N.E.W.S

NEWS is a J-pop group from Johnny & Associates, which also produced groups such as SMAP, TOKIO, V6, KinKi Kids, Arashi, KAT-TUN and Tackey & Tsubasa.

History
In September 2003, nine Johnny's Juniors were picked to form NEWS. The name NEWS was derived from the four global directions North, East, West and South.
On November 7, 2003, their first single was released, NEWS Nippon. This was a limited release, available only at 7-11 stores (corresponding to the release date of Nov 7) as the 2003 volleyball championship's official song.
In December 2003, Takahiro Moriuchi (森内貴寛) left NEWS and Johnny's Entertainment, leaving the current eight members.
May 12, 2004, was the release of their major debut single, Kibou ~Yell~. It ranked in at #1 on the Oricon Charts.
All of their singles have gone number 1 since their debut, the only ones to do so other than KinKi Kids and KAT-TUN.
In May 2006, NEWS was suspended for the rest of the year due to temporary suspension of 2 members for under age drinking of alcohol (Hiroki Uchi in July 2005 & Hironori Kusano in January 2006). Members that were not related to the scandals were allowed to carry on with their solo activities, but no group activities would be carried on during this period until further notice.
On December 31, 2006, NEWS returned as a 6 member group. Hiroki Uchi and Hironori Kusano also return but in the demoted position of "trainees".
NEWS's new single after their hiatus,Hoshi wo Mezashite, ranked #1 on the Oricon charts and became their second highest single after Kibou Yell.

Members
Tomohisa Yamashita (山下 智久, Yamashita Tomohisa?), usually referred to as "Tomo-kun, Yamapi, Pi-chan, Pi or Yamashita-kun" born April 9, 1985
Ryo Nishikido (錦戸亮, Nishikido Ryō?), usually referred to as "Ryo, Ryo-chan, Ryotan,Nishikido-kun, or Dokkun (by Yokoyama Yu) born November 3, 1984
Keiichiro Koyama (小山 慶一郎, Koyama Keiichirō?), usually referred to as "Koyama, Kei-chan, Koyama-kun" born May 1, 1984
Takahisa Masuda |増田 貴久|Masuda Takahisa}}, usually referred to as "Massu, Bu-chan, Masuda-kun" born July 4, 1986
Shigeaki Kato (加藤 成亮, Katō Shigeaki?), usually referred to as "Shigeaki, Shige, Kato-kun, Geshi" born July 11, 1987
Yuya Tegoshi (手越 祐也, Tegoshi Yuya?), usually referred to as "Tegoshi, Tegorin, Tesshi, Tego-nyan, Tegoshi-kun" born November 11, 1987

Trainees
Hiroki Uchi (内博貴, Uchi Hiroki?), usually referred to as "Hiro, Uchi or Uchi-kun," or some random name by best friend, Ryo, born September 10, 1986
Hironori Kusano (草野 博紀, Kusano Hironori?), usually referred to as "Kusano, Notti or Kusano-kun, Hiro" born February 15, 1988
While there is no indication at present that they will be rejoining NEWS, Uchi and Kusano will be performing in the 2007 Shounentai PLAYZONE.


Album
1st Touch
Released: April 27, 2005
Oricon Top 200 Weekly Peak: #1
RIAJ Certification: Platinum
271,745

Singles
1st NEWS Nippon (NEWSニッポン)
Released: November 7, 2003
Promotional Single
Only sold in 7/11 Stores
Limited Edition: 500,000 copies
Unknown NewS

2nd Kibou ~Yell~ (希望～Yell～)
Official Debut
Released: May 12, 2004
Oricon Top 200 Weekly Peak: #1
RIAJ Certification: 2x platinum
400,000 NEWS

3rd Akaku Moyuru Taiyou (紅く燃ゆる太陽)
Released: August 11, 2004
Oricon Top 200 Weekly Peak: #1
RIAJ Certification: Platinum
250,000 NEWS

4th Cherish (チェリッシュ)
Released: March 16, 2005
Oricon Top 200 Weekly Peak: #1
RIAJ Certification: Platinum
261,584 NEWS

5th TEPPEN
Released: July 13, 2005
Oricon Top 200 Weekly Peak: #1
RIAJ Certification: Platinum
245,209 NEWS

6th Sayaendo / Hadashi no CINDERELLA BOY (サヤエンドウ/裸足のシンデレラボーイ)
Released: March 15, 2006
Oricon Top 200 Weekly Peak: #1
RIAJ Certification: Platinum
222,848 NEWS

7th Hoshi wo Mezashite (星をめざして)
Released: March 21, 2007
Oricon Top 200 Weekly Peak: #1
RIAJ Certification: Platinium
305,662 NEWS
All official singles have reached the number 1 position on the Oricon charts.

DVDs
NEWS Nippon 0304 April 7, 2004
SUMMARY of Johnny's World (with KAT-TUN and Ya-Ya-Yah) April 19, 2005
Touch Limited Edition DVD April 27, 2005
Hoshi wo Mezashite (星をめざして) Limited Edition DVD March 21, 2007
Never Ending Wonderful Story DVD August 8, 2007

Variety shows
Shōnen Club, Ya-Ya-yah, Eight no Gimon (Kanjani8), Honjani (Kanjani8), Itte Q! (Tegoshi)


TV Dramas
Tomohisa Yamashita: PPOI, Kabachitare, Ikekuburo West Gate Park, Shounen wa Tori ni Natta, Long, Long Love Letter, Lunch no Joou, Stand Up!!, Sore wa totsuzen arashi no you ni, Dragon Zakura, Nobuta wo Produce, Kurosagi, Byakkotai SP, Proposal Daisakusen
Ryo Nishikido: Teru Teru Kazoku, Ganbatte Ikimasshoi, 1 Rittoru no Namida, Attention Please! and SP, Dive to the Future SP (Kanjani SP), 1 Rittoru no Namida SP
Keiichiro Koyama: Ns' Aoi and SP, Kurosagi (Episode 02), Hanayome wa Yakudoshi!
Yuya Tegoshi: Gekidan Engimono - Ie ga Tooi, 15 Sai no Blues, Gachibaka!, My Boss My Hero, Hyoten SP
Takahisa Masuda: 3 nen B Gumi Kinpachi Sensei Series 6, Musashi, Gekidan Engimono - Ie ga Tooi, Gachibaka!, Dandori~Dance*Drill, Waraeru Koi wa Shitakunai SP
Shigeaki Kato: 3 nen B Gumi Kinpachi Sensei Series 6, Gekidan Engimono - Ie ga Tooi, Busu no Hitomi ni Koishiteru, Gekidan Engimono - Car Radio ga Owareba, Kakure Karakure SP (Hidden Trick), Papa to Musume no Nanokakan
Hiroki Uchi: Ganbatte Ikimasshoi (first two episodes - replaced by Taguchi Junnosuke of KAT-TUN), Boku no Ikiru Michi, Doremisora
Hironori Kusano: Gekidan Engimono - Ie ga Tooi

Concerts
NEWSnowConcert Winter Concert 2004/2005
NEWS East-to-West Spring Concert 2005
Summary 2004 (with Junior groups including KAT-TUN and Ya-Ya-yah)
Summary 2005 (with Junior group Ya-ya-yah)
A Happy NEWS Year Concert 2006 (last performance on the 9th Jan)
Ryo Nishikido's solo live (5th of January and 9 January 2006)
Spring Concert 2006 (March 26-April 30 2006)
Spring Concert 2007 (February 17 - April 15 2007)

Movies
Tegoshi Yuya: Shisso/DEAD RUN (2005, Shuji), Happy Feet (2007, Japanese dub)
Koyama Keiichiro: High School Musical 2 (2007, Japanese dub, Troy)
Yamashita Tomohisa: Kurosagi (2008, Kurosaki)

Commercials
Yamashita - Mow, Kiss Mint, Pringles, TBC, Rakubeji, Toshiba's NOTE PC, Weider-in-Jelly
Tegoshi - Tongari Corn Snacks, House Vermont Curry
Nishikido - JAL
NEWS- Russ-K

Radio
Koyama - K-chan NEWS
Kato - Shiget Together
Masuda - Masuda Takahisa no MASTER HITS
Yuya Tegoshi and Hironori Kusano have also had radio shows in the past.


Credit to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/News_%28J-pop_group%29