Japanese media group Nippon TV is undergoing a major restructuring as it expands its international activities, launching a Global Strategy division, headed by former Hulu Japan President Kazuo Takaya.
Working in parallel with the company’s Content Business division, the new unit will drive long-term growth initiatives across IP development, technology, strategic partnerships and region-specific market strategies.
In addition, Satoru Hiramatsu has been promoted to Executive Vice President of Content Business, from his previous role as Managing Director of the division, reporting directly to Tadafumi Shimomura, President, Content Business. The announcements were made by Keiichi Sawa, Board Director, Senior Executive Operating Officer, Nippon TV.
Under the new leadership structure, the Global Strategy division will place a strong focus on expanding the international scale of Gyokuro Studio, Nippon TV’s unscripted content production brand, and AiDi, the company’s proprietary AI unit.
AiDi provides AI-powered tech solutions to Japanese and international broadcasters including production of international sports events.
Before serving as President of Hulu Japan from 2023 to 2026 – where he spearheaded business development and product innovation for the SVOD platform – Takaya produced many hit Nippon TV shows and held a key role in the company’s programming division. Nippon TV acquired Hulu Japan back in 2014.
“Global Business is becoming an increasingly important driver of Nippon TV’s future growth,” said Kazuo Takaya, President of Global Strategy, Nippon TV.
“Leveraging our strengths as a global content company, we aim to explore and drive business opportunities worldwide across a diverse range of areas and initiatives. With Gyokuro Studio, we have launched a powerful creative brand that can deliver fresh unscripted formats and ideas to partners around the world such as Majority Rules.”
In the Content Business division, Hiramatsu will continue to oversee the global content sales and promotion team, which has delivered hit formats including Dragons’ Den/Shark Tank, Mother and Old Enough!.
Hiramatsu said, “Nippon TV’s core strength lies in our expansive library of high-quality content, driven by the exceptional creativity of our in-house creators. Our position as the world’s sixth-ranked remake distributor reflects how deeply our formats and programs resonate across borders.”
