ITV

Tag: Smart Dog Media

  • Song vs Dance debuts with a bang on TV Asahi, sparks viral frenz

    Song vs Dance debuts with a bang on TV Asahi, sparks viral frenz

    MUMBAI: TV Asahi’s talent competition, Song vs Dance, has made a spectacular debut, drawing massive viewership and igniting social media buzz. Premiering on 28 March at 11:15 pm on Channel 5, the high-energy variety show has captivated audiences with its electrifying format.

    A co-production between TV Asahi and Smart Dog Media, Song vs Dance redefines entertainment with its action-packed battles between top-tier singers and dancers. The show achieved a 3.5 per cent rating and a 15.9 per cent audience share, making it the second most-watched programme in its time slot across Japan’s six terrestrial channels. It also emerged as the highest-rated artist performance music show of 2025, proving its dominance in the genre.

    Beyond TV, Song vs Dance has taken social media by storm. Clips from the show have amassed over 136 million Tiktok impressions, gained 10,000+ new followers, and racked up 7.2 million views on a single video. The buzz propelled the show to fifth place on Yahoo’s SNS trends and third in Android search rankings, highlighting its widespread appeal across generations.

    With such a phenomenal response, TV Asahi is set to roll out more exciting episodes to settle the ultimate debate—are you team song or team dance?

    TV Asahi stated, “We are delighted to announce a historic milestone in the realm of TV Asahi variety shows. In this unprecedented move, we have embarked on a cross-border project that brought together both US and Japan teams to collaboratively create an entirely new and innovative format. This bold initiative has successfully redefined entertainment, and we are honoured to have achieved this groundbreaking accomplishment.”

    Produced by Craig Plestis and Clara Plestis of Smart Dog Media, alongside TV Asahi’s Takaaki Kitano, Song vs Dance marks TV Asahi’s first co-production with a U.S.-based production company.
     

  • Song vs Dance: Japan’s TV Asahi to debut new talent show format on 28 March

    Song vs Dance: Japan’s TV Asahi to debut new talent show format on 28 March

    MUMBAI:  Get ready for the ultimate showdown as TV Asahi drops its high-octane new talent battle, Song vs Dance. Premiering on Friday, 28 March at 11:15pm on TV Asahi, Channel 5, this turbo-charged one-hour variety special pits top-tier singers against elite dancers in an electrifying head-to-head clash.

    The mission? 

    Settle the age-old debate once and for all – which rules the stage, song or dance?

    Co-produced by TV Asahi and US-based Smart Dog Media, Song vs Dance rewrites the rulebook on competition TV. A video game-inspired battle arena, top-class performers, and high-stakes rivalries set the scene for an unmissable showdown.

    Fronting the spectacle is comedy maestro Takashi Yoshimura, ensuring laughs between the lung-busting notes and gravity-defying moves. Keeping score are an all-star panel: Exile frontman Takahiro, breakdancing Olympian Shigekix, and comedian-turned-Instagram-sensation Naomi Watanabe, who boasts over 10 million followers.

    Backing the talent are powerhouse coaches: world-class pianist Shinya Kiyozuka leading Team Song, while ace choreographer Takahiro (yes, same name, different gig) steers Team Dance.

    Singers Song Vs Dance

    Eight performers are ready to throw down their best during the faceoff. Team Song brings vocal firepower, led by acclaimed tenor John Ken Nuzzo, beatbox wizards Sarukani (Grand Beatbox Battle world champs), singer-songwriter Emoh Les (X-Factor Okinawa Japan 2013 winner) and gospel queen TiA, fresh off a victory at McDonald’s Gospelfest.

    Team Dance is stacked with champions. America’s Got Talent golden buzzer act Chibi Unity, four-time Vibe Dance Competition winners, is in the mix alongside Issei, the world’s youngest Red Bull BC One champ. Joining them are Utamaru, 2023 Udo Street Dance World Championship winner, and tap-dancing sisters Rino and Noa Shirakawa, who repped Japan at Ido 2024.

    The brains behind the show? Craig and Clara Plestis of Smart Dog Media, whose TV smashes include The Masked Singer and The Masked Dancer. Teaming up with TV Asahi’s Takaaki Kitano, Song vs Dance marks the Japanese broadcaster’s first hook-up with the US production powerhouse.

    With its explosive performances, top-tier talent and an innovative format, Song vs Dance has all the moves to become an international variety sensation. Get ready – this one’s set to hit all the right notes.