NHK says the reception fee system for smartphones is “very difficult”. Netflix Ads ‘Suspended’ – AV Watch
On the 25th, the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) held a briefing session on its Internet service. In the midst of this, he expressed the view that it would be “extremely difficult” to launch a new reception fee system for smartphones and personal computers that would allow users to register and view “NHK Plus” even if they did not own a TV receiver.
In addition, regarding the problem that commercials were flowing in NHK content on Netflix, “the commercials are suspended”, and in particular, regarding the “expanded interpretation of information to promote understanding” pointed out by the Newspaper Association, “I do not appreciate such an evaluation. We haven’t done it ourselves, and we’re not thinking about (reviewing) it.”
About NHK’s Internet utilization business
In addition to broadcasting television and radio programs using radio waves, NHK currently broadcasts simultaneous and missed broadcasts on “NHK Plus”, archive distribution on “NHK On Demand”, operates portal sites such as “NHK NEWSWEB”, and “ We are developing various Internet content services using communication lines, such as providing the NHK News / Disaster Prevention application.
Public Broadcasting Working Group (1st) handout. From “Current Status of Public Broadcasting”
These services are called “internet utilization services”. It is recognized by the Broadcasting Law as a “voluntary business” that complements the broadcasting (essential business or original business) that NHK has traditionally done.
The content that can be handled in Internet utilization work is limited to two: “(broadcast or broadcast) programs” and “information useful for understanding programs (materials necessary for editing and other materials that contribute to promoting understanding of programs)” The various services mentioned above are also provided within the scope of these conditions.
Public Broadcasting Working Group (1st) handout. From “Current Status of Public Broadcasting”
Prior authorization from the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications is required before implementing the service. As a condition, the following six items are stipulated as approval requirements.
- 1: Contribute to the achievement of NHK’s purpose (Article 15 of the Broadcast Law)
- 2: The type, content, and implementation method of the work must be properly and clearly defined.
- 3: Matters related to the type, content, implementation method of the service, the fee for the second service (BtoC provision), and other provision conditions are not inappropriate in light of the purpose of the reception fee system.
- 4: Do not require excessive costs to carry out the work
- 5: In the second business (BtoC provision), it does not unfairly discriminate against specific people
- 6: In the second business (BtoC provision), it must not unduly harm the interests of the user.
When using NHK Plus, the authentication mechanism for confirming the receiving contract has also been established in accordance with the third item above, “not inappropriate in light of the purpose of the receiving fee system”. .
There are also arrangements for funding. “NHK Plus”, “NHK News/Disaster Prevention”, “NHK for School”, social demonstrations, etc., which NHK provides directly to viewers (BtoC), have an upper limit of 20 billion yen. Information provided in emergencies such as disasters and “NHK World Premium” (BtoBtoC) is capped at 100 million yen, all of which are funded by receiving fees. On the other hand, paid archive distribution “NHK On Demand” (BtoC) and program sales to external distributors such as Netflix (BtoBtoC) are a separate account (implemented within the scope of service income). No receiving fees are used for
About the presentation at the Public Broadcasting Working Group
In addition to the overview of the utilization work, NHK’s presentation at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications “Public Broadcasting Working Group (3rd)” held on the 24th was also explained.
As previously reported, the Public Broadcasting Working Group is an expert panel established under the “Study Group on the Ideal Broadcasting System in the Digital Era” (Digiken), which discusses the future vision of broadcasting and how the system should be.
In July of this year, Digiken said, “In the Internet space, social problems such as filter bubbles, echo chambers, and fake news are becoming apparent. It will be more important than ever to permeate the Internet space with the value of broadcast content, such as the dissemination of highly sensitive information, the guarantee of “freedom to know,” the sharing of “basic information about society,” and the promotion of mutual understanding of diverse values. It will be important for the future.”
In response to this, a working group was established as a forum for discussing “what role should NHK, as a public broadcaster, play in the information space?”
Currently, the third meeting has ended, and the content will be summarized after repeated exchanges of opinions by around May next year. We will solicit opinions and report the results to the parent association.
Public Broadcasting Working Group (1st) handout. From “About Public Broadcasting Working Group”
At the third meeting of the working group held on the 24th, NHK, Commercial Broadcasters’ Association, and Newspaper Association participated.
While the Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association and the Japan Newspaper Association expressed concern over the further expansion of NHK’s Internet-based operations and the need for discipline, NHK should contribute to viewers and the general public by “providing reference points for information space.” ” (Provision of accurate, fair, and impartial information that should serve as a core) and ”Contribution to securing pluralism” (Newspapers, commercial The foundation of the principle is collateral, etc.), and explained the role and significance of NHK with survey data.
Regarding this, Mr. Yoshino, Director of the Corporate Planning Department, said, “Our major premise is that NHK is not alone. We need a relative perspective of NHK in the entire information space. NHK alone Rather than thinking about how things should be, we should look at the situation of the entire information space, including the existence of various players already in the information space, and how NHK, as a public broadcaster, should behave in that context. Based on the results of the survey, we explained that it would be necessary for the working group to discuss what role NHK should play.” talk to.
Public Broadcasting Working Group (3rd) handout. From “Materials Submitted by Japan Broadcasting Corporation”
It is very difficult to launch a new reception fee system for smartphones and PCs
The main questions and answers (including written answers) at the briefing session are as follows.
――I would like to ask about NHK Plus. To receive the current service, you need a TV receiver and a reception contract. For example, do you anticipate that there will be cases in the future where people say, “I have only a smartphone or a PC, but I do not have a TV, but I would like to receive the service.” Also, you said that you are not considering a so-called Internet subscription fee, but I would like to hear your thoughts again.
NHK subscription fee cut “announced by this fall”. “Internet Receipt Fee” “Not Thinking”
NHK:In fact, we are aware that there are already voices saying, “I don’t have a TV, but I want to use NHK Plus on my smartphone.” Unfortunately, there is no way to meet that demand under the current license fee system. At the first meeting of the Public Broadcasting Working Group, it was pointed out that “we should not consider whether we should be able to collect receiving fees immediately from those who have smartphones.” It is very difficult to set up a new system.
We would like to provide NHK services to as many people as possible. We would like to further consider this issue.
Public Broadcasting Working Group (3rd) handout. From “Materials Submitted by Japan Broadcasting Corporation”
–I would like to ask about how NHK’s Internet business has expanded in scope. There have been several amendments to the Broadcasting Law, but was the initial impetus for the expansion of the service a meeting of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications or a request from the Minister, or was it an initiative from the NHK side?
NHK:In recent years, NHK Plus’ constant distribution service is an example of a clear request from the NHK side. Our request does not lead to the revision of the law as it is, but based on the request of society, we will explain our request at a meeting of experts such as the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, discuss it at the meeting, and revise it based on the conclusions of the meeting. It is a process of whether or not It is difficult to generalize, but I would like you to understand that many of the major revisions were initiated by NHK’s proposals and requests, and many of them were discussed and moved at meetings.
――Regarding Netflix’s ad-supported plan, commercials are attached to NHK-provided programs. Some reports said that they requested the suspension of distribution of the content, but what is the current situation?
NHK:On Wednesday, November 16th, I received a message from Netflix to “temporarily remove ads from the show.” Currently, NHK programs are still being offered on Netflix, but advertisements are not displayed. We are still in the process of continuing discussions based on our request for a form that is in line with the implementation standards.
Netflix launches new plan “Basic with Ads” for 790 yen per month in November
–While the influence of the Internet is growing more than broadcasting, there are also harsh voices of public opinion, such as restrictions on the Broadcasting Law, pressure on private businesses, and streamlining. How do you want NHK to take advantage of the Internet in the future?
NHK:This overlaps with the stance that I mentioned in the working group the other day, but with regard to this Internet utilization business, it is basically not what NHK wants to do or what NHK wants to be, but what is society’s demand for NHK? I think that this is a major premise. Our stance is not to impose what we want to do on the public, but to fully respond to the roles and expectations of NHK.
At NHK, we would like to proceed with Internet utilization business to the extent that we can gain understanding from the world and society by scooping up various surveys and listening to the voices of viewers.
Of course, we want our services to reach as many people as possible, and we are aware that we live in an era where it is not possible to convey that through television alone. There is no change in our desire to deliver our value through the Internet, but the main premise is that it is only what the people and viewers want. I would like to face Internet utilization work with this stance, and conversely, if it is not, as pointed out by the Commercial Broadcasters Association and the Newspaper Association the other day, it will put pressure on private businesses and hinder fair competition. I don’t think I can respond to criticism.
–At the hearing of the working group held the other day, the Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association and the Newspaper Association pointed out that “information for promoting understanding” should not be interpreted too broadly. How do you think about revising interpretations, etc.?
NHK:The Internet utilization business that we are doing is a voluntary business that complements broadcasting, and we provide information under the premise that it contributes to the promotion of understanding of broadcasting.
We have no objection to the idea that “it should not be unnecessarily broadly interpreted,” as pointed out. If it is pointed out that it is out of the purpose of promoting understanding, I would like to consider it each time. However, we have not evaluated that the Internet utilization work that we are currently doing deviates from the information for promoting understanding, and as for whether there is a possibility of reviewing it, we are not thinking at the moment. not
――I would like to know the specifications of NHK Plus again.
NHK:There are two types of NHK Plus: PC/smartphone and TV application. For PCs and smartphones, the maximum video is 960 x 540 (1.5 Mbps), progressive, 29.97 fps, BT709 (SDR), H.264. Audio is 2ch, 48kHz/16bit, AAC, and simultaneous distribution and missed program distribution are being implemented.
The TV app has a maximum video of 1,920 x 1,080 (6 Mbps), progressive, 29.97 fps, BT709 (SDR), H.264. Audio is 2ch, 48kHz/16bit, AAC, and only missed programs are being distributed.
――What are your thoughts on handling BS programs on NHK Plus, expansion and simultaneous distribution of local programs, and distribution in 4K and HDR?
NHK:From October 3rd, we started distributing news from 6:00 p.m. to 6 stations in the Kanto-Koshinetsu region and 5 stations in the Kansai region. Together with the news from Sapporo, Sendai, the metropolitan area, Osaka, Nagoya, Hiroshima, Matsuyama, and Fukuoka, which have been distributed for a long time, there are 19 stations, and there are plans to further expand from next spring.
In addition, we also distribute missed programs as appropriate for programs broadcast by each regional station, including stations other than the above, between 7:00 pm on Fridays.
There are various problems with “simultaneous distribution” of local broadcast programs, distribution of satellite broadcast programs, and distribution with 4K image quality and HDR.
The Broadcast Act stipulates that distribution of broadcast programs for local areas is an obligation to make efforts, and we have received various opinions and requests from users regarding the expansion of NHK Plus. We would like to consider it as a future issue while assessing the burden of operation.
――What are your thoughts on “simultaneous distribution” for TV applications?
NHK:Since it is generally possible to watch broadcasts on TV receivers, we are not thinking about simultaneous distribution with a TV app at this time.
Simultaneous distribution also inevitably delays compared to broadcasting, and some programs are covered with so-called “covers”, in which rights cannot be secured. All programs can be viewed without delay on the broadcast, so I would like you to watch it on the broadcast.
Q: NHK Plus opens its services after authentication, but what kind of data does it collect from users?
NHK:NHK Plus asks subscribers to enter their name, address, e-mail address, etc. for the purpose of confirming their broadcast reception contract and confirming procedures for use. At that time, we display a document called “Privacy Notice Regarding Application for NHK Plus Use” to ask for confirmation of the type of personal data handled and the purpose of use.
In addition, for the purpose of grasping and analyzing how programs are viewed, etc., and improving services, etc., we will not identify specific viewers, and will not identify specific viewers. information may be acquired mechanically. Each purpose of use is displayed and confirmed by the “NHK Plus Privacy Notice”.
Personal data obtained mechanically is statistically analyzed using tools, for example, sites and applications such as whether it is a route that allows you to intuitively reach the program you are looking for, and whether there are buttons that are not used much. After identifying the issues of the UI on a daily basis, it is used for improvement in updates.
In addition, for all or part of the personal data that is mechanically acquired, the acquisition can be stopped or deleted by “Personal data transmission settings (opt-out)” in the “Settings” button of the app or website. can be done. Subscriber information is not used for the purpose of service improvement.
