# 77th Kohaku Uta Gassen broadcast preparations > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/77th-kohaku-uta-gassen-broadcast-preparations > Updated: 2026-10-08T21:46:00.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 2. NHK has released preliminary details and subsequent host announcements for the 77th Kohaku Uta Gassen, the annual New Year’s Eve music program scheduled for December 31, 2026, at NHK Hall in Tokyo. Initial announcements outlined the broadcast schedule across multiple NHK channels and provided information regarding audience applications for live attendance. Following these details, NHK confirmed the program’s hosts as actress Mana Ashida, actor Masato Sakai, entertainer Kazunari Ninomiya, and announcer Naoko Suzuki. The event’s theme was established as ‘Let’s overcome, together with song’ (こえていこう、歌とともに。), intended to use music to foster connection and provide hope during uncertain times. Public interest has centered on the chemistry between Sakai and Ninomiya, who previously starred together in the drama VIVANT. While Ninomiya teased his cooperation with Sakai via social media using lines from the show, observers have noted that NHK’s strict public broadcasting regulations regarding commercialism may limit how much the hosts can reference the popular drama during the live broadcast. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-08: NHK announces hosts for 77th Kohaku Uta Gassen NHK announced Mana Ashida, Masato Sakai, and Kazunari Ninomiya as hosts for the 77th Kohaku Uta Gassen, featuring the theme ‘Let’s go beyond, together with song’. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nhk-announces-hosts-for-77th-kohaku-uta-gassen ### 2026-09-16: NHK announces 77th Kohaku Uta Gassen broadcast details NHK announced the 77th Kohaku Uta Gassen will air on December 31, 2026, at NHK Hall. Audience applications begin October 1, with special registration options for NHK ONE users. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nhk-announces-77th-kohaku-uta-gassen-broadcast-details --- Cite as: 77th Kohaku Uta Gassen broadcast preparations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/77th-kohaku-uta-gassen-broadcast-preparations