BS10 Premium

BS10 Premium is a Japanese premium television channel operated by Japanet Broadcasting. The service primarily presents films and television series produced outside Japan and is distributed through satellite, cable, and IPTV platforms. It occupies the subscription-television segment rather than functioning as a general terrestrial broadcaster, with its offering centered on curated entertainment programming for Japanese viewers seeking international film and television content. The channel traces its corporate history to a private company founded in 1986 under the Star Channel identity. Star Channel subsequently expanded its technical reach, beginning continuous 24-hour broadcasting through Japanese communications satellites in July 1992. During its earlier development, the service was associated with international film and pay-television interests, including the subscription-television arm of United International Pictures and a Japanese distributor specializing in Western films. Ownership evolved over time. At one stage, significant stakes were held by Itochu, 21st Century Fox, Sony Pictures, and Tohokushinsha Film. The ownership structure changed when 21st Century Fox transferred its interest to Tohokushinsha in 2018, followed by Sony Pictures' divestment in 2019. On June 1, 2024, all shares held by Tohokushinsha Film were transferred to Japanet Broadcasting, making the channel a wholly owned subsidiary of Japanet Broadcasting. Star Channel then merged with Japanet Broadcasting on August 1, 2024. The BS10 Premium identity represents the channel's current brand subject and sits within this longer Star Channel corporate and broadcasting history. Publicly available reference material identifies Japanet Broadcasting as the current owner and operator, while detailed information about the brand's current programming schedule, launch date under the BS10 Premium name, executives, pricing, and audience data is not established in the supplied sources.

BS10 Premium's documented history is connected to the Japanese premium television service formerly known as Star Channel. The predecessor company was established as a private enterprise in 1986. From its early years, the service was oriented toward subscription television and international screen entertainment, particularly films and other programming originating outside Japan. A major technical milestone occurred in July 1992, when Star Channel began broadcasting around the clock through Japanese communications satellites. Continuous satellite broadcasting gave the service a distribution model distinct from conventional terrestrial television and supported its development as a dedicated premium channel. In the early 1990s, its ownership included UIP Pay TV, the subscription-television arm of United International Pictures, together with a Japanese distributor focused on Western movies. The ownership structure later included several major media and entertainment companies. At one point, Itochu, 21st Century Fox, Sony Pictures, and Tohokushinsha Film each held substantial interests. These relationships changed during the late 2010s. In 2018, 21st Century Fox transferred its stake to Tohokushinsha Film. Sony Pictures subsequently divested its interest in 2019. The changes reduced the number of international studio shareholders and increased the relative importance of Tohokushinsha in the channel's ownership. The next major transition came in 2024. On June 1, all shares held by Tohokushinsha Film were transferred to Japanet Broadcasting. Star Channel thereby became a wholly owned subsidiary of Japanet Broadcasting. On August 1, 2024, Star Channel merged with Japanet Broadcasting. The current BS10 Premium brand is operated by Japanet Broadcasting and continues the service's role as a premium Japanese television channel distributed through satellite, cable, and IPTV systems. Its programming profile is centered mainly on films and television series made outside Japan. The available reference material does not provide a confirmed date for the adoption of the BS10 Premium name, detailed programming categories, subscription prices, audience figures, executive roster, or a separate corporate headquarters. Those details should be added only when supported by reliable current company or regulatory sources.

• 2024

  Japanet Broadcasting becomes sole owner

  [1]BS10 Premiumen.wikipedia.org

  On June 1, all shares held by Tohokushinsha Film were transferred to Japanet Broadcasting.

• 2024

  Merger with Japanet Broadcasting

  [1]BS10 Premiumen.wikipedia.org

  Star Channel merged with Japanet Broadcasting on August 1, 2024.

• 2019

  Sony Pictures divests

  [1]BS10 Premiumen.wikipedia.org

  Sony Pictures later sold or otherwise divested its interest in the channel.

• 2018

  21st Century Fox transfers its stake

  [1]BS10 Premiumen.wikipedia.org

  21st Century Fox transferred its interest in the channel to Tohokushinsha Film.

• 1992

  24-hour satellite broadcasting begins

  [1]BS10 Premiumen.wikipedia.org

  Star Channel began continuous broadcasting through Japanese communications satellites in July 1992.

• 1986

  Predecessor company founded

  [1]BS10 Premiumen.wikipedia.org

  The private company associated with the Star Channel predecessor was established in Japan.

A Japanese subscription television channel focused primarily on premium international films and television series.

• Premium television channel

  BS10 Premium television channel

  BS10 Premium is a Japanese subscription television service focused mainly on films and television series produced outside Japan. The channel is distributed through satellite, cable, and IPTV platforms, allowing viewers to receive premium entertainment programming through multiple pay-television delivery systems. Its documented predecessor, Star Channel, developed as a dedicated international-film service and began 24-hour satellite broadcasting in 1992. Current reference material identifies Japanet Broadcasting as the channel's owner and operator.

• 2024

  Consolidation under Japanet BroadcastingM&A

  Background

  The channel had previously been associated with several shareholders, including Tohokushinsha Film and international entertainment companies. Japanet Broadcasting subsequently acquired the shares held by Tohokushinsha Film.

  Action taken

  Japanet Broadcasting took full ownership of Star Channel on June 1, 2024, followed by a merger between Star Channel and Japanet Broadcasting on August 1, 2024.

  Aftermath

  The transaction and merger placed the channel's operations within Japanet Broadcasting's corporate structure and established the ownership context for the BS10 Premium brand.

  Source

1. 1BS10 Premiumen.wikipedia.org