The Japanese Market for UK Films - BFI

In May 2007, JCOM announced that it was merging with the newly split Jupiter
TV. The reason is thought to be that JCOM is trying to secure competitive
content for their service, because cable companies and telecom companies
have been in the front line over the convergence of telecom and broadcasting.
Telecom giant NTT (the largest telecommunication company) has also
announced the start of a new network service called NGN (Next Generation
Network) within 2007. These two giants are now facing great competition for
leadership in the market for MVPD (Multi-channel Video Programming
Distribution)
2) Characteristics of JCOM
Their service package provides four services – Cable TV, Internet services,
telephone services and mobile phone services. Each local TV station has its own
community channel and the community based service is its dominant positioning.
Currently they are trying to encourage subscribers to switch to digital services.
Jupiter VOD is the aggregator and also Video On Demand service provider, as
explained in the section on VOD. Subscribers contracted to digital services are
able to see TV channels including movie channels plus VOD movies.
Jupiter TV
In May, the merger with JCOM was announced. Jupiter TV’s channels except
for the SHOP Channel will be operated by JCOM. Jupiter TV’s channels are as
follows:
Movie Plus & Movie Plus HD:
The biggest foreign movie channel in Japan
LaLa TV & LaLa TV HD:
Japan’s biggest women’s entertainment channel
GOLF Network:
Japan’s biggest golf channel
REALITY TV:
Japan’s first reality program channel
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