Fuji TV to make all live-action dramas with AI from 2027

TV ad revenue in Japan keeps falling. In fiscal 2025, the five major commercial TV networks spent 365.7 billion yen on programs, down 12% from nine years ago.

Fuji TV plans to use generative AI in all of its live-action dramas from October 2027, making it the first big commercial TV station in Japan to go all-in on AI. The station makes 16 dramas a year and will use Google's image tool Nano Banana. Its new lab, AI Sandbox, will run the tests.

AI is already used in the medical drama Emergency Room 24 Hours. A bleeding surgery scene was made by AI, and an aerial shot of an explosion replaced a helicopter shoot. Compared with traditional visual effects, AI cuts 70% to 80% of the work.

Other stations like TBS and Nippon TV are pushing similar plans, hoping AI can cut costs and keep quality.