BBC Japan
CountryJapan
Broadcast areaJapan
Programming
Language(s)Japanese
English
Picture formatNTSC 480i (4:3 SDTV)
Ownership
OwnerBBC Worldwide
Japan Mediarc
History
Launched1 December 2004
Closed30 April 2006

BBC Japan was a short-lived subscription television channel co-owned by BBC Worldwide and SKY PerfecTV! subsidiary Japan Mediarc that was available via satellite in Japan. The channel's aim was to showcase the BBC's programming to the Japanese market, but it suffered from financial issues from its co-owner that led to the channel's closure a year later.

History

The channel was announced by the BBC on 8 October 2004 for a launch on 1 December.[1] The channel launched as planned on that day, broadcast on Sky PerfecTV! satellite channel 110.[2] The channel launched with solid figures, with reports at the BBC citing that the audience was mainly Japanese.[3] On 14 June 2005, the channel was added to Online TV Company's IPTV service.[4]

On 20 March 2006, BBC Worldwide announced that the channel would cease operations in April, citing that financial problems at Japan Mediarc emeant they could no longer honour it contractual commitments to distribute the network.[5] On 24 April 2006, the closure date of 30 April was announced, and the channel closed as planned on that day.[6]

Programming

Being the Japanese counterpart to BBC Prime, BBC Japan showcased many programs from the BBC. A majority of shows broadcast on the channel were subtitled in Japanese, with a small number of them being dubbed into the language. Programmes that aired on the channel included:

References

  1. ^ BBC to entertain on Japanese TV, BBC News, 8 October 2004
  2. ^ Subscribers get first view of BBC Japan channel, The Japan Times, 2 December 2004
  3. ^ "BBC Japan off to a solid start, despite distribution gripes". 28 April 2005.
  4. ^ BBC, Deutsche Welle launch on Japan IPTV, C21Media, 14 June 2005
  5. ^ "BBC Japan website, 24 April 2006". Archived from the original on 28 July 2005. Retrieved 21 March 2006.
  6. ^ BBC Japan set to close in April, BBC News, 8 October 2004
  7. ^ "BBC Japan". Archived from the original on 12 December 2005.
  8. ^ "BBC Japan". Archived from the original on 10 February 2006.
  9. ^ "BBC JAPAN JapaneseSite [110CS-025ch]". Archived from the original on 4 February 2005.
  10. ^ "BBC Japan". Archived from the original on 10 February 2006.
  11. ^ BBC has cunning plan for Japan with Blackadder, The Guardian, 9 October 2004
  12. ^ "BBC Japan". Archived from the original on 12 December 2005.
  13. ^ "BBC JAPAN JapaneseSite [110CS-025ch]". Archived from the original on 4 February 2005.
  14. ^ "BBC Japan". Archived from the original on 25 November 2005.
  15. ^ BBC has cunning plan for Japan with Blackadder, The Guardian, 9 October 2004
  16. ^ "BBC Japan". Archived from the original on 25 November 2005.
  17. ^ "BBC Japan". Archived from the original on 25 November 2005.
  18. ^ "BBC Japan". Archived from the original on 12 December 2005.
  19. ^ "BBC Japan". Archived from the original on 25 November 2005.
  20. ^ "BBC Japan". Archived from the original on 12 December 2005.
  21. ^ "BBC Japan". Archived from the original on 12 December 2005.
  22. ^ "BBC Japan". Archived from the original on 25 November 2005.
  23. ^ "BBC Japan". Archived from the original on 10 February 2006.
  24. ^ "BBC Japan". Archived from the original on 12 December 2005.
  25. ^ "BBC Japan". Archived from the original on 25 November 2005.
  26. ^ "BBC Japan". Archived from the original on 25 November 2005.
  27. ^ "BBC Japan". Archived from the original on 25 November 2005.
  28. ^ "BBC Japan". Archived from the original on 25 November 2005.
  29. ^ "BBC JAPAN JapaneseSite [110CS-025ch]". Archived from the original on 12 February 2005.
  30. ^ "BBC Japan". Archived from the original on 10 February 2006.
  31. ^ "BBC Japan". Archived from the original on 12 December 2005.
  32. ^ "BBC Japan". Archived from the original on 25 November 2005.


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