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NBCUniversal and U-Next have entered into a long-term strategic partnership in Japan, bringing NBCUniversal’s international streaming brand Universal+ exclusively to the platform alongside joint initiatives with Universal Studios
Japan and new global distribution pathways for Japanese content.
U-Next, operated by Usen & U-Next Group, is Japan’s second-largest subscription video-on-demand platform behind Netflix, with more than 5.2 million paid subscribers as of May 2026, according to GEM Partners. The service combines movies, television series, anime, sports including the Premier League, live music and e-books in a single app.
As the entertainment industry moves beyond standalone broadcasting, film and streaming segments toward a model centered on IP that spans digital platforms, live experiences and global distribution, the two companies aim to establish what they call a next-generation entertainment model in Japan.
The partnership’s first pillar centers on Universal+, which will roll out in Japan starting in October 2026 as an exclusive offering on U-Next. The service will carry NBCUniversal’s catalog from studios including Universal Pictures, Focus Features, DreamWorks Animation, Illumination, Universal Studio Group and Sky, featuring franchises such as “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” “Minions,” “Jurassic Park” and “Fast & Furious.” Beginning in the spring of 2027, U-Next will also offer major theatrical releases shortly after their cinema runs and first-run series from NBCUniversal on a rolling, exclusive basis.
NBCUniversal’s 2026 theatrical slate will include event films such as Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” opening in Japan on Sept. 11, and Steven Spielberg’s “Disclosure Day,” opening Oct. 1. On the television side, the studio’s slate includes “The Five Star Weekend,” scripted series “Line of Fire” and “War,” along with library titles “Suits” and “Heroes.”
The second pillar centers on live experiences tied to Universal Studios Japan (USJ), which marks its 25th anniversary in 2026. U-Next and USJ will explore joint development of live music events, exclusive experiences and benefits for U-Next’s subscriber base, and the planning and production of video content featuring the park.
The third pillar will build new distribution pathways for Japanese dramas, anime, films and U-Next original productions through NBCUniversal’s Peacock service in the U.S. and Universal+ in Latin America, with the companies aiming to expand into additional markets over time.
“What sets apart this multi-faceted partnership is the innovative breadth achieved for both businesses,” said Chris Taylor, managing director, Asia Pacific, TV distribution and international networks and direct-to-consumer for NBCUniversal. “For NBCUniversal, it brings together our film and television catalog, our theme park experiences through Universal Studios Japan and our global distribution network – all under one roof for Japanese audiences.”
“U-Next’s impressive performance, having recently eclipsed five million subscribers, make them an ideal platform for NBCUniversal to align with on this ambitious partnership that includes the first fully-loaded Universal+ launch in Asia Pacific – reinforcing the importance of the Japanese market to our overall business,” Taylor said. He added that the collaboration builds on NBCUniversal’s strategy of pairing premium branded entertainment destinations with its traditional licensing business, and that the companies see an opportunity to extend the reach of U-Next’s Japanese dramas and anime as Asian content grows in global popularity.
“We are very pleased to enter into this strategic partnership with NBCUniversal,” said Tsutsumi Tenshin, president and representative director of U-Next Co., Ltd. “While continuing to build on the service and trust we have cultivated to date, we aim to evolve U-Next beyond a service for simply watching video content into a platform where people can discover entertainment, become passionate about it, connect with real-world experiences, and bring Japanese content to audiences around the world.”
“This partnership is the first step toward realizing those possibilities,” Tsutsumi added. “Together, we will build a new kind of entertainment service that extends beyond streaming.”
Specific initiatives under the partnership, including further USJ collaborations, the NBCUniversal content lineup, global expansion plans for Japanese content, user campaigns and new live event projects, will be unveiled on a rolling basis starting this fall.
