2005–2011: Launch and early development Fuji TV On Demand was launched by Fuji Television on July 15, 2005. Initially, the premium video-on-demand service was distributed through partnerships with various internet service providers (ISPs) and content distribution platforms. During its early stages, the platform's library primarily consisted of original programming from Fuji Television's satellite broadcasting channels (Fuji Television 721 and 739), alongside live events such as the 2005 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix and music concerts. At the time of its launch, the distribution of terrestrial television dramas was delayed due to complexities surrounding copyright clearance. In April 2008, Fuji Television significantly expanded the service by launching its own direct-to-consumer websites for PCs and mobile phones. Internally referred to as the flagship store project, this strategic move allowed the network to establish a direct relationship with viewers independent of third-party ISPs, while still maintaining its existing distribution partnerships. The update introduced a mix of free and premium content, accessible via a free Fuji Television ID registration system. With the launch of its proprietary platforms, the service's catalog was broadened to include terrestrial broadcasts such as the variety show
Idoling!!! and anime series like
Skull Man and
Mushishi. Fuji Television also began focusing on content specifically tailored for online streaming, offering exclusive spin-offs and digital-only episodes. Despite this digital expansion, the company remained cautious about distributing content on video-sharing platforms like YouTube, citing the necessity of strict anti-piracy measures and the complete removal of illegally uploaded videos as a prerequisite. In March 2014, the platform expanded into linear internet broadcasting with the launch of Fuji Television NEXTsmart. Positioned by the network as a "fourth television screen" alongside its terrestrial, BS, and CS broadcasts, the 24-hour streaming channel provided a direct simulcast of the Fuji Television NEXT satellite network. This introduced live, real-time coverage of premium sports events, including Formula One and the Bundesliga, as well as live music concerts directly to the service.
2012–2017: Transition to SVOD and rebranding To ensure long-term financial stability and mitigate revenue fluctuations, the platform introduced a
subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) monthly membership in April 2012, transitioning away from its strict reliance on a
transactional (TVOD) model. In February 2015, the service expanded its ecosystem by integrating an e-book and digital comic distribution service directly into the platform. This was followed by the addition of electronic novels on June 1, 2015, featuring tie-ins to currently airing terrestrial television dramas, such as Jun Ikeido's
Yōkoso, Wagaya e. This media synergy allowed users to seamlessly purchase and consume the original source materials of popular live-action and anime adaptations. On May 29, 2015, Fuji Television established a mutual content-sharing partnership with
Hulu Japan. This strategic agreement allowed FOD to further diversify its streaming library by acquiring popular overseas television series, such as
The Walking Dead, while licensing its own critically acclaimed
Noitamina anime titles, including
Psycho-Pass, to Hulu's platform. On August 1, 2015, the service underwent a major renewal and was officially rebranded under the abbreviation
FOD, adopting a new red-themed logo. This relaunch marked a strategic shift towards a comprehensive entertainment platform. The update included the addition of digital magazines and the restructuring of its unlimited anime streaming tier. Formerly restricted to Fuji Television's late-night
Noitamina block, the tier was significantly broadened to include over 1,000 episodes across 28 titles, featuring series like
Nobunaga Concerto and content from rival networks. Concurrently, FOD debuted its first exclusive original short anime series,
Osiris no Tenbin. Driven by this expanded catalog, which successfully attracted a diverse demographic including a notably high proportion of female users, the platform achieved profitability by October 2015. At that time, FOD reported 800,000 paid subscribers and 2 million monthly active users, establishing it as the largest streaming service operated by a Japanese commercial broadcaster. On August 1, 2016, the service launched
FOD Premium, a comprehensive subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) tier. Replacing its previous, more fragmented monthly plans, FOD Premium offered unlimited access to a vast library of domestic and international films, overseas dramas, and exclusive original programming alongside Fuji Television's terrestrial broadcasts. Furthermore, the subscription integrated unlimited access to a selection of digital magazines, cementing FOD's position as a multifaceted digital entertainment platform.
2018–2024: Smart TV expansion and subscriber growth In March 2018, Fuji Television expanded FOD's accessibility to smart TVs and connected devices by launching dedicated applications for
Android TV,
Amazon Fire TV, and
Apple TV, initially supporting only the premium SVOD tier. Concurrently, the platform's free ad-supported catch-up service experienced rapid growth in viewership. By October 2018, the catch-up broadcast of the television drama
Suits,a remake of the
American series of the same name, generated over 900,000 streams within its first week, setting a new viewership record for a single episode on the platform. In April 2019, the free catch-up service was fully integrated into the smart TV applications, allowing users to watch missed broadcasts on television screens alongside the premium content. FOD also continued to diversify its live programming, notably acquiring the streaming rights for all home games of the Tokyo Yakult Swallows baseball team for the 2019 season. Driven by the expansion to connected TVs and the unified integration of free and paid tiers, the FOD mobile application surpassed 12 million downloads, while its smart TV counterpart reached 1 million downloads by October 2019. The platform continued its steady growth, surpassing one million paid subscribers by November 2022. Throughout 2023, FOD broadened its accessibility by launching the FOD Channel for Prime Video for
Amazon Prime subscribers, and expanding its application support to
PlayStation 5 consoles and additional smart TV brands. By mid-2024, the service had achieved significant milestones. In July 2024, the FOD mobile application reached 23 million cumulative downloads, while its smart TV counterpart surpassed 10 million downloads. Concurrently, Fuji Television's free ad-supported catch-up streams broke national commercial broadcasting records, exceeding 100 million monthly views across its distribution network. To further diversify its premium catalog, FOD partnered with Video Market in June 2024 to offer major Hollywood titles from studios such as
Walt Disney Pictures and
Warner Bros. Driven by this expanded library, classic Fuji Television dramas, and exclusive live events, the platform's paid subscriber base exceeded 1.5 million in August 2024. In late 2025, FOD continued to expand its live sports offerings by providing free, comprehensive live streaming of the 93rd All Japan Speed Skating Championships in December, which served as the final domestic qualifiers for the
2026 Winter Olympics. Entering 2026, Fuji Television significantly bolstered its sports portfolio by securing an exclusive five-year all-rights agreement for
Formula One in Japan, covering the 2026 through 2030 seasons. Coinciding with the network's 40th anniversary of F1 coverage, the deal consolidated linear and digital distribution rights. As part of this major expansion, FOD established a first-of-its-kind partnership with Formula 1's official streaming service, integrating F1 TV Pro and F1 TV Premium into its platform. This allowed FOD to provide live coverage of all sessions across the 24-race calendar, aligning its digital streaming strategy with the return of select F1 races to Fuji Television's terrestrial network for the first time in 11 years. == Programming ==