61st Kouhaku Uta Gassen ratings announced

The viewership ratings for the 61st Kouhaku Uta Gassen (NHK, December 31, 2010) have been reported. In the Kanto region, the first half (starting at 7:30pm) averaged 35.7%, while the second half (starting at 9:30pm) averaged 41.7%.

Compared to the previous year, the first half was down 1.4% from 37.1%, but the second half was slightly higher, up 0.9% from 40.8%. This is the third consecutive year that the second half has achieved higher than 40.0%.

In the Kansai region, ratings were up by 2.2% for both halves. The first half averaged 37.1%, while the second half averaged 42.5%.

In the rest of the country, ratings were up everywhere for the first half, except in Fukushima (down 0.3%) and Okayama/Kagawa (down 0.5%). The biggest jump was in Sapporo, rising from 20.8% to 31.5%.

Ratings for the second half were up across the country except in northern Kyushu, where ratings dropped by 3.6%. Niigata had the biggest ratings increase, shooting from 43.5% to 49.6%.

The 61st Kouhaku Uta Gassen was hosted by Nao Matsushita and Arashi. The official lineup had only 22 artists on each team, for a record low of 44 artists. 785,836 votes were cast, and the White Team (male) emerged victorious by a margin of 418,191 to 367,645. This is the 6th consecutive win for the White Team, and the 33rd overall (compared to 28 for the Red Team).

Source:
Video Research Ltd.