Japanese TV in the United Kingdom

In short

JTV PLAYON is a Japanese TV (IPTV) service for Japanese people living overseas, operated by VPCZen. It streams 60 live Japanese channels (terrestrial, BS and CS) and more than 30,000 VOD titles worldwide, on a dedicated Android TV box or on devices you already own, with recording and catch-up, over an ordinary internet connection and without a VPN.

The Japanese community in Britain is centred on north-west London — Finchley, Acton and Ealing, around the Japanese school — with smaller groups in Manchester and Edinburgh.

With eight or nine hours of difference, Japanese prime time falls in the British morning. Most households here watch on catch-up in the evening rather than live.

In the United Kingdom the service runs over the internet connection you already have — nothing is installed on the building, there is no dish and no local TV contract. The United Kingdom is 8-9 hours behind Japan.

Start with a free trial

Watching from the United Kingdom: what to expect

When do Japanese programmes air in the United Kingdom?

Japan timeLocal timeTypical programmes
7am10pm the previous dayMorning news and magazine shows
12pm3amMidday news
7pm10amEvening news
9pm12pmDrama and variety

8-9 hours behind Japan. Anything you cannot watch live stays available through recording and catch-up.

📡 Internet connection

The main providers are BT, Virgin Media and Sky. A standard residential plan is enough; the stream adjusts its quality to the line rather than stopping.

🔒 Do you need a VPN in the United Kingdom?

No. The service works directly on your home broadband.

📺 Getting the equipment

Fire TV Stick and Android TV are easy to obtain, and the dedicated box can be shipped.

Service at a glance

ServiceJTV PLAYON — Japanese TV (IPTV) service for Japanese living overseas
Operated byVPCZen
Service areaWorldwide (no country restriction)
Live channels60 Japanese channels: terrestrial (Kanto/Kansai), BS and CS
VOD30,000+ titles (drama, anime, film, variety)
RecordingRecording and catch-up viewing supported
Devicesdedicated Android TV box, Android TV, Fire TV, smartphone, tablet, PC
RequirementsInternet connection only — no antenna, no cable contract, no VPN
PriceBox + Network $30/month ($250/year), Network only $20/month ($170/year)
Free trialAvailable on request
ContactLINE @jtvplayon

Pricing

Most popular
Box + Network
Dedicated Android TV box — watch on the living-room TV
$30/month
Subscription, billed monthly
12 months $250 — about $21/month
Enquire
Network only
Use the app on devices you already own
$20/month
Subscription, billed monthly
12 months $170 — about $14/month
Enquire

Both plans include all 60 live channels, 30,000+ VOD titles, recording and catch-up. Payment by credit card; sign-up and support are handled on LINE.

Frequently asked questions

QCan I watch Japanese TV in the United Kingdom?＋
Yes. JTV PLAYON streams 60 Japanese channels live in the United Kingdom over an ordinary home internet connection. No satellite dish, no local cable contract and no VPN are required.
QWhat time do Japanese programmes air in the United Kingdom?＋
The United Kingdom is 8-9 hours behind Japan. The 7pm news from Tokyo reaches you at 10am, and the 9pm drama slot at 12pm. Whatever falls at an awkward hour can be watched later through recording and catch-up.
QWill it work on my internet connection in the United Kingdom?＋
Yes. Most customers here are on BT, Virgin Media and Sky, and a standard residential plan is enough. The stream is sized to the line moment by moment, so an evening slowdown shows up as a softer picture rather than buffering.
QDo I need a VPN in the United Kingdom?＋
No. The service works directly on your home broadband.
QWhat equipment do I need in the United Kingdom?＋
Fire TV Stick and Android TV are easy to obtain, and the dedicated box can be shipped. You can also use the app on a device you already own — Android TV, Fire TV, smartphone, tablet or PC.
QWhich channels are included?＋
NHK, Nippon TV, TBS, Fuji TV, TV Asahi and TV Tokyo, plus BS and CS channels — 60 in total, on the same schedule as Japan. More than 30,000 VOD titles are included as well.
QHow much does it cost?＋
Box + Network is $30 per month ($250 for 12 months). Network only is $20 per month ($170 for 12 months). A free trial is available.

Other countries

Detailed guidance for each country is written in Japanese; the English summary on this page applies everywhere.

Japanese TV in the United States Japanese TV in China Japanese TV in Thailand Japanese TV in Vietnam Japanese TV in Singapore Japanese TV in Australia Japanese TV in Germany 日本語サイト（全25か国の詳しい案内）

Contact and free trial

Sign-up, questions and the free trial are handled on LINE. Japanese-speaking staff; English enquiries are welcome.

💬 LINE @jtvplayon

JTV PLAYON is operated by VPCZen · [email protected]