NBCUniversal and U-Next have entered into a long-term strategic partnership in Japan, bringing NBCUniversal’s international streaming brand Universal+ exclusively to the platform alongside joint initiatives with Universal Studios Japan and new global distribution pathways for Japanese content.
U-Next, operated by Usen & U-Next Group, is Japan’s second-largest subscription video-on-demand platform behind Netflix, with more than 5.2 million paid subscribers as of May 2026, according to GEM Partners. The service combines movies, television series, anime, sports including the Premier League, live music and e-books in a single app.
As the entertainment industry moves beyond standalone broadcasting, film and streaming segments toward a model centered on IP that spans digital platforms, live experiences and global distribution, the two companies aim to establish what they call a next-generation entertainment model in Japan.
The partnership’s first pillar centers on Universal+, which will roll out in Japan starting in October 2026 as an exclusive offering on U-Next. The service will carry NBCUniversal’s catalog from studios including Universal Pictures, Focus Features, DreamWorks Animation, Illumination, Universal Studio Group and Sky, featuring franchises such as “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” “Minions,” “Jurassic Park” and “Fast & Furious.” Beginning in the spring of 2027, U-Next will also offer major theatrical releases shortly after their cinema runs and first-run series from NBCUniversal on a rolling, exclusive basis.
