Japan’s U-Next secures extra distribution with cable deal

Japanese streamer U-Next has forged a partnership with cable operator Tōhoku Cable TV Network that gives it additional reach and also provides for the distribution of Tōhoku content on its service.

The cable network gives U-Next additional distribution in the Tōhoku region in the northern part of Honshu, the main island of Japan.

The Tōhoku Cable TV Network, an initiative of 17 cable TV stations in the Tōhoku region, passes 1.46 million homes out of a total of 3.76 million in the region. Under the agreement, U-Next will be distributed over the network and content from the stations will be distributed nationally on the U-Next service.

As part of the partnership, U-next will also team up with the Yamagata International Movie Festival, with a dedicated U-Next Award to be granted at the festival.

U-Next last month integrated programmes aired on the Paravi service it acquired into its own offering and has begun migrating Paravi subscribers to U-Next.

U-Next said that over 10,000 programme episodes on Paravi would now be available via U-Next, including shows from broadcasters TBS and TV Tokyo and archive shows. U-Next merged with Premium Platform Japan Co, which operates Paravi, at the end of March.

“We are very pleased to be able to introduce U-Next to everyone in the Tōhoku area under the slogan of ‘Play, new Tōhoku’ in cooperation with the Tohoku Cable TV network. U-Next has strengthened various genres such as movies, dramas, animations, music, and sports. In addition, the service was integrated with Paravi on July 1, and more than 10,000 new dramas, including dramas that are currently being broadcast and past masterpieces and variety shows, have been newly distributed. We are proud that the service has become even more attractive, so with the help of the community-based Tōhoku cable television network, we will actively deliver it to everyone in Tōhoku. In addition, we will transmit Tōhoku content all over Japan through U-Next,” said U-Next president Tenshin Tsutsumi.