Fukushima Television

Fukushima Television, commonly branded FTV, is a regional commercial television broadcaster based in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. It was established in 1962 after a prolonged effort to consolidate competing applications for Fukushima's first private television license, and it began broadcasting on April 1, 1963. The station was the first commercial television broadcaster in the prefecture and initially reached roughly 70 percent of Fukushima's population. The company's creation reflected the structure of Japan's postwar broadcasting system. Several private groups had sought a license during the expansion of television in the 1950s and early 1960s, but disagreements among applicants repeatedly prevented a license from being issued. Fukushima Prefecture and its prefectural assembly eventually supported a model in which the prefectural government became a principal investor while private-sector participants joined the operating company. Fukushima Television received a preliminary license in May 1962 and was formally incorporated the following month. During its first years, FTV did not belong exclusively to one national television network. This gave it unusual flexibility to carry programs supplied by Nippon Television, TBS, Fuji Television, NET TV, and other broadcasters, alongside locally produced programming. Its early schedule was noted for drawing content from several major Tokyo networks. Following the launch of Fukushima Central Television in 1970, the competitive and affiliation environment changed. FTV initially relied mainly on TBS and Nippon Television content, but in October 1971 it became affiliated with both the TBS and Fuji Television networks. As Fukushima's network structure developed further, TBS informed the station that its programs would no longer be available after a fourth commercial broadcaster entered the prefecture. FTV withdrew from the Japan News Network in 1983 and completed its transition to the Fuji News Network and Fuji Network System. Technologically, Fukushima Television moved from black-and-white broadcasting to color programming in the 1960s, introduced stereo broadcasting in 1981, and started digital terrestrial television on June 1, 2006. The 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami affected the timetable for the nationwide analogue switch-off; FTV ended analogue broadcasting on March 31, 2012, later than the original schedule for many parts of Japan. Its role as a local broadcaster has included news, weather, disaster information, entertainment, sports, community reporting, and locally produced programs distributed through the FNN/FNS system. FTV has also pursued activities beyond conventional program transmission. In the mid-to-late 1980s it operated residential exhibition halls and other businesses intended to diversify revenue. The station adopted a two-day weekend system in 1985 and achieved a ratings triple crown in Fukushima for the first time in 1988, benefiting from the strength of Fuji Television programming during that period. For its thirtieth anniversary in 1992, FTV produced the locally set television drama Autumn Station, filmed around Aizu-Yanagizu Station on the JR Tadami Line. The program achieved a reported 25.6 percent rating in Fukushima Prefecture and was subsequently broadcast nationally through the FNN network. In the 2010s, the company invested in a new headquarters designed with earthquake resilience in mind. Construction was reported at approximately 3.5 billion yen, with a six-story building and a public-facing lobby. The new facility began carrying programs on April 1, 2019, and the company relocated to the new headquarters in 2020. FTV remains an active prefectural broadcaster whose principal identity is as Fukushima's local television station and its regional FNN/FNS affiliate.

The origins of Fukushima Television lie in Japan's rapid expansion of private television licensing during the 1950s. Three groups in Fukushima Prefecture initially sought to establish a commercial station, but they could not agree to consolidate their applications. Because the licensing authorities generally encouraged applicants to combine competing proposals, the failure to reach agreement resulted in the first license opportunity becoming invalid. A second round of applications took place in 1960. Fukushima Governor Zenichiro Sato attempted to coordinate five applicants and secured an agreement in principle to integrate them. That effort also broke down because of disputes over personnel and management, and the preliminary license was again invalidated. The prefectural government and assembly concluded that private applicants alone could not resolve the issue. They therefore proposed that the prefectural government serve as the principal investor, with private companies participating alongside it. This structure allowed the application to proceed. Fukushima Television received a preliminary license in May 1962 and was formally established in June 1962. Broadcasting commenced on April 1, 1963. At launch, the station covered about 70 percent of Fukushima Prefecture. Unlike many regional stations with a single network identity, FTV initially selected programs from several leading Tokyo broadcasters. Its early schedule included material from TBS, Nippon Television, Fuji Television, NET TV, other stations, and FTV's own production unit. This arrangement allowed the broadcaster to offer a broad schedule while the prefecture's commercial television market was still developing. The station expanded its daily broadcast hours rapidly during its first months, and its early mixed-network schedule became notable in Japanese television coverage. FTV began carrying color programs in 1966. To support the growth of color production, it constructed a second headquarters beginning in April 1970. The building, known as FTV Broadcasting Hall, was completed in February 1971 and included a color studio. By 1971, most of the station's overall schedule and virtually all prime-time programming were in color. Fukushima Television also introduced stereo broadcasting in 1981. The opening of Fukushima Central Television in 1970 changed the local competitive landscape. FTV moved toward a schedule centered mainly on TBS and Nippon Television content, while also carrying Fuji Television programs. In October 1971 it became affiliated with both TBS and Fuji Television networks. The network arrangement was not permanent. In 1982, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications revised its frequency plan, creating the prospect of a fourth private station in Fukushima. Because Fukushima Broadcasting had joined the All-Nippon News Network, the new station was expected to be associated with the Japan News Network. TBS subsequently advised FTV that its programs would no longer be supplied once the additional station entered the market. FTV withdrew from JNN at the end of March 1983 and gradually ceased carrying TBS programs, becoming a full FNN/FNS affiliate. The arrival of new competition contributed to weak performance between 1983 and 1986, but results improved after 1987. FTV benefited from the strong ratings of Fuji Television programming in the 1980s and achieved a ratings triple crown in Fukushima for the first time in 1988. The company also diversified beyond broadcasting during the mid-to-late 1980s by operating residential exhibition halls and similar activities. It adopted a two-day weekend system in 1985. For its thirtieth anniversary in 1992, FTV produced Autumn Station, a television drama set around Aizu-Yanagizu Station on the JR Tadami Line. The production performed strongly in Fukushima, with a reported local rating of 25.6 percent, and was later transmitted nationwide through the FNN network. The program illustrated FTV's role in presenting Fukushima locations and stories to audiences beyond the prefecture. FTV entered the digital era with the start of digital terrestrial television on June 1, 2006. The 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami required the station to postpone the originally planned analogue shutdown in the affected region. Analogue broadcasting ultimately ended on March 31, 2012. The station later invested in a new headquarters, reported as a six-story earthquake-resistant building with a total floor area of approximately 6,218 square meters. Construction began in the 2010s, and programs began originating from the new facility on April 1, 2019. The company moved into the headquarters in 2020. Fukushima Television continues to operate as a regional commercial broadcaster and FNN/FNS affiliate serving Fukushima Prefecture.

• 2020

  Headquarters relocation completed

  [1]Fukushima Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  FTV moved into its new headquarters in Fukushima Prefecture.

• 2019

  New headquarters enters service

  [1]Fukushima Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  The station began broadcasting from a newly constructed earthquake-resistant headquarters on April 1.

• 2012

  Analogue television service discontinued

  [1]Fukushima Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  Following a disaster-related postponement, FTV ended analogue broadcasting on March 31.

• 2006

  Digital terrestrial broadcasting launched

  [1]Fukushima Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  Digital terrestrial television service began on June 1.

• 1992

  Thirtieth-anniversary drama produced

  [1]Fukushima Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  FTV produced Autumn Station, a Fukushima-set drama that later received national FNN distribution.

• 1988

  First Fukushima ratings triple crown

  [1]Fukushima Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  The station achieved a ratings triple crown in Fukushima for the first time.

• 1983

  Transition to FNN/FNS completed

  [1]Fukushima Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  FTV withdrew from JNN and became a full member of the FNN and FNS networks.

• 1981

  Stereo broadcasting introduced

  [1]Fukushima Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  Fukushima Television began stereo broadcasting.

• 1971

  Second headquarters and color studio completed

  [1]Fukushima Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  FTV Broadcasting Hall was completed, enabling expanded color production and supporting the station's transition to predominantly color programming.

• 1971

  TBS and Fuji network affiliation begins

  [1]Fukushima Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  FTV became affiliated with the TBS and Fuji Television networks as Fukushima's commercial broadcasting market developed.

• 1966

  Color broadcasting introduced

  [1]Fukushima Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  The station began transmitting color programs.

• 1963

  Commercial broadcasting begins

  [1]Fukushima Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  FTV began broadcasting on April 1 as Fukushima Prefecture's first commercial television station.

• 1962

  Company established and preliminary license granted

  [1]Fukushima Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  After repeated failures to consolidate competing license applicants, Fukushima Television was established with the Fukushima Prefectural Government as a major investor.

A locally rooted commercial television broadcaster combining Fukushima-focused journalism and community information with programming supplied through the FNN/FNS network.

• Broadcast programming · 1963

  Local television news

  News programming focused on Fukushima Prefecture, including regional politics, communities, weather, public affairs, and events. As the prefecture's first commercial broadcaster, FTV's local reporting is a central part of its identity and complements national programming supplied through the FNN network.

• Network television · 1983

  FNN/FNS network programming

  FTV carries programming supplied through the Fuji News Network and Fuji Network System, including news, entertainment, drama, sports, and other national or regional programs. The station became a full FNN/FNS affiliate after ending its JNN relationship in 1983.

• Television transmission · 2006

  Digital terrestrial television

  FTV's digital terrestrial service began in 2006 and became the station's principal television distribution platform after analogue broadcasting was discontinued in 2012.

• Television drama · 1992

  Autumn Station

  A locally produced drama created for FTV's thirtieth anniversary in 1992. Set around Aizu-Yanagizu Station on the JR Tadami Line, it achieved a reported 25.6 percent rating in Fukushima and was subsequently distributed nationally through the FNN network.

• Public-information broadcasting · 1963

  Community and disaster-information programming

  Regional weather, emergency, disaster, and community-information broadcasts form an important part of FTV's public role. This function was particularly significant during the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami and the subsequent broadcasting transition.

• 2016

  Build a new earthquake-resistant headquartersStrategy

  Background

  FTV sought a modern facility suited to contemporary broadcasting operations and the seismic conditions of Fukushima Prefecture.

  Action taken

  The company invested in a new six-story headquarters with a public lobby and earthquake-resistant construction.

  Aftermath

  Programs began originating from the new facility in 2019, and the company moved into it in 2020.

  Reported construction cost. Approximately 3.5 billion yen (2016 construction project)

  Source

• 2012

  Complete analogue switch-offOther

  Background

  The 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami caused the analogue shutdown schedule to be postponed in affected areas.

  Action taken

  Fukushima Television ended analogue television broadcasting on March 31, 2012.

  Aftermath

  The station completed its transition to digital terrestrial broadcasting.

  Source

• 2006

  Launch digital terrestrial televisionProduct launch

  Background

  Japan was transitioning regional television services from analogue transmission to digital terrestrial broadcasting.

  Action taken

  FTV launched digital terrestrial television on June 1, 2006.

  Aftermath

  Digital transmission became the station's principal platform after analogue broadcasting ended in 2012.

  Source

• 1983

  Switch from JNN participation to full FNN/FNS affiliationStrategy

  Background

  TBS indicated that its programs would no longer be supplied after the planned arrival of another private broadcaster in Fukushima, while the local market was reorganized around multiple network affiliations.

  Action taken

  FTV withdrew from JNN at the end of March 1983, phased out TBS programs, and became a full member of FNN and FNS.

  Aftermath

  The change established FTV's long-term identity as a Fuji Television network affiliate.

  Source

• 1971

  Adopt dual TBS and Fuji Television network affiliationsStrategy

  Background

  The launch of Fukushima Central Television changed the prefecture's commercial television structure and required FTV to clarify its network relationships.

  Action taken

  Fukushima Television became affiliated with both the TBS and Fuji Television networks in October 1971.

  Aftermath

  The arrangement was later superseded as additional competition entered the market and the station moved fully toward FNN/FNS.

  Source

1. 1Fukushima Televisionen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Fukushima Television official websitefukushima-tv.co.jp