Foxtel in recent times has carried CCTV news on its platform and this week it announced in association with broadcast group GlobeCast that Japan’s English-language service NHK WORLD TV and China’s CCTV-9 Documentary Channel will be available to essential package subscribers.
NHK WORLD TV has already been available to Australian viewers for some time through NHK’s free iPhone WORLD TV app, where it can be streamed for free. While NHK WORLD does not receive the same level of viewership as BBC WORKD NEWS or CNN, it is an important service, as shown during its breaking news coverage of the earthquake and tsunami disaster in 2011.
As reported by TV Tonight, NHK WORLD TV is a 24-hour channel with a mix of news and other informational programming (somewhat similar to the Australia Network run by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation).
As of February, 2013, NHK World TV is available to 160 million households in more than 130 countries /regions through local satellite services and cable service providers etc.
According to NHK WORLD TV’s website its aims are to:
- To provide both domestic and international news to the world accurately and promptly.
- To present information on Asia from various perspectives, making the best use of NHK’s global network.
- To serve as a vital information lifeline in the event of major accidents and natural disasters.
- To present broadcasts with great accuracy and speed on many aspects of Japanese culture and lifestyles, recent developments in society and politics, the latest scientific and industrial trends, and Japan’s role and opinions regarding important global issues.
- To foster mutual understanding between Japan and other countries and promote friendship and cultural exchange.
Richard Freudenstein, Foxtel CEO said,
“It is more important than ever that Australians understand and engage with the Asian region. These two high quality, English language channels will make a valuable contribution to that engagement.
NHK WORLD TV is broadcast in English and is now available on Foxtel channel 656.
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