Tokyo Broadcasting System Holdings, Inc. (TBS HD=holding company of TBS Television*). announced today that "Hello! Japan," a new international entertainment TV channel with popular Japanese content, will be launched in Singapore by J Food & Culture TV Pte. Ltd. (JFCTV, Head Office: Singapore on February 25. In addition to TBS HD, JFCTV investors include Dentsu, Nippon Television Network Corporation, TV Asahi Corporation, TV TOKYO Holdings Corporation, Singapore Media Alliance Pte., Ltd., Imagica Robot Holdings Inc., Hokkaido Television Broadcasting and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions Co., Ltd.

After its debut in Singapore, Hello! Japan will be distributed to ten other countries and territories in the Asia Pacific region: Indonesia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, Vietnam, India, Korea and Taiwan.

Emerging markets in the ASEAN region are showing remarkable economic growth, and countries outside the region that are aiming to enter this marketplace are focusing on ways to increase their presence in the region in order to boost the brand image of their corporations as well as the number of travelers coming into their countries. The export of broadcast content is regarded as a strategic move to promote awareness and understanding of a culture which can increase the degree of positive feelings toward that country. In the midst of intensifying competition, Japan must continue to provide high-quality, versatile content to the global marketplace.

The Japanese content currently being broadcast around the world is either content purchased individually by overseas broadcasting stations or the NHK World TV (English) and NHK World Premium (Japanese) programs. There are, however, no channels broadcasting over a wide area that have a Japanese company or companies at their core. Against such a backdrop, TBS HD and the JFCTV investors launched this project to both increase the market for Japanese content and enhance the presence of Japan in other countries. This is the first time that several media content companies in Japan have collaborated to integrate and edit content for distribution overseas.

Moreover, the establishment of a comprehensive entertainment TV channel by a Japanese company to deliver variety and music programs to audiences overseas is expected to provide logistical support for Japanese companies as they accelerate their globalization. Television commercials and events that are linked to program content, for example, can be used to increase the synergistic effects of advertising communications.

An outline of the Hello! Japan channel, the Hello! Japan logo and profile of JFCTV are provided below.

■ Outline of Hello! Japan

Channel Launch: February 25, 2013

Broadcast Area: Singapore

Distribution Method: Via one of StarHub CATV's complimentary channels

(Channel 149), StarHub can reach 570,000 households, around 50% of the total households in Singapore.

Target Audience: All local residents

Broadcast Format: Original Japanese Programming with English Subtitles

Broadcast Hours: 24 hours

Advertising: Yes

Programs: Animation, variety, drama, music, movies, travel, food, information, sports, etc.

■ Profile of J Food & Culture TV Pte. Ltd.

Company Name: J Food & Culture TV Pte. Ltd.

Head Office: 177 River Valley Rd. #05-11, Singapore 179030

Date of Establishment: April 25, 2011

Capital: S$10,499,600 (as of February 25, 2013)

Representative: Mikio Mori, Director, CEO

Number of Employees: 7

Business Description: Production of programs, provision of channels and sharing Japan-related content via cable, satellite and other distribution media in Singapore and other countries in the Asia Pacific region

■ About Tokyo Broadcasting System Television (TBS)

Established in 1951, Tokyo Broadcasting System Television, Inc. (TBS) and 30 TBS Group companies constitute one of the largest media conglomerates in Japan, encompassing a wide range of media and business activities including broadcast (nationwide terrestrial TV/radio networks to digital satellite, mobile, and broadband), content production (TV/radio programs, formats, movies, video/DVDs, Internet, computer graphics), domestic/overseas distribution, concerts and other events. With long-running hits like America's Funniest Home Videos and Takeshi's Castle, TBS continues to be a strong provider of content in the global arena, distributing programs of all genres to over 150 countries.