Video Stream -

[Asojima 2,874]

Several questions have been raised regarding the availability of the NSK video stream for the Aki basho. At this point, the answer to all of those questions is "We don't know!".

In the past, the NSK goo.ne.jp website provided a generic link to the stream which, in turn, provided us with the reflector IDs for each basho. On the first of August, the old website was replaced by a new NSK homepage which resulted in the loss of our trusty link to the stream. We are hoping that the streaming will continue and that a new link will appear on the new NSK homepage on or about day 1 of the Aki basho. There is a "possible" placeholder for the link on the Japanese side of the new homepage that we are watching.

Hopefully, we will continue to have the free, full day streaming coverage that has been available since the yaocho scandal. We could revert to sekitori only coverage or go to some kind of subscription (niconico) service. We will have to wait to see what develops on or before senshuraku.

Insights and observations are welcome.

Edit: The resolution

Edited September 18, 2013 by Asojima

[torquato 1,075]

Someone should write an inquiry to the NSK and simply ask.

[Benevolance 2,534]

I do hope that they continue the full coverage. I had looked into getting NHK coverage in Vancouver here, and it requires a full cable package before buying the NHK channel as a specialty option, and the whole setup would run about $120 a month...

[Asojima 2,874]

I do hope that they continue the full coverage. I had looked into getting NHK coverage in Vancouver here, and it requires a full cable package before buying the NHK channel as a specialty option, and the whole setup would run about $120 a month...

You are referring to the NHK TV broadcast provided via TVJapan that shows only the makuuchi division. The stream we are referring to here is the free internet stream provided by the NSK which shows all divisions. You may be able to save some money by activating TVJapan for only the 15 day basho period. My provider would prorate the monthly charge.

[yorikiried by fate 2,038]

and the whole setup would run about $120 a month...

And the industries are wondering why people are pirating content...

[yorikiried by fate 2,038]

and the whole setup would run about $120 a month...

And the industries are wondering why people are pirating content...

Then again, people are obviously also prepared to spend 40+ Euro/month in order to be able to check if someone likes their newest cat pics while on a bus. I'm wondering when I will start to "get" mobile internet...

[Doitsuyama 1,259]

and the whole setup would run about $120 a month...

And the industries are wondering why people are pirating content...

Then again, people are obviously also prepared to spend 40+ Euro/month in order to be able to check if someone likes their newest cat pics while on a bus. I'm wondering when I will start to "get" mobile internet...

Not sure in which time you are living. It must be after invention of mobile internet but for sure it's not anything close to 2013. I am paying a LOT less then that.

[yorikiried by fate 2,038]

Then I'm misinformed (which is a habit). If I ever decide to consider using a internet-browsing-capable phone (it's tough to avoid the S-word) worthwhile, I will come back to you for contract scheme suggestions, right?

[ALAKTORN 346]

Araibira linked a “contact us” page in his latest vid: http://www.sumo.or.jp/guide/inquiry/input

Someone who speaks Japanese fluently could try asking about the stream.

[Kintamayama 47,179]

I'm sure the Kyokai site will let us know in advance. No need to panic.

Yet.

[Benevolance 2,534]

You are referring to the NHK TV broadcast provided via TVJapan that shows only the makuuchi division. The stream we are referring to here is the free internet stream provided by the NSK which shows all divisions. You may be able to save some money by activating TVJapan for only the 15 day basho period. My provider would prorate the monthly charge.

I was just looking into options in case NSK didn't do the live stream again. I wasn't aware of TV Japan, but that looks like a better option than NHK. My wife and I don't have cable, so we need to spring for a regular cable package first, then add the extras...

But I'm not going without my sumo!

[krindel 688]

You are referring to the NHK TV broadcast provided via TVJapan that shows only the makuuchi division. The stream we are referring to here is the free internet stream provided by the NSK which shows all divisions. You may be able to save some money by activating TVJapan for only the 15 day basho period. My provider would prorate the monthly charge.

I was just looking into options in case NSK didn't do the live stream again. I wasn't aware of TV Japan, but that looks like a better option than NHK. My wife and I don't have cable, so we need to spring for a regular cable package first, then add the extras...

But I'm not going without my sumo!

I really, really wish NHK and NSK could come to some sort of arrangement to offer a proper Sumo Pay-per-View of the NHK broadcast, at least overseas... Its technically very easy, and could basically be free money (no matter if they believe overseas markets for sumo are small). At the very least it would definitely be a self-funding promotional venture.

Of course that doesn't mean that the (extremely cheap to produce by sports standards) one-camera / no-replay / no-comments web stream of all categories should be discontinued, I think that would be a REALLY bad idea. If they really are at that point of financial desperation where they can't afford even that, I am sure a few ads would solve the problem.

[Harry 67]

I used to get TVJapan when the NSK free stream was at such a low resolution that I couldn't tell the rikishi apart and I didn't know who won except by listening for the name and kimarite afterward so it was practically a radio programme for me. The NHK live coverage was good and the digests were useful too several times a day. The commentary was interesting, both in Japanese which I prefer and at times the English Secondary Audio Program even worked (not always). But it is expensive, $25/month or so here though sometimes there is a deal for a few months. Cancelling it for half the months of the year is annoying so when the better stream came out and I got bored of watching the Taiga Dramas etc. I cancelled it. Haven't renewed it since since but if there is no free feed or youtube copies then I may need to consider it. Hopefully the NSK can come up with something. Would be great if the NHK would live stream it or Nico Nico Douga would be good as long as it isn't region locked.

[Asashosakari 20,223]

This thread confuses me. During the 10 years they did the web stuff for the Kyokai, Goo has never had anything to do with providing the video stream. The fuzzy version was streamed from the Kyokai's own servers, and the HQ version of the last couple of years has been contracted out to Akamai who specialize in these things.

[Bugman 384]

I'm sure the Kyokai site will let us know in advance. No need to panic.

Yet.

I'm worried already :(

[Pandaazuma 1,310]

I wrote to the contact address posted earlier in this thread but discovered after asking that they don't reply personally. I assume if they get enough requests they'll post the info on the site. It's a very useful service - even for me, a resident of Japan.

[Bugman 384]

Is there any news on this guys, do you think we'l be able to watch the basho on one of the kyokai's live streams?

[Asojima 2,874]

Is there any news on this guys, do you think we'l be able to watch the basho on one of the kyokai's live streams?

Nothing yet. I would put money that it will be available and that NSK will post a link to it on or before Day 1. Just a wait and see game.

[Bugman 384]

Is there any news on this guys, do you think we'l be able to watch the basho on one of the kyokai's live streams?

Nothing yet. I would put money that it will be available and that NSK will post a link to it on or before Day 1. Just a wait and see game.

Thank you Asojima, fingers crossed.

[Kuroyama 715]

There is what is clearly a placeholder for the new link here: http://www.sumo.or.jp/en/honbasho/index Right now it's just a JPEG with an "off the air" graphic in it, but I can't imagine the link won't appear there at the correct time.

I'd also be a little surprised if the old Akamai links don't work. They weren't directly associated with the old website, and there's no need to take down existing infrastructure.

Edited September 14, 2013 by Kuroyama

[Asojima 2,874]

There is what is clearly a placeholder for the new link here: http://www.sumo.or.jp/en/honbasho/index

We noticed this probable placeholder just after the new site came up. The new generic URL should show up there and that URL will, in turn, provide the links containing the Aki basho Akamai reflector ID's. That is the theory. We are waiting to see how it works out. Edited September 14, 2013 by Asojima

[Akinomaki 41,745]

There will be some entertainer reporting live about the basho on niconico, starting at 8 a. m. JST. Apparently without images of sumo, I guess only the guy with his headset like something similar about the zenya-sai today, I only had a glimpse of it. In any case I reserved it for later view to check what it is. Anybody can tune in live.

http://live.nicovideo.jp/gate/lv152381609

On the page only the obsolete old NSK page for the link to the stream is given, his blog lists the Haru basho: those guys also know nothing yet.

[Yubinhaad 11,958]

Ustream is the new home of the video stream. Whether it will be all divisions as before or not, we'll find out soon enough.

[Akinomaki 41,745]

In case they do it like the wanpaku sumo broadcast, it may even remain on the site.

Edited September 14, 2013 by Akinomaki

[Asashosakari 20,223]

I have the sinking feeling they won't have the archiving feature enabled.