NIPPON TV’S GAME SHOW “MUTE IT!” APPROVED FOR TWO-HOUR SPECIAL IN JAPAN

Nippon TV’s popular game show format “Mute it!” has been greenlit for a two-hour special set to air in Japan during its primetime slot on Friday,14th August. The game show first aired to stellar ratings on Nippon TV in November 2019, followed by its move to primetime in March 2020. “Since the original airing, Mute it! has far exceeded our expectations. Not just here in Japan but around the world with the interest that this unique game show format has been generating,” Fusako Nagashima, Head of Formats, International Business Development for Nippon TV, said. 

Primetime gathers high PUT ratings annually resulting from numerous individuals throughout Japan at home watching TV during the summertime. It garnered highratings, particularly from the children/teenagers / 20-34-year-old demographic and receiving high acclaim on social media by the young demographic.“Through our research, we found viewers not only avidly watched the show but also posted a huge number of real-time comments on social media cheering on their favorite celebrities who challenge the game in total silence, and even saying that they wanted to participate in this game show themselves," Nagashima said.

Nippon TV received numerous requests for international format adaptations of Mute it! after announcing the availability of the formats this past April. “We are excited to be unveiling this two-hour special with new themes including pirates, treasure island, secret caves and jungles, and we are certain that Mute it! will continue to grasp attention from buyers looking for a fun studio game show format,” Nagashima said.

Throughout the 30-120 minute episodes, contestants play four stages of games in the Hall of Silence, a custom-built giant studio with difficult challenges for the players to accomplish, while the place is filled with loud sound making traps all around. If contestants make any sounds above 50dB, the Sound Watchman, purveyor of the Hall of Silence, suddenly shows up to take the contestant away. For players who succeed in the first three stages, the final stage awaits.