Nippon TV Bolsters International Business Development Division

Nippon Television Network Corporation has strengthened its international business development (IBD) division with two promotions.

As Nippon TV celebrates its 65th anniversary, Kenichi Hirose, board director and operating officer, was appointed to oversee the IBD division for Nippon TV. Hirose previously served as president of the finance division, as well as board director and operating officer. He replaces Yoshio Nakayama, who is now president of BS Nippon TV, a digital satellite broadcaster.

Hirose will report to Yoshio Okubo, the president and chief executive operating officer of Nippon TV. Additionally, Atsushi Sogo has been appointed as the president of IBD, replacing Atsushi Hatayama, who is now board director of Television Iwate. Sogo will now report to Hirose. Sogo previously held the position of executive VP of IBD.

“IBD has seen tremendous growth over the last few years, most remarkable being drama sales,” said Sogo. “As our program sales to China and other countries have increased, and as the Turkish remakes of our very own Mother and Woman have become incredible hits, I truly feel that Nippon TV is steadily establishing itself as the go-to production powerhouse for top-notch Japanese content. I am honored to take the reins of IBD at a time when our momentum and motivation continue to build.”

“While sales of our anime and entertainment show formats, most prominent being Dragons’ Den in the U.K. and Shark Tank in the U.S., remain strong, our plan is to proactively seek new opportunities to deliver our high-quality content to more countries around the world,” Sogo added. “We at Nippon TV are ready and willing to share the production expertise that has made us the ratings champion in Japan for four years running and welcome your interest in becoming our business partner.”