NHK Panel Calls for Collecting Fees from Online TV Viewers

Tokyo, July 25 (Jiji Press)--An expert panel of Japan Broadcasting Corp., or NHK, on Tuesday called for introducing fees on households that watch NHK television programs only via the Internet when the corporation starts simultaneous TV broadcasting and online distribution. The panel's final proposal said NHK should collect online viewing fees only from households without subscription contracts, while charging no additional fees on households with such contracts. NHK aims to start the simultaneous services in fiscal 2019. After studying details in line with the proposal, NHK plans to call on the government to revise the broadcast law.Copyright JIJI PRESS LTD.