Television broadcaster Mmbi, a subsidiary of NTT Docomo will launch Japan’s first smartphone-only TV channel on April1.The channel called NOTTV will have much higher video and audio resolution than the current 1seg digital broadcasting system for mobile devices. While a number of TV stations can already be viewed on smartphones and tablet computers, NOTTV will be Japan’s first channel aimed exclusively at smartphones. Mmbi has partnered with other channels including TBS to provide newscasts, sports, concerts, and Japanese and overseas TV series, in addition to original Mmbi content.
Smartphone users will also be able to stream NOTTV programs on demand after their initial broadcast. To watch the channel, however, users will need handsets designed to access it. The subscription fee is 420 yen a month. NOTTV will be available first on Docomo’s new Android-powered, Aquos Phone SH-06D and “Medias Tab N-06D tablet, set for release in March and April this year, respectively.

