ViacomCBS is joining hands with Tokyo-based internet giant Rakuten to launch the Nick+ kids streaming service in Japan. The partnership was unveiled Tuesday at APOS, the Asia’s leading media and entertainment summit.
Under the deal, Nick+ will go live on April 28 over Rakuten’s video-on-demand platform Rakuten TV, which is available across mobile, STB/dongle, web and Smart TV devices. Nick+’s content library includes popular kids and family shows like SpongeBob SquarePants, PAW Patrol, Blaze and the Monster Machines, Bubble Guppies, Dora the Explorer, The Thundermans and others.
The partnership also includes the creation of a dedicated Nickelodeon zone on Rakuten’s flagship ecommerce platform Rakuten Ichiba. Products will cover multiple categories, including fashion, stationery and collectibles, and various ViacomCBS-owned IP, such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
“This long-term agreement with Rakuten, a key player in the media and ecommerce industry, connects the world of streaming to the world of consumer products for the first time,” said Raffaele Annecchino, CEO of ViacomCBS Networks International. “The integration of Nick+ and the Nickelodeon digital storefront into the Rakuten Ecosystem will enable us to create an interconnected Nickelodeon experience for consumers and leverage strategic cross-platform promotional opportunities.”
Added Koji Ando, Rakuten Group managing executive officer: “Through these new initiatives, families across the country will have even more reasons to engage with our services and enjoy the rich customer experience of the Rakuten Ecosystem. We look forward to building on this partnership to deliver even more entertaining content and initiatives in the future.”
