Brightcove partners with J:COM for Japanese wildlife streaming

Video tech vendor Brightcove has announced a new partnership with JCOM, Japan's largest cable television provider. Brightcove will be supplying the technology for J:COM's latest streaming initiative, Ikimono Watch, which will broadcast a variety of content sourced from zoos and aquariums across Japan.

Through this collaboration, Brightcove's renowned Video Cloud will securely store all video content for the new streaming service. The integration of the Video Cloud API with Ikimono Watch's content management system (CMS) aims to ensure a seamless and efficient viewing experience for users. Brightcove's Android software development kit (SDK) was also utilised in developing the app compatible with J:COM set-top boxes.

Chiyo Yanagita, Country Manager of Brightcove Japan, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, noting the high regard in which J:COM is held within the cable television industry. "J:COM is Japan's biggest and most respected cable company. We're honoured to collaborate closely with them on this new venture to provide a high-quality and engaging streaming experience for viewers across Japan," Yanagita stated. Yanagita added that J:COM's decision to partner with Brightcove underscores the platform's reliability, security, and scalability.

J:COM's General Manager of the Next Gen. Platform Development Department, Service Planning Division, Masaki Uchiyama, highlighted the significant role Brightcove played in the successful launch of Ikimono Watch. "By choosing Brightcove's platform, we were able to ensure a smooth launch for our Ikimono Watch project. The company's experience in video distribution and handling various types of content has contributed greatly to the efficient and successful introduction of our new streaming service. Video Cloud is indispensable to the strategy of Ikimono Watch, and we look forward to its future growth," Uchiyama remarked.

With this new collaboration, J:COM joins an impressive list of media companies relying on Brightcove to power their streaming capabilities. These include well-known names such as Acun Medya, AMC Networks, BBC Studios, Canela Media, LIXIL Corporation, MotoAmerica, NHL, One31, REELZ, SBT TV, Shiseido, SKY Mexico, The Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences, The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Wacoal, and Yahoo.

The launch of Ikimono Watch represents a significant step forward in streaming service innovation within Japan's media landscape. The service is expected to greatly enhance access to educational and entertaining content related to wildlife, while simultaneously leveraging cutting-edge technology to provide a smooth user experience.