Why do japanese tv shows get aired at weird times like 7:57?
1) for more TV CM inserting time (and some good persuasion for the sponsor as special consideration as strategy by the TV station) 2) aiming better rating as a result by such unusual but intentional eye-catching behavior (indecisive people often tend to pay attention on something uncommon to view or set the recorder anyway) 3) self-satisfaction of TV producer oneself 4) No reason to get started at exact time like 00:00 because TV is not sort of clock any longer in this 21th Century now. Original schedule is to be on time at :57 and aired same time sharp, it is no problem for everybody. Scheduled at :00 but aired at :03 or 57 by negligence or machine trouble etc., it would be serious problem in Japan but it never happens anyway.
