Kouhaku Uta Gassen 2010 ratings are up!

In 2009, NHK, after trying to fix their dwindling ratings for their New  Year’s Eve special “Kouhaku Uta Gassen” were able to bring their ratings over the 40% mark at 42.1% for the first half and 41.7% for the second half according to Video Research, Ltd.

In 2010, the lineup was another bonafide hit as the ratings for the 61st annual Kouhaku reached over 40% again with SMAP’s performance bringing in 48.9% and DREAMS COME TRUE bringing in 47.2% (less than their 2009 rating of 50.9% but still, 47% is a high percentage).  Also, good planning on NHK’s part was saving Southern All Stars vocalist Keisuke Kuwata for the second half (The singer made his first significant televised return after throat surgery for esophageal cancer).