NHK cutting back on jidaigeki dramas

Public broadcaster NHK has decided to reduce airtime for its jidaigeki dramas. The network currently has a 45-minute jidaigeki time slot on Thursdays at 8:00pm, but starting in April, that block will be moved to Saturdays and shortened to only 30 minutes.

The popularity of such dramas has been decreasing in recent years, and according to the ratings, the shows appear to only attract much older viewers. In September, TV Asahi also decided to end its Tuesday jidaigeki time slot.

In its bid for viewership, NHK plans to use the free time slot as a new drama block, targeted at families and younger audiences.

Source:
Sponichi Annex