Nippon TV Preps Netflix Variety Series

Nippon TV is producing a brand-new variety series for Netflix, Ariyoshi Assists, which is set to stream on the platform globally beginning March 14.

The ten-episode show will star popular Japanese TV presenter Hiroiki Ariyoshi as he assists ten guest hosts, including artists and athletes. Experienced comedians will feature in the various segments proposed by the hosts, all while making jokes about the set-ups that Ariyoshi throws at them.

The show marks the first Nippon TV production that will not air on the Japanese media group’s own platforms. It follows the June 2022 creation of the company’s new content strategy division aimed at creating large-scale co-development and co-production projects with streamers, broadcasters and producers worldwide.

“Our goal, at that time, was to build new strategic creative collaborations with international partners to create original content for viewers worldwide,” said Mikiko Nishiyama, executive VP of international business development at Nippon TV. “And now, less than nine months later, we are delighted to be announcing this new deal with Netflix for Ariyoshi Assists. With the well-known and ever-popular Hiroiki Ariyoshi as host, we are certain this series will entertain Netflix’s viewers around the world. The show has turned out to be the epitome of the world-coveted crazy Japanese comedy show genre, wild and hilariously funny, and one that cannot be seen on Japanese network television, which will surely bring roaring laughter to homes around the world on March 14. We will continue to build new strategic creative collaborations with international partners to produce original content for viewers worldwide.”

Kazuaki Hashimoto and Toshiyuki Yokozawa, creators of the Nippon TV entertainment variety shows Ariyoshi no Kabe and Ariyoshi Zemi, created Ariyoshi Assists and serve as showrunners.