Japan wants fewer digital promos
Ministry curtails promotional programming
|
More Articles:
Most Viewed:
'New Moon' wins Thanksgiving box office(3828 views)Hollywood sea of change(1768 views)Invictus(1474 views)'New Moon' crosses $200 million(1368 views)Paramount lands 'Area 51'(1309 views)Crazy Heart(828 views) |
Promos and commercials now make up 40%-60% of the skeds of the 12 existing digital satellite channels.
With eight to 12 licenses for digital channels still to distribute -- and dozens of companies reportedly considering applications -- the ministry said it would give priority to applicants whose programming mix contributed to the "healthy development of broadcasting" by airing fewer promos.
The move comes after consumer complaints.
The ministry, known locally as the Somusho, will begin a survey of new license applicants in August; among the questions will be the percentage of promotional shows the prospective broadcasters intend to air. It will accept applications in the spring and issues licenses that summer.
Commercial broadcasters in Japan self-restrict TV commercials to 18% or less of their total weekly broadcasting hours. There is no punishment for violators.
The government does not limit the amount of programming devoted to ads, including promotional shows, since this would infringe on free expression as enshrined in Japan's Broadcasting Law.
