An advisory panel to the posts and telecommunications minister on Monday selected 18 out of 41 companies and organizations that applied for licenses to begin next-generation interactive digital broadcasting services via so-called communications satellites.
The Radio Regulatory Council's selection paved the way for the ministry to shortly give formal approval to the 18 entities for entry into CS digital broadcasting.
The new service is to start in the second half of 2001.
The 18 include five new companies jointly capitalized by Tokyo-based terrestrial television broadcasters and electronics manufacturers.
Two are Japan MediArk Co., a joint venture involving K.K. Kyodo News, Jiji Press Ltd. and other concerns, and Nippon BS Broadcasting Corp., which is owned by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., NTT DoCoMo Inc. and 34 other firms.
Also included are a group of firms based in Kyushu and concerns from fields other than broadcasting such as the major railway Hankyu Corp.
The projected next-generation CS services will feature two-way interactive data transmission allowing viewers to receive specific data-related services and offer a broad range of content.
Criteria used in selecting license recipients included whether applicants have the relevant knowhow and whether they have a track record of offering similar services, the ministry said.