Isakura
If you've followed us for long you'll have seen us mention various TV channels used for watching Japanese boxing, notably G+ alongside Fuji TV and TBS. For fans in Tokyo these channels aren't hard to get a hold of. Fuji TV and TBS for example are both free to air terrestrial channel in Tokyo, and they both have affiliates through out the country, whilst G+ is available across the country through the Communications Satellite (CS) system.
We won't bore you all with details of how Japanese TV broke down, and it's infinitely more complex than we can bothered to explain, but those channels are actually available outside of Japan thanks to services which are aimed, primarily, at ex pats. Of course you're probably not an ex-pat but as a boxing fan those channels, and others including WOWOW and TBS2, are really great to have.
The service that we use, and it's not the only one just the one we're most familiar with as we use it, is isakura. An online stream service that allows access to numerous Japanese TV channel including a mix of channels available in Kanto (which includes the Tokyo region) and Kansai (which is the region that includes Osaka), as well as CS and BS (Broadcast Satellite) channels. For fans wanting to watch Japanese boxing the isakura service is brilliant, affordable, flexible and downright awesome, and something that has functions outside of boxing for sports fans.
We won't bore you all with details of how Japanese TV broke down, and it's infinitely more complex than we can bothered to explain, but those channels are actually available outside of Japan thanks to services which are aimed, primarily, at ex pats. Of course you're probably not an ex-pat but as a boxing fan those channels, and others including WOWOW and TBS2, are really great to have.
The service that we use, and it's not the only one just the one we're most familiar with as we use it, is isakura. An online stream service that allows access to numerous Japanese TV channel including a mix of channels available in Kanto (which includes the Tokyo region) and Kansai (which is the region that includes Osaka), as well as CS and BS (Broadcast Satellite) channels. For fans wanting to watch Japanese boxing the isakura service is brilliant, affordable, flexible and downright awesome, and something that has functions outside of boxing for sports fans.
What is isakura?
As mentioned it's a streaming service that allows access to number of Japanese TV channels (with packages of 48 and 98 channels). It's available on Android, iOS, and through a web browser. We typically use the Android version through a TV stick (a Google Fire), as that has provided the more stable streams, however the Web version usually works well, and is suitable for all browsers that allow Flash to run.
Not only is it a live streaming service however, but it's also got a few nifty little functions built into it. Most notably a 14 day video on demand service, allowing you to watch programs from the last 14 days. If you missed a fight aired on the service during that time you can watch it!
Is it just boxing?
We need to be very clear here. The service is NOT a boxing service. It is NOT designed for boxing fans and it is NOT marketed towards boxing fans. As mentioned it's a service designed for Japanese people living abroad and is a live TV streaming service. This isn't in competition with this like Boxing Raise, but instead allows you to watch Japanese TV outside of Japan.
For example we use it quite regularly to watch WWE content on J-Sports, F1 on Fuji Next, NFL on G+, random wrestling on Fighting TV Samurai, and a mix of Tennis and UFC on WOWOW.
If you use it wisely it can also cover not just Japanese boxing, but also some PPV's, which are aired on WOWOW.
With it being a Japanese TV service it is in Japanese and barring a select for shows, for example the WWE shows, the language of the channels is in Japanese. This is perhaps too much for some people, but for us, it's something we actually prefer.
As mentioned it's a streaming service that allows access to number of Japanese TV channels (with packages of 48 and 98 channels). It's available on Android, iOS, and through a web browser. We typically use the Android version through a TV stick (a Google Fire), as that has provided the more stable streams, however the Web version usually works well, and is suitable for all browsers that allow Flash to run.
Not only is it a live streaming service however, but it's also got a few nifty little functions built into it. Most notably a 14 day video on demand service, allowing you to watch programs from the last 14 days. If you missed a fight aired on the service during that time you can watch it!
Is it just boxing?
We need to be very clear here. The service is NOT a boxing service. It is NOT designed for boxing fans and it is NOT marketed towards boxing fans. As mentioned it's a service designed for Japanese people living abroad and is a live TV streaming service. This isn't in competition with this like Boxing Raise, but instead allows you to watch Japanese TV outside of Japan.
For example we use it quite regularly to watch WWE content on J-Sports, F1 on Fuji Next, NFL on G+, random wrestling on Fighting TV Samurai, and a mix of Tennis and UFC on WOWOW.
If you use it wisely it can also cover not just Japanese boxing, but also some PPV's, which are aired on WOWOW.
With it being a Japanese TV service it is in Japanese and barring a select for shows, for example the WWE shows, the language of the channels is in Japanese. This is perhaps too much for some people, but for us, it's something we actually prefer.
Where do I get it?
The service is available to purchase at: http://www.isakuraiptv.com/recharge/usd
And can be ordered in 2 forms and with several different "lengths" of service.
For most fans who just want to access the service for a boxing show or two the 3 day trial mode is typically the one of interest. It's a few bucks ($3 for the 98 channel version and $2.50 for the 48 channel version) and will give you unlimited access to the channels for 3 days.
However you can buy the service for lengths of 1 month, 3 month, 6 month and 12 months. The longer the period taken the less "cost per day", but if you're only using a few times a year we understand buy trial accounts.
For those worried, the service will NOT auto renew, and you will have to review it manually as and when you need it. This is unlike Boxing Raise, Netflix and Amazon Prime.
Just to add to that however, when you renew the service it can take several hours to get your login details. With that in mind we suggest anyone using the service makes their purchase up to 24 hours before the event want to see, though a window of 6 hours is usually enough.
I've got my login, where do I go?
There will be instructions in the email you get sent with your login details, but if you haven't got that then the page you need to go to to login on the web browser is: http://webtv.jptvpro.net/
As for the Android it tends to ask you to put the details in when you open the app (unless you're already logged in).
We have never used the iOS version so can't vouch for it, but given how easy to use the service is on Android and Web we suspect it's just as easy on Apple's hardware.
To download those versions the details should be on login detail email
What's the quality like?
The quality of the videos is excellent as you can see in the screen shot below. Some channels are in full HD (1080p) whilst others are in 720p. The video can be watched in a window, like in the screenshot, or blown up to fill the screen using the Video Controls.
Sometimes there are issues, such as the video pausing, but usually flipping channels and flipping back will solve that issue.
In regards to other formats, the Android version (and we assume the iOS version) is laid out pretty much the same as the Web version.
The service is available to purchase at: http://www.isakuraiptv.com/recharge/usd
And can be ordered in 2 forms and with several different "lengths" of service.
For most fans who just want to access the service for a boxing show or two the 3 day trial mode is typically the one of interest. It's a few bucks ($3 for the 98 channel version and $2.50 for the 48 channel version) and will give you unlimited access to the channels for 3 days.
However you can buy the service for lengths of 1 month, 3 month, 6 month and 12 months. The longer the period taken the less "cost per day", but if you're only using a few times a year we understand buy trial accounts.
For those worried, the service will NOT auto renew, and you will have to review it manually as and when you need it. This is unlike Boxing Raise, Netflix and Amazon Prime.
Just to add to that however, when you renew the service it can take several hours to get your login details. With that in mind we suggest anyone using the service makes their purchase up to 24 hours before the event want to see, though a window of 6 hours is usually enough.
I've got my login, where do I go?
There will be instructions in the email you get sent with your login details, but if you haven't got that then the page you need to go to to login on the web browser is: http://webtv.jptvpro.net/
As for the Android it tends to ask you to put the details in when you open the app (unless you're already logged in).
We have never used the iOS version so can't vouch for it, but given how easy to use the service is on Android and Web we suspect it's just as easy on Apple's hardware.
To download those versions the details should be on login detail email
What's the quality like?
The quality of the videos is excellent as you can see in the screen shot below. Some channels are in full HD (1080p) whilst others are in 720p. The video can be watched in a window, like in the screenshot, or blown up to fill the screen using the Video Controls.
Sometimes there are issues, such as the video pausing, but usually flipping channels and flipping back will solve that issue.
In regards to other formats, the Android version (and we assume the iOS version) is laid out pretty much the same as the Web version.
What are the channels I need? Come on mate I don't understand Japanese!
For most boxing the channels you'll be using are (numbers taken from the 98 channel version, the 48 will be slightly different):
TBS (#4)
Fuji TV (#5)
MBS (#12)
TV Osaka (#15)
Kansai TV (#16)
WOWOW Premium (#25)
WOWOW Live (#26)
G+ (#51) - If you're using the 48 channel version look for GAORA SPORTS and it's directly below that
TBS 2 (#59) - This is only on the 98 channel version and typically only shows replays
Fuji Next (#66) - This is only on the 98 channel version and typically only shows replays
If more channels begin to show boxing not on this list, we'll look to add them in the future.
Is this available in Japan?
This might seem a silly question to those outside of Japan, but rather notably a lot of Japan don't get certain channels, and only get local affiliates. As a result those outside of Kanto for example don't get Fuji TV and don't get the chance to see most bouts shown as part of the Diamond Glove series. Also the service is actually cheaper than paying for the BS and CS channel.
As far as we know this service is sadly geo-locked, and not available in Japan, however a VPN may allow Japanese viewers access. We've not tested this however.
Any questions?
We know this guide is brief so if there are questions please get in touch with us via e-mail or twitter and we will look to answer them and update this guide if applicable!
Disclaimer:
We are not affiliated with isakura in anyway shape or form. This is just guide to allow you, our readers, access to a service that allows you to watch Japanese fights. We gain no financial benefit for isakura services sold.
For most boxing the channels you'll be using are (numbers taken from the 98 channel version, the 48 will be slightly different):
TBS (#4)
Fuji TV (#5)
MBS (#12)
TV Osaka (#15)
Kansai TV (#16)
WOWOW Premium (#25)
WOWOW Live (#26)
G+ (#51) - If you're using the 48 channel version look for GAORA SPORTS and it's directly below that
TBS 2 (#59) - This is only on the 98 channel version and typically only shows replays
Fuji Next (#66) - This is only on the 98 channel version and typically only shows replays
If more channels begin to show boxing not on this list, we'll look to add them in the future.
Is this available in Japan?
This might seem a silly question to those outside of Japan, but rather notably a lot of Japan don't get certain channels, and only get local affiliates. As a result those outside of Kanto for example don't get Fuji TV and don't get the chance to see most bouts shown as part of the Diamond Glove series. Also the service is actually cheaper than paying for the BS and CS channel.
As far as we know this service is sadly geo-locked, and not available in Japan, however a VPN may allow Japanese viewers access. We've not tested this however.
Any questions?
We know this guide is brief so if there are questions please get in touch with us via e-mail or twitter and we will look to answer them and update this guide if applicable!
Disclaimer:
We are not affiliated with isakura in anyway shape or form. This is just guide to allow you, our readers, access to a service that allows you to watch Japanese fights. We gain no financial benefit for isakura services sold.
