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.
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.
NBCUniversal’s 2026 theatrical slate will include event films such as Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” opening in Japan on Sept. 11, and Steven Spielberg’s “Disclosure Day,” opening Oct. 1. On the television side, the studio’s slate includes “The Five Star Weekend,” scripted series “Line of Fire” and “War,” along with library titles “Suits” and “Heroes.”
The second pillar centers on live experiences tied to Universal Studios Japan (USJ), which marks its 25th anniversary in 2026. U-Next and USJ will explore joint development of live music events, exclusive experiences and benefits for U-Next’s subscriber base, and the planning and production of video content featuring the park.
“We are very pleased to enter into this strategic partnership with NBCUniversal,” said Tsutsumi Tenshin, president and representative director of U-Next Co., Ltd. “While continuing to build on the service and trust we have cultivated to date, we aim to evolve U-Next beyond a service for simply watching video content into a platform where people can discover entertainment, become passionate about it, connect with real-world experiences, and bring Japanese content to audiences around the world.”
Specific initiatives under the partnership, including further USJ collaborations, the NBCUniversal content lineup, global expansion plans for Japanese content, user campaigns and new live event projects, will be unveiled on a rolling basis starting this fall.
