Tokyo – NBC Universal named Shigeo Yushita as Channel Director, Japan, Global Networks Asia. Based in Tokyo, Yushita will launch and expand NBCU’s pay TV platforms in Japan and develop strategies for upcoming cable and satellite TV launches, as well as sales and marketing activities for the new channels. He reports to Raymund Miranda, Managing Director, Global Networks Asia, and Taichi Fukuda, Managing Director Japan, NBC Universal International. This follows NBCU’s acquisition of Jupiter Telecommunications’ subsidiary JSBC2 on the SkyPerfecTV! platform, from which NBCU Global Networks will launch the Sci Fi Channel in Spring 2008. This will be NBCU’s first channel to launch in Japan. Yushita was General Manager, Programming for Discovery Japan, responsible for the strategy and implementation of programming for the channel. He built a new programming grid for Discovery, Animal Planet and Discovery HD channels in Japan and secured new sponsorship.