Rakuten and ViacomCBS team up to bring Nickelodeon content to Japan

Starting today, fans in Japan now have easy access to some of the funniest and most family-friendly entertainment from Nickelodeon’s stable of world-famous properties. Thanks to a recently-announced, wide-ranging partnership between Rakuten and ViacomCBS Networks International, the kids streaming service Nick+ is now available on Rakuten’s video-on-demand platform Rakuten TV, bringing world-class entertainment such as SpongeBob SquarePants, PAW Patrol and Dora the Explorer on demand to screens big and small.

And if all those new viewing options weren’t exciting enough (especially for Japanese parents with kids home for the Golden Week holiday), the partnership also includes the creation of Nickelodeon’s first-ever digital storefront in Asia on Rakuten Ichiba, Japan’s leading e-commerce platform.

Through these new initiatives, families across the country will have even more reasons to engage with our services and enjoy the rich customer experience of the Rakuten Ecosystem.

Koji Ando, Rakuten Group Managing Executive Officer and SVP of Rakuten’s Communications & Energy Company

New and veteran Nickelodeon fans alike will be able to easily purchase Nickelodeon-branded merchandise based on beloved shows like Blue’s Clues & You!, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Bubble Guppies. The dedicated zone launches on Rakuten Ichiba in May 2021 and will offer Nickelodeon products from a variety of merchants, in categories including fashion, stationery and collectibles.

Helping iconic content find new audiences

“This long-term agreement with Rakuten, a key player in the media and e-commerce industry, connects the world of streaming to the world of consumer products for the first time,” shared Raffaele Annecchino, President & CEO of ViacomCBS Networks International. “The integration of Nick+ and the Nickelodeon digital storefront into the Rakuten Ecosystem will enable us to create an interconnected Nickelodeon experience for consumers and leverage strategic cross-platform promotional opportunities. This innovative deal is testament to ViacomCBS’ expertise in developing unique and versatile partnerships and it will allow us to explore additional collaboration opportunities outside of Asia in the future.”  

Koji Ando, Rakuten Group Managing Executive Officer and Senior Vice President of Rakuten’s Communications & Energy Company, commented, “We are very excited to partner with ViacomCBS Networks International to bring their iconic brands and top-tier content to new audiences through our streaming and e-commerce platforms. 

The integration of Nick+ and the Nickelodeon digital storefront into the Rakuten Ecosystem will enable us to create an interconnected Nickelodeon experience for consumers and leverage strategic cross-platform promotional opportunities.

Raffaele Annecchino, President & CEO of ViacomCBS Networks International

“Through these new initiatives, families across the country will have even more reasons to engage with our services and enjoy the rich customer experience of the Rakuten Ecosystem. We look forward to building on this partnership to deliver even more entertaining content and initiatives in the future.”

A portable solution that keeps kids entertained and engaged

Some of the shows on offer, like The Loud House or Game Shakers, are geared toward a slightly older, elementary school crowd. Others, such as Deer Squad or Blaze and the Monster Machines are more targeted toward the preschool set.

Regardless of who’s watching, parents and caregivers can rest assured that kids are being given the opportunity to learn English and engage in problem solving, teamwork, STEM, and much more, in a fun and playful way.

The service is affordable, too. A month of Nick+ will cost subscribers only 440 yen per month — for reference, that’s less than the cost of a combo at most popular fast-food chains. And for anyone who’s curious about the world of Nickelodeon but hesitant to take the plunge, Nick+ offers a free 14-day trial to viewers signing up for the first time.

As SpongeBob himself once famously sang, “F is for friends who do stuff together. U is for you and me. N is for anywhere and anytime at all.” N is also for Nick+, which can now be enjoyed in Japan, anywhere and anytime at all.