What Mediacast does

Mediacast (株式会社メディアキャスト) is an independent Japanese software company founded on January 22, 2003 by Representative Director Sugimoto Takahiro, headquartered in Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo. It specializes in digital data broadcasting systems serving TV broadcast stations, cable TV operators, and local governments across Japan. The company develops BML (Broadcast Markup Language) authoring tools, ARIB-standard-compliant content management systems, real-machine verification software, and emergency alert systems used across terrestrial digital, BS, CS110, 1-seg, and 4K8K satellite broadcasting platforms.

The product portfolio centers on the DataCaster series (DataCaster M3 for on-premise deployment and DataCaster CloudM3 for cloud-based centralized management), complemented by Foliage typeA and typeC BML authoring tools, ShotMUX Complete for real-machine content verification on consumer receivers, GPX5 for HTML5-based broadcast CG graphics, SparkMUX for emergency earthquake and disaster alert transmission, amphibious for Hybridcast content, and the BS4K Emulator for 4K8K satellite services. Mediacast holds proprietary IP including the LACE (Luminance Alpha Color-reduction Engine) algorithm for high-quality ARIB-compliant image conversion, and provides operational services including DataCaster Contribute for browser-based content updates, access log collection, viewer response aggregation, and disaster public address linkage systems.

The company monetizes through a mix of one-time/perpetual software licenses (¥198,000 to ¥3.5M per product), subscription cloud services (B-hos from ¥189,000/month, DataCaster CloudM3, DataCaster LimiC), and commissioned systems development and content production services. Distribution combines direct enterprise field sales to major broadcast networks with an SI/reseller channel for the 400+ cable TV operators nationwide. Customers include NHK, TV Asahi, TBS, Fuji TV, Kansai TV, and numerous regional broadcasters, cable operators, and local governments deploying disaster information systems.

Name

Mediacast

Legal name

株式会社メディアキャスト

Website

https://www.mcast.co.jp/

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mediacast is an independent Japanese software company founded in 2003 that develops BML authoring tools, ARIB-compliant data broadcasting CMS, verification systems, and emergency alert solutions for TV broadcast stations, cable TV operators, and local governments across Japan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Broadcast Software / Data Broadcasting Systems

NAICS

Broadcasting and Content Providers (516)

SIC

Radio & Tv Broadcasting & Communications Equipment (3663)

akta.pro primary industry

Content Supply Chain Orchestration & Workflow (Ingest-to-Publish, Automation) (MPAHALAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Media Transport & Contribution (SRT/RIST, Satellite/IP, Fiber) (MPAHAKAD)

Keywords

• Data broadcasting software
• BML authoring tools
• Broadcast content management
• Cable TV CMS systems
• ARIB standard compliance

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

1. Software Product Sales: Sale of BML authoring tools (Foliage), content verification software (ShotMUX), and integrated data broadcasting systems (DataCaster series) as perpetual licenses to broadcast stations and cable TV operators.
2. System Integration & Commissioned Development: Custom system development and integration services for data broadcasting, mobile, and image processing, including system construction and customization.
3. Cloud Services: Subscription-based cloud services including DataCaster CloudM3, DataCaster LimiC, B-hos (one-stop link site service), and access log collection and viewer response aggregation services.
4. Content Production Services: Data broadcasting content production using ARIB-compliant techniques, including BML content creation, program production support, and content operational services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Mediacast develops and sells software products, cloud systems, and professional services for digital data broadcasting in Japan. Its core offerings include BML authoring tools (Foliage series), integrated on-premise and cloud content management systems (DataCaster M3/CloudM3), real-machine content verification software (ShotMUX), HTML5 CG rendering (GPX5), emergency alert systems (SparkMUX), and Hybridcast and 4K8K satellite broadcasting tools, sold to TV broadcasters, cable TV operators, and local governments.

Product overview

Mediacast is a data broadcasting specialized technology company providing integrated products and services for digital TV broadcasting. The company offers a comprehensive product portfolio centered on the DataCaster series (DataCaster M3 for on-premise and DataCaster CloudM3 for cloud deployment), complemented by BML authoring tools (Foliage typeA/typeC for fixed and 1-seg receivers), content verification tools (ShotMUX Complete), emergency alert systems (SparkMUX), and HTML5-based CG tools (GPX5). The DataCaster series serves as the core platform integrated with specialized tools including DataCaster Contribute for content management, supported by services for access log collection, viewer response aggregation, disaster public address linkage, and custom systems development. Additional offerings include the amphibious Hybridcast content production tool, BS4K Emulator, and related products like OPTPiX imesta7 for image optimization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DataCaster: Integrated data broadcasting system solutions including DataCaster M3 and DataCaster CloudM3.
• Foliage
• POSCASt

Products and services

• DataCaster M3 Integrated on-premise data broadcasting system solution operating at broadcast stations and cable TV operators nationwide, supporting terrestrial digital, BS, and CS data broadcasting services.
• DataCaster CloudM3

Quantifiable outcome

• Cable TV system costs reduced to approximately 1/3 of conventional systems
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers28 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered strategic and core.

• NetWell Systems (ネットウエルシステム)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 November 2023Cross-media solutions collaboration for broadcast stations and cable TV operators. NetWell Systems brings internet marketing expertise; Mediacast provides data broadcasting technology. Joint solutions targeting broadcast-cable cross-media expansion.
• Takeo City / Saga Prefecture (佐賀県武雄市)strategicTechnology or Integration · 21 June 2017First in Japan deployment of simultaneous TV and smartphone auto-delivery of disaster administrative wireless voice broadcasts. Mediacast's disaster administrative wireless integration system connected to data broadcasting infrastructure.
• NTT SmartConnect (エヌ・ティ・ティ・スマートコネクト株式会社)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 October 2006Joint development of B-hos one-stop link site service for 1seg broadcasting. NTT SmartConnect provides high-speed internet connection and high-reliability delivery server environment; Mediacast provides ARIB monomedia conversion software. Industry-first service as ASP/housing provider for 1seg broadcasting.
• Fix Co., Ltd. (株式会社フィックス)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 March 2006Joint development of PiTENTRY 2 BML Edition — bidirectional program support service for digital terrestrial broadcasting. Fix brings interactive program support experience from analog TV; Mediacast provides digital data broadcasting technology. Service enables quiz, survey, voting, and prize applications via TV remote controls and mobile phones.
• TV Asahi (テレビ朝日)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2005Trial service for road traffic information via terrestrial digital data broadcasting combined with mobile app operation, using jointly developed Express + Mediacast traffic information delivery service. Conducted April–June 2005.
• RescueNow (株式会社レスキューナウ・ドット・ネット)strategicTechnology or Integration · 17 November 2004Crisis management information company with extensive disaster information collection and delivery systems. Partnership to deliver disaster management information (weather, traffic, alerts, volcano, earthquake) and railway operation information to broadcast stations via data broadcasting, converting to ARIB-compliant BML formats.
• Express (株式会社エキスプレス)strategicTechnology or Integration · 17 November 2004Express operates traffic information services on SKY PerfecTV! and provides traffic information to Yahoo! JAPAN. Partnership to deliver highway and road traffic congestion/regulation information to broadcast stations via data broadcasting in ARIB-compliant BML format.
• ACCESS Co., Ltd.coreTechnology or Integration · 4 July 2003Sales partnership for NetFront BML Viewer — ACCESS developed the PC-based data broadcasting BML content viewer, and Mediacast serves as sales agent, bundling it with Foliage and SceneCreator DD for broadcast stations and production companies. Strong partnership since early founding years.
• Inscriber Technology Corporation (Canada)coreTechnology or Integration · 4 June 2003Partnership for domestic broadcast graphics market development. Inscriber has over 200,000 system installations in 110+ countries, including major broadcasters like ABC, NBC, CNN, BBC, and TV Tokyo. Both companies agreed to cooperate on new product market development and joint product development suited to the Japanese market.
• Digital Cast International (株式会社デジタル・キャスト・インターナショナル)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 May 2003BS independent digital data broadcasting station operator with extensive content production experience. Partnership for digital data broadcasting content production market development. First product was giggle BML verification tool, which Mediacast commercialized and sells.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Harmonic Inc. Global provider of broadcast and media production infrastructure including playout automation, OTT delivery, and contribution systems. Directly comparable as a technology vendor supplying broadcast automation and content workflow software to TV operators, though serving a much broader international market.
• Grass Valley: Major broadcast technology vendor offering playout automation, master control, newsroom, and content distribution solutions to broadcasters worldwide. Closely comparable in product category (broadcast automation/playout) and customer base (TV stations and cable operators).
• Imagine Communications: Broadcast playout, automation, and advertising management technology provider serving TV stations and multichannel operators. Comparable as a vendor of integrated broadcast management and content distribution software to enterprise broadcast customers.
• Evertz Technologies: Canadian broadcast infrastructure manufacturer and software provider offering playout, routing, monitoring, and contribution systems to TV broadcasters and cable operators globally. Comparable as a full-stack broadcast technology vendor.
• Vizrt Group: Provider of broadcast graphics, playout automation, and newsroom workflows for TV stations and content producers. Comparable in supplying broadcast production software and graphics systems, including the GPX5-style broadcast CG category.
• ACCESS Co., Ltd. Japan-based mobile software company that developed the NetFront BML Viewer — a BML browser for terrestrial digital broadcasting — and is Mediacast's long-standing sales partner. Most directly comparable peer given the shared BML/browser technology focus and Japanese broadcast market presence.
• Pebble Beach Systems: Specialist in broadcast automation and playout solutions for TV stations of all sizes. Comparable as a focused broadcast automation software vendor serving regional broadcasters and cable operators — a similar niche positioning to Mediacast.
• Aveco: Broadcast playout automation and master control software vendor for TV stations and cable networks. Comparable as a dedicated broadcast automation technology provider serving enterprise broadcast customers with similar product category.
• PlayBox Technology: Provider of broadcast playout, automation, and content management solutions deployed at hundreds of TV channels worldwide. Comparable in serving regional and mid-market broadcasters with integrated playout and CMS software.

Emerging players

• TAG Video Systems: Provider of broadcast monitoring and content verification solutions. Comparable in the content verification category (similar to Mediacast's ShotMUX real-machine verification software) though focused on monitoring rather than authoring.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mediacast