As NHK makes preparations for simultaneous distribution of its programs via traditional broadcasting means and the internet, an advisory body to the public broadcaster has come out in favor of collecting viewing fees from people who watch programs on their mobile devices and personal computers. That would mean people who do not own a television would have to pay the fees if they want to watch NHK programs online. This should be thoroughly discussed from various angles so that the plan will be launched with full public understanding.

The Broadcast Law, which stipulates what NHK can do, currently bars it from simultaneous distribution of programs through broadcast and the web. It can collect viewing fees only from households that own a TV set. Last December, NHK informed a panel at the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry about a plan to broadcast and stream general and educational programs at the same time beginning in 2019, while introducing a scheme to collect viewing fees from households that watch NHK programs solely on the web. The Broadcast Law would have to be revised to authorize the plan.

NHK has been seeking to expand its service to the internet in view of the rising number of households — particularly among youths living alone — that do not have a TV due to the greater use of mobile devices such as smartphones. A 2007 revision of the Broadcast Law enabled NHK to launch a service called NHK On Demand — fee-charging, web-based redistribution of programs that have already been aired on television.