Nippon TV has tapped high star Okada Junichi to entrance its Japanese adaptation of “The Ground,” the worldwide quiz format from Talpa Studios, based by John de Mol.
The particular will characterize the format’s debut in Asia after roll-outs throughout greater than 30 nations spanning Europe, the Americas, the Center East and Australia.
The printed is scheduled as a three-hour prime-time particular on March 28 throughout Nippon TV and its affiliate stations nationwide.
Japan’s model introduces an area twist not seen in different markets: slightly than civilian members, the whole roster of 32 gamers will probably be drawn from the superstar world, making it the one version globally to have an all-star forged. Opponents will face one another in head-to-head visible quiz duels on a big LED ground segmented into 32 sections, with every battle constructed round a contestant’s nominated space of experience. The participant who in the end dominates the board takes house a prize of JPY10 million yen ($63,000).
The particular is Okada’s first foray into quiz internet hosting. He has constructed a rising worldwide following, most not too long ago by way of his position within the Netflix drama collection “Final Samurai Standing.”
“As an actor I by no means imagined that I might have the dignity of turning into the host of a world quiz present, so Nippon TV’s alternative actually shocked me, for many of my latest work on TV had been tied to my very own pursuits – martial arts, historical past, and different packages associated to my drama or movie initiatives,” Okada stated in an announcement. “What drew me in was absolutely the seriousness of the one-on-one battles and the ‘no second possibilities’ environment. The power on Nippon TV’s set was unbelievable and watching the contestants face off with such depth – whereas nonetheless having fun with themselves – was immensely inspiring and I’m assured that viewers will really feel the identical pleasure.”
Hisamichi Megumi, senior supervisor of programming and platform technique at Nippon TV, stated the format’s broad intergenerational attraction and its means to carry viewers in suspense had been central to her determination to fee it. She described Okada as the perfect “Recreation Grasp” – somebody who might alternate between constructing pressure on the ground and providing heat help to contestants – and stated Nippon TV was assured he would elevate the Japanese version of the present.
Sebastian van Barneveld, director international distribution at Talpa Studios, framed the Japanese launch as a landmark second. “Japan is one among Asia’s most distinctive markets, with a powerful heritage of authentic leisure, making it an actual milestone for ‘The Ground’ to launch right here. The format’s easy, visible and play-along, do-or-die gameplay travels effortlessly throughout cultures, and the all-celebrity Japanese model as soon as once more highlights its flexibility,” he stated. “We’re proud to companion with Nippon TV and sit up for seeing how Japanese audiences embrace the present.”
Nippon TV, which additionally owns the Japanese arm of streaming service Hulu, holds the rights to the vast majority of its personal content material and is energetic in worldwide gross sales throughout anime, completed programming, codecs and co-productions. The corporate not too long ago established Gyokuro Studio as a devoted in-house unscripted label and opened the Nippon TV LA Enterprise Workplace to function its international hub for co-development and gross sales.
