BBIX Achieves High-Quality Footage Transmission for On-location Filming of Sequel to TBS Sunday Theater Drama “VIVANT”

BBIX Achieves High-Quality Footage Transmission for On-location Filming of
Sequel to TBS Sunday Theater Drama “VIVANT”

BBIX, Inc. (“BBIX”), a subsidiary of SoftBank Corp. that operates an Internet Exchange (IX) business, successfully achieved high-quality transmission of footage shot on location in Thailand to Japan for the upcoming sequel to the TBS Sunday Theater drama “VIVANT,” which is scheduled to air on July 26, 2026.

During the filming of the sequel to “VIVANT,” there was a critical need to quickly and stably transmit high-definition video data shot in Thailand to Japan for program production. To address this, TBS utilized the OCX (Open Connectivity eXchange) provided by BBIX and BBSakura Networks, Inc. (“BBSakura”), a network solutions provider and subsidiary of BBIX, and achieved high-quality video data transmission from Thailand to Japan.

OCX is a cloud-based network service backed by BBIX’s high-quality IX platform. OCX offers on-demand, highly secure, low-latency, scalable connectivity services to a variety of cloud services and data centers.

The utilization of OCX enabled the stable transmission of large-capacity video data from the overseas filming location to the production base in Japan. This contributed to the speeding up of editing workflows and improving the efficiency of the production schedule. Furthermore, by providing a stable communication environment, OCX supported the establishment of a smooth production framework, even in program creation where real-time responsiveness is essential.

BBIX and BBSakura will continue to contribute to the digital transformation (DX) of the broadcasting and media industries by providing high-quality video transmission environments.

Service Image

Comment from Kazutaka Iida, Producer of the TBS Sunday Theater Drama “VIVANT”

“For the filming of ‘VIVANT’ in Thailand, we were provided with a truly groundbreaking data transmission system. Since being assigned to the drama department in 2006, I have witnessed the technological evolution of production sites for over 20 years, but the pace of advancement in recent years has been staggering. While advancements in cameras, lighting, and audio equipment are undeniably impressive, this new system is incredibly valuable in reducing the workload and labor hours of our staff.

“Traditionally, recorded footage had to be transported by hand. Back when I was an assistant, my routine involved carrying footage to the editing suite at our Tokyo headquarters late at night after shooting wrapped, only to prepare for an early morning departure the next day. For overseas shoots, staff members had to fly back to Japan every week or two to deliver the footage to the editing suite and then return to the filming location with empty recording media. This approach carried numerous disadvantages, including excessive working hours for staff, high travel expenses, and the risk of getting caught up in unforeseen accidents.

“It goes without saying that the system we utilized this time eliminates the hassle of these round trips, reducing both labor hours and financial burdens. However, I believe it has also generated significant secondary benefits.

“The time previously spent transporting footage can now be dedicated to more creative tasks, and the budget meant for travel can be reinvested into improving production quality. Furthermore, because high-quality footage can be sent from overseas much faster, the director and on-site staff can review the edited footage from Japan right on location. This makes filming in remote or distant overseas areas—where traveling back and forth is difficult—far more effective.

“It is often said that Japanese television dramas lag significantly behind the rest of the world in terms of visual quality. We are currently being outpaced by other Asian nations like South Korea, as well as by streaming platforms within Japan. While using more expensive, cutting-edge equipment is one way to improve visual quality, I feel that using a system like this one to secure time for people to use their minds—to give staff more time to innovate—is another breakthrough solution. It made me realize that our primary focus should be on utilizing our limited time and funds more effectively.

“We at TBS Drama are taking on various challenges with the ultimate goal of ‘creating world-class content.’ Technologies that might seem unrelated to quality improvement at first glance may actually become the strongest partners to walk alongside us. I look forward to continued collaboration to deliver TBS dramas to even more viewers around the world.”

https://www.tbs.co.jp/VIVANT_tbs/

About BBIX
Company Name: BBIX, Inc.
URL: https://www.bbix.net/en/
Headquarters: 1-7-1 Kaigan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Hideyuki Sasaki, President & CEO
Date of establishment: June 13, 2003
Capital: 100 million yen
Ownership: 100% owned by SoftBank Corp.
Business: Telecommunications operator under Japan’s Telecommunications Business Act; leasing, maintenance & management of telecommunications equipment; development, sales, maintenance & management of computer hardware/software

About BBSakura
Company Name: BBSakura Networks, Inc.
URL: https://www.bbsakura.net/en/
Headquarters: 7-20-1 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Hiroyuki Kawabata, President & CEO
Date of establishment: August 1, 2019
Capital: 200 million yen
Ownership: BBIX, Inc. 51%, SAKURA internet Inc. 49%
Business: Telecommunications operator under Japan’s Telecommunications Business Act; leasing, maintenance & management of telecommunications equipment; development, sales, maintenance & management of computer hardware/software

● The company names and service names described in this press release are registered trademarks or trademarks of the respective companies.

● The content, products, specifications, contact information and other information contained in this press release are as of the date of announcement. This information is subject to change without notice.