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The story
On September 30, Yoshimoto Kogyo announced that new content produced by Hitoshi Matsumoto will stream simultaneously on the paid service ‘DOWNTOWN+’ and on Netflix. This marks the first time DOWNTOWN+ has released the same content at the same time as another streaming service. The project is currently in production, with release planned before the end of the year, and it will reportedly be distributed globally via Netflix. On 5ch, reactions were split: some worried about subscribers leaving DOWNTOWN+ and made sarcastic comments, while others took it positively, saying it showed ‘high trust from foreign capital.’
New content produced by Hitoshi Matsumoto confirmed for Netflix, with simultaneous release alongside ‘DOWNTOWN+’ planned by year’s end
It was revealed on the 30th that new content produced by Hitoshi Matsumoto of the comedy duo Downtown will stream simultaneously on the paid service ‘DOWNTOWN+’ and on ‘Netflix.’ The announcement was made by Yoshimoto Kogyo.
This is the first time ‘DOWNTOWN+’ will release the same content at the same time as another video streaming service. Yoshimoto and Netflix reached an agreement over Matsumoto’s new content. It is currently in production, with release planned within the year, and the work will be rolled out globally through Netflix.
Source: news.yahoo.co.jp / Original article here
What people said
Watch out, this might be one of those services that auto-renews your subscription without asking.
Though even with money behind it now, they might not be able to make anything interesting anymore.
It's already streaming on DOWNTOWN+ anyway.
Is there really much difference?
Netflix got a taste of success with hits like 'The Naked Director' back when compliance standards were basically nonexistent.
The haters have been winning this whole time though.
Just give us Sake no Tsumami, Suberanai Hanashi, and Warattewa Ikenai, please. (fan-favorite Downtown segments/specials)
They could expand Sake no Tsumami into 'San Nomi' and a bigger 'Berobero Nomi Wide.'
Honestly didn't expect Sakagami and Mitz to be that funny.
Even before that — with 500,000 subscribers they'd already be pulling in 550 million yen a month, so they should be able to fund a solid project as is.
His wife is dead set against it.
Doesn't change what he's already accomplished on TV though.
A standalone platform is just a hassle for viewers and the people running it alike.
I just don't want it popping up on my home screen — is there a way to block it?
Let's make sure it flops hard, just to be thorough.
Would Warattewa Ikenai even work on Netflix? Can't they just talk to Hulu instead?
Probably just another judging gig…
But they keep managing to book guests who look expensive every single time.
That's just piling up as debt for Yoshimoto.
but the last thing I remember watching was around the Yugawara episode of Gaki no Tsukai.
He should just retire already.
Hitoshi was funnier when he was thinner.
Hitoshi should just retire already.
Background and Points of Debate
DOWNTOWN+ is the paid streaming service Hitoshi Matsumoto has built his career around since scaling back his TV appearances. This is the first time it has released the same content simultaneously with another streaming service, which can be read as a move by Yoshimoto Kogyo to broaden its revenue streams. Opinion in the thread split between skeptics who see the tie-up as a sign that DOWNTOWN+ has been struggling to grow subscribers on its own, and those who took it positively as proof that drawing interest from foreign capital like Netflix is itself a mark of trust. Subscriber numbers and revenue haven’t been made public, so figures like the ‘550 million yen a month’ estimate floated in the thread are pure speculation. The specific content and cast of the new release also hadn’t been announced at the time of writing, so this is still a story to watch for further updates.
*This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (Geinou/Sports News+) thread ‘[Entertainment] New content produced by Hitoshi Matsumoto confirmed for Netflix, simultaneous release with ‘DOWNTOWN+’ planned by year’s end.’
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