The ratings for NHK’s annual year end show Kohaku Uta Gassen have been released. Last year the show made history, but not for the best of reasons. The 70th edition of the show received an average audience rating of 37.3%, this was the first time that Kohaku’s ratings dipped below 40% becoming the lowest rated Kohaku ever.

For the 71st edition of the show many were curious to see how it would fare in the ratings, as many people would be staying home this year to practice social distancing. Furthermore, the show had many big moments on their lineup, namely the last nationally televised performance for Johnny’s group Arashi.

The 71st edition of Kohaku Uta Gassen officially received an average rating of 40.3%. This is definitely a step in the right direction, but it still fell short of the 69th edition. The 2018 Kohaku received an average rating of 41.5%.

This is the very first time in the shows history where no audience was present for the show.

(yahoo)