June 16 (Bloomberg) -- News Corp. will stop airing its U.S.- based Fox News Channel in Japan at the end of July because of low subscriptions, Nikkei English News reported.

News Corp., which airs the channel in Japan through satellite broadcaster Sky Perfect Communications Inc., is concerned that subscriptions in the country for Fox News won't grow enough to generate a suitable profit, the Nikkei said, without citing anyone.

News Corp. will continue broadcasting the Fox network and the National Geographic Channel in Japan.

Fox was ranked last among the four major U.S. networks in the past season until its top-rated show, ``American Idol,'' returned to the air in January.

(NEN 6-15)

To contact the reporter for this story: Nate Hosoda in Tokyo at nhosoda@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: June 15, 2004 18:26 EDT