The public broadcaster,NHK, may push to cut ties completely withNetflix, however, the streaming service feels that it may have an easy solution (in the interim, at least). The two parties are working through the terms of the agreement with a fine-toothed comb to “incriminate” the opposition.
Sadly, it’s the anime fans who are likely to suffer the greatest blow at the end of the day.NHKhas been radiobroadcasting from the heart of Tokyosince 1925 and began its television journey in 1953, and is by no means a small-fry company forNetflixto easily trifle with.
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While some content creators see no problem with this setup,NHKhas taken a stand against these changes by insisting that it is not conducive to the pre-agreed-upon terms of their business relationship. They are also significantly (and rightfully) concerned with the fact that they have no say over what is promoted during their shows and therefore have limited control over what products people may associate with their brand as a consequence.
It seems thatNHKis so passionate about their viewpoint that they wish to have all 22 of their animeseries removed fromNetflix’slineupworldwide (and on the full-priced platform, too), as a breach of contract is simply unacceptable. The quick thinkers atNetflixhave come up with a counterproposal (or had one waiting in their back pocket in case of disgruntled distributors) and chose to continue running withNHK’sanime but without the cumbersome interruptions of adverts.
However, this gesture may possibly be a temporary strategy to appease the Gods of Anger, asNetflixis fighting back with claims thatNHKwas fully aware of their ad-campaign plans beforehand and had plenty of time to speak up. Discussions between the two sides are still underway, and the fate of several anime series currently remains undecided.
NHK is associated with the following anime available on Netflix:
Source:JapanTimesandNHK
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