Tokyo Broadcasting System seeks international co-production partnerships

In a move that befits the streaming era, Japan’s Tokyo Broadcasting System Television is looking to make itself more of an international force. It will invest in more international shows and strike new coproduction partnerships.

The company unveiled its new strategy on Friday at the South By South West (SXSW) festival in the U.S.

It followed ten months on from the launch of TBS’s Vision 2030 program which sought to increase content spending, launch a new division and expand into related areas such as licensing. The new unit was announced as having a content budget of JPY30 billion ($266 million).

To realize its vision as an international force, TBS will be looking for global partners for co-production of creative content for the global and Japanese audience; co-production of live entertainment for the global audience; strategic co-investment in global content; and combining cutting edge technology to create top-notch entertainment. IMDb