Fuji TV's Music Show 'STAR' Struggles with Declining Ratings Despite Popular Host Uegami

Fuji TV's new music variety program 'STAR' has faced significant challenges since its launch on April 1, 2026, with viewership steadily declining over its seven-week run. The show began with a household rating of 3.7% and an individual rating of 2.4%, but by its June 4 episode, the individual rating had plummeted to 1.4%, marking a historic low. The core demographic rating (ages 13-49) fell to 1.3% for the same episode.

The program was launched with considerable fanfare, featuring Takataro Uegami, a popular announcer known for his distinctive personality, as the main host. The production involved experienced teams from Fuji TV, including the music variety team behind special programs like the 'FNS Kayou Festival' and the information programming team from the morning show 'Mezamashi TV.' However, reports suggest a lack of coordination between these teams may be contributing to the show's struggles.

While Uegami himself has received mostly positive reception from viewers, critics have pointed to broader production issues as the primary problem. Social media commentary indicates viewers are tuning in selectively to watch their preferred artists rather than watching the program in full. Online discussions have drawn comparisons to other unsuccessful music programs and suggested that while Uegami maintains popularity among older demographics, the show has failed to engage younger audiences. Industry observers note that while the show's quality may be affected by its declining traditional broadcast ratings, alternative viewing metrics such as recorded playback and streaming platform numbers on 'TVer' provide a more complete picture of actual viewership.