As subscription numbers fall, Wowow bets on streaming venture with Docomo

Wowow Lemino, a joint venture between Wowow and NTT Docomo, started operation last month in hopes of tapping into the expanding video-streaming market. | REUTERS

Jiji

Nov 2, 2026

Japanese satellite broadcaster Wowow has entered the paid video-streaming business after taking over NTT Docomo’s Lemino service through a joint venture with the major mobile carrier.

With pay-TV subscriptions declining, Wowow hopes to tap into the expanding streaming market as a new driver of growth.

Wowow President Hitoshi Yamamoto has called the move the company’s “second founding” and pledged to achieve success.

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