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BBC Japan

{{short description|Japanese television channel}}

{{Distinguish|Biwako Broadcasting}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}

{{Infobox television channel

| name = BBC Japan

| logo = BBC Japan Box Ident.svg

| logo_size = 150px

| country = Japan

| area = Japan

| language = Japanese
English

| launch_date = 1 December 2004

| closed_date = 30 April 2006

| owner = BBC Worldwide
Japan Mediarc

| picture_format = NTSC 480i (4:3 SDTV)

}}

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.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3726608.stm BBC to entertain on Japanese TV], BBC News, 8 October 2004 The channel launched as planned on that day, broadcast on Sky PerfecTV! satellite channel 110.[http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2004/12/02/business/subscribers-get-first-view-of-bbc-japan-channel/#.VUev5_lVgoI Subscribers get first view of BBC Japan channel], The Japan Times, 2 December 2004 The channel launched with solid figures, with reports at the BBC citing that the audience was mainly Japanese.{{cite web | url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2005/04/28/business/bbc-japan-off-to-a-solid-start-despite-distribution-gripes/ | title=BBC Japan off to a solid start, despite distribution gripes | date=28 April 2005 }} On 14 June 2005, the channel was added to Online TV Company's IPTV service.[http://www.c21media.net/bbc-deutsche-welle-launch-on-japan-iptv/ BBC, Deutsche Welle launch on Japan IPTV], C21Media, 14 June 2005

On 20 March 2006, BBC Worldwide announced that the channel would cease operations in April, citing that financial problems at Japan Mediarc meant they could no longer honour contractual commitments to distribute the network.{{Cite web |url=http://www.bbcjapan.tv/news.aspx?menu=news |title=BBC Japan website, 24 April 2006 |access-date=21 March 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050728091253/http://www.bbcjapan.tv/news.aspx?menu=news |archive-date=28 July 2005 |url-status=dead }} On 24 April 2006, the closure date of 30 April was announced, and the channel closed as planned on that day.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4830518.stm BBC Japan set to close in April], BBC News, 8 October 2004

Programming

Being the Japanese counterpart to BBC Prime, BBC Japan aired programmes normally sourced from BBC Worldwide or the mainstream BBC archives, as well as third-party content from companies like Granada Media. With BBC Japan being a commercial network; programs were edited to fit the time slot, meaning a normal hour-long production would be shortened to 42 minutes on the channel.

While some shows were dubbed or voiced over, the majority of the channel's content was broadcast in English with Japanese subtitles.

  • Absolutely Fabulous{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/comedy/index.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051212163452/http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/comedy/index.htm | archive-date=12 December 2005 | title=BBC Japan }}
  • Angelmouse{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/kids/index.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060210005044/http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/kids/index.htm | archive-date=10 February 2006 | title=BBC Japan }}
  • Bargain Hunt{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/entertainment/index.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050204083857/http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/entertainment/index.htm | archive-date=4 February 2005 | title=BBC JAPAN JapaneseSite [110CS-025ch] }}
  • Binka{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/kids/index.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060210005044/http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/kids/index.htm | archive-date=10 February 2006 | title=BBC Japan }}
  • Blackadder[https://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/oct/09/business.japan BBC has cunning plan for Japan with Blackadder], The Guardian, 9 October 2004
  • The Catherine Tate Show{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/comedy/index.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051212163452/http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/comedy/index.htm | archive-date=12 December 2005 | title=BBC Japan }}
  • Casualty{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/drama/index.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050204082629/http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/drama/index.htm | archive-date=4 February 2005 | title=BBC JAPAN JapaneseSite [110CS-025ch] }}
  • Changing Rooms{{Cite web |url=http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/lifestyle/index.htm |title=BBC Japan Lifestyle |website=BBC Japan |access-date=August 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051125154623/http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/lifestyle/index.htm |archive-date=November 25, 2005 | url-status=dead}}
  • Doctors{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/drama/index.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051125153446/http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/drama/index.htm | archive-date=25 November 2005 | title=BBC Japan }}
  • Fawlty Towers{{Cite news |last=Tomlinson |first=Heather |date=2004-10-09 |title=BBC has cunning plan for Japan with Blackadder |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/oct/09/business.japan |access-date=2025-06-05 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}
  • Friends Like These{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/entertainment/index.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051125154316/http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/entertainment/index.htm | archive-date=25 November 2005 | title=BBC Japan }}
  • Ground Force{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/lifestyle/index.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051125154623/http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/lifestyle/index.htm | archive-date=25 November 2005 | title=BBC Japan }}
  • Holby City{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/drama/index.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051125153446/http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/drama/index.htm | archive-date=25 November 2005 | title=BBC Japan }}
  • Keeping Up Appearances{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/comedy/index.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051212163452/http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/comedy/index.htm | archive-date=12 December 2005 | title=BBC Japan }}
  • Miss Marple{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/drama/index.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051125153446/http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/drama/index.htm | archive-date=25 November 2005 | title=BBC Japan }}
  • My Family{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/comedy/index.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051212163452/http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/comedy/index.htm | archive-date=12 December 2005 | title=BBC Japan }}
  • Only Fools and Horses{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/comedy/index.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051212163452/http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/comedy/index.htm | archive-date=12 December 2005 | title=BBC Japan }}
  • Parkinson{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/entertainment/index.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051125154316/http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/entertainment/index.htm | archive-date=25 November 2005 | title=BBC Japan }}
  • Ready Steady Cook{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/cooking/index.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060210005143/http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/cooking/index.htm | archive-date=10 February 2006 | title=BBC Japan }}
  • Red Dwarf{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/comedy/index.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051212163452/http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/comedy/index.htm | archive-date=12 December 2005 | title=BBC Japan }}
  • Shooting Stars{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/entertainment/index.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051125154316/http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/entertainment/index.htm | archive-date=25 November 2005 | title=BBC Japan }}
  • Sounds of the 60s{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/music/index.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051125153608/http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/music/index.htm | archive-date=25 November 2005 | title=BBC Japan }}
  • Sounds of the 70s{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/music/index.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051125153608/http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/music/index.htm | archive-date=25 November 2005 | title=BBC Japan }}
  • Top Gear{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/entertainment/index.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051125154316/http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/entertainment/index.htm | archive-date=25 November 2005 | title=BBC Japan }}
  • Top of the Pops{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/music/index.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050212040417/http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/music/index.htm | archive-date=12 February 2005 | title=BBC JAPAN JapaneseSite [110CS-025ch] }}
  • Tweenies{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/kids/index.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060210005044/http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/kids/index.htm | archive-date=10 February 2006 | title=BBC Japan }}
  • The Vicar of Dibley{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/comedy/index.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051212163452/http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/comedy/index.htm | archive-date=12 December 2005 | title=BBC Japan }}
  • The Weakest Link{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/entertainment/index.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051125154316/http://www.bbc-japan.com/genre/entertainment/index.htm | archive-date=25 November 2005 | title=BBC Japan }}

References

{{reflist}}

{{BBC Television}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bbc Japan}}

Category:International BBC television channels

Category:Defunct BBC television channels

Category:Defunct television channels in Japan

Category:Television channels and stations established in 2004

Category:Television channels and stations disestablished in 2006

Category:2004 establishments in Japan

Category:2006 disestablishments in Japan