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U-NEXT Co., Ltd. (株式会社U-NEXT) is a Japanese company that operates the over-the-top media service, U-NEXT, headquartered in Shinagawa, Tokyo. The service was launched in 2007 as "GyaO NEXT". U-NEXT offers not only video streaming including anime and drama, but also e-book streaming including manga and light novels.

With the video distribution service "U-NEXT" as its core business, the company is also developing Internet services and mobile businesses. The brand name of the video distribution service was changed from its predecessor "GyaO" and "GyaO NEXT" to the current "U-NEXT" in December 2009.

It was originally established as an independent company from the video distribution division of USEN, but due to business restructuring in 2017, the original corporation that had been engaged in the video distribution business merged with USEN and changed its name to USEN-NEXT HOLDINGS Corporation. The current U-NEXT Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of USEN-NEXT HOLDINGS.

From April 2021, the company has signed an exclusive partnership agreement with WarnerMedia to exclusively distribute HBO and HBOMax [lower-alpha 1] productions.

History

 * March 2001 - USEN Corporation launched BROAD-GATE 01, an optical fiber broadband communication service.
 * February 2007 - Release of GyaO Plus, a dedicated terminal for viewing the video distribution service "GyaO" on TV.
 * June 2007 - Launched GyaO NEXT, a flat-rate all-you-can-watch video delivery service for TVs using GyaO Plus.
 * February 2009 - U's Broad Communications Inc. is established in Minato-ku, Tokyo through a corporate split from US Marketing Corporation, a subsidiary of USEN Corporation.
 * Dec. 2009 - Brand name changed from GyaO NEXT to U-NEXT.
 * June 2010 - Service launched on Sony BRAVIA's BRAVIA Net Channel.
 * Jul. 2010 - Company name changed from U's Broad Communications Inc. to U-NEXT Inc.
 * Dec. 10, 2010 - Established U-NEXT Marketing Inc. as a subsidiary.
 * December 22, 2010 - Transferred all shares of U-NEXT Inc. from USEN Corporation to Yasuhide Uno, succeeding to the paid video distribution service business for TVs "U-NEXT" and the sales agency business for optical fiber lines, etc. for individuals through a company split.
 * May 2011 - U-MX Corporation established as a subsidiary.
 * April 2012 - Service launched on Sharp AQUOS, Toshiba REGZA, and Hitachi Wooo.
 * May 2012 - Started providing video distribution service for PCs.
 * July 2012 - Service launched on Panasonic VIERA.
 * August 2012 - Service launched for smartphones and tablet PCs.
 * November 2012 - Movie Card, a non-returnable video rental service available at Lawson convenience stores throughout Japan, launched.
 * July 2013 - AEON CINEMA WEB SCREEN powered by U-NEXT, Japan's first VOD service linked to cinema complexes, launched.
 * April 2014 - Started "U-NEXT Point Settlement," which allows U-NEXT points to be used for purchasing movie tickets through the online reservation system "KINEZO.
 * April 15, 2014 - Launches e-book store "BookPlace for U-NEXT" in collaboration with Toshiba Corporation
 * May 2014 - Video distribution begins on Sony PlayStation, PlayStation Vita and st 2014 - Launched U-NEXT TV, a new set-top box that allows you to watch high quality video on your TV.
 * December 16, 2014 - Listed on the Mothers market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange
 * February 27, 2015 - Administrative Guidance from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on "Sales Solicitation Methods for the Conversion of Optical Access Line Services to Wholesale Services
 * September 30, 2015 - Business transfer of the e-book service "Book Place" from Toshiba CorporationPlayStation Vita TV.
 * Augu.
 * October 2015 - Started providing "Yamada Video powered by U-NEXT" through a business alliance with Yamada Denki.
 * December 18, 2015 - Changed the market to the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
 * October 2016 - Launched "U-mobile MAX" in collaboration with Japan Communications Inc.
 * January 25, 2017 - The company teamed up with Yamada Denki in the low-cost SIM business to form a joint venture, Y.U-mobile.
 * February 13, 2017 - Announced the implementation of a tender offer for USEN shares and management integration; after the completion of the TOB, U-NEXT will merge with USEN to become a holding company, and U-NEXT and USEN will each divest their respective businesses to restructure the group.
 * April 4, 2017 - Consolidated subsidiaries U-NEXT SPC1, Inc. and USEN Corporation become consolidated subsidiaries.
 * June 16, 2017 - Established U-NEXT Split Preparatory Company, USEN NETWORKS Corporation, and USEN-NEXT LIVING PARTNERS Corporation as split preparatory companies.
 * December 1, 2017 - U-NEXT changed its name to USEN-NEXT HOLDINGS Corporation through a business merger with USEN. Transitioned to the "USEN-NEXT GROUP" structure with 14 operating companies under its umbrella.
 * June 16, 2017 - Established U-NEXT Corporation, a spin-off preparation company.
 * December 1, 2017 - Company name changed to U-NEXT Inc.
 * 2018 - Integration of video streaming application and e-book application.
 * April 2021 - Signed an exclusive distribution agreement with WarnerMedia for HBO and HBO Max films.