ABEMA Original Programs’ Monthly Active Viewers in April 2026 Grew to 149% Compared with 2025

ABEMA, the “new future television” service, announced that monthly active users (MAU) for ABEMA original programs in April 2026 grew to 149% compared with 2025. (*1 Company research as of May 1, 2026) The major drivers behind the sharp year-on-year growth in monthly viewers for ABEMA original programs were the strong performance of special programming marking ABEMA’s 10th anniversary, including “30-Hour Limit-Breaking Festival,” as well as new original programs such as “Love Hospital.” “30-Hour Limit-Breaking Festival” featured special editions of popular original programs along with numerous bold projects typical of ABEMA. The program aired nonstop over two days, April 11 and 12, presenting a lineup that symbolized ABEMA’s past and future by combining its history with new challenges. Total views of program-related videos, including social media content, surpassed 100 million over the two days. “Love Hospital” is a romance program in which adults who have forgotten love because they are absorbed in work face romance again through a three-day, two-night communal stay. The cast brought together 10 men and women active at the forefront of their respective fields, including former politician Shinji (Shinji Ishimaru, 43) and actor Hideo (Hideo Ishiguro, 37), known for appearances in hit dramas such as “Gokusen” and “Hanzawa Naoki.” The previously unseen personalities of awkward adults, including Shinji, drew significant attention through the lens of a romance documentary. Sequels in ABEMA’s original romance reality show lineup also performed well and contributed to MAU growth. Among them, “Love Power Kingdom 2” is the second season of a romance reality show in which 16 attractive men and women who consider themselves highly popular compete in high-class romantic mind games to determine the No. 1 most popular man and woman. Set in the beautiful island nation of Malta, the show depicts conflicts between the game-like “popularity ranking” system and genuine romance, unfolding a large-scale battle where strategy and love collide. Total social media views of program-related content surpassed 170 million. (*2) Cast members Taiju (Taiju Shiratori) and Mariya (Mariya Nagao), who became a couple during the show, announced that they had entered a serious relationship, prompting many social media reactions such as “Congratulations” and “Wishing you happiness.” (*2 Total views of “Love Power Kingdom 2” related videos posted on ABEMA official social media accounts through Wednesday, May 13) Airing during the same period, “Sayonara Proposal via Australia” is a deeply emotional and love-filled marriage-decision reality show in which couples who remain in relationships but cannot take the step toward marriage travel overseas for seven days and must decide on the final day whether to marry or break up. In this fifth installment, three couples participated, the largest number in the series. The relatable topics around love and marriage that couples confronted in the program repeatedly sparked empathy and debate across social media, especially on X. On Tuesday, April 28, ABEMA also launched a new marriage-hunting reality show, “Clockwork Marriage.” The program features three women who are confident in romance but new to marriage hunting: entrepreneur Ayaka (Ayaka Nakano), who has appeared on a popular marriage-hunting program; active announcer Yuka (Yuka Nishizawa); and model Natsue (Natsue Tokumoto). The show follows these three women, whose work and private lives are already fulfilling, as they attempt to find a marriage partner within a limited 30-day period before a wedding ceremony, choosing from 30 “high-spec men” with average annual incomes exceeding 20 million yen. A post on ABEMA’s official X account about the “reality of marriage hunting in one’s 30s” exceeded 29 million impressions (*3), generating major buzz even before the broadcast. (Post: https://x.com/ABEMA/status/2046871629641515125?s=20) (*3 Company research as of May 7, 2026) As it marks its 10th anniversary, ABEMA will continue striving to produce and operate programs that exceed viewer expectations. While maintaining free broadcasting as its foundation, it will work to create an environment where users can easily enjoy “highest-quality” content anytime and anywhere, further increasing its value as social infrastructure. ABEMA is a video streaming service that marked its 10th anniversary on April 11, 2026, and operates as a “new future television” service aiming to innovate television. Since launch, it has offered internet television that requires no registration and is basically free, broadcasting around 25 channels across diverse genres 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including a 24-hour news channel, original dramas, romance reality shows and variety programs pursuing either “highest quality or uniqueness,” as well as anime and sports. In addition to boasting the No. 1 number of original episodes among Japan-born video services (*), ABEMA offers a rich lineup of notable new films, popular domestic and international dramas, trending anime, sports broadcasts and online live events. Users can enjoy content anytime through television and on-demand viewing, and across smartphones, PCs, tablets and TV devices, ABEMA continues to provide content that fits diverse lifestyles through viewing experiences unconstrained by location. ABEMA Premium, priced at 1,180 yen per month including tax, offers exclusive features and titles, while Ad-supported ABEMA Premium, priced at 680 yen per month including tax, lets users watch ABEMA Premium exclusive content with ads. (* Company research as of March 2026) To commemorate its 10th anniversary, ABEMA will roll out various campaigns throughout the year, including special programs and the “ABEMA 10th Anniversary Free Great Thanksgiving Festival.”