Six Months Since 'NHK ONE' Service Launch: Current Status and Collaboration with 'NHK On Demand'

NHK launched its internet service 'NHK ONE' in October 2025, following the revised Broadcast Act which made essential streaming (simultaneous TV/radio, catch-up, program-related information) a mandatory service. The service aims to expand user contact and improve usability to ensure continuous access to NHK programs and reliable information online. 'NHK ONE' provides simultaneous and catch-up streaming, news articles, and videos via its website and app. A receiving contract is required for 'NHK ONE,' but existing households do not need additional contracts. Radio services like 'Radiru★Radiru' are exempt from receiving contracts. Efforts to expand 'NHK ONE' usage include publicizing through broadcasts and websites, offering 'registration support' at NHK stations and events, and emailing former NHK Plus registrants. These efforts resulted in 3.62 million verified 'NHK ONE' accounts by the end of March 2026. For fiscal year 2026, NHK will improve UI/UX, including account registration flow, screen design, and operability, to reduce procedural burdens and help users quickly find desired content. Collaboration with 'NHK On Demand' will be strengthened, starting this spring with the sequential implementation of easy navigation from 'NHK ONE' program pages to 'NHK On Demand' for programs whose catch-up period on 'NHK ONE' has ended (after one week). 'NHK On Demand' is a paid service distributing programs older than one week, offering various genres including past masterpieces. It is also available via seven external platforms. As of the end of fiscal year 2025, directly operated 'NHK On Demand' services had 3.79 million registered members and approximately 22,000 distributed programs. While maintaining the institutional distinction ('NHK ONE' as mandatory, 'NHK On Demand' as optional), NHK will gradually improve display and navigation to enable a 'continuous user experience' between the two services.