ABEMA Original Romance Reality Shows See 108% YoY Growth in Monthly Viewers in May 2026, with a Significant 130% Increase Among Women Aged 25-34
Key facts
- ABEMA Original Romance Reality Shows See 108% YoY Growth in Monthly Viewers in May 2026, with a Significant 130% Increase Among Women Aged 25-34
- ABEMA announced that its original romance reality shows saw a 108% year-on-year increase in monthly viewers in May 2026, with a notable 130% surge among women aged 25-34. This growth is attributed to the popularity of shows like 'Sayonara Proposal via Australia' and 'Tokei Jikake no Marriage,' which resonated with the 'around 30' demographic interested in marriage and matchmaking.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: June 12, 2026
Direct answer
ABEMA announced that its original romance reality shows saw a 108% year-on-year increase in monthly viewers in May 2026, with a notable 130% surge among women aged 25-34. This growth is attributed to the popularity of shows like 'Sayonara Proposal via Australia' and 'Tokei Jikake no Marriage,' which resonated with the 'around 30' demographic interested in marriage and matchmaking.
- Citation
- ABEMA Original Romance Reality Shows See 108% YoY Growth in Monthly Viewers in May 2026, with a Significant 130% Increase Among Women Aged 25-34 (June 12, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- June 12, 2026
ABEMA announced that its original romance reality shows saw a 108% year-on-year increase in monthly viewers in May 2026, with a notable 130% surge among women aged 25-34. This growth is attributed to the popularity of shows like 'Sayonara Proposal via Australia' and 'Tokei Jikake no Marriage,' which resonated with the 'around 30' demographic interested in marriage and matchmaking.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 12, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: June 12, 2026 at 11:21
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 12, 2026 at 16:52 (5h 31m after Collected)
ABEMA, the "new future TV," is pleased to announce that its original romance reality shows achieved a 108% year-on-year increase in monthly viewers in May 2026. Notably, viewership among women aged 25 to 34 saw a significant increase of 130%. (※1)
(※1) Self-researched as of June 2026.
The substantial growth in monthly viewers for ABEMA's original romance reality shows, particularly among the 25-34 age group, is attributed to the strong performance of "Sayonara Proposal via Australia" and "Tokei Jikake no Marriage." These programs, centered around the theme of "marriage and matchmaking," have generated significant buzz on social media, especially among the "around 30" demographic (ages 25-34).
"Sayonara Proposal via Australia," which began airing on Thursday, March 5th, is a marriage-decision reality program where couples who are dating but hesitant to marry must make a definitive choice between "marriage" or "breakup" after a 7-day overseas trip. This fifth season of the series features three couples participating against the backdrop of Australia's magnificent nature and liberating atmosphere. The couples include Naoki (29, an IT company employee who seeks independence in his partner) and Rino (28, who wishes to be a full-time housewife in the future); Kenshi (39, a company owner who has experienced two divorces and lost the desire to marry) and Sachie (31, who can no longer trust him due to past actions); and Yuuki (30, hesitant to marry) and Luna (29, who wants to marry by age 30). These three couples challenged the ultimate decision of "marriage" or "breakup." The show sparked widespread discussion about each couple's values and true feelings, with many reactions on social media such as "It's too real" and "The couple's issues are raw." Related keywords trended on X for three consecutive weeks during the broadcast period (※2), gathering significant attention primarily from women in their 20s and 30s. The final episode, aired on Thursday, May 7th, focused on the outcomes for each couple, captivating viewers until the very end. All episodes are currently available for streaming on "ABEMA."
(※2) Self-researched as of May 2026.
"Tokei Jikake no Marriage," which started airing on Tuesday, April 28th, is a new matchmaking reality show. It follows three women who are confident in love but new to matchmaking, as they race against the clock to find a marriage partner before their wedding day, scheduled in 30 days, in a "limited-time matchmaking program." Ayaka (Ayaka Nakano), a businesswoman with experience on popular matchmaking shows; Yuka (Yuka Nishizawa), a current announcer; and Natsue (Natsue Tokumoto), a model, all of whom have fulfilling careers and private lives, select one man they wish to meet from a pool of 30 "high-spec men" with an average annual income exceeding 20 million yen, relying on limited information such as income and age rankings. After dating the selected man, they repeatedly face ultimate decisions daily towards their wedding day: "cohabitation" to deepen the relationship, or "breaking off the engagement" to choose another man.
Prior to the show's broadcast, a post on ABEMA's official X account about "the reality of matchmaking for those in their 30s" garnered over 26 million impressions (※3), generating significant buzz. Furthermore, the total playback count of related SNS videos from episodes 1 to 5 exceeded 50 million (※4), with many women expressing empathy, stating "It's educational," "It really hits home," and "It's my weekly enjoyment." The final episode will be broadcast for free on Tuesday, June 16th, at 10 PM.
(※3) Relevant X post: https://x.com/ABEMA/status/2046871629641515125?s=20
(※3.4) Self-researched as of May 2026.
ABEMA offers a variety of other romance reality shows. Starting Sunday, June 14th, at 9 PM, the matchmaking reality show "Girl or Lady 3" will begin airing. This latest installment of the popular series features a serious matchmaking battle between 20-something "girls" and 30-something "ladies," where honest opinions and values about marriage, such as "What's the difference between 'dating' and 'marriage'?'" and "Face, income, personality... what's the most important condition for marriage?" are openly discussed. Participants include a popular YouTuber with 4 million total followers (※1), members with prior experience on romance reality shows, and a cosmetic surgery clinic owner who has publicly disclosed 10 million yen in procedures, among other unique individuals. Viewers can look forward to seeing who will find their destined partner after 14 intense days of facing, choosing, and being chosen in their pursuit of marriage and their own lives.
ABEMA, celebrating its 10th anniversary, will continue to strive for program production and operation that exceeds viewer expectations. While maintaining its foundation of free broadcasting, ABEMA aims to create an environment where viewers can easily enjoy "highest quality" content anytime, anywhere, thereby enhancing its value as social infrastructure.
■ "Sayonara Proposal via Australia"
https://abema.tv/video/title/90-1303?s=90-1303_s5
■ "Tokei Jikake no Marriage"
https://abema.tv/video/title/90-2058
■ "Girl or Lady 3"
https://abema.tv/video/title/90-1849?s=90-1849_s3&eg=90-1849_eg99
*When using thumbnail images, please include the credit: (C) AbemaTV, Inc.
■ About ABEMA
ABEMA, which celebrated its 10th anniversary on April 11, 2026, is a video distribution service aiming for television innovation and operating as the "new future TV." Since its launch, it has been an internet television service that can be enjoyed without registration and is basically free, offering 24-hour programming on news channels, original dramas and romance reality shows pursuing "highest quality or uniqueness," variety shows, anime, sports, and approximately 25 channels across diverse genres, broadcasting 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
In addition to boasting the No. 1 number of original episodes among domestic video services in Japan (※), ABEMA offers a rich lineup of new movies, popular domestic and international dramas, and trending anime, as well as live sports broadcasts and online concerts. Viewers can enjoy content anytime, unbound by time, whether on TV or on-demand. Through a viewing experience that is not restricted by location on smartphones, PCs, tablets, and TV devices, ABEMA continues to provide content that aligns with diverse lifestyles.
Furthermore, "ABEMA Premium" offers exclusive features and content for 1,180 yen (tax included) per month, and "ABEMA Premium with Ads" allows viewing of "ABEMA Premium" exclusive content with ads for 680 yen (tax included) per month.
(※) Self-researched as of March 2026.
Please check official social media for the latest information.
Free video
Keywords:
(※1) Self-researched as of June 2026.
The substantial growth in monthly viewers for ABEMA's original romance reality shows, particularly among the 25-34 age group, is attributed to the strong performance of "Sayonara Proposal via Australia" and "Tokei Jikake no Marriage." These programs, centered around the theme of "marriage and matchmaking," have generated significant buzz on social media, especially among the "around 30" demographic (ages 25-34).
"Sayonara Proposal via Australia," which began airing on Thursday, March 5th, is a marriage-decision reality program where couples who are dating but hesitant to marry must make a definitive choice between "marriage" or "breakup" after a 7-day overseas trip. This fifth season of the series features three couples participating against the backdrop of Australia's magnificent nature and liberating atmosphere. The couples include Naoki (29, an IT company employee who seeks independence in his partner) and Rino (28, who wishes to be a full-time housewife in the future); Kenshi (39, a company owner who has experienced two divorces and lost the desire to marry) and Sachie (31, who can no longer trust him due to past actions); and Yuuki (30, hesitant to marry) and Luna (29, who wants to marry by age 30). These three couples challenged the ultimate decision of "marriage" or "breakup." The show sparked widespread discussion about each couple's values and true feelings, with many reactions on social media such as "It's too real" and "The couple's issues are raw." Related keywords trended on X for three consecutive weeks during the broadcast period (※2), gathering significant attention primarily from women in their 20s and 30s. The final episode, aired on Thursday, May 7th, focused on the outcomes for each couple, captivating viewers until the very end. All episodes are currently available for streaming on "ABEMA."
(※2) Self-researched as of May 2026.
"Tokei Jikake no Marriage," which started airing on Tuesday, April 28th, is a new matchmaking reality show. It follows three women who are confident in love but new to matchmaking, as they race against the clock to find a marriage partner before their wedding day, scheduled in 30 days, in a "limited-time matchmaking program." Ayaka (Ayaka Nakano), a businesswoman with experience on popular matchmaking shows; Yuka (Yuka Nishizawa), a current announcer; and Natsue (Natsue Tokumoto), a model, all of whom have fulfilling careers and private lives, select one man they wish to meet from a pool of 30 "high-spec men" with an average annual income exceeding 20 million yen, relying on limited information such as income and age rankings. After dating the selected man, they repeatedly face ultimate decisions daily towards their wedding day: "cohabitation" to deepen the relationship, or "breaking off the engagement" to choose another man.
Prior to the show's broadcast, a post on ABEMA's official X account about "the reality of matchmaking for those in their 30s" garnered over 26 million impressions (※3), generating significant buzz. Furthermore, the total playback count of related SNS videos from episodes 1 to 5 exceeded 50 million (※4), with many women expressing empathy, stating "It's educational," "It really hits home," and "It's my weekly enjoyment." The final episode will be broadcast for free on Tuesday, June 16th, at 10 PM.
(※3) Relevant X post: https://x.com/ABEMA/status/2046871629641515125?s=20
(※3.4) Self-researched as of May 2026.
ABEMA offers a variety of other romance reality shows. Starting Sunday, June 14th, at 9 PM, the matchmaking reality show "Girl or Lady 3" will begin airing. This latest installment of the popular series features a serious matchmaking battle between 20-something "girls" and 30-something "ladies," where honest opinions and values about marriage, such as "What's the difference between 'dating' and 'marriage'?'" and "Face, income, personality... what's the most important condition for marriage?" are openly discussed. Participants include a popular YouTuber with 4 million total followers (※1), members with prior experience on romance reality shows, and a cosmetic surgery clinic owner who has publicly disclosed 10 million yen in procedures, among other unique individuals. Viewers can look forward to seeing who will find their destined partner after 14 intense days of facing, choosing, and being chosen in their pursuit of marriage and their own lives.
ABEMA, celebrating its 10th anniversary, will continue to strive for program production and operation that exceeds viewer expectations. While maintaining its foundation of free broadcasting, ABEMA aims to create an environment where viewers can easily enjoy "highest quality" content anytime, anywhere, thereby enhancing its value as social infrastructure.
■ "Sayonara Proposal via Australia"
https://abema.tv/video/title/90-1303?s=90-1303_s5
■ "Tokei Jikake no Marriage"
https://abema.tv/video/title/90-2058
■ "Girl or Lady 3"
https://abema.tv/video/title/90-1849?s=90-1849_s3&eg=90-1849_eg99
*When using thumbnail images, please include the credit: (C) AbemaTV, Inc.
■ About ABEMA
ABEMA, which celebrated its 10th anniversary on April 11, 2026, is a video distribution service aiming for television innovation and operating as the "new future TV." Since its launch, it has been an internet television service that can be enjoyed without registration and is basically free, offering 24-hour programming on news channels, original dramas and romance reality shows pursuing "highest quality or uniqueness," variety shows, anime, sports, and approximately 25 channels across diverse genres, broadcasting 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
In addition to boasting the No. 1 number of original episodes among domestic video services in Japan (※), ABEMA offers a rich lineup of new movies, popular domestic and international dramas, and trending anime, as well as live sports broadcasts and online concerts. Viewers can enjoy content anytime, unbound by time, whether on TV or on-demand. Through a viewing experience that is not restricted by location on smartphones, PCs, tablets, and TV devices, ABEMA continues to provide content that aligns with diverse lifestyles.
Furthermore, "ABEMA Premium" offers exclusive features and content for 1,180 yen (tax included) per month, and "ABEMA Premium with Ads" allows viewing of "ABEMA Premium" exclusive content with ads for 680 yen (tax included) per month.
(※) Self-researched as of March 2026.
Please check official social media for the latest information.
Free video
Keywords:
FAQ
What are the reasons for the popularity of ABEMA's romance reality shows?
The contemporary theme of "marriage and matchmaking" and the realistic portrayal of human relationships and values resonate particularly with women in their 20s and 30s. Buzz on social media also contributes to increased viewership.
What is the most notable change in the viewer demographic growth?
There has been a significant increase in viewers aged 25-34, especially women, driving the overall growth. This indicates the success of content tailored to the target audience's needs.
What is the appeal of the "Sayonara Proposal" series?
Its appeal lies in the realistic depiction of couples facing ultimate decisions about marriage, prompting viewers to reflect on their own values and true feelings. The Australian setting also enhances its topicality.
Which viewer demographic does "Tokei Jikake no Marriage" appeal to?
It resonates with women struggling with matchmaking and those considering marriage. The process of meeting high-spec men within a limited time and developing relationships is seen as "educational" and "relatable."
What are ABEMA's future content plans?
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, ABEMA will continue to provide high-quality content based on free broadcasting. It plans to expand beyond romance reality shows into diverse genres, aiming to enhance its value as social infrastructure.