In the first-ever international launch of one of its branded subscription TV channels as a streaming-only service, Japanese comms giant NTT DoCoMo is to offer Vicaom’s core animation channel, Nickelodeon, via over-the-top (OTT) and mobile platforms.
The rollout of Nickelodeon on the OTT dTV-Channel is designed to build on the success Viacom has enjoyed with MTV-branded OTT channels in Japan, having launched MTV HITS on AbemaTV and MTV MIX on Hulu Japan in 2016 and 2017 respectively. Nickelodeon is not currently available as a linear TV channel on either cable or satellite TV platforms in Japan.dTV’s newly packaged subscription-based linear channel is set to launch in the first quarter of 2018 offer a range of classic Nickelodeon animation titles including SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora The Explorer and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
“Over-the-top and mobile offer an important growth path for Nickelodeon and our other flagship brands in mature subscription TV markets like Japan,” commented Mark Whitehead, Viacom International Media Networks president and managing director, Asia Pacific.
“This is another strong example of Viacom forging deep and innovative partnerships with OTT and mobile distributors, like NTT DoCoMo's dTV-Channel in Japan, to make our ‘must-see’ content available when, where and how consumers want to view it. This is a great way to reconnect Japanese viewers with Nickelodeon and should open up tremendous new opportunities for the brand in this valuable and important market.”
