Japan’s international channel NHK World is once again available to Freeview viewers with compatible devices.
NHK World-Japan is the international English-language channel from Japan’s public broadcaster NHK, delivers the latest information about Japan and Asia. The channel reaches over 380 million households in 160 countries and regions.
It has now joined the growing number of news and information channels streamed through Channelbox on Freeview. Channelbox also hosts Bloomberg, Euronews, France 24 and TVP World from Poland.
Channelbox’s Tanya Kronfli welcomed the channel’s arrival as a “perfect addition” to the lineup.
In 2015, NHK World was briefly available to Freeview viewers through the now defunct TVPlayer portal that used to be on Freeview channel 241. Unlike then, the majority of current Freeview devices now support the technology used to stream services to viewers. This means more users should be able to benefit from the channel’s return. NHK World-Japan is also broadcast on Sky and Freesat.
How to watch through Freeview
- Freeview channel 271. Requires an active broadband connection.
- Channelbox is supported on all current Freeview Play devices, plus a number of non-Freeview Play devices that support either HbbTV or MHEG-IC.
What’s on NHK World-Japan?
NHK World-Japan broadcasts hourly news bulletins, followed by current affairs, documentaries and feature programming. It’s weekly schedule includes business programmes, plus in-depth coverage of news and current affairs stories affecting Japan, Asia and the wider world.
NHK World-Japan’s schedule also contains a range of lifestyle and cultural programming, which include:
- Somewhere Street: A unique walking-eye, first-person view of cities around the globe. Each episode takes a dawn to dusk trip through a city, getting the local’s perspective of their home.
- Cycle Around Japan: A journey through the sights and sounds of Japan in this long-running travelogue, featuring Michael Rice or Zac Reynolds in the saddle.
- J-Melo: A showcase of Japanese music.
- Grand Sumo: Highlights of this September’s Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo
- Activate your Japanese! Making the most of your Japanese language skills
- Japan Railway Journal: Behind the scenes of Japan’s railway system, often regarded as the most efficient railway service in the world.
- Dining with the Chef: Traditional and modern Japanese cuisine in the company of the experts creating mouth-watering recipes.
Iain Hatton, RXTV
Image: NHK World-Japan ▪ Initial Source: Direct observation of Channelbox channel 271 ▪ Updated 6/9/22 with quote from Channelbox, who have officially confirmed the channel’s arrival.