Rapid TV News

NHK World on Astra

Chris Forrester ©RapidTVNews | 05-10-2008

Japan’s public broadcaster NHK says its NHK World TV English-language news channel is now available over Europe on Astra 1L as its first step toward region-wide coverage.

NHK World TV is delivered 24/7, with live and regularly updated news bulletins from Tokyo to the global audience. The channel’s current programming schedule enables viewers to access the latest news from Japan and Asia, as well as a wide variety of feature programmes focusing on the lifestyle, trends, economy, culture, technology, music, anime scene updates, fashion of Japan in particular and Asia more generally, says an NHK statement.

By February next year the channel’s transmissions will be entirely in English. Makoto Harada, DG of NHK World TV said: “Our launch on Astra 1L is our first step to provide opportunities for viewers in Europe to watch NHK World TV. We are hoping to offer a new eye for European viewers, to provide an alternative and unique perspective from Asia”.

NHK World is already available across Asia, and using Globecast as its transmission partner is being rolled out globally. NHK World’s website is at www.nhk.or.jp/english

© Rapid TV News 2008