Discussion in the House of Representatives Regarding Deliberation on the Broadcast Act - Part 2

 ■Discussion in the House of Representatives Regarding Deliberation on the Broadcast Act - Part 2

○Ideas behind a common platform

・Preparation can be expected for a platform that handles common issues, such as transmission bases, apps, and rights processing.

・Next-generation media measures, such as IP cloud and data analysis, can also be expected.

・Cooperation with the communication and IT industries would be preferable, instead of only working within the broadcasting industry.

○Copyrights issues

・Under the Copyright Act, records and productions can be freely broadcast if a usage fee is paid, but separate approval is needed for transmission.

・In order to facilitate this processing, revising the system regarding online transmission can be considered, but adjustments between private companies (internet/broadcast stations and rightsholders) should be the first priority. NHK is expected to take a lead.

○The impact of simultaneous transmission by NHK on commercial broadcasting

・Commercial broadcasting should continue with free business judgment. This is an environment in which more rich content can be developed using data and AI.

・Various strategies can be seen, as Nippon TV acquired hulu, Fuji TV provides content to Netflix, and TV Asahi developed CA and Abema TV.

○The impact on local stations and their measures

・The question will be how much they have prepared during the 27 years since the theory for fusion of communication and broadcasting was introduced.

・They are holding up well, considering that in 10 years, CD sales have halved and bookstores have been reduced by 30%.

・A major wave is approaching. There may be industry reorganization and consolidation. Management capabilities will finally be questioned.

・Deregulation (the removal of mass media concentration, prefectural and regional licensing) can also be considered, but the will of the industry comes first. The government should not jump the gun on this matter.

・Each station has begun carrying out their strategies, such as offering more regional programming, enhancing events, and bringing in online users. Their activities will be interesting.

○NHK content should not develop overseas

・NHK programs are national assets. They should be utilized to their fullest extent.

・The government is also putting an effort into overseas development of broadcasting content, as the scale has increased by a factor of 4.4 times in the 5 years from 2010.

・There is still latent potential. I would like an effort to be made to cooperate with commercial broadcasting.

○Effective measures for utilizing satellite frequency

・I would like to promote their entry into broadcasting so that citizens can enjoy a richer video culture, but the biggest issue is frequency strain. Satellite waves are a valuable resource.

・It would be meaningful to develop compression technologies, make it possible to broadcast on a small frequency band, and improve and diversify services that promote new entries.