NBCUniversal has secured a wide-ranging partnership with Japanese streaming platform U-NEXT that goes beyond studio content licensing to include the launch of Universal+ in Japan, experiences at Universal Studios Japan, and the global expansion of local IP.

Announced early last month, the joint venture between Japan's TBS Holdings and streamer U-NEXT and Korea's CJ ENM has been formally unveiled as StudioMonowa.

Japan's TBS Holdings is entering into a joint venture with local streaming giant U-NEXT and Korea's CJ ENM to develop IP that can be scaled around the world.

Song of the Samurai, a live-action manga adaptation for TBS Television and U-NEXT from The Seven, will stream on HBO Max in 100-plus markets.

Premium VOD revenues in Japan rose 15% to $7.2 billion in 2025, according to Media Partners Asia (MPA), with SVOD subscribers (including YouTube Premium) reaching 67.9 million.