KBTC Public Television and NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) sign an agreement that ensures television viewers in Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, and all of western Washington can access NHK WORLD’s HD programming on air via channel 28.2, 15.2, and on Comcast via HD Channel 115
The following news item comes from our partners at KBTC:
NHK World, an English language public media television station broadcast from Japan, launches on Comcast Xfinity HD Channel 115 Tuesday, March 22, 2016 in partnership with local PBS station KBTC Public Television and NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation).
NHK World will be available to viewers throughout western Washington on cable and off air through KBTC Public Television’s terrestrial broadcast service.
KBTC Public Television which also operates KCKA in Centralia/Chehalis Washington launched NHK World in HD via channel 28.2, 15.2 in January. KBTC Public Television is one of only six of PBS Member Stations to development this partnership with NHK in the United States. The Seattle-Tacoma Designated Market Area becomes the U.S. seventh major market where NHK WORLD can be accessed via terrestrial television broadcast and on cable.
“Partnering with NHK to bring NHK World to western Washington represents KBTC Public Television’s commitment to provide viewers in our area with the opportunity to explore their world,” said Ed Ulman, Executive Director & GM of KBTC Public Television. “NHK World is a top flight broadcast service watched around the globe, and we are pleased to be their broadcast partner here in Tacoma and Seattle.”
NHK WORLD is a 24/7 English language public media service featuring original television programming produced and scheduled by NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation). NHK WORLD delivers a unique and diverse blend of programming featuring domestic and international news about Japanese society, politics, scientific advancement, culture, history and lifestyles. NHK WORLD is watched by television viewers around the globe and through this partnership will be available to the 4.3 million viewers throughout western Washington
The broadcast reach for KBTC/KCKA includes all western Washington communities from the Canadian border through Bellingham, Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia Centralia Chehalis onto Kelso/Longview. Viewers will find NHK World on KBTC 28.1, KCKA 15.2, Comcast HD channel 115, and through other cable services. This new television service expands on KBTC’s commitment to provide western Washington television viewers with rich media experiences that educate, inspire, and entertain.
“We are excited about this partnership with KBTC Public Television to bring our highly specialized programming to Seattle, a sophisticated community that is home to cultured citizens and thousands of Japanese-Americans,” said Mr. Yoshihiko Shimizu, President and CEO of JIB (Japan International Broadcasting Inc.) “KBTC provides an outlet for viewers to be educated, inspired and entertained. This partnership allows viewers to gain a worldly perspective on Japanese and Asian culture and news.”
NHK WORLD TV reaches over 290 million households in 150 countries and regions via local satellite and cable TV providers. The free mobile App, online live-streaming, and VOD (video on-demand) services on the website, give viewers access to NHK WORLD TV anywhere and anytime. Viewers can also connect through Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV. Presenting an extensive range of Asia-centered programming, NHK WORLD is your window to Japan, Asia, and the rest of the world.
Providing both domestic and international news to the world accurately and promptly is a hallmark of the NHK WORLD news team. Ensuring that viewers around the world have access to information on Asia from various perspectives, making the best use of NHK’s global network; serving as a vital information lifeline in the event of major accidents and natural disasters; presenting broadcasts with great accuracy and speed on many aspects of Japanese culture and lifestyles, including recent developments in society and politics, the latest scientific and industrial trends, and Japan’s role and opinions regarding important global issues is the aim of NHK WORLD.
“NHK WORLD is committed to fostering mutual understanding between Japan and other countries and promoting friendship and cultural exchange,” Ulman said. “In our interactions leading to this partnership and through an our examination of the broadcast services and programs that only NHK WORLD can provide, we have learned that NHK and KBTC share the public media values that we also promote through our PBS, BBC, APTS, NETA, EPS, MHz Worldview, and TVW programming services.”
“Comcast is excited to bring this rich collection of programming to our customers and showcase the programming and culture of this dynamic and important nation. A U.S. journalist recently described NHK World as ‘a bit like the Japanese equivalent of BBC America and BBC World Service rolled into one: a multi-language platform for blasting locally produced news and entertainment programming across the globe. It is wonderful.’ We’re delighted to bring this to Comcast customers.” Vicky Oxley, Regional Vice President of Marketing and Sales, Comcast.
About KBTC Public Television
KBTC is the South Sound’s Public Broadcasting Station. Operating out of Tacoma, Washington, KBTC is the only television broadcaster in Pierce County. KBTC is committed to telling local stories that aren’t being told anywhere else, serving underserved and diverse audiences, and connecting viewers with the people and ideas that shape western Washington. KBTC is available to 1.8 million TV households and 4.3 million viewers in western Washington, British Columbia, and Oregon. Over 900,000 viewers tune in weekly. KBTC is a viewer supported community service of Bates Technical College.
