InterBEE REVIEW2016

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93Closing out the rich, in-depth sessions of the three-day event, this session was one where three controversialists were invited to speak about their current situations and future plans. They consisted of Mr. Masaki Yoshida, a current all-around producer of content who has worked on several hit programs at Fuji Television, Ms. Keiko Umeda, who publishes the “Ume Channel” series of columns while busily engaged with daily on-site work as a Nikkan Sports reporter, and Mr. Atsuo Fujimura, an executive officer at SmartNews who provides information on advanced media theory via a personal blog. These three panelists were moderated by media consultant Mr. Osamu Sakai.The session began with “the TV dramas are remarkable now” as a subject everyone could easily address. Ms. Umeda, who often gives comments on drama programs, stated that this season is abundant with hit shows including “NigeHaji”, “Koetsu Girl”, and “Kuroi Junin no Onna”. Mr. Yoshida commented that the “Koi Dance” from “NigeHaji” and the fashions of “Koetsu” are being well received by Internet users and are likely to spread in popularity.Mr. Sakai then asked Mr. Yoshida’s opinion on the time-shift viewer ratings investigated by Video Research Ltd., to which Mr. Yoshida jokingly replied “I watch programs in real time as much as possible, since I have my pride as a first-rate viewer.” Ms. Umeda, however, proudly answered “I watch my recorded programs after coming home late at night and getting settled.” On the other hand, Mr. Fujimura said “I follow the current topics of ‘NigeHaji’ on social sites but when I look at their link destinations, they often turn out to be YouTube”, and suggested that both creating new topics on social sites and thinking about their future plans are important.In conclusion, the panelists were asked to comment on what they think the state of television will be in the year 2020, and how they wish it to be. Mr. Fujimura stated “At the time of the Tokyo Olympics, ‘dispersed-format’ video media will likely become the mainstream. It will be necessary to cover each event on small devices separately from traditional broadcasting methods. We don’t have much time to waste.” Ms. Umeda replied “Reports on television stations today show that they are shrinking away. If they have confidence, however, they should be able to continue to be the most powerful form of media even in 2020. This is what I tell even to myself since I’m involved with newspapers, but I would like everyone to have great confidence in themselves.” Mr. Yoshida noted “If we think of all television stations as a single ‘family’, and do everything we can to work together, I believe that television can be revived to greatness.”Recent developments allowing individual television stations to deliver programs over the Internet have suddenly made the future state of television clearer and more detailed than ever before. However, this also raises the question of whether the future of television is limited only to video delivery. Perhaps we should instead now be searching for the next form for television to take even further ahead? The principal topic of this session was a discussion on undertaking challenges that look toward the forefront of television. Panel-ists Mr. Takeshi Shimokawa of Fuji Television’s Digital Media Services Content Creation and Distribution Department, Mr. Ikko Kambara of NHK’s Special Content Development Center, and Mr. Ryo Kishi, Planner at HAROiD currently transferred from Nippon Television, were joined by Mr. Toshio Kuramata from NHK’s Digital Content Center as moderator.Mr. Kuramata first explained the main idea of the session. He presented NHK’s simultaneous retransmission application, which would be launched just from the following week, and noted the progress achieved in program delivery, stating “I believe that the question of how the future will develop through the connection of television and the Internet is truly a ‘redefinition’ of television.”The panelists then spoke about their own activities. Mr. Shimokawa introduced his background of working on plans to link programs with digital elements, showing “#High_Paul”, which deploys 22 pieces of content within a 90-minute program by adjusting their relative length, as a current example. Mr. Kambara is, after his involvement with various programs in the Production Department of NHK, now currently producing an NHK Special citizen’s debate program, “Watashitachi no Kore kara Our Future”. Mr. Kishi was transferred from Nippon TV to HAROiD, with a constant desire to create events that use television as performance devices, and is currently planning a viewer-participation commercial called “Zettai Osu na yo” for KIRIN Hyoketsu.When Mr. Kuramata posed the question “What do you want to accomplish through the connection of television with the Internet?”, Mr. Kishi gave the intriguing answer of “I want to change the positioning of television, and I believe that televi-sion can play a leading role.” Mr. Kishi’s ideas have a consistent focus on providing “experiences” that including television, the web, and events.Finally, Mr. Kuramata asked the difficult question “If you were to redefine television based on the idea of ‘Is this something that is considered televi-sion?’, how would you do so?” Mr. Shimokawa answered “From here on, I think the full range of elements including catch-up delivery and simulcasting will all be considered ‘television’. In the United Kingdom, people already think of ‘television’ to include real-time viewing, viewing on the Internet, and catch-up viewing.” Mr. Kambara replied “I think that television is like a live street performance. When people go to see music concerts they have a strong inten-tion and goal in mind, but street performances are things that people just happen to encounter. I believe it is very important to both continue these high-energy, passionate street performances and to be able to convey their energy again and again.” Mr. Kishi responded “Television aims to be easy to under-stand by 100 people out of every 100. On the web, however, it is perfectly fine to also have content that is simply astounding to only 1 person of 100. And actually, I think it is also conceivable for television to be thought of in the same way.” Each of the three panelists gave fascinating and compelling views on this subject.“Taking on the Challenge of Redefining Television that is Moving Forward”A wealth of sharp opinions and an enthusiastic, deep discussion!3:00 PM -3:50 PM, Friday, November 18th“Will the Future of Television be Interesting? Future Prospects for Video Media”The present and future of television, as seen by three controversialists.4:10PM -5:00PM, Friday, November 18th