Rentals Still Big
In Japan

The largest chain to deal in both, Tstutaya, boasts 1,460 stores nationwide.

While the company that owns the chain, Culture Convenience Club, has branched out to on-demand services, physical software is still its most profitable business.

Last week, the company announced it was becoming more seriously involved in the concert field when it bought naming rights to four Tokyo nightclubs owned by media company Shibuya Television.

Starting this month, Shibuya O-East, Shibuya O-West, Shibuya O-Nest and Shibuya O-Crest – all located within spitting distance in the trendy Tokyo youth mecca of Shibuya – will drop the “Shibuya” from their names and replace it with “Tsutaya.”

The facades to the four venues are reportedly being changed at press time. In addition, Tsutaya will start sponsoring concerts and other live events in April with something called Tsutarock Fest 2014, which will take place at all four Shibuya venues simultaneously, featuring prominent Japanese indie rock bands.

Some of the events that will take place at the four clubs will be simulcast at Tsutaya outlets in Tokyo and elsewhere.

The naming contract expires in three years.