April 9, 2000 (2000-04-09) – October 27, 2023 (2023-10-27)
Shounen Club (ザ少年倶楽部, Boys Club) was a Japanese music variety show that airs on NHK BS Premium.[1] The show premiered on NHK BS 2 on April 9, 2000, and ended on October 27, 2023. Worldwide, it airs on NHK World Premium and TV Japan (US) as Pop Music Club[2][3]
It features the juniors of Johnny & Associates. In addition to singing songs and participating in discussions, there is a segment that brings out the personality of the performers, such as quizzes.
On October 12, 2023, NHK announced that it would end broadcasting the Shounen Club program after 23 years on air in response to cases of sexual harassment committed by the agency's founder, Johnny Kitagawa. [4] Instead, On November 15, a new program was announced entitled "New Gene!" which features the next generation of idols, artists and performers who dream of becoming future stars.[5] Scheduled to be broadcast on January 19, 2024 on NHK BS Premium 4K and January 26 on NHK BS Premium.[6]
April 23, 2006 (2006-04-23) – October 20, 2023 (2023-10-20)
Shounen Club Premium (ザ少年倶楽部プレミアム) was a Japanese music variety show hosted by NEWS and broadcast on NHK BS Premium.[7] The hour-long show premiered on April 23, 2006.[8] This program ends on October 20, 2023, as "Shounen Club" stops broadcasting. On November 24, a new program entitled "Premise" aired with King & Prince appointed as hosts.[9]