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Netflix establishes content partnership with SoftBank for Japan launch

Last updated: 10:33 24 Aug 2015 EDT, First published: 08:33 24 Aug 2015 EDT

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The launch in Japan marks Netflix's first foray into Asia.

Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) has partnered with SoftBank Group (OTCMKTS:SFTBF), a Japanese telecoms and internet giant, to start its video streaming service in Japan on September 2.

The Los Gatos, California-based company said on Monday that SoftBank customers will be able to sign up for Netflix through SoftBank's shops, website and call centers, as well as through major electronics retailers.

The service will range from 650 yen (US$5.37) to 1,450 yen per month and will come with one month of free viewing.

SoftBank will start pre-installing the Netflix app on its smartphones for sale after October 2015.

Japan poses an attractive opportunity for Netflix. It has nearly 36 million broadband homes

The launch in Japan marks Netflix's first foray into Asia. The company has been on an aggressive expansion drive outside of the U.S. and is set to launch in Spain, Italy and Portugal this year and China in 2016. It has said it wants to be in 200 countries by the end of 2016. 

Netflix has already partnered with Fuji Media Holdings Inc. to produce a drama for the service’s debut.

Fuji TV will premier the teenage drama “Terrace House” when Netflix starts in Japan next week, the broadcaster said in June. Fuji is also producing “Atelier,” a drama set in the lingerie industry.

In Japan, Netflix will be competing against streaming service Hulu, which boasts over 1 million users in the country.

Subscribers to Netflix service worldwide rose to about 65.6 million as of the second quarter.


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