Japan’s Public Broadcaster Looks Abroad: Following the...

Japan’s Public Broadcaster Looks Abroad: Following the lead of Japan’s giant electronics companies, publicly funded Japan Broadcasting Corp. (NHK) will buy and finance more programs made overseas, said Keiji Shima, the network’s chairman. NHK, which operates a host of television and radio networks, has set up a company to produce and buy shows overseas to expand its programming, Shima told reporters. He criticized Japanese-made programs, saying their generally poor quality, compared to those produced in Hollywood, compelled the move overseas. Separately, Shima said he wants to create a global news network to counter the spread of Cable News Network to dozens of countries. Atlanta-based Turner Broadcasting System Inc., owns and operates CNN.