Netflix Will Live-Stream Starto Countdown Concert
The 30th anniversary concert will reach a global audience on December 31, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Variety
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Netflix will broadcast the Countdown Concert 2026-2027 Starto to an international audience on December 31, 2026. This broadcast marks the first worldwide simultaneous live stream of a Japanese year-end countdown concert on the platform.
Why it matters
The event commemorates the 30th anniversary of a series that began in 1996 as a charity effort for Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake recovery. By moving to Netflix, the concert expands its reach beyond its traditional Japanese base to a global stage.
The concert celebrates its 30th anniversary since beginning as a 1996 charity event. This broadcast represents the first time a Japan-originated music event has been live-streamed worldwide on Netflix.
The players
Netflix
Netflix is a global streaming service that provides an extensive library of films and television series to subscribers worldwide.
Starto Entertainment
Starto Entertainment is a Japanese talent agency that manages a roster of prominent performers and artists.
The details
Netflix and Starto Entertainment will produce a pre-show and a behind-the-scenes program to accompany the live concert. The behind-the-scenes content is scheduled for release in late January 2027.
Timeline
The concert series began as a charity event in 1996.
The Countdown Concert 2026-2027 occurs on December 31, 2026.
A behind-the-scenes program will be released in late January 2027.
Industry Dynamics
The move to global streaming marks a major evolution from the 1996 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake recovery charity concert, which was originally localized to support regional disaster relief. This shift highlights a growing trend of Japanese entertainment entities leveraging global platforms to reach international demographics.
International viewers will be able to access the concert simultaneously for the first time via their existing Netflix subscription. The addition of supplemental pre-show and behind-the-scenes footage provides viewers with an expanded digital experience beyond the main event.
The takeaway
This partnership demonstrates how legacy annual events are modernizing their distribution to accommodate a globalized fan base. Fans should look for future announcements regarding the specific streaming schedule and participating artist lineup.
Further reading
For more on the changing landscape of global music events, visit the Variety section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Advanced-television.
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