ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI) has struck a long-term deal with e-commerce conglomerate Rakuten to launch Nickelodeon’s on-demand kids service in Japan. Nick+ will be accessible through VOD service Rakuten TV beginning April 28.

A raft of Nick’s most popular animated series, including SpongeBob SquarePants, Deer Squad (pictured), PAW Patrol, Blaze and the Monster Machines, Dora the Explorer and Blue’s Clues & You!, will be available to Japanese audiences on Rakuten TV across mobile, STB/dongle, web and smart TV devices.

Rakuten will also launch Nick’s first-ever digital storefront in Asia on e-commerce platform Ichiba, giving its kids brands a direct line from streaming to consumer products. Beginning in May, products from IPs including SpongeBob SquarePants, PAW Patrol and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will be featured on Rakuten’s virtual mall. These ranges span categories such as fashion, stationery and collectibles.

Nick+ has been expanding into more international territories of late, particularly in Europe, where it launched in Germany on Deutsche Telekom’s OTT service MagentaTV and in Greece via Vodofone TV.

Rakuten’s foray into kids content is also recent. The e-commerce platform launched its first children’s AVOD channel, Kids TV, in 2020.