho as a refresher or maybe years down the line. Quite a few unpleasable types in the comments though.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SMl67zXwKn4

Edited August 3, 2022 by Eikokurai

[Tiger Tanaka 226]

The first aim of an official channel like this I would think is to cast as wide of a net as possible and draw in a broader audience of new sumo fans who don't have access to the basics in terms of content. So I'm not sure sumo fanatics like the majority of posters are they key target demo?

They may go deeper as these are the first jumping off intro videos. But if you're expecting top 5 matches from Jonidan division each day in a tourney, I don't think this will be the place to go. Maybe a highlight of ones to watch similar to what Tachiai does before and after each basho.

I hope when we get features of jungyo, keiko, ceremonial events etc are focused more as these are areas that can draw in new casual viewers into the culture and behind the scenes, while giving English language fanatics content that is more difficult to get high produced content.

[Seiyashi 4,108]

  On 03/08/2022 at 16:26, Tiger Tanaka said:

But if you're expecting top 5 matches from Jonidan division each day in a tourney, I don't think this will be the place to go.

I don't even think this is on the cards. I get the impression that the powers that be don't consider the lower divisions below the makushita joi worth noticing.

[Octofuji 369]

  On 03/08/2022 at 16:26, Tiger Tanaka said:

I hope when we get features of jungyo, keiko, ceremonial events etc are focused more as these are areas that can draw in new casual viewers into the culture and behind the scenes, while giving English language fanatics content that is more difficult to get high produced content.

It's the behind-the-scenes stuff that I have high hopes for, and that's got the potential to fill a gap for all fans, casual or otherwise.

In particular interesting interviews, of which there is very little translated into English (although "Rikishi talk" is fun to read, it's definitely not because of the actual talk...).

In contrast there's a lot of English written material on the history, culture, ceremonial aspects and even jungyo (Tachiai used to do fantastic in-depth coverage).

There is a lot of Japanese video where you get to see more of the wrestlers' personalities like Junk Sports and the Oyakata channel, I would love to see something in this vein on Hiro's channel.

[Asashosakari 19,669]

  On 03/08/2022 at 16:26, Tiger Tanaka said:

Maybe a highlight of ones to watch similar to what Tachiai does before and after each basho.

I strongly doubt that a Kyokai-supported initiative will be spotlighting anything or anyone below juryo. Not because it would target a niche audience, but because it goes against the whole "you're only somebody once you're a sekitori" ethos.

[Octofuji 369]

  On 03/08/2022 at 13:32, Eikokurai said:

Nagoya sumo tournament summary is up

"Trickeration" has become "Esoteric moves"!

There's a great camera angle for Shodai v Terunofuji.

[Eikokurai 3,437]

  On 03/08/2022 at 16:26, Tiger Tanaka said:

The first aim of an official channel like this I would think is to cast as wide of a net as possible and draw in a broader audience of new sumo fans who don't have access to the basics in terms of content. So I'm not sure sumo fanatics like the majority of posters are they key target demo?

They may go deeper as these are the first jumping off intro videos. But if you're expecting top 5 matches from Jonidan division each day in a tourney, I don't think this will be the place to go. Maybe a highlight of ones to watch similar to what Tachiai does before and after each basho.

I hope when we get features of jungyo, keiko, ceremonial events etc are focused more as these are areas that can draw in new casual viewers into the culture and behind the scenes, while giving English language fanatics content that is more difficult to get high produced content.

I should think Hiro will try to strike a balance. No use attracting new fans if once you’ve got them you ignore them. You want repeat viewers/subscribers who keep coming back to drive up clicks and therefore revenue. It won’t be difficult to make content for newbies and seasoned fans. A lot of the time the same footage can be used for both, you just edit it differently. E.g. If Hiro makes a heya visit, he can grab footage of keiko to explain what keiko is to new fans, but also use the footage to talk about basho preparations that are of interest to existing fans who are curious about how their favourite rikishi are doing.

[Shinobi Steve 146]

  On 03/08/2022 at 16:26, Tiger Tanaka said:

So I'm not sure sumo fanatics like the majority of posters are they key target demo?

If we are posting on this forum we're probably not the key target demo. However, if we're posting on this forum we're almost certainly going to watch it. We're fanatics who post on Sumo forums and watch everything available, even when it's in a language we do not understand at all. What else would we do with our free time? 

[Sue 520]

  On 02/08/2022 at 17:07, Yamanashi said:

Did anyone else catch this tidbit?  About six months ago, NHK decided that all Japanese names on NHK World will use the Japanese form, so Hiro Morita became Morita Hiroshi.  Now on his own channel, he's back to Hiro Morita.

Everybody wants to be a Hiro.

[Churaumi 745]

Is it just me and my TV or is the music really loud compared to Hiro talking?

[Eikokurai 3,437]

  On 03/08/2022 at 18:39, Asashosakari said:

I strongly doubt that a Kyokai-supported initiative will be spotlighting anything or anyone below juryo. Not because it would target a niche audience, but because it goes against the whole "you're only somebody once you're a sekitori" ethos.

Maybe it can be added to the list of privileges, updated for the 21st century: As you rise, you get more social media coverage to help build your personal brand. At Makushita, your face gets shown. At Juryo, you are identified by name. At Makuuchi, your bouts are shown. At Sanyaku, you get your own profile video with interviews.

Edited August 6, 2022 by Eikokurai

[Inside Sport Japan 762]

  On 05/08/2022 at 21:28, Churaumi said:

Is it just me and my TV or is the music really loud compared to Hiro talking?

That and the choice of music is something that will likely change in future episodes. The first few were recorded as a bunch. 

It's a very small team working on the channel and they are paying close attention to feedback. Not every request can be met in the short term but they are very keen to provide the kind of content the audience actually wants.

[Tsuchinoninjin 1,276]

The videos are pretty good. I wonder how they will keep the topics going. Being directly supported by the JSA it might be difficult to do more youtubey data-based stuff like FoolishBaseball does for baseball or even discuss things like injuries. I feel that the casual western fan's interest might be piqued about topics that are typically absent from official sources.

Edited August 6, 2022 by Tsuchinoninjin

[Inside Sport Japan 762]

Interviews and behind the scenes videos will be part of it soon. 

[Ichimawashi 573]

  On 02/08/2022 at 17:07, Yamanashi said:

Did anyone else catch this tidbit?  About six months ago, NHK decided that all Japanese names on NHK World will use the Japanese form, so Hiro Morita became Morita Hiroshi.  Now on his own channel, he's back to Hiro Morita.

One of the all-time best Murray Johnson comments came from this decision, when he told us that “tomorrow’s coverage will be handled by Hiroshi Morita” and, presumably after someone in his ear or in the studio pointed to the memo, continued by saying “…and Morita Hiroshi will be here too.”

[Churaumi 745]

  On 06/08/2022 at 01:39, Inside Sport Japan said:

That and the choice of music is something that will likely change in future episodes. The first few were recorded as a bunch. 

It's a very small team working on the channel and they are paying close attention to feedback. Not every request can be met in the short term but they are very keen to provide the kind of content the audience actually wants.

I commented (nicely) about it in the comments section of the latest video, hope they see it.

[Inside Sport Japan 762]

More details on the new JSA English YouTube channel. 

[code_number3 708]

  On 10/08/2022 at 11:43, Inside Sport Japan said:

More details on the new JSA English YouTube channel. 

Someone, somewhere, will be filled with storms of disappointment salt if he know this. Oh, it already does 

Edited August 11, 2022 by code_number3

[Octofuji 369]

The latest video is a behind-the-scenes look at Arashio stable, with Hiro getting a lot of access to the rikishi. I've got high hopes for this channel the way it's started out.