WOWOW now owns 51% of the company running NTT Docomo's Lemino streaming service, and Docomo has separately paid for new WOWOW shares. Both steps completed on 1 October 2026.
The streaming company
Under the structure WOWOW laid out in June, Docomo's Lemino business moved by absorption split into a newly created company in exchange for that company's shares. Docomo then transferred shares to WOWOW. The new company, WOWOW Lemino Co., is capitalised at ¥100mn, is held 51% by WOWOW and 49% by Docomo, and began operating on 1 October. WOWOW's disclosure says it is a consolidated subsidiary, and that WOWOW employees will hold concurrent posts as its officers. The contract stage was covered in the absorption-split contract signed in August.
The share issue
The second deal is separate. Docomo paid ¥841.1mn for 815,800 new WOWOW common shares at ¥1,031 each, with payment completed on 1 October. Issued shares rise from 28,844,400 to 29,660,200, and WOWOW's capital rises from ¥5bn to ¥5.42bn. The 51% describes control of the streaming company; it is not a measure of Docomo's holding in WOWOW.
What is still open
WOWOW's notice says the effect on its consolidated results for the year to March 2027 is still under review, and that it will disclose further items if they arise.