TV Asahi's president Hayakawa Hiroshi (67) indicated heavy revenue loss in a meeting on the 29th. The loss was due to specialized disaster coverage after the earthquake, in which they didn't air any commercials for about 74 hours. The company is estimated to have lost just under 2 billion yen (approximately $24 million USD).

"We don't have the final total yet, but it seems as though the second half will total around 1 billion yen (about $12 million USD). But in the case of an earthquake, the TV station has an obligation to report on disaster prevention and ways to minimize the damage," said the company president. As for switching over completely from public service commercials sponsored by AC Japan to the regular commercial schedule, he stated that "It will probably still take some time."

In addition, journalist Ikegami Akira (60)'s show "Sou datta no ka! Ikegami Akira no Manaberu News", which has been on hiatus from television and radio for much of March, is in the middle of� broadcasting 4 weekly 3-hour specials, but on April 13th, Ikegami is also planned to appear on a live disaster special.

Source: Yomiuri