MUMBAI: The National Geographic Channel (NGC) will be available on the J:Com TV Digital service in Japan as of 1 June 2005

The new deal will enable the broadcaster to reach out to an additional 300,000+ subscribers in Japan. NGC Asia MD & executive VP Ward Platt said, "We are delighted to launch on J:Com, Japan's largest MSO. We are very excited that more and more viewers in Japan will be able to enjoy National Geographic Channel"

NGC is one of the four new channels J:Com is adding onto its popular Digital pack which currently consists of 43 channels. The J:Com TV Digital service rolled out in April last year. News Broadcasting Japan (NBJ) manages the NGC business in Japan.

NBJ senior VP and GM Frank Foley says, "In conjunction with the new distribution launch, National Geographic Channel will feature exclusive programs in July for J:COM viewers. We are also planning a series of National Geographic events, lecture and workshops in the J:COM service areas."

He adds that NGC is aggressively pursuing efforts in developing and realizing HD and on demand services. NGC is also leveraging cross media opportunities with various Nikkei National Geographic publications including the National Geographic Magazine Japanese edition (a JV of National Geographic Society and Nikkei BP), to add value to J:Com's subscription acquisition efforts.