Asahi Broadcasting Corporation

Asahi Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as ABC, is an Osaka-based Japanese broadcasting organization with deep roots in the Kansai region. The organization was established in 1951 after an earlier private-radio initiative associated with The Asahi Shimbun was revived for Osaka. It began AM radio broadcasting on November 11, 1951, becoming Japan's third commercial radio station. Its early radio operation developed through network relationships with broadcasters in Tokyo and later became affiliated with both the Japan Radio Network and the National Radio Network. ABC also played a central role in the development of commercial television in Kansai. In the 1950s, it joined with New Japan Broadcasting Company, the predecessor of Mainichi Broadcasting System, to establish Osaka Television Co., Ltd. Osaka Television began regular television transmission on December 1, 1956, becoming the first private television station in the Kansai region. The station initially carried programming from Tokyo-based networks while building local output, and it was an early adopter of recording technology. In 1959, Osaka Television and Asahi Broadcasting were consolidated, giving ABC combined radio and television operations. The television business changed network affiliation as Japan's commercial broadcasting system evolved. ABC was an early participant in the Japan News Network, but on March 31, 1975, it moved from JNN to the All-Nippon News Network, reflecting its relationship with The Asahi Shimbun and the broader Asahi media group. ABC subsequently became a principal ANN station in the Kansai market. Its television service operated on channel 6 and later transitioned from analog to digital transmission in 2011. The organization moved its headquarters from Oyodo-minami in Kita-ku to the Hotarumachi district of Fukushima-ku, Osaka, during 2008. Its operations have included terrestrial television, AM radio, FM supplementary broadcasting, news, information programming, entertainment, sports, cultural programming, and locally produced content for Kansai audiences. ABC has also been involved in animation and other programming distributed through national networks, including the Pretty Cure franchise in association with TV Asahi. On April 1, 2018, the former unified broadcaster was reorganized as a certified broadcasting holding company and renamed Asahi Broadcasting Group Holdings Corporation. Its radio and television operations were transferred to separate subsidiaries: Asahi Radio Broadcasting Corporation and Asahi Television Broadcasting Corporation. The ABC identity therefore has both a historical meaning as the former integrated broadcaster and a continuing meaning within the group and its operating media brands. The organization remains centered on broadcasting and related media activities in Japan, particularly the Kansai market.

The origins of Asahi Broadcasting Corporation lie in postwar Japan's expansion of private broadcasting. A radio-station proposal associated with The Asahi Shimbun initially considered both Tokyo and Osaka, and the designation ABC was selected for the proposed service. The first plan was absorbed into a broader Tokyo radio venture, but the Osaka project was revived in 1951. Asahi Broadcasting Corporation was established in Osaka on March 15, 1951, with Mitsujirō Ishii as its first president. It began AM transmission on November 11 of that year at 1010 kHz, making it the third commercial radio station to commence operations in Japan. The radio service expanded its technical and network capabilities during the 1950s and 1960s. It moved to the Shin-Asahi Building in 1958 and began simultaneous programming with KRT Radio, now associated with TBS, in the same year. Transmitter power increased from 10 kilowatts to 20 kilowatts in 1959 and later reached 50 kilowatts in 1971. ABC joined the Japan Radio Network in 1965 and later also became part of the National Radio Network. In 1978, its AM frequency changed from 1010 kHz to 1008 kHz as part of Japan's frequency-plan adjustments. The commercial name ABC Radio was formally adopted in 1989, and the station added Wide FM transmission in 2016. ABC's television history developed through a joint project with New Japan Broadcasting Company, the predecessor of Mainichi Broadcasting System. The two organizations established Osaka Television Co., Ltd. in 1955. Osaka Television began broadcasting on December 1, 1956, on channel 6, becoming the first private television station in Kansai. Its schedule combined locally produced news, dramas and audience programs with material supplied by Tokyo networks. It also pursued technical experimentation: the station acquired recording equipment in 1958 and conducted an early live broadcast from the summit of Mount Fuji. Changes in television licensing and network structure led to the consolidation of Osaka Television and Asahi Broadcasting. Osaka Television's television operation was incorporated into ABC in 1959, and ABC thereafter operated radio and television together. The television service initially had relationships with both the Japan News Network and Nippon Television-related programming, but the launch and development of other Kansai stations changed those arrangements. On March 31, 1975, ABC left JNN and joined the All-Nippon News Network, a move connected with its relationship to The Asahi Shimbun and the Asahi media group. ABC continued to modernize its facilities and corporate identity. In 1966, dispersed offices and studios were brought together at the ABC Center in Oyodo-minami. The organization obtained ISO 14001 environmental certification in 2001, described in the reference material as a first for a Japanese broadcaster. It introduced a redesigned logo in 2008 and moved its headquarters to Fukushima-ku, Osaka, where broadcasting from the new facility began that June. Analog television transmission ended on July 24, 2011, leaving the television service digital-only. The most consequential structural change occurred on April 1, 2018. The unified broadcaster became a certified broadcasting holding company named Asahi Broadcasting Group Holdings Corporation. Its former radio division was transferred to Asahi Radio Broadcasting Corporation, while its former television division was transferred to Asahi Television Broadcasting Corporation. The reorganization separated the regulated broadcasting businesses while preserving the ABC group identity. Historically, Asahi Broadcasting Corporation is therefore both the name of a long-standing integrated broadcaster and the predecessor of the present holding-company structure.

1. 2018Broadcasting businesses are spun off

   The organization became a certified broadcasting holding company, with separate radio and television subsidiaries assuming the former operating businesses.

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2. 2011Analog television transmission ends

   ABC ended analog television broadcasting as part of Japan's transition to terrestrial digital television.

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3. 2008Headquarters move to Fukushima-ku

   ABC moved its headquarters from Oyodo-minami to the Hotarumachi area of Fukushima-ku, Osaka.

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4. 2001ABC obtains ISO 14001 certification

   The company received ISO 14001 environmental-management certification.

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5. 1975Television affiliation changes from JNN to ANN

   ABC became an All-Nippon News Network affiliate after leaving the Japan News Network.

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6. 1965ABC joins the Japan Radio Network

   The radio service joined JRN and subsequently also participated in NRN.

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7. 1959Osaka Television merges into ABC

   Osaka Television and Asahi Broadcasting were consolidated, bringing the television operation into ABC alongside radio.

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8. 1956First private Kansai television station launches

   Osaka Television began regular broadcasts on December 1 on channel 6, becoming the first private television broadcaster in the Kansai region.

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9. 1955Osaka Television Co., Ltd. is established

   ABC and New Japan Broadcasting Company jointly founded Osaka Television Co., Ltd. to develop a private television station for Kansai.

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10. 1951Asahi Broadcasting Corporation is founded

    The company was established in Osaka on March 15, 1951, reviving the ABC radio-station plan for the Kansai region.

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11. 1951AM radio service begins

    ABC began commercial AM radio broadcasting on November 11 at 1010 kHz.

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A major Kansai-based commercial broadcaster combining strong regional programming with national television and radio network distribution.

• ABC RadioAM and FM radio broadcasting1951

  ABC Radio is the organization's radio service for Osaka and the wider Kansai region. It began AM transmission in 1951, later operated at 50 kilowatts on 1008 kHz, and participated in Japan's JRN and NRN commercial radio networks. The service adopted the ABC Radio name in 1989 and added Wide FM transmission in 2016. Its output includes local news, talk, information, entertainment, sports and other radio programming.

• ABC TVTerrestrial television broadcasting1956

  ABC TV is the Kansai television service associated with Asahi Broadcasting. Its origins are in Osaka Television, which launched on channel 6 in 1956. After the 1959 consolidation with ABC, the service combined locally produced news, information and entertainment with national network programming. It became an ANN affiliate in 1975 and moved fully to digital terrestrial transmission in 2011. The television business was transferred to Asahi Television Broadcasting Corporation in 2018.

• Pretty Cure programmingAnimation

  ABC has been associated with the Pretty Cure animated television franchise through its relationship with TV Asahi and the ANN network. The franchise represents the organization's role in distributing nationally visible entertainment and animation programming alongside its regional news and information output.

• 2018Create a broadcasting holding-company structureStrategy

  The former unified company operated both radio and television businesses under one corporate structure.

  What changed. On April 1, 2018, the company became a certified broadcasting holding company and transferred the radio and television divisions to separate subsidiaries.

  Aftermath. Asahi Radio Broadcasting Corporation and Asahi Television Broadcasting Corporation became the operating broadcasters, while the holding company adopted the Asahi Broadcasting Group Holdings Corporation name.

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• 1975Move from JNN to ANNStrategy

  ABC's television network position was reassessed as commercial television affiliations in Kansai developed and as its relationship with The Asahi Shimbun became more significant.

  What changed. ABC ended its JNN affiliation and joined the All-Nippon News Network on March 31, 1975.

  Aftermath. The television service became a major ANN station serving the Kansai market.

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• 2018Asahi Broadcasting becomes a certified broadcasting holding company

  The former integrated radio and television broadcaster was reorganized. Radio and television operations were transferred to separate subsidiaries, while the holding company adopted the name Asahi Broadcasting Group Holdings Corporation.

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• 2011ABC completes transition to digital television

  Analog television transmission ended at ABC in line with Japan's nationwide transition to terrestrial digital broadcasting.

  Product generationRegulation
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• 1975ABC television switches from JNN to ANN

  ABC ended its affiliation with the Japan News Network and joined the All-Nippon News Network, becoming an important ANN station in the Kansai region.

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1. Asahi Broadcasting Corporation