Hong Kong based IPTV solutions provider Broadband Network Systems Ltd (BNS) has landed an extensive long-term deal with National Data Japan and United Power to provide broadband content for their STB-based VOD service portal Joy channel at Rakuichi.net.

BNS will aggregate high quality family entertainment suitable for the broadband platform starting with over 200 episodes of TV hits from Europe, North America and China, including unscripted comedy, reality, animal, adventures, magic and sports.

“With a fast growing subscriber base it is a priority for us to broaden our program portfolio with light and very family oriented content,” Katz Itamura, National Data’s President and CEO said. “The capability to not only identify and secure the best suited content for our service, but also to be the one-stop-shop for future content aggregation was a key factor for appointing BNS.”

Alita Wong, Director of Consulting at BNS and responsible for the project, said: “Joy channel at Rakuichi.net’s audience is very broadband-savvy so content has to be highly customized to provide the right genre and shows to enhance the service’s appeal. This is an exciting project and we look forward to working with National Data and United Power on an ongoing basis.”

Joy channel at Rakuichi.net was launched on 1st March 2005 and is a community-based service available across the whole of Japan.

The new content line up will be available on the platform from 1st September 2005. The package comprising Comedy, Magic, Science, Animal, Nature and Documentary channels will be available at JPY 2,000 per month with a one month free trial period after the initial service launch.