Nippon TV to Provide Pay-Per-View Services on Internet

Jul. 12–TOKYO — Nippon Television Network Corp. will launch pay-per-view services on the Internet by October, the first by a major Japanese TV station, company officials said Tuesday.

Nippon TV will open a membership home page through which members will download dramas and other TV programs broadcast in the past by paying 100 yen per program, the officials said.

The TV programs offered will have no copyright restrictions, they said.

TV programs may be reedited into 3- to 15-minute programs for distribution via the Internet, they said. A one-hour drama may be divided into several parts for download.

Nippon TV also plans to create programs for Internet-based distribution and broadcast them on television, and open the home page to advertisers.

The integration of broadcasting and communications services is expected to affect other Japanese TV stations.

Rival Fuji Television Network Inc. plans to provide TV programs via the Internet on an on-demand basis but specifics, including the service launch date have yet to be announced.

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