Nick+ to Launch in Japan on Rakuten TV

ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI) and Rakuten Group have entered into a wide-ranging long-term agreement, which includes the launch of Nick+ on the Rakuten TV on-demand platform in Japan.

The partnership will see Nick+, Nickelodeon’s kids’ streaming service, launch on Rakuten’s VOD platform Rakuten TV in Japan on April 28, covering mobile, STB/dongle, web and smart TV devices. It brings with it such shows as SpongeBob SquarePants, PAW Patrol, Blaze and the Monster Machines, Bubble Guppies, Dora the Explorer, Blue’s Clues & You!, Deer Squad, The Loud House, Game Shakers, The Thundermans and more.

The partnership also includes the creation of a dedicated Nickelodeon zone on Japan’s leading e-commerce platform, Rakuten Ichiba. Showcasing a collection of select Nickelodeon products from multiple merchants, Japanese audiences will be able to easily purchase products featuring some of the brand’s most beloved characters from iconic franchises such as SpongeBob SquarePants, PAW Patrol and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on the new dedicated e-commerce zone on Rakuten Ichiba. Products will cover multiple categories, including fashion, stationery and collectibles.

“This long-term agreement with Rakuten, a key player in the media and e-commerce industry, connects the world of streaming to the world of consumer products for the first time,” said Raffaele Annecchino, president and CEO of ViacomCBS Networks International. “The integration of Nick+ and the Nickelodeon digital storefront into the Rakuten Ecosystem will enable us to create an interconnected Nickelodeon experience for consumers and leverage strategic cross-platform promotional opportunities. This innovative deal is testament to ViacomCBS’ expertise in developing unique and versatile partnerships and it will allow us to explore additional collaboration opportunities outside of Asia.”

“We are very excited to partner with ViacomCBS Networks International to bring their iconic brands and top-tier content to new audiences through our streaming and e-commerce platforms,” said Koji Ando, Rakuten Group’s managing executive officer and senior VP of Rakuten’s communications and energy company. “Through these new initiatives, families across the country will have even more reasons to engage with our services and enjoy the rich customer experience of the Rakuten Ecosystem. We look forward to building on this partnership to deliver even more entertaining content and initiatives in the future.”