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Gambling scandal sees NHK drop live sumo
NHK has bowed to pressure and decided not to air the forthcoming sumo competition live for the first time in 57 years.
An illegal gambling controversy has sullied sumo’s image in Japan, with viewers telling NHK that the sport should suffer. Both competitors and coaches have been found to have gambled heavily on the outcome of baseball matches, some running up large debts, and some with shady betting syndicates. Sumo wrestlers are expected to uphold high ethical standards as the sport originated as a religious ritual.
NHK will air delayed highlights of the competition rather than its usual live coverage. Commerical networks no longer air tournaments live, as sumo has been losing popularity in Japan for a while.
Sumo holds six tournaments a year. It is not clear whether NHK will reinstate its live coverage for later tournaments.
NHK has bowed to pressure and decided not to air the forthcoming sumo competition live for the first time in 57 years.
An illegal gambling controversy has sullied sumo’s image in Japan, with viewers telling NHK that the sport should suffer. Both competitors and coaches have been found to have gambled heavily on the outcome of baseball matches, some running up large debts, and some with shady betting syndicates. Sumo wrestlers are expected to uphold high ethical standards as the sport originated as a religious ritual.
NHK will air delayed highlights of the competition rather than its usual live coverage. Commerical networks no longer air tournaments live, as sumo has been losing popularity in Japan for a while.
Sumo holds six tournaments a year. It is not clear whether NHK will reinstate its live coverage for later tournaments.