SMAP To Receive Formal Offer To Appear On "Kohaku Uta Gassen"
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SMAP will be receiving a formal offer in October from NHK to appear on the network's annual year-end program "Kohaku Uta Gassen".
Daily Sports Online learned of the network's intentions to offer the group a spot on the show on September 21, and published its report on September 22.
News of the network's plans comes after NHK Chairman Katsuhito Momii expressed his desire to bring the group onto the program. The appearance would coincide with the group's final day together before disbanding and would likely boost ratings.
NHK's Executive Director of Broadcasting Yukinori Kida is uncertain that the network will be able to get SMAP to agree to appear on the program. According to Kida, the members currently do not want to do group activities, so getting them on the show will be difficult.
SMAP is the first artist known to be getting an invitation to this year's "Kohaku Uta Gassen". The year-end program is a prestigious institution, and appearing on it is considered an honour. The group has appeared on the program 23 times during its first 24 years together.
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