Hokkaido Cultural Broadcasting
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA Hokkaido-based Japanese television broadcaster affiliated with Fuji News Network and Fuji Network System.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Hokkaido Cultural Broadcasting Co., Ltd., commonly known as UHB, is a Japanese commercial television broadcaster headquartered in Sapporo, Hokkaido. It serves the Hokkaido television market as an affiliate of Fuji News Network (FNN) for news and Fuji Network System (FNS) for general programming. Its schedule combines Fuji Television network programs with locally produced news, weather, information, cultural, and entertainment content aimed at viewers across Hokkaido. The company emerged from the competition for Hokkaido's fourth commercial television license. In 1969, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications approved the license opportunity, prompting 59 applicants to seek entry. The applicants were consolidated into a new organization centered on the Hokkaido Shimbun newspaper and Fuji Television, with support from the Hokkaido prefectural government. The broadcaster was formally established on June 19, 1971, and received its operating license in May of that year. Trial transmissions began on January 14, 1972, ahead of the Sapporo Winter Olympics, an event that gave the new station an important early broadcasting context. UHB commenced regular broadcasting at 7:20 a.m. on April 1, 1972. Its initial terrestrial coverage reached approximately 66 percent of households through transmitters serving Sapporo, Hakodate, Asahikawa, and Muroran. The coverage area expanded during the first year to include Obihiro, Kushiro, and Abashiri, raising household reach to about 81.9 percent. Through its Hakodate translator, UHB also functions as the effective FNN/FNS service for much of neighboring Aomori Prefecture, which does not have its own FNN/FNS affiliate. The station has contributed to regional media production as well as network distribution. A major example was its involvement in the Fuji TV drama From the Northern Country, which was broadcast from 1981 to 2002 and filmed in the Furano area. The program achieved ratings above 20 percent and helped increase public interest in Furano as a tourism destination. UHB also undertook technical and network-related developments: it introduced electronic news gathering in 1982, adopted its current lowercase logo in 1983, and began stereo and bilingual broadcasting in 1984. In 1991, it assumed responsibility for the FNN Moscow bureau. Digital terrestrial broadcasting began from Sapporo on June 1, 2006, while analog broadcasting ended on July 24, 2011. Today, UHB's role is that of a regional network television company: it distributes national Fuji network programming, gathers and broadcasts Hokkaido news, and maintains local production and transmission infrastructure across a geographically large and climatically diverse service area. Its brand is primarily associated with regional television, local journalism, weather and community information, and the wider FNN/FNS network ecosystem.
History
Hokkaido Cultural Broadcasting was created during the expansion of commercial television in Hokkaido. In October 1969, Japan's Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications approved the region's fourth commercial television license. The opportunity attracted 59 applicants, including interests associated with the Hokkaido Shimbun newspaper and Fuji Television. With assistance from the Hokkaido prefectural government, the competing applicants were consolidated into a new broadcaster built around those two media groups. The company was established on June 19, 1971, and formally obtained its license in May of the same year. UHB conducted trial broadcasts from January 14, 1972, in the period leading up to the Sapporo Winter Olympics. Regular broadcasting began at 7:20 a.m. on April 1, 1972, with Today's Weather reported as the first program. The original service area covered Sapporo, Hakodate, Asahikawa, and Muroran and reached about 66 percent of Hokkaido households. After transmitters were added in Obihiro, Kushiro, and Abashiri, reported household coverage rose to 81.9 percent within roughly half a year. The Hakodate transmission facility also gave UHB a special cross-border regional role: because neighboring Aomori Prefecture lacks its own FNN/FNS affiliate, much of the area can receive UHB as its practical Fuji network station. The broadcaster's development combined network affiliation with locally significant production. UHB became part of Fuji News Network for news and Fuji Network System for general programming, while continuing to produce material focused on Hokkaido communities, weather, events, and regional issues. Fuji Television's assistance with From the Northern Country, which began airing in 1981 and continued until 2002, was a notable production milestone. The drama was filmed in Furano, attracted ratings exceeding 20 percent, and helped raise the area's profile as a tourist destination. UHB also modernized its production and presentation systems. It introduced electronic news gathering in 1982, adopted its current lowercase-letter logo in 1983, and began stereo and bilingual broadcasts in 1984. In 1991, the company took responsibility for the FNN Moscow bureau, demonstrating a network role beyond its primary Hokkaido service territory. The next major technical transition came with digital terrestrial television. UHB began digital broadcasts from Sapporo on June 1, 2006, and ended analog broadcasts on July 24, 2011, in line with Japan's nationwide migration to digital television. UHB remains an active regional broadcaster headquartered in Sapporo. Its business is centered on operating television transmission facilities, distributing Fuji network content, gathering local news, and producing programming for audiences across Hokkaido. Its geographic reach, including practical reception in parts of Aomori, reflects the importance of relay infrastructure in Japan's regional commercial television system.
- 2011
Analog broadcasts discontinued
[1]UHB ended analog television transmission on July 24 as part of Japan's digital switchover.
- 2006
Digital terrestrial broadcasts launched
[1]Digital terrestrial broadcasting began from Sapporo on June 1.
- 1991
Moscow bureau responsibility assigned
[1]UHB became responsible for the FNN Moscow bureau.
- 1984
Stereo and bilingual broadcasting begin
[1]UHB added stereo sound and bilingual broadcasting capabilities.
- 1983
Current lowercase logo introduced
[1]The station introduced the lowercase-letter logo associated with its current visual identity.
- 1982
Electronic news gathering introduced
[1]UHB adopted electronic news gathering equipment and workflows.
- 1981
From the Northern Country production begins
[1]UHB and Fuji Television became associated with the production of the long-running Furano-set drama From the Northern Country.
- 1972
Trial and regular broadcasts begin
[1]Trial broadcasts began on January 14, followed by regular service on April 1 at 7:20 a.m.
- 1971
Company established and license obtained
[1]The broadcaster was consolidated around Hokkaido Shimbun and Fuji Television interests, established on June 19, and granted its operating license in May.
- 1969
Fourth Hokkaido commercial television license approved
[1]Japan's Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications approved the fourth commercial television license for Hokkaido, attracting 59 applicants.
Products and positioning
A regional commercial television broadcaster combining Hokkaido-focused journalism and programming with Fuji Television network content.
Television broadcasting · 1972
UHB terrestrial television service
UHB operates a commercial terrestrial television service headquartered in Sapporo and distributed through a network of transmitters across Hokkaido. The service carries Fuji Television and FNS network programming alongside locally produced material. Its coverage includes major Hokkaido population centers and, through the Hakodate translator, provides practical access to Fuji network content for much of neighboring Aomori Prefecture.
Local media · 1972
UHB local news and information programming
The station's local output includes Hokkaido news, weather, community information, cultural coverage, and other regional programming. These broadcasts complement the national and network schedule by focusing on local events, public information, regional conditions, and issues relevant to viewers across Hokkaido.
Television drama · 1981
From the Northern Country
From the Northern Country was a Fuji Television drama produced with UHB assistance and filmed in Furano, Hokkaido. It aired from 1981 through 2002, became a major ratings success with reported ratings above 20 percent, and strengthened Furano's visibility as a tourism destination. It is the most prominent locally connected production identified in the available reference material.
Brand decisions
2006
Transition to digital terrestrial televisionGeneration changeBackground
Japan's broadcasting sector was moving from analog terrestrial television to digital transmission.
Action taken
UHB launched digital terrestrial broadcasts from Sapporo on June 1, 2006.
Aftermath
Analog broadcasts were ultimately discontinued on July 24, 2011, leaving digital terrestrial television as the station's broadcast platform.
1971
Formation of a consolidated fourth Hokkaido broadcasterStrategyBackground
The fourth commercial television license opportunity in Hokkaido drew 59 applicants, including organizations associated with Hokkaido Shimbun and Fuji Television.
Action taken
The applicants were consolidated into Hokkaido Cultural Broadcasting with support from the Hokkaido prefectural government, creating a broadcaster aligned with Fuji's national television networks.
Aftermath
UHB obtained its license and began regular television operations in 1972 as an FNN/FNS-affiliated regional station.
Sources2 sources
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