[1] On October 11, NHK announced the hosts, who would be Hiroiki Ariyoshi, Kanna Hashimoto, Sairi Ito, and Naoko Suzuki.

The show will be broadcast globally on NHK World Premium, with the exception of both the USA and Canada, which the event exclusively streamed on newly launched Jme [jp], replacing TV Japan following the closure on March 31, 2024.

[2] For the second year in a row, no artists belonging to Starto Entertainment and Smile Up, Inc. (formerly Johnny & Associates) were scheduled to appear on this edition of the Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

The absence of talent from the agency is a consequence of the juvenile sex abuse scandals from Johnny Kitagawa, revealed on November 13, 2023.

On December 19, Kōji Tamaki joined the lineup to perform his song "Kanashimi ni Sayonara", to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his symphonic national tour.