ABEMA

What ABEMA does

ABEMA operates an internet TV and video streaming service in Japan, delivering approximately 25 themed channels broadcasting 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The platform combines a free, ad-supported streaming model with an optional premium subscription tier (ABEMA Premium) and a pay-per-view offering (ABEMA PPV ONLINE LIVE) for concerts, comedy shows, esports, and stage performances. Content spans news, anime, sports, original dramas, and niche Japanese verticals including shogi, mahjong, and poker. Distribution is multi-device: web (abema.tv), iOS and Android mobile apps, smart TV apps, Chromecast, and Fire TV, with event ticketing available via both web and in-app purchase (incurring additional handling fees of 400-500 JPY).

The technology architecture is a multi-channel video streaming platform with proprietary features including a pay-per-view online live platform, a real-time comment interaction overlay for communal viewing during live broadcasts, and a multi-category channel ecosystem. Exclusive live sports rights (World Cup, RIZIN, sumo, baseball, marathon) and first-run/same-day anime rights form the core acquisition pillars, supplemented by original drama productions and event-driven PPV streams.

Commercially, ABEMA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CyberAgent, a Tokyo-listed internet conglomerate, and operates from Tokyo. The company targets the mass Japanese consumer market across demographics (z-generation, millennials, sports fans, anime fans, music fans) with a horizontal segmentation approach, while simultaneously serving advertisers through display, pre-roll, mid-roll, and a split-screen 'ABEMA Live Screen Ad' format for live sports. Editorial properties ABEMA TIMES and VISIONS extend the brand into news and industry analysis. Strategic partnerships include KDDI for sports content (June 2023) and CyberAgent operational backing.

Name

ABEMA

Legal name

AbemaTV, Inc.

Website

https://abema.tv

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Short description

ABEMA is a Japan-based free ad-supported streaming platform operating 25 themed channels of news, anime, sports, and entertainment, with optional premium subscription and pay-per-view live concert/event streaming, owned by CyberAgent.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Video Streaming

NAICS

Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210), Television Broadcasting Stations (51612), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621)

SIC

Television Broadcasting Stations (4833), Cable & Other Pay Television Services (4841)

akta.pro primary industry

Live TV Streaming (vMVPD/IPTV OTT) (MPACAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

AVOD Streaming Channels (Ad-Supported OTT) (MPABAHAA), General Entertainment AVOD Platforms (MPACAAAB), Sports Streaming Platforms (MPACAAAE)

Keywords

• Video streaming platform
• Ad-supported streaming
• Live sports broadcasting
• Anime streaming service
• Subscription video service

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Advertising (CM): ABEMA generates primary revenue through advertising. The platform offers diverse ad formats including standard display ads, pre-roll, mid-roll, and specialized formats such as 'ABEMA Live Screen Ad' (split-screen format for sports live streams). Advertisers can target audiences based on content categories and viewing behavior.
2. ABEMA Premium Subscription: Monthly subscription service offering ad-free viewing, access to exclusive content, and priority access to certain live events. The premium tier serves as a recurring revenue stream with monthly billing.
3. ABEMA PPV (Pay-Per-View): One-time purchase model for individual live events including concerts, comedy shows, sports events, and stage performances. Pricing varies by event (e.g., 3,500 JPY per day for comedy events, 5,000 JPY for concert tours). This is a transaction-based revenue stream.
4. PPV Subscription for Concert/Event Streaming: Premium PPV tickets for exclusive artist concerts and events with additional bonus content (e.g., Q&A corners). Sold as individual event passes with specific viewing windows.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ABEMA operates a free ad-supported internet TV and video streaming service offering approximately 25 themed linear channels broadcasting live and on-demand news, sports, anime, entertainment, shogi, mahjong, and poker content 24/7. The core offering is augmented by a premium subscription tier (ABEMA Premium) for ad-free viewing and exclusive content, a pay-per-view (PPV) live event streaming service for concerts and performances, and adjacent sub-brands including the ABEMA TIMES news portal and the VISIONS industry publication. Content is distributed through the abema.tv web platform and dedicated apps on iOS, Android, smart TVs, and streaming devices.

Product overview

ABEMA is a comprehensive video streaming platform structured as a multi-channel ecosystem. The core ABEMA platform delivers approximately 25 channels of free video content 24/7, including news, anime, sports, entertainment, shogi, mahjong, and poker programming. The service is complemented by ABEMA PPV ONLINE LIVE for pay-per-view live events such as concerts and special programming, ABEMA TIMES for news coverage, and VISIONS for industry-focused media analysis content. ABEMA Premium offers an ad-free subscription tier for enhanced viewing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ABEMA (Core Streaming Platform) Free video streaming platform offering approximately 25 themed linear channels of news, entertainment, anime, sports, and original content, broadcasting 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Targets the broad Japanese consumer market for live and on-demand video consumption via web and mobile apps.
• ABEMA Premium Monthly premium subscription tier offering ad-free viewing, exclusive content access, and member benefits for individual Japanese consumers seeking enhanced streaming experience.
• ABEMA PPV ONLINE LIVE Pay-per-view live streaming service offering paid live broadcasts of concerts, comedy shows, stage performances, esports events, and special programming via individual event ticket purchases (3,500-5,000 JPY per event). Targets individual consumers interested in exclusive live entertainment events.
• ABEMA TIMES Online news media portal covering entertainment, sports, anime, shogi, mahjong, and poker with real-time article rankings, driving organic traffic and supporting the broader ABEMA streaming ecosystem.
• VISIONS Industry publication exploring the present, future, and possibilities of video media, featuring business case studies, data, trends, marketing, and content industry news. Targets media industry professionals and marketers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Weekly viewership peaked at 20 million+ in 2023 (highest of the year)
• +3 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• KDDIcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 June 2023KDDI and ABEMA entered a strategic partnership to strengthen sports content. The partnership aims to enhance sports live streaming and related content offerings on the ABEMA platform, leveraging KDDI's telecommunications infrastructure and subscriber base.
• CyberAgentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 May 2023CyberAgent, the parent company of AbemaTV Inc., provides operational support, technology infrastructure, advertising sales, and content investment for ABEMA. The subsidiary operates independently while leveraging CyberAgent's digital advertising expertise and platform resources.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• U-NEXT: Major Japanese subscription video-on-demand and live TV platform with a deep content library and live sports/entertainment focus, competing for both premium subscribers and sports rights in Japan.
• Lemino: NTT Docomo's Japanese video streaming service offering free ad-supported and premium tiers across entertainment, anime, and sports; competes head-to-head with ABEMA on mobile-first Japanese streaming.
• Hulu Japan: Subscription streaming service in Japan operated under Japanese ownership, offering TV dramas, anime, and live TV channels, similar to ABEMA's premium tier and linear channel offerings.
• DAZN: Global sports-focused subscription streaming service with strong Japan presence and rights to soccer, baseball, and combat sports, competing directly with ABEMA for premium sports rights and viewers.
• Twitch: Live-streaming platform with real-time chat that overlaps with ABEMA PPV's live concerts, esports, and event streams; comparable in interactive live viewing experience rather than catalog content.
• TVer: Japan's leading commercial-broadcaster-backed free ad-supported streaming service offering catch-up and live linear streaming of TV programming, directly comparable to ABEMA's free AVOD linear TV model.
• NHK Plus: Japan's public broadcaster streaming companion offering free live and on-demand access to NHK programming, competing with ABEMA's free news and general entertainment channels.

Broad incumbents

• Amazon Prime Video Japan: Global SVOD bundled into Amazon Prime in Japan with growing investment in Japanese originals and live sports rights, pressuring ABEMA on both subscription and sports content.
• Disney+ Japan: Major global SVOD with strong brand, franchises, and localized Japanese content; competes with ABEMA Premium for entertainment, anime, and family viewing share in Japan.
• Netflix Japan: The dominant global SVOD operating in Japan with large content spend on Japanese originals and licenses; competes with ABEMA Premium for paying subscribers in anime, drama, and entertainment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ABEMATIMES
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCLsdm7nCJCVTWSid7G_f0Pg
• Facebookfacebook.com/ABEMATIMES
• Instagraminstagram.com/abema_official/?igshid=howehth9b00o

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 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 ABEMA