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Television Osaka's Next IP Project: Unleash Your Creativity

As Television Osaka celebrates its 45th anniversary, it is embarking on a groundbreaking initiative known as the Television Osaka Next IP Project. This project is set to invest up to 1 billion yen for the development and broadcast of innovative programming starting in October 2026. The initiative aims to break the mold, encouraging both internal and external contributors to submit unconventional ideas that challenge the norms of television programming.

The first call for proposals yielded over 500 submissions before the May 31 deadline, demonstrating the overwhelming interest and engagement from a diverse range of applicants. Submissions have come from teenage high school girls to professionals in the construction industry over seventy years old, covering a wide array of genres including variety shows, dramas, anime, music, sports, news, and documentaries.

The selection of ideas submitted for the first round will be finalized by July 31, and the project is already gearing up for a second round, encouraging further creativity and innovation from potential contributors. "We are looking for the next step, a challenge to conventional thinking," said Hiroki Okamoto, the director of content strategy.

Cultivating Unique Content

Okamoto emphasizes the importance of staying relevant in an era saturated with entertainment. To maintain viewer engagement, content must be not only innovative but also transcend traditional boundaries. "We need to continuously create unique content that other companies wouldn’t dare to venture into," he remarked, admitting the limitations of their internal resources in achieving this goal alone.

That's where the project's collaborative approach comes into play. Leveraging the innovative ideas and refined intellectual properties from external sources, combined with Television Osaka's production expertise and broadcast experience, the project aims to produce completely new and groundbreaking content.

The motto of the project invites creators to think outside the box and bring forth concepts that might seem too daring for television. "We welcome ideas that challenge the conventional norm. Let’s create captivating content that will astonish the audience together!"

Project Framework

The framework of this project sets ambitious yet achievable goals. Starting post-October 2026, the aim is to broadcast a new project monthly during the late-night programming slot. Unlike traditional calls for proposals primarily directed at internal teams, this initiative significantly broadens its reach, welcoming submissions from diverse partners including independent creators, production companies, IP developers, and influencers.

Key criteria for project selection include the potential for expansion beyond television into streaming, events, and merchandise. This is part of a broader strategy to establish an innovative content ecosystem.

The Support Offered by the Project

1. Pilot Broadcast Guarantee: Selected projects are promised a guaranteed airing during the late-night slot starting in October 2026, producing multiple instances of new content (with a total runtime of 15-30 minutes across 2-4 episodes).
2. Direct Investment: The company anticipates an unprecedented budget of up to 1 billion yen for projects, with production costs ranging from 2 million to 10 million yen or more, depending on the concept and its future potential.
3. Fair Partnership and Rights Structure: The project is committed to equitable revenue sharing and joint production methods based on contributions from applicants, ensuring a collaborative partnership.

Proposals are particularly sought for unique content in unexplored realms—concepts that may not typically align with traditional television formats. Applicants are encouraged to propose ideas that address contemporary societal issues or leverage technology to reshape content delivery.

Interested in Joining This Exciting Venture?

The selection process will assess submissions based on criteria such as originality, passion for the project, and the potential for future profitability. Multiple submissions are permissible, even if previously proposed or discussed elsewhere, provided the rights are retained by the applicants.

The second wave of proposal submissions continues to be open until July 31, 2026, with possible further rounds if interest persists. For more details or to submit your proposal, please visit Television Osaka's Special Project Site.

Join Television Osaka in this exciting initiative to create the next big thing in television—your idea could be the spark that ignites a new era of entertainment!