KCETLink Partners with NHK World TV to Launch 24-Hour Channel

BURBANK – KCETLink, the national independent public transmedia organization, announced on July 9 a new partnership with NHK World TV, which will bring Japanese and Asian news and lifestyle programming around the clock to more than 5.6 million Southern California homes.

The stand-alone, 24-hour, English-language television news channel produced by NHK will launch on Monday, Aug. 5, via digital broadcast through a dedicated over-the-air channel (Channel 28.4) in Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura counties. KCETLink will continue to provide NHK content on its main channel, which includes “Newsline” three times a day at 6 a.m., 6:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. and other NHK World programs.

“KCETLink is pleased to partner with NHK World TV to deliver high-quality international programming to Southern California — one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse regions in the world,” said Mary Mazur, chief operating officer of KCETLink. “With our strong commitment to news and cultural storytelling, KCETLink is providing Southern Californians with more opportunities than ever to gain a broader perspective on Japanese and Asian news and lifestyles.”

NHK World TV provides a 24-hour programming cycle, including the network’s news show, “Newsline,” as well as a variety of lifestyle and cultural shows, such as “Tokyo Eye,” “Journeys in Japan,” “imagine-nation” and “Dining with the Chef.” The channel also offers an assortment of documentaries and specials.

“Our mission is to bring dynamic developments in Asia to top markets around the world,” said Akinori Hashimoto, head of NHK World Department. “We have enjoyed working with KCET and providing various programs for its channel since 2010, so creating this new partnership made perfect sense. And since we have also partnered successfully with Link Media in the past, the KCETLink merger was a great fit for us.

“Furthermore, Southern California boasts such large Japanese, Japanese American and Asian communities, we wanted to make our content available here as soon as possible.”

NHK World TV will also broadcast digitally to subscribers of Brighthouse (Channel 32), Charter (Channel 311), Comcast (Channel 192), Cox (Channel 812), Time Warner (Channel 239) and Verizon FiOS (Channel 463).

About KCETLink

On-air, online and in the community, KCET plays a vital role in the cultural and educational enrichment of Southern and Central California. KCET offers a wide range of award-winning local programming as well as public television programs from around the world. KCET currently produces the Emmy, duPont-Columbia and Peabody Award-winning “SoCal Connected,” a prime-time weekly news program that examines the issues and people of Southern California.

Throughout its 48-year history, KCET has won hundreds of major awards for its local and regional news and public affairs programming, its national drama and documentary productions, its quality educational family and children’s programs, its outreach and community services and its website. KCET is a donor-supported community institution. For additional information, visit www.kcet.org.  KCET is a service of KCETLink.

About NHK

NHK (Nippon Hoso Kyokai or Japan Broadcasting Corporation) is Japan’s sole public broadcaster, operating the country’s largest national and international television network. In Japan, NHK offers four TV channels (two terrestrial; two satellite, both digital services), and three radio services. NHK also operates two international television channels NHK World TV (English, HD, 24/7) and NHK World Premium (Japanese, 24/7) and offers international radio services in 18 languages. NHK World TV can be viewed in 250 million households spread over 140 countries and regions.

For more information, visit www.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld.