NHK Cosmomedia (Europe) Limited has announced the closure of its Japanese Satellite Television subscription service.Launched in 1990 as a two-hour branded block on the former Lifestyle channel, JSTV evolved into a two-channel network broadcast 24-hours-a-day across Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and North Africa.In its early years JSTV found it difficult to establish itself because its prime market, the Japanese businessman, might only be in post for a few years before returning home, and be living in privately rented accommodation.More recently, there has been a decline in subscribing households, which has been compounded by changes in the broadcasting environment. “It has become increasingly difficult to sustain the service commercially and the Company has therefore decided to cease broadcasting and distribution services,” NHK Cosmomedia said in a letter to subscribers.Japan’s public broadcaster retains a presence through NHK World Premium.
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