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. The channel launched as planned on that day, broadcast on Sky PerfecTV! satellite channel 110. The channel launched with solid figures, with reports at the BBC citing that the audience was mainly Japanese. On 14 June 2005, the channel was added to Online TV Company's IPTV service.
On 20 March 2006, BBC Worldwide announced that the channel would cease operations in April, citing that financial problems at Japan Mediarc emeant they could no longer honour it contractual commitments to distribute the network. On 24 April 2006, the closure date of 30 April was announced, and the channel closed as planned on that day.
Programming
Being the Japanese counterpart to BBC Prime, BBC Japan showcased many programs from the BBC. A majority of shows broadcast on the channel were subtitled in Japanese, with a small number of them being dubbed into the language. Programmes that aired on the channel included: Absolutely Fabulous Angelmouse Bargain Hunt Binka Blackadder The Catherine Tate Show Casualty Doctors Fawlty Towers Friends Like These Holby City Keeping Up Appearances Miss Marple My Family Only Fools and Horses Parkinson Ready Steady Cook Red Dwarf Shooting Stars Sounds of the 60s Sounds of the 70s Top Gear Top of the Pops Tweenies The Vicar of Dibley The Weakest Link