NTT DoCoMo, Nippon TV Form Business Tie-Up
DoCoMo said today that it has agreed with Nippon Television Network Corp. (NTV) on a business tie-up to develop content and related services that combine mobile communications and conventional TV programs. Under the agreement, the companies will form a seven-year limited liability partnership, D.N. dream partners LLP, on April 3, 2006 (tentative), with DoCoMo investing five billion yen and NTV five billion yen. The partnership will invest in content and also develop content itself, including TV programs that can be viewed with mobile phones.
In addition, the two companies will jointly study new business opportunities, including a service that combines so-called “One-segment” terrestrial digital broadcasting that will begin in Japan this spring, and i-mode? services, as well as content developed by NTV for DoCoMo’s conventional services such as V-Live? video streaming and i-motion? video clip distribution services. NTV entertainment events with special activities for users of “Osaifu-Keitai” phones equipped with IC chips are also planned. Continue