Japan’s NHK World Premium joins Freeview’s streaming platform, as part of major rollout of the service across European countries. It’s the second NHK service to become available on the platform.
- Viewers can access NHK World Premium via the portal on Freeview channel 286, which already includes the English-language free-to-air NHK World channel.
- The subscription service allows viewers to watch the best of NHK’s Japanese language content on any device that supports Freeview Play.
Global Distribution Services and Synapse TV have announced the launch of NHK World Premium. It’s the first subscription TV channel on the current version of Freeview’s streaming platform.
NHK is the public broadcasting service of Japan which aims to provide even more tailored content to its dedicated viewers, offering a range of exclusive programmes and enhanced viewing experiences.
NHK World Premium is an addition to the free English TV channel, NHK World-Japan. Viewers who can choose between watching the free channel or the subscription Premium channel.
With this new technology, NHK World Premium is able to offer a curated selection of content, including documentaries, news and current affairs, lifestyle programmes, entertainment shows, and more in the Japanese language.
▶ Synapse TV has already launched subscription services on the Freeview streaming platform – notably the short-lived VuTV portal. However, this predated the arrival of Freeview Play and its improved support for streaming services. This is the first subscription service via an HbbTV-based streaming portal on the Freeview channel list.
The relationship with Freeview is complicated. Although the services open via a portal sent over the airwaves, Freeview currently doesn’t include these channels on its checker.
Wider rollout
NHK World Premium is busily rolling out across more countries and platforms. So far, the Freeview streaming service is the only outlet for the channel on a main UK platform.
Elsewhere in Europe, NHK World Premium has announced plans to launch in countries including Austria, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway and Spain. Ireland is not on the list.
Corporate comment
Tanya Kronfli, managing director at Global Distribution Services commented:
“We are delighted to see NHK’s expansion into the subscription-based market with the introduction of NHK World Premium. NHK has consistently delivered exceptional content, and this new subscription service takes it a step further by providing viewers with even more tailored and premium programming. The launch of NHK World Premium on Freeview UK, the first of its kind, demonstrates their commitment to innovation and delivering exceptional programming to its dedicated viewers.”
Chris Wass, director of Synapse TV said
“We are thrilled to launch of NHK World-Japan and NHK World Premium subscription service on UK Freeview. As the technology provider we are proud to support NHK World-Japan/NHK World Premium in their mission to provide the diverse range of high-quality programming targeting the entire Freeview audience for maximum reach.”
Jun Takao, President and CEO of Japan International Broadcasting Inc, the channel’s exclusive international distributor, added:
“JIB is excited to have NHK’s flagship international Japanese language channel, NHK World Premium, on the Freeview platform. Almost anyone with an internet connection within UK will be able to access and enjoy various contents of NHK World Premium and/or NHK World-Japan.”
Marc Thornham