HEADLINES: Nat Geo to launch in Japan early next month

National Geographic Channel will launch in Japan early next month to half-a-million homes. The channel, which will be available to viewers 24 hours a day via the SkyPerfect TV platform, will feature a variety of programmes covering adventure and exploration, natural history, science and world culture. National Geographic is currently distributed to 32 million 24-hour homes and more than 50 million day-part cable homes in Asia-Pacific.