BBC Japan may close in April

[Analoguesat]

BBC Japan will close down on April 30 because its distributor no longer has the financial means to distribute the TV channel.

In a statement, BBC Worldwide said: "BBC Worldwide has received notification from JMC, its distributor in Japan, that it no longer has the financial means to honour its contractual commitments to distribute the BBC Japan channel.

"JMC has also told BBC Worldwide that the company’s shareholders will not be providing any further financial support. This decision results in JMC no longer being able to continue distribution of the channel after 30th April 2006 and BBC Japan will cease to be available.

"This decision has been taken without any consultation with BBC Worldwide and is beyond the corporation’s control. BBC Worldwide is actively seeking alternative ways to continue to provide the service in Japan."

BBC Worldwide's displeasure with JMC was made even clearer in a statement from Darren Childs, BBC Worldwide's managing director for global channels: "We are extremely disappointed to be having to announce that, due to the apparent decision of the JMC shareholders to no longer support JMC, BBC Japan may have to end transmission. We are looking to replace the channel in the market as soon as possible, and hope to announce shortly how BBC Japan’s loyal customers will be able to receive the channel in the future. In the meantime, we extend our sincere apologies to subscribers of the channel who have been inconvenienced by the decision of JMC."