# The 21 most-watched editions of NHK's Kōhaku Uta Gassen

NHK's New Year's Eve song contest Kōhaku Uta Gassen, ranked by TV rating: Video Research household ratings for the Kantō region, which go back to the 13th edition in 1962. The record is the 14th edition in 1963, with 81.4%. Every edition in the top 21 dates from the 1960s to the 1980s, when the show was broadcast in one part; since it was split into two parts in 1989, the second half has peaked at 57.2% (1998).

- 113 votes · 21 items
- Aug 23, 2025 · 高橋 誠
- https://even.best/en/l/5478/the-21-most-watched-editions-of-nhk-s-kohaku-uta-gassen

## Top 21

1. **14th Kōhaku Uta Gassen (1963)** (15 · ▲16 ▼1) — Household rating: 81.4% (Video Research, Kantō region). Also known as the highest rating ever recorded by Video Research for any programme.
2. **13th Kōhaku Uta Gassen (1962)** (14 · ▲14 ▼0) — Household rating: 80.4% (Video Research, Kantō region).
3. **23rd Kōhaku Uta Gassen (1972)** (7 · ▲8 ▼1) — Household rating: 80.6% (Video Research, Kantō region).
4. **31st Kōhaku Uta Gassen (1980)** (7 · ▲7 ▼0) — Household rating: 71.1% (Video Research, Kantō region).
5. **24th Kōhaku Uta Gassen (1973)** (6 · ▲6 ▼0) — Household rating: 75.8% (Video Research, Kantō region).
6. **16th Kōhaku Uta Gassen (1965)** (5 · ▲6 ▼1) — Household rating: 78.1% (Video Research, Kantō region).
7. **22nd Kōhaku Uta Gassen (1971)** (5 · ▲6 ▼1) — Household rating: 78.1% (Video Research, Kantō region).
8. **35th Kōhaku Uta Gassen (1984)** (5 · ▲5 ▼0) — Household rating: 78.1% (Video Research, Kantō region). The edition with Harumi Miyako's farewell performance before her retirement.
9. **15th Kōhaku Uta Gassen (1964)** (5 · ▲5 ▼0) — Household rating: 72.0% (Video Research, Kantō region).
10. **21st Kōhaku Uta Gassen (1970)** (4 · ▲5 ▼1) — Household rating: 77.0% (Video Research, Kantō region).
11. **28th Kōhaku Uta Gassen (1977)** (4 · ▲4 ▼0) — Household rating: 77.0% (Video Research, Kantō region).
12. **30th Kōhaku Uta Gassen (1979)** (4 · ▲4 ▼0) — Household rating: 77.0% (Video Research, Kantō region).
13. **19th Kōhaku Uta Gassen (1968)** (3 · ▲3 ▼0) — Household rating: 76.9% (Video Research, Kantō region).
14. **25th Kōhaku Uta Gassen (1974)** (3 · ▲3 ▼0) — Household rating: 74.8% (Video Research, Kantō region).
15. **29th Kōhaku Uta Gassen (1978)** (3 · ▲3 ▼0) — Household rating: 72.2% (Video Research, Kantō region).
16. **27th Kōhaku Uta Gassen (1976)** (1 · ▲2 ▼1) — Household rating: 74.6% (Video Research, Kantō region).
17. **34th Kōhaku Uta Gassen (1983)** (1 · ▲2 ▼1) — Household rating: 74.2% (Video Research, Kantō region).
18. **26th Kōhaku Uta Gassen (1975)** (1 · ▲2 ▼1) — Household rating: 72.0% (Video Research, Kantō region).
19. **17th Kōhaku Uta Gassen (1966)** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Household rating: 74.0% (Video Research, Kantō region).
20. **32nd Kōhaku Uta Gassen (1981)** (0 · ▲1 ▼1) — Household rating: 74.9% (Video Research, Kantō region).
21. **18th Kōhaku Uta Gassen (1967)** (-1 · ▲0 ▼1) — Household rating: 76.7% (Video Research, Kantō region).

How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.