Netflix, SoftBank Partner in Japan

TOKYO—Netflix Inc. has agreed to a tie-up with Japan's SoftBank Group Corp. for the Japan launch of its video-streaming service on Sept. 2.

Under the agreement announced Monday, SoftBank customers will be able to sign up for Netflix at SoftBank's retail shops, major electronics retailers and through SoftBank's website and call centers.

Netflix also announced its three-tier monthly pricing plans for Japan, which ranges from Y650 ($5.4) to Y1,450 a month. The two will also be involved in creating original content, SoftBank said.

SoftBank, which operates one of Japan's largest mobile carriers, said the tie-up allows users of SoftBank's mobile or broadband services to pay Netflix subscription fees through SoftBank's payment system without the need to fill out additional payment information.

"It would simplify the payment process," a SoftBank spokesman said.

Netflix's Japan debut is a part of its global rollout, which it plans to complete by the end of 2016. Starting next week Internet-connected users in Japan will be able to subscribe to Netflix and watch selections of popular movies and TV shows in high-definition.

Japan poses an attractive opportunity for Netflix. It has nearly 36 million broadband homes, making it one of the largest markets outside of the U.S. that Netflix has entered.

Netflix has over 65 million members in over 50 countries. In Japan, it will compete with Hulu, which sold its Japan business to domestic television network Nippon Television Network Corp. in February last year. As of March, the number of Hulu users in Japan surpassed 1 million, with monthly subscription fees at Y933.

In June, Japan's Fuji Television Network Inc. announced it will be producing original content for Netflix's debut in the country.

Write to Alexander Martin at [e-mail]

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

August 24, 2015 04:15 ET (08:15 GMT)

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