Star Channel is a Japanese group of premium television channels operated by Star Channel, Inc. (). Star Channel mainly provides films and television series made outside Japan, on 3 high-definition channels, available on

satellite A satellite or artificial satellite is an object intentionally placed into orbit in outer space. Except for passive satellites, most satellites have an electricity generation system for equipment on board, such as solar panels or radioi ...

cable Cable may refer to: Mechanical * Nautical cable, an assembly of three or more ropes woven against the weave of the ropes, rendering it virtually waterproof * Wire rope, a type of rope that consists of several strands of metal wire laid into a hel ...

and

IPTV Internet Protocol television (IPTV) is the delivery of television content over Internet Protocol (IP) networks. This is in contrast to delivery through traditional terrestrial, satellite, and cable television formats. Unlike downloaded med ...

platforms. As of 2021, the channel is currently owned by

Tohokushinsha Film is a Japanese film distributor, production company and dubbing studio based in Akasaka, Minato, Tokyo. It was founded in 1961 by Banjirō Uemura (who was also once the head of the Japanese branch of ITC Entertainment) as a dubbing house for fo ...

Corporate

Star Channel was founded as a private company in 1986. Previously, each 25% of the company's stake were owned by

Itochu is a Japanese corporation based in Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka and Aoyama, Minato, Tokyo. It is one of the largest Japanese ''sogo shosha'' (general trading companies). Among Japanese trading companies, it is distinguished by not being descend ...

, 21st Century Fox (previously as the original

News Corporation News Corporation (abbreviated News Corp.), also variously known as News Corporation Limited, was an American multinational mass media corporation controlled by media mogul Rupert Murdoch and headquartered at 1211 Avenue of the Americas in New ...

), Sony Pictures and

,Mitsuhiro Yoshimoto, Eva Tsai, JungBong Choi Television, Japan, and Globalization 1929280599 - 2010- Page 20 "Just like

Star TV Star TV may refer to: * E! (Canadian TV channel) (formerly Star!), a Canadian entertainment news channel * Las Estrellas (Spanish for The Stars), the Mexican television network * Estrella TV (Spanish for Star TV), the American Spanish-language net ...

, Star Channel specializes in the provision of foreign movies to Japanese audiences via the diverse broadcasting venues of digital CS, BS, and cable television. In fact, Japan's Star Channel was an outcome of a bizarre negotiation between Itochu and Star TV's owner,

. Itochu asked for the right to expropriate Star TV's trademark and content. News Corporation demanded in return a..." but as of 2018, 21st Century Fox sold its share in the company to Tohokushinsha. Sony Pictures later divested the company in 2019.

Channels

* Star Channel 1 (formerly Star Channel and Star Channel Hi-Vision): The main channel launched on 1 July 1986. Its HD simulcast channel was separately branded as Star Channel Hi-Vision, but the branding was removed with the 1 October 2011 rebrand of channels. * Star Channel 2 (formerly Star Channel Plus until 30 September 2011) * Star Channel 3 (formerly Star Channel Classic until 30 September 2011)

References

External links

*
Corporate information in English
Television stations in Japan Television channels and stations established in 1986 Itochu 1986 establishments in Japan {{Japan-tv-station-stub