There’s an old Japanese proverb, Aun no kokyu (阿吽の呼吸), that describes the seamless synchronization of two or more people working in perfect harmony—like a great dance duo moving effortlessly together.
Recently, Uplynk and Vimond brought that proverb to life by joining forces to enhance streaming for NHK Cosmomedia America, Inc. (NCMA), a subsidiary of NHK.
But first, a little background on NHK and how a bold new move is transforming the broadcasting landscape in 2024.
On April 1, 2024, NHK made a historic transition—replacing traditional cable programming with a fully digital streaming service after more than 30 years of providing Japanese-language programming to North American audiences.
This shift marked the transition from linear broadcasting to a digital-first and digital-only model, revolutionizing how Japanese content reaches viewers.
The result? Jme, a new direct-to-consumer over-the-top (OTT) broadcasting service. NHK recognized that a one-size-fits-all approach to broadcasting was no longer effective in today’s dynamic media landscape.
With this new streaming platform, NHK aims to:
✔ Adapt to changing viewer habits
✔ Meet the demand for flexible, on-demand content
✔ Overcome time zone challenges for international audiences
According to NHK’s Fujino, one of the biggest challenges was adjusting live programming to fit different time zones.
“The schedule of programs will be slightly different,” Fujino explained. “NHK World Premium is distributed live from Tokyo, making it difficult for people in the U.S. to watch in real time. This is especially challenging with time differences between Japan, North America, and Hawaii.”
To accommodate global audiences, Jme maintains the core programming of TV Japan, including:
📺 Live NHK news
🎭 Popular dramas and movies
🎶 Entertainment shows
To attract new subscribers, TV Japan offered a 30-day free trial for customers registering between March 20 and April 30.
By teaming up, Uplynk and Vimond combine their expertise to create a seamless and powerful streaming experience.
Vimond, a leading video technology provider, specializes in:
🔹 Online video platforms
🔹 Content management systems (CMS)
🔹 Flexible and targeted content distribution
Meanwhile, Uplynk’s Uplynk serves as the foundation for video operations, enabling broadcasters to manage streaming from ingestion to delivery while using fewer resources than traditional infrastructure.
Together, Uplynk and Vimond make streaming:
✔ Easy
✔ Reliable
✔ Affordable
💡 Uplynk: Enables the creation and distribution of FAST channels with low latency and no buffering.
💡 Vimond: Provides tools for content management and video distribution.
By combining their strengths, Uplynk and Vimond help NHK and other global industries deliver high-quality video while saving teams time and resources.
VIA, Vimond’s core product, supports:
📦 Media ingestion
🖥 Content management
📲 Video distribution
With Uplynk managing content delivery, creating FAST channels becomes seamless—ensuring low latency and the best video quality for both live and on-demand content.
✅ Seamless transitions between live streaming and VOD
✅ Broadcast-grade, high-quality video
✅ Scalability for large audiences
✅ Reliable service levels
✅ Trusted by major broadcasters
✅ Live event support
✅ Easy-to-use workflow
✅ Integrated front-end and back-end access
✅ Flexible business models
✅ Various monetization options (SVOD, TVOD, AVOD)
✅ Customizable viewer experiences
Together, Uplynk Uplynk and Vimond provide a powerful solution for superior video quality and efficient streaming operations.
While the future looks bright for NHK and Japanese content viewers, this transformation also presents challenges—especially for older demographics accustomed to traditional TV.
To ease the transition, TV Japan and Jme are planning seminars in Los Angeles to help viewers adapt to the new digital service.
Although change can be difficult, having a dedicated team to guide consumers through the transition makes the process smoother and more accessible.
Consumer needs have changed, and NHK is listening—with Uplynk and Vimond providing the technical expertise to ensure a seamless streaming experience.
While this marks the end of an era for traditional broadcasting, it also opens the door to an exciting new future where:
By joining forces, Uplynk and Vimond create a powerful synergy that enhances digital capabilities across multiple industries.
By integrating:
✅ Uplynk’s scalable solutions
✅ Vimond’s advanced video technology
They provide a comprehensive end-to-end streaming solution—from ingest to content management to global distribution.
Together, Uplynk and Vimond are shaping the future of streaming and revolutionizing how audiences experience content.
Uplynk leverages AWS to enhance its platform capabilities, delivering exceptional value to customers through:
✅ Scalability and Cost Efficiency
AWS’s elastic infrastructure ensures seamless scaling for fluctuating workloads, eliminating the need for new hardware. This reduces operational complexity and provides cost savings, which Uplynk passes directly to customers.
✅ Enhanced Agility
AWS’s automated tools enable resources to be quickly deployed or decommissioned, allowing for rapid proof-of-concept testing and efficient product development cycles.
✅ Encoding, Storage, and Delivery
AWS supports Uplynk’s comprehensive media pipeline, providing the capability for efficient encoding, reliable storage, and seamless delivery. This ensures optimal performance across the platform.
✅ Streamlined Compliance
AWS simplifies the process of meeting regulatory requirements, lowering the cost and complexity of maintaining compliance across diverse workloads.
By leveraging AWS, Uplynk offers the scalability, efficiency, and technical innovation needed to empower customers in the ever-evolving streaming landscape.