Nippon TV Announces Full-Scale Global Expansion — Launch of New Studio and LA Hub

2025.06.02

Nippon TV, Japan’s leading multiplatform entertainment powerhouse, announced today that the company is launching Gyokuro Studio, pronounced “gyo-koo-roh” studio, a production studio dedicated to content development for the global market and the launch of Nippon TV LA Business Office, a new business hub to be established in Los Angeles, USA.

Gyokuro Studio based in Tokyo is a newly established studio that aims to develop 10 unscripted titles each year, reaching a total of 100 titles over the next 10 years, with plans to distribute them to audiences worldwide. The studio will “co-create” not only with top in-house talent but also with leading external creators and production houses to deliver premium Japanese content to the world, crafted with the same care and distinction as the most prestigious Japanese tea, “Gyokuro.”

Kenichiro Akiyama, who has served in key roles such as Chief Producer of multiple prime time entertainment shows at Nippon TV has been appointed as the Head of Gyokuro Studio.

Quote from Kenichiro Akiyama, Head of Gyokuro Studio:

“We are restructuring our production framework from a domestic-focused model to one designed for global rollout, accelerating the development of a robust foundation for creating content that resonates with audiences worldwide. We will actively engage in truly global ‘co-creation’ with our production partners both in Japan and abroad, and together we will strive to generate new needs and value in the global entertainment market. We will continue to take on new challenges every day, aiming to build a strong and sustainable presence.”

Gyokuro Studio Official Website:
https://gyokuro-s.com

Nippon TV LA Business Office is a new business hub to be established in Los Angeles, USA. It will focus on driving sales of content and IP in North America and LATAM, grow alliances with local distribution studios, and build a local production framework, among other endeavors. Tom Miyauchi, who has served as the Head of Formats at Nippon TV and was instrumental in launching the Canadian adaptation of Old Enough!, has been appointed as the Head of Nippon TV LA Business Office and will be relocating to Los Angeles in June to launch operations from July.

Quote from Tom Miyauchi, Vice President of Nippon TV International, Head of Nippon TV LA Business Office:

“With the launch of our Los Angeles business hub at the forefront of the global entertainment market, we are here to tap into the pulse of local trends and connect with global audiences with precision and agility. By strengthening collaboration and co-creation with valued partners and creators, our aim is to lead every phase of the content journey – from content development and full-scale production to distribution and international rollout, and the establishment of local production frameworks. In collaboration with Gyokuro Studio, we aim to pioneer new frontiers for globally driven entertainment, proudly originating from Japan.”

Nippon TV LA Business Office Official Website:
https://www.nippontvla.com/

ABOUT NIPPON TV

Nippon TV is Japan's leading multiplatform entertainment powerhouse, as well as owner of streaming giant Hulu in Japan. Nearly 90% of its content IP is fully owned by Nippon TV and the company has been active in bringing its content to the international market in the form of anime, ready-made programs, formats, and through co-production partnerships. One of the biggest successes for the nation's finest producer of all genres of programming is the Emmy Award-winning Dragons' Den/Shark Tank, a globally successful business show format that has 52 versions in more than 186 countries across all continents of the world. Additionally, their hit drama series Mother has also achieved global success as the most exported scripted format out of Asia, with its format sales to South Korea, Turkey, Ukraine, France, Thailand, China, Spain, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, The Philippines, and Greece. The company is also known for its viewer-engaging show Old Enough!, streaming on Netflix in over 190 countries and recently adapted in Mongolia and Canada, BLOCK OUT, an action-packed game show format that has been adapted in Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Spain, and the Netherlands, the award-winning unscripted format Sokkuri Sweets, produced as Eye Candy for The Roku Channel in the US, UK, Canada and the Netherlands for NPO1. Nippon TV has also been producing anime series since the 1950s and acquired Studio Ghibli in 2023, making the Academy Award-winning studio its subsidiary. As evident by the company’s success, Nippon TV is leveraging its coveted platform to revolutionize digital media in an ever-changing industry to solidify its presence and brand as a global media leader.