The Paramount+ streaming service will launch in Japan in December as a free-of-charge addition to cable and internet provider J:COM’s platform and to pay-TV service Wowow.
Paramount+ originals including “Tulsa King,” “Mayor of Kingstown” and “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” will be available at the launch of the service and for the first time in Japan.
Japan will be the second country in East Asia where the service becomes available, following a launch in South Korea in June last year. That launch followed a strategic partnership between Paramount and dominant Korean entertainment group CJ ENM and sees Paramount+ operate as a free tier on local streaming platform TVing. Elsewhere the service runs through partnerships with SKY in Italy, the U.K., and Germany and with Canal+ in France.
“Beginning December 1, Paramount+ will bring its popular films and series to Japan through the on-demand services of both J:COM and Wowow, at no additional costs for their subscribers,” Paramount said.
“It is an important milestone for us and a critical step for the future of our streaming business,” said Marco Nobili, executive VP and international GM of Paramount+ International. “I am excited to strengthen our collaboration with J:COM and Wowow to offer their audiences incredible content and beloved stars and characters from our iconic studios and brands.”
“For many years, Paramount Global has been delivering its music channel MTV and a variety of movies and dramas to customers through J:COM TV, which has been one of the most attractive features of J:COM TV and has been supported by customers. We are pleased to bring Paramount’s diverse content to the people of Japan through this new partnership,” said Iwaki Yoichi, president and representative director of J:COM. “In particular, the group’s drama series like ‘NCIS’ and ‘CSI’ are highly acclaimed by our customers, and we will deliver attractive content, including Paramount+ original productions through J:COM Stream.”
“For 20 years, Wowow has been delivering Hollywood films and drama series from Paramount Global, all of which have received high praise from our subscribers. With this partnership, we are now able to offer a large volume of wonderful content from Paramount+, including films and international dramas, through Wowow on demand,” said Tanaka Akira, representative director, president and CEO of Wowow.