Downtown is resuming their entertainment activities, with a new online streaming service set to launch this summer.

Yoshimoto Kogyo is planning to launch an online subscription-based streaming service called "Downtown Channel" (tentative name) this summer. The service will feature content from the popular comedy duo Downtown, composed of Matsumoto Hitoshi and Hamada Masatoshi, both 61 years old. Although both are currently on hiatus—Matsumoto due to allegations of sexual misconduct reported by Shukan Bunshun in January last year, and Hamada due to health reasons since March—they are expected to return to entertainment activities before the service starts.

The platform will include exclusive content created by the duo and interactive live streams where users can participate. Yoshimoto Kogyo has also launched a content production fund backed by several domestic and international investors, raising billions of yen. The new channel will be the first project funded through this initiative, with plans to expand internationally.

Source: Yahoo News

Comments:

1. Only the people who actually like them will watch, and those who don't can just skip it—honestly, I think that's a great approach. I still clearly remember how the Gaki no Tsukai year-end punishment game got canceled because people said it was bad for education, but now you've got morning news shows doing electric shock punishments like it's no big deal. The line's really blurry. So being able to go further than TV allows might actually be a big plus for the two of them.

2. I’m really looking forward to it. If they start off with just the two of them talking freely and gradually bring in guests or do planned segments, it could turn into something huge. They’ve already been doing stuff on Amazon Prime like Documental—things you just can’t do on regular TV. Sponsors will probably jump on board quickly, and if that happens, they could pull off large-scale shows like Gaki no Tsukai or Wednesday Downtown. Super excited.

3. They're coming back through a streaming service, so I think we’re going to see more and more clear separation between types of content going forward. With free vs. paid content, the audience is bound to change too, so I’m really curious to see how things evolve. Also, with the recent Fuji TV scandal, I feel like the risk for companies sponsoring TV shows has gone up, so they'll probably start shifting from TV to online platforms as well.

4. It seems like Downtown is moving from TV to the internet. If it were the edgy Downtown from the past, they’d have made the jump online much earlier. Many comedians today prefer pursuing their own thing online rather than just becoming TV personalities, since TV now tends to focus on safe, formulaic content like “gourmet,” “travel,” and “cute animals", with a bunch of celebs in the studio watching them and reacting. That’s pretty much the limit of what you can do when everything has to be super safe and compliant with all the rules these days.

5. I’m surprised that Hamada gave the OK. He’ll probably face some criticism, and it might make it harder for him to return to regular TV, but I think he must have really struggled before making that decision. It’s possible that Hamada may not return to TV at all. Still, it seems like the choice to continue with Matsumoto was driven by their strong bond as a duo. Their team spirit is impressive.

6. Yeah, there have been some issues, but I think it’s fine if they come back in a paid, exclusive space. Kind of like an online fan club or a solo concert. They’ve got a solid fanbase, so it seems like a smart move.

7. Some people just don’t want to watch Matsumoto, so switching from TV to YouTube and other platforms makes sense. He can't keep going like this forever, especially with his age, so at some point, a change was inevitable. It’s just something we gotta accept now.

8. I know there are people who might not want to watch, but it was Downton who brought so much laughter on New Year's Eve in the past. I thought they might retire given their age, but maybe they wanted to have one last big moment. I want to watch their challenge and see how it goes.

Source: Girls Channel

1. [+2807, -348] I don't wanna see them on regular TV.

2. [+2116, -206] Enough already

3. [+2450, -211] Enough is enough, is there even demand for them?

4. [+2123, -18] Yeah, I think it’s fine as long as only the people who want to watch it, do.

5. [+1277, -233] Who the hell asked for this

6. [+746, -13] As long as Yoshimoto isn't using public funds, they can do whatever they want.

7. [+670, -150] Stay there forever and never come out.

8. [+602, -96] Instead of these grandpas, I wish they'd give the younger generation a chance.

9. [+449, -105] No demand.

10. [+295, -46] No need for Matsumoto, please stay in the shadows for the rest of your life.