TV Asahi expands international formats strategy with Global Challenge initiative

Love Time Travel launched at Mipcom last year

Japan’s TV Asahi is increasing its focus on internationally adaptable entertainment formats, with the launch of its Global Challenge programming initiative aimed at exporting more shows.

The initiative is dedicated to developing series with strong global potential to air on TV Asahi on Sunday nights. These will include physical competition shows and other unscripted entertainment formats.

The first show will be the third season of dating reality series Love Time Travel, which TV Asahi said “garnered high acclaim from international buyers for its innovative mechanics” at Mipcom last year.

“The core theme of, ‘If you had met in a different era, would you still have fallen in love?’ resonates with audiences globally. The latest season highlights the contrast between analogue and digital eras, offering a format that can easily be adapted to the history and culture of any country or region,” TV Asahi said.

Notable examples of previous TV Asahi formats that have travelled globally include Ranking the Stars, which has produced local versions in more than 11 countries, and Song vs Dance, originally developed as a Japan-US coproduction, which has expanded across Europe.

“These successes demonstrate the global potential of Japanese formats, proving that distinctive ideas created in Japan can resonate with audiences around the world. TV Asahi will continue collaborating with international partners to bring Japan-born content to worldwide [audiences],” the company said.