Tokai Television’s New Business Platform Edge Supports Participant SION in Launching Renewed Entertainment Ventures

Edge, a new business creation platform operated by Tokai Television Broadcasting Co., Ltd. headquartered in Higashi-ku, Nagoya, is a corporate new business development program launched in March 2025. Leveraging the strengths of a television station in video production, storytelling, and media marketing, the program offers a six-month practical curriculum centered on more than 150 clearly structured videos. SION Co., Ltd., a participating company in Edge, has further developed and renewed its entertainment business through the program. SION is a television program production company focused mainly on terrestrial television variety shows. It works with broadcasters and streaming platforms on program planning, direction, structure, and production. One of SION’s new entertainment businesses is the planning and production of the music event “Showa 101 Symphonic Kayosai.” The special music experience, built around classic songs and talk segments from the Showa era, will be held on May 30, 2026, at the Ota City Hall Aprico Grand Hall. The stage is set as a “phantom music bar” that quietly opens only once a year at night. Seiya of the comedy duo Shimofuri Myojo will serve as the bar master, welcoming star artists who deeply love Showa-era classics. Through music and conversation, the event will explore the appeal of the Showa era. The event’s biggest highlight is that all songs will be performed in full orchestral arrangements. Many of the classic songs that colored the era will return on a Reiwa-era night with rich and brilliant symphonic sound. Mie, formerly of Pink Lady, will also perform with AKB48 members Yuna Akiyama, Sae Arai, and Mizuki Yamauchi, presenting Pink Lady classics with a live orchestra. Seiya will additionally sing “Okan no LINE” and Showa-era hits, creating a one-night-only stage combining talk and song. Performers include MC Seiya of Shimofuri Myojo, Shigeru Matsuzaki, Mie, AKB48 members Yuna Akiyama, Sae Arai, and Mizuki Yamauchi, Nagisa Aoyama, and others. The event will take place on May 30, 2026, opening at 16:00 and starting at 17:00 at Ota City Hall Aprico Grand Hall. Tickets are assigned seating, priced at 11,000 yen for S seats, 8,800 yen for A seats, and 5,500 yen for B seats, tax included. SION’s second new entertainment business is the launch of a new service called “Talent∞Link.” Drawing on 30 years of television production experience, SION provides comprehensive support for companies using celebrities and talent in their campaigns. The service supports companies from the initial consideration stage through project completion, assigning each company a dedicated partner. Rather than merely assisting with casting, SION joins the project with the same commitment as a member of the client’s team and works together toward results. SION has produced popular long-running television programs such as “Gurunai” and “Dancing! Sanma Palace!!” for more than 30 years. It contacts more than 1,000 talents annually and maintains a strong network with over 500 entertainment agencies. Through daily interaction with managers during program production, SION understands lesser-known personalities, interests, and traits of talent, enabling casting that fits companies and products rather than relying only on name recognition. The four benefits of “Talent∞Link” are casting proposals tailored to budget and conditions, fast negotiations and condition checks, access to a network of more than 500 agencies, and meaningful casting that does not rely solely on fame. The service supports TV commercials, events, social media reels, and other media formats, proposing PR strategies that make use of the talent’s own enthusiasm. Support includes candidate selection, prioritization, fee and schedule negotiations, review of PR video content, checking social media copy, and on-site talent care and agency handling for events. Tokai Television’s Edge is also now accepting a limited number of companies for its summer 2026 plan. Applications run from April 1 to June 30, 2026, with the program scheduled to begin in July 2026. In addition to video content, Edge holds monthly offline networking events and online seminars. Through matching among participating companies and pitch events, it provides a practical environment for new business creation. By bringing together companies from different industries and business stages, Edge forms a community close to real implementation and continuously supports the creation and growth of new businesses. Edge instructors include new business creator Minoru Moriya and Makoto Aou, CEO of LEO Inc. Edge is built together with partners including LEO Inc. and Chili Con Carne Inc., and is designed as a learning platform for business professionals who are serious about commercializing new ventures and creating new value.