BIS F25: Jan 25-26, 2025

[rabidline]

And with those upper category ticket prices, they might make enough profit to upgrade the production in coming years (unless this money is used elsewhere to further promote tourism in the region).

Merchandise is usually sold at a multiple of the production costs and it helps advertising the show, so it's a plus to offer it.

Merchandise also needs production costs to make, so not offering it means less financial burden for the producing team. I think it fits this type of project more- they're government subsidized, so every cost decision has to be justifiable. And they are trying to get mutual benefit: the Fukuoka government gets a local attraction that's culturally relevant, and skaters get to reach out to more first-time ice show watchers with the more affordable tickets aside from their usual dedicated fans. So it's more financially responsible not to commit to too much merchandise production, especially since audience can take videos and photos to remember the show.

The survey given to the audience of the ice show is more about Fukuoka than the show itself: "Did you stay overnight to see the show?" "How much did you spend on travel expenses?" so I think it's very much a Tourism Agency project. A fan who went last year said that this year's version is more skating-centered, while the 2024 version was more like "first half skating, second half singers' concert" so I think that is already a development

 

[synesthesia]

Merchandise also needs production costs to make, so not offering it means less financial burden for the producing team. I think it fits this type of project more- they're government subsidized, so every cost decision has to be justifiable. And they are trying to get mutual benefit: the Fukuoka government gets a local attraction that's culturally relevant, and skaters get to reach out to more first-time ice show watchers with the more affordable tickets aside from their usual dedicated fans. So it's more financially responsible not to commit to too much merchandise production, especially since audience can take videos and photos to remember the show.

Oh, I think you misunderstood me, or rather, I probably didn't express myself clearly enough :

"Merchandise is usually sold at a multiple of the production costs", should read “Merchandise is usually sold at a multiple of its own production costs”, and therefore is not a burden, but contributes to increasing the revenue.

 

[Anna K.]

Ah, that’s weird. I also somehow cannot embed the vid as usual, but it’s there when I clicked on it.

For some reason, this video on X had a "sensitive content" warning. I had to click the "show" button to see it. Maybe that's the key?

Anyway, I clicked the button, saw the video, and liked it Thanks for posting!

ETA: Maybe it's labelled as "sensitive content"because of Dragon Ball Z theme song

 

[Anna K.]

Ah also to those who are keeping notes on the budget and profit, this show didn't sell any merchandise. Not even a program book (which is usually the staple of all ice shows). So there is no costs for merchandise production, and I think it fits with how the show is a "Japan Tourism Agency Special Experience Program" .

Oh, I do. If possible, I do keep notes on budget and profit with trembling heart because, if budget and profit goes wrong, it means that no more shows will be there the other day.
No merchandise is normally a bad sign but in this particular case, I wonder if it was some kind of a market research project for Japan Tourism agency?

Some time has passed by now. Has there surfaced any data about how much the show grossed? Tbh I wonder if they sold any of those super-expensive VIP tickets I'm also curious about the actual travelling data.