A new 500-channel cable television system is now being developed in the U.S. Among other features, this system will allow viewers to watch programs on demand. One Japanese company thinks this is a perfect opportunity for their business. The Itochu Corporation plans to produce the first karaoke channel. Karaoke is a sing-along activity popular in Japanese bars. Participants sing songs with the help of a nearby television, which plays the music and displays the song lyrics.
Ted Matsumoto, a vice president at Itochu Corporation, believes the karaoke channel will be a success in this country. He told reporters: "Now's the time to introduce some Japanese culture to the United States."
According to Matsumoto, the new channel will be fully interactive. For example, viewers will select songs from a menu on their television screens. Once they have made their selections, the music and lyrics are transmitted to their television-and the sing-along can begin.
A final decision has not been made as to whether or not the channel will actually get off the ground. Time Warner Inc., Itochu's U.S. business partner, plans to test the idea in Orlando, Florida. If karaoke-on-demand is popular there, it may soon be available nationwide.
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