[/floatr]Variety: Japan terrestrials hit the ground runningReflecting the growing popularity of U.S. shows in the world's second-largest TV market, Japan will send a buyer contingent to the L.A. Screenings that includes a significant presence from terrestrial networks. Historically, reps for NHK and satellite and cable broadcasters such as Tohokushinsha, Jupiter and J:Com have acquired the bulk of foreign series programming for broadcast...However, suppliers of foreign shows to the terrestrial networks will also tote big shopping bags. One such rep is Shoichiro Ishiwatari of the Dentsu ad shop, Japan's largest, who says he plans to "see everything" on offer in L.A. while looking for a series the caliber of "Lost," which has been one of Dentsu's biggest recent U.S. series hits. Twenty-five affiliates of the Tokyo Broadcasting System, one of Japan's Big Three networks, [aired] the show...Although U.S. series are regulars on cable, satellite and DVD, the TBS deal, Ishiwatari notes, is "rare among terrestrial broadcasters" who are still largely wedded to domestic programming, especially for their primetime strands..."U.S. shows are hotter now in Japan than they've been in a long while," Ishiwatari says...more...
