Content Providers
Content Providers

Content Providers

Usen Launches 3G Radio Service

Usen Corp., a cable radio operator turned multimedia content provider, started a four-channel streaming radio service in Japan on Monday via the 3G cell phone network of NTT DoCoMo Inc. The service is available at no cost to users of 19 models of NTT DoCoMo 3G handset as Usen will use the service to promote its ringtone download site, said Ami Okane, a Usen spokeswoman. Under the name of the song playing there are links that will take users to the download page for that song’s ringtone.

Jamdat Brings Doom to Japan

Global wireless entertainment publisher Jamdat Mobile announced the Japanese launch of mobile game ‘Doom RPG’, based upon the popular Doom PC games. The game, based on ID Software’s game franchise, is available now in Japan on Kiddi AU. Doom RPG was co-developed by ID Software and Fountainhead Entertainment. The game preserves the look and feel of the original DOOM game while integrating a tactical, turn-based combat system for one-handed gaming, the company said.

Naked News for Japan Mobile

Naked News, which features anchors and reporters who disrobe during newscasts, launched its risque take on current affairs in Japan Tuesday. Beneath a banner proclaiming Naked News as “The program with nothing to hide,” Sunrise Corp. CEO Takuya Uchikawa described the service as “a unique concept for the Japanese market.” Sunrise, which specialises in sales of goods and services via the Internet, and Naked News owner eGalaxy Multimedia have set a target of 10,000 mobile subscribers in the first year.

Anime Network Launches on Sprint

Anime Network has announced a deal with Sprint to provide its mobile video content to Sprint Power Vision subscribers. The Anime Channel will be available first to Sprint Power Vision subscribers on select multimedia handsets on Sprint TV’s Channel 66. Sprint subscribers can access clips from up to five premium titles at a price point of an additional $4.95 per month plus standard data charges. Anime programming – delivered to Sprint through Zoovision – will include a wide range of genres such as Horror, Sci-Fi, Action, Comedy and Drama.

Gracenote and Muze Partner to Create Integrated Offering

Gracenote and Muze today announced a multi-year partnership to offer the industry’s most comprehensive and accurate global media identification and rich content solution for consumer electronics and mobile phone devices, as well as PC applications. Offering a comprehensive collection of content for entertainment products currently available in North America, Europe and other parts of the world, Muze provides album art, album reviews and artist biographies for the industry’s most influential and popular artists of all time. Integrating Muze’s award-winning editorial content with Gracenote’s industry-leading music identification technology, services and global information database will allow digital entertainment companies to easily offer their customers an enhanced media experience anywhere they ship products in the world.

ITunes Japan Adds Another Label

Apple Computer Inc.’s iTunes Music Store Japan will be gaining more content from Wednesday with the addition of songs from Victor Entertainment Inc. The recording label, which is affiliated with Victor Co. of Japan Ltd. (JVC), will add 18 albums totalling 209 tracks to Apple’s online music distribution service, it said. The tracks cover mainly Japanese domestic artists.