Vietnamese reboot of Ninja Warrior heralds new TBS, VTV content pact

Tokyo Broadcasting System and Vietnamese channel VTV have announced a strategic partnership

Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) in Japan and Vietnamese channel VTV have announced a strategic partnership to co-develop new content, starting with a Vietnamese reboot of TBS’s hit sports entertainment series Sasuke (aka, Ninja Warrior).

Locally titled Không GiớiHạn – Sasuke Việt Nam, it returns to Vietnamese screens for the first time in seven years, with competitors taking on a number of tricky obstacle courses.

It is the first of several projects that TBS and VTV will collaborate on, following the launch of their partnership in Hanoi last night at the 55^th anniversary of VTV.

The two companies plan to work together on the broadcast and distribution of each other’s content in both countries, remake TBS dramas in Vietnam and co-develop new shows. They also seek to launch joint initiatives through seminars and workshops.

TBS and VTV have previously collaborated, notably when they coproduced the drama The Partner: To My Dear Friend. The scripted title was aired on the same day by both broadcasters in 2013. Two years later, they coproduced a Vietnamese version of TBS drama Midnight Sun.

Ryujiro Abe, president and CEO, TBS, said: “We believe that the content created through the creativity and production capabilities both companies have cultivated over the years will transcend the boundaries of broadcasting, giving rise to new businesses and experiences.

“Moving forward, VTV and TBS will continue to join hands to deliver inspiration and joy through powerful content to people in Vietnam, Japan, and around the world.”

Nguyen Thanh Lam, president, VTV, said: “VTV and TBS are strengthening the strategic cooperation with a number of concrete projects, marking an important milestone that opens up new opportunities for development for both broadcasters and contributes to further deepening the friendship between the peoples of Vietnam and Japan.

“We will engage in extensive collaboration with TBS, ranging from content sharing and revitalising television dramas to co-developing new projects.

“I firmly believe that this partnership will generate substantial and practical value, not only for the two broadcasters but also for audiences in both countries, across the region, and around the world.”