AbemaTV
AbemaTV is a Tokyo-based Japanese internet television streaming service and CyberAgent subsidiary offering ~25 free ad-supported live channels plus paid premium subscriptions, serving Japanese consumers with original dramas, romance reality shows, anime, sports, and mind-sports content across mobile, web, and TV devices.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What AbemaTV does
AbemaTV Inc. (株式会社AbemaTV) is a Tokyo-headquartered Japanese internet television streaming service and a wholly-owned subsidiary of CyberAgent Inc., founded and launched on April 11, 2016 as a "new future television" platform. The service operates approximately 25 themed channels broadcasting 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, distributed across native iOS and Android apps, desktop and mobile web (abema.tv), and Connected TV / smart TV applications. Basic access is free and registration-free, funded primarily through advertising, with optional paid tiers: ABEMA Premium at ¥1,180/month (tax included) for ad-free premium content and exclusive features, and an ad-supported premium option at ¥680/month.
The platform's product surface combines permanent thematic channels (Anime Channel, Mahjong Channel, POKER Channel, ABEMA SPECIAL, news) with temporary franchise-specific channels (NARUTO, Mushoku Tensei, Keroro Gunso, Love Live!) and a significant original-content operation spanning romance reality shows (Shuffle Island, Girl or Lady, Love Powering Dating Dome, "Kyoumidesuki" series), original dramas (Scandaleve, MISS KING, Bakansu no Housoku, MOGURA), original anime development (Project PRISMation), music-IP collaborations (Hybe, Geffen Records), and live event broadcasting (WSOP 2026, M League, National High School Mahjong Championship). A technical differentiator is contextual overlay advertising — video-content analysis technology developed jointly with GumGum and Dentsu Digital Inc. — that places in-frame ads non-disruptively and was demonstrated as Japan's first OTT contextual overlay PoC (Expedia launch advertiser; +151% brand recall, +127% interest lift reported).
Revenue derives from three streams: advertising (primary, including innovative contextual overlay formats), recurring subscription (ABEMA Premium and ad-supported premium tiers), and content licensing/royalties from international distribution of original dramas via Netflix across 8 countries/regions. After a decade of investment losses, ABEMA achieved its first profitability inflection in Q2 FY2026, lifting parent CyberAgent's Media & IP segment operating profit by 1.7x to ¥5.4B against consolidated quarterly sales of ¥246.2B and operating profit of ¥29.0B. As of April 2026, ABEMA reports Japan No.1 in original episode count among domestic video services (self-reported, March 2026), 149% YoY MAU growth for original programming, 170M+ social video views around its top romance reality franchise, and a 10-year operating track record.
AbemaTV firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AbemaTV
- Legal name
- 株式会社AbemaTV
- Website
- https://abematv.co.jp
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- AbemaTV is a Tokyo-based Japanese internet television streaming service and CyberAgent subsidiary offering ~25 free ad-supported live channels plus paid premium subscriptions, serving Japanese consumers with original dramas, romance reality shows, anime, sports, and mind-sports content across mobile, web, and TV devices.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AbemaTV industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Internet Television / Video Streaming
- NAICS
- Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)
- SIC
- Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Live TV Streaming (vMVPD/IPTV OTT) (MPACAAAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- General Entertainment AVOD Platforms (MPACAAAB), Anime & Niche Genre Streaming Platforms (Horror/Faith/Indie/etc.) (MPACAAAH), AVOD Streaming Channels (Ad-Supported OTT) (MPABAHAA)
Keywords
Where AbemaTV is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
AbemaTV business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Advertising Revenue: ABEMA generates primary revenue through advertising on its free tier. The platform offers standard ads as well as innovative contextual overlay ads that analyze video content for relevance. The platform achieved profitability in Q2 FY2026 after years of investment losses.
- Subscription Revenue (ABEMA Premium): Monthly subscription service priced at 1,180 yen (tax included) offering premium features and exclusive content. Also available as advertising-supported ABEMA Premium at 680 yen (tax included) for premium content with ads.
- Content Licensing and International Distribution: Original dramas such as 'MISS KING / ミス・キング' and 'スキャンダルイブ' are distributed internationally through Netflix, generating licensing revenue and expanding global audience reach.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free tier with basic access to approximately 25 channels |
| Subscription | Monthly | Premium subscription with exclusive features and content |
| Subscription | Monthly | Advertising-supported premium tier |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
AbemaTV product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AbemaTV operates ABEMA, a Japanese internet television streaming platform offering approximately 25 themed channels broadcasting 24 hours daily across anime, news, original dramas, romance reality shows, sports, and mind sports. The service is free with no registration required, supplemented by tiered premium subscriptions (1,180 yen/month ad-free and 680 yen/month ad-supported) and supported by advertising revenue. Content includes in-house produced originals (dramas, reality programming, anime) and licensed third-party content distributed internationally via Netflix.
Product overview
ABEMA is a Japanese streaming video platform operating as 'the new future television' under CyberAgent Group. The platform offers approximately 25 channels broadcasting 24 hours daily, featuring original dramas, romance reality shows, anime, sports, news, and mahjong/poker content. Content is primarily free with optional subscription tiers (ABEMA Premium at 1,180 yen/month, Ad-supported ABEMA Premium at 680 yen/month). ABEMA operates both permanent thematic channels (anime, mahjong, poker, news) and temporary special channels for anime series (NARUTO, Mushoku Tensei, Keroro Gunso, Love Live!). The platform has a significant original content strategy including exclusive dramas (MISS KING, Scandaleve) and reality dating shows (Shuffle Island, Kyoumidesuki). Recent expansion includes 24-hour poker programming with World Series of Poker 2026 coverage and anime creator development initiative Project PRISMation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- ABEMA Streaming Platform Japanese internet television streaming service offering approximately 25 themed channels broadcasting 24 hours daily, accessible for free without registration via smartphones, PC, tablets, and TV devices. Includes news, anime, original dramas, romance reality shows, sports, and mind sports content.
- ABEMA Premium Subscription Paid subscription service offering exclusive content, premium features, and ad-free viewing. Available at 1,180 yen/month (tax included) for full premium or 680 yen/month (tax included) for ad-supported premium access to exclusive ABEMA content.
Quantifiable outcome
- Original content monthly active users grew 149% YoY in April 2026
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use AbemaTV
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
AbemaTV technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
AbemaTV partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.
- World Series of Poker (WSOP)coreWorld's largest poker tournament with prize pool of approximately 720 billion yen. ABEMA secured exclusive domestic free live broadcast rights for WSOP 2026, including Ladies Tournament and Main Event.
- テレビ朝日報道局 (TV Asahi News Department)strategicJoint project between ABEMA and TV Asahi News Department for investigative documentary series '改めて、取材しました。' (Re-Investigation Documentary). Aired June 6, 2026 for 5 episodes on social issues and past scandals.
- 株式会社朝日新聞社 (Asahi Shimbun)coreOrganizer of National High School Mahjong Championship. ABEMA secured exclusive live broadcast rights for the 2nd tournament (2026), with qualifiers in Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka.
- M league機構 (M League Organization)coreOfficial supporting organization for National High School Mahjong Championship. M League professional mahjong league started in 2018 and has driven growth of mahjong as competitive sport among youth.
- コナミアーケードゲームス (Konami Arcade Games)minorGold partner sponsor of National High School Mahjong Championship.
- セガ (Sega)minorGold partner sponsor of National High School Mahjong Championship.
- N高等学校グループ (N High School Group)minorOfficial venue partner for National High School Mahjong Championship.
- 大洋技研株式会社 (Taiyo Giken)minorOfficial supplier of automatic mahjong tables (AMOS JP-DG) for National High School Mahjong Championship. Provides equipment as prize for winning team.
- RMU / 最高位戦日本プロ麻雀協会 / 日本プロ麻雀協会 / 日本プロ麻雀連盟 / 麻将連合 (Mahjong Organizations)coreFive professional mahjong organizations providing cooperation for National High School Mahjong Championship.
- Hybe CorporationstrategicJoint collaboration on global girl group formation. ABEMA's survival show 'World Scout: The Final Piece' was used for member selection, with Sakura winning the final spot from over 14,000 Japanese applicants.
- Geffen RecordsstrategicJoint collaboration with Hybe on global girl group formation. Partnered on second global girl group 'Saint Satine' following successful debut of Katseye.
- GumGumstrategicConducted Japan's first Proof of Concept for 'contextual overlay ads' in the OTT space. GumGum's video content analysis technology enables display of contextually relevant ads within video frames without disrupting viewing experience. The PoC featured Expedia as advertiser in a dating reality show filmed in Korea.
- Dentsu Digital Inc.strategicPartnered with GumGum and ABEMA in Japan's first PoC for contextual overlay ads in OTT space. Dentsu Digital Inc. participated in the collaborative effort to establish CTV advertising standards.
- ExpediaminorAdvertiser featured in the contextual overlay ads PoC conducted by GumGum, ABEMA, and Dentsu Digital. Travel-related scenes in the dating reality show achieved +151% brand recall and +127% interest lift.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
AbemaTV competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Niconico: Japanese live-streaming and video platform operated by Dwango (Kadokawa) with strong anime and creator-livestream niche — overlapping ABEMA's anime, mahjong and live-event programming.
- Netflix Japan: Global SVOD leader with significant Japan subscriber base and now a distribution partner for ABEMA originals. Direct competitor for premium subscriptions while also serving as a content licensing counterparty.
- Lemino (formerly dTV): NTT Docomo-owned Japanese video streaming service offering ad-supported and premium tiers; competes directly with ABEMA for Japanese mobile-first viewers and anime audiences.
- Amazon Prime Video Japan: Major global SVOD competing for Japanese subscribers and original-content rights; bundled Prime offering provides significant competitive pressure on ABEMA Premium.
- U-NEXT: Major Japanese subscription streaming service offering films, dramas and anime; competes directly with ABEMA Premium for Japanese paying subscribers.
- TVer: Free Japanese AVOD streaming platform backed by major commercial broadcasters offering catch-up TV and originals. Direct competitor to ABEMA in Japan for both viewer attention and CTV ad inventory.
- Disney+ Japan: Premium SVOD competitor in Japan with strong franchise IP competing for the same subscription and ad-supported entertainment budget.
- Hulu Japan: Operated by Nippon Television, Hulu Japan runs a similar Japanese free ad-supported tier plus paid premium model and competes head-to-head with ABEMA for the same streaming and CTV advertising budgets.
Broad incumbents
- Twitch: Global live-streaming platform competing for mind-sports and event-streaming attention; relevant as ABEMA expands into poker and mahjong live coverage.
- YouTube Japan: Dominant global free video platform with massive Japan reach for both long-form and live content. Competes broadly for viewer time and CTV ad spend rather than for specific premium subscriptions.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
AbemaTV social profiles
Digital presenceAbemaTV financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AbemaTV leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
AbemaTV funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AbemaTV M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AbemaTV
What does AbemaTV do?
AbemaTV operates ABEMA, a Japanese internet television streaming platform offering approximately 25 themed channels broadcasting 24 hours daily across anime, news, original dramas, romance reality shows, sports, and mind sports. The service is free with no registration required, supplemented by tiered premium subscriptions (1,180 yen/month ad-free and 680 yen/month ad-supported) and supported by advertising revenue. Content includes in-house produced originals (dramas, reality programming, anime) and licensed third-party content distributed internationally via Netflix.
Is AbemaTV a public or private company?
AbemaTV is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was AbemaTV founded?
AbemaTV was founded in 2016. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is AbemaTV based?
AbemaTV is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does AbemaTV make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Advertising Revenue is the primary driver. The others are subscription Revenue (ABEMA Premium) and content Licensing and International Distribution.
Who are AbemaTV's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Niconico, Netflix Japan, Lemino (formerly dTV), Amazon Prime Video Japan, U-NEXT, TVer, Disney+ Japan and Hulu Japan. Broad incumbents are Twitch and YouTube Japan.
Does AbemaTV have an API?
No public API is recorded for AbemaTV.
What industry is AbemaTV in?
AbemaTV's product category is Internet Television / Video Streaming. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPACAAAD, Live TV Streaming (vMVPD/IPTV OTT), with a secondary code of MPACAAAB, General Entertainment AVOD Platforms. Its NAICS code is 516210 and its SIC code is 4833.