Japan’s two largest anime-focused television channels are merging operations as parent company Nojima Corp. seeks to streamline its broadcasting portfolio. Animax Broadcast Japan announced Tuesday it will absorb Kids Station effective October 1, 2025, creating a unified operator for the country’s most-watched animation channels.
The integration pools resources from channels serving Japan’s estimated 13 million anime households, with Animax controlling 6.78 million subscriber contracts and Kids Station reaching 6.23 million homes. Both networks will continue broadcasting separately with unchanged programming and pricing structures following the corporate consolidation.
The merger reflects broader upheaval in Japan’s satellite television sector as streaming services challenge traditional pay-TV operators. Electronics retailer Nojima acquired both channels from Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan in 2024, part of a strategic shift by the entertainment giant toward global streaming platforms including Crunchyroll.
Financial records show the merger stems from strategic considerations rather than operational difficulties, with Animax reporting ¥607 million ($4.1 million) in net profit and Kids Station generating ¥208 million ($1.4 million) during fiscal 2025. Kids Station, which launched in 1993 as Japan’s pioneering children’s anime channel, will dissolve as a separate legal entity while its broadcasting operations transfer to Animax.
The consolidation underscores challenges facing Japan’s specialized television channels as they compete against Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and domestic streaming rivals for anime content and viewers. Industry observers expect further consolidation as traditional broadcasters adapt to shifting viewing habits and rising content acquisition costs.
