The Association for Promotion of Advanced Broadcasting Services (A-PAB) has launched a BS4K streaming service offering free streaming of 4K programs from 5 commercial BS broadcasters and WOWOW. The service provides 50 archived programs as of 1 October for viewing in a television-based 4K environment.
The Association for Promotion of Advanced Broadcasting Services (A-PAB) launched its BS4K streaming service on 1 October 2026, making 4K programs from 5 commercial BS broadcasters and WOWOW available free of charge. Viewing is through the WOWOW On Demand 4K page on a television; the service cannot be viewed through smartphone or tablet apps or browsers.
The service offers archived 4K content produced by the 5 commercial BS broadcasters. There is no program schedule, and viewers may watch the content repeatedly during the streaming period. Initially, each broadcaster provides 10 programs, for a total of 50, with additional content scheduled to be added monthly.
Actor Naito Tsuyoshi (内藤 剛志) appeared at the briefing as a special guest and discussed the appeal of the 4K viewing experience and the value of watching on a large-screen television. A-PAB Chairman Kazo Yoshihiro (加増 良弘) looked back on the advantages of 4K broadcasting and discussed the future development of the BS4K streaming service.
Miyagawa Tomoyuki (宮川 朋之), president of Nippon Eiga Broadcasting, who was also present, explained changes to the broadcast formats and channel numbers of the Jidaigeki Senmon Channel and Nihon Eiga Senmon Channel, and also referred to plans to renew the services from 2027 and rebuild the brands ahead of their 30th anniversary.