NBCUniversal, U-Next Ink Sweeping Japan Partnership Spanning Streaming and Theme Parks
NBCUniversal and Japanese streaming service U-Next have signed a long-term strategic partnership that brings the Universal+ streaming brand exclusively to the platform, alongside joint theme park initiatives and new global distribution routes for Japanese content. The deal marks a significant expansion for NBCUniversal in Asia Pacific and reflects a broader industry shift towards entertainment models that combine streaming, live experiences and international content distribution rather than standalone broadcasting or film businesses.
U-Next, Japan's second-largest subscription video-on-demand service with over 5.2 million paid subscribers, will exclusively carry Universal+ from October 2026, featuring franchises such as "Jurassic Park", "Minions" and "Fast & Furious", with near-simultaneous theatrical and TV releases following from spring 2027. A second strand of the partnership links U-Next with Universal Studios Japan, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, to develop live events and exclusive subscriber experiences, while a third strand will see Japanese dramas, anime and U-Next originals distributed internationally via NBCUniversal's Peacock and Universal+ platforms.
- NBCUniversal and U-Next launch major Japan streaming and theme park partnership
- Universal+ becomes exclusive to U-Next from October 2026
- Deal also covers Universal Studios Japan events and global content distribution
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NBCUniversal is the American media and entertainment company behind Universal Pictures, and it has a streaming service, Peacock, along with a spin-off international brand called Universal+. U-Next is one of Japan's biggest video streaming platforms, competing for subscribers in a crowded market that includes services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. The two firms have now agreed a long-term tie-up covering streaming content, theme parks and international distribution deals.
The arrangement matters because it changes how Japanese audiences will access popular Hollywood franchises, while also linking U-Next to Universal Studios Japan, a major theme park in Osaka that is separate from, but branded alongside, Universal's American parks. It also creates a route for Japanese television dramas, anime and other homegrown content to reach international viewers through NBCUniversal's platforms, which could raise the profile of Japanese entertainment abroad.
More broadly, the deal reflects a wider trend in the entertainment industry, where companies are moving away from relying on cinema releases or television broadcasting alone, and instead combining streaming, physical attractions and cross-border content deals into a single strategy.