Fukuoka Broadcasting Corporation

Fukuoka Broadcasting Corporation, commonly branded as Fukuoka Broadcasting or FBS, is a Japanese commercial television broadcaster based in Fukuoka Prefecture. It operates JOFH-DTV on digital channel 5 and serves as the Fukuoka-area affiliate of the Nippon News Network (NNN) and the Nippon Television Network System (NNS). Its terrestrial service reaches Fukuoka Prefecture and extends into most of neighboring Saga Prefecture, giving the station a regional audience across northern Kyushu. FBS was created in response to a major realignment in Fukuoka television broadcasting. The prefecture’s first Nippon Television affiliate, TV Nishinippon, began broadcasting in 1958, but its relationship with the Nippon Television network deteriorated after the Yomiuri Shimbun group expanded its presence in Fukuoka. TV Nishinippon subsequently moved toward Fuji Television programming, leaving Nippon Television without a satisfactory affiliate in a strategically important city. After the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications opened additional UHF television capacity in the mid-1960s, several local business interests sought a new license. Fukuoka Broadcasting System was incorporated in 1968 after negotiations involving local companies and the Yomiuri Shimbun group. The final ownership arrangement gave local Fukuoka businesses the majority position at formation while securing the station’s role within the Nippon Television network. The company received a preliminary broadcasting license on April 19, 1968, and was formally established on May 27 of that year. Test transmissions began on March 1, 1969, followed by regular broadcasting on April 1. The station expanded its prefectural reach during its first year, including the Kitakyushu area through the Yukibashi relay station. Its early business performance was initially loss-making, but revenue grew rapidly as the station established its advertising base and network programming schedule. FBS began producing local programs in color in 1971 and recorded its first profitable year during the same period. It paid its first dividend in 1973 and continued to expand its technical, news-gathering, and regional programming capabilities. During the 1970s and 1980s, FBS developed from a new UHF broadcaster into a major regional commercial station. It passed successive revenue milestones, increased its audience share, assumed responsibility for overseas NNN news bureaus at different times, introduced teletext services in 1987, and deployed a satellite news-gathering unit in 1989. These investments strengthened its ability to produce local news and to contribute reporting to the wider Nippon Television network. The station faced a serious compliance and commercial-disclosure problem in the 1990s. An internal investigation found that fewer commercials had been broadcast than required under advertising contracts during the 1989–1996 period. The resulting compensation to advertisers exceeded 930 million yen, and FBS was suspended from NNS and the Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association. President Yoshinosuke Sada resigned in the aftermath. Although the episode caused a substantial financial setback and damaged the station’s institutional standing, FBS retained strong ratings, helped in part by popular Nippon Television network programs, and later achieved repeated audience leadership. FBS introduced its current logo in 2000, with a design credited to singer and songwriter Fumiya Fujii. Digital terrestrial broadcasting began on July 1, 2006, initially covering Fukuoka and surrounding areas through a developing transmitter network. Analog broadcasting ended on July 24, 2011, as part of Japan’s nationwide digital transition. In the 2010s, the station reported leading audience performance in several dayparts, including all-day and non-prime-time viewing, and it recorded high profitability relative to Japan’s commercial television sector. In 2017, it achieved a double crown in prime-time and golden-time rating…

Fukuoka Broadcasting Corporation emerged from a network-affiliation dispute that reshaped commercial television in Fukuoka. TV Nishinippon had been the prefecture’s first Nippon Television affiliate after beginning operations in 1958, but the station moved toward Fuji Television programming after the Yomiuri Shimbun group entered the Fukuoka market in the mid-1960s. Nippon Television regarded Fukuoka as an essential regional center and sought a replacement affiliate. The opening of additional UHF broadcasting capacity by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications in 1966 created an opportunity for a new station. Eight applicants, including Fukuoka Broadcasting System and a Yomiuri-backed Kyushu television proposal, sought authorization. Negotiations eventually produced a compromise. Seven companies supported by Fukuoka’s local business community were consolidated into the new Fukuoka Broadcasting organization, while the Yomiuri Shimbun group accepted a structure in which local interests held the majority at formation. The station obtained a preliminary license on April 19, 1968, was incorporated on May 27, and adopted the Fukuoka Broadcasting name. FBS promoted UHF antenna installation before launch in order to build potential reception. Test transmissions started on March 1, 1969, and regular service began on April 1. The Yukibashi relay station opened in September of that year, extending coverage to the Kitakyushu area as well as Fukuoka. The broadcaster’s first year produced substantial revenue but a small loss; in its second year, revenue increased and the deficit narrowed. Local color production began in April 1971, and the company achieved its first profitable year around the same period. It made its first dividend payment in 1973, formed a labor union in 1974, and continued to build its transmitter and production infrastructure. Growth accelerated during the late 1970s and 1980s. Annual revenue passed five billion yen in 1978 and exceeded six billion yen in 1980, while audience share rose above 20 percent. FBS also took on responsibilities within the NNN international news network, including operation of the Bangkok bureau from 1976 and later Manila and Seoul assignments at different times. It became the first television station in Fukuoka to introduce teletext in 1987. During fiscal 1988, revenue exceeded ten billion yen, and a satellite news-gathering unit introduced in 1989 improved the speed and flexibility of local reporting. The broadcaster marked its 25th anniversary in 1994 with an eight-and-a-half-hour special that achieved a 10.7 percent rating. A more serious episode followed the discovery that the station had failed to broadcast the full number of commercials specified in advertising contracts during 1989–1996. An internal inquiry identified 2,433 missing commercial spots. FBS paid more than 930 million yen in compensation, was suspended from NNS and the Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association, and experienced a major decline in revenue in 1997. President Yoshinosuke Sada resigned. Strong ratings from Nippon Television network programs helped the station recover some commercial momentum, and FBS achieved the Triple Crown for the first time in 1997, repeating the result for four consecutive years through 2000. The station’s 30th-anniversary special aired in April 1999 and achieved a reported 10.8 percent audience share. In 2000, FBS introduced its current logo, designed by Fumiya Fujii, and advertising revenue passed a major threshold for the station. Digital terrestrial broadcasting began on July 1, 2006. FBS selected digital channel 5 after channel-allocation issues involving NHK and other broadcasters in the region. The digital network initially covered Fukuoka and nearby areas and expanded with the broader digital-transmission rollout. Analog broadcasting ended on July 24, 2011. FBS subsequently reported strong profitability and audience results, including leading performance outside prime time in 2012 and leadership in all-day and non-prime-time ratings in 2013 and 2014. In 2017, it won a double crown for prime-time and golden-time programming. Its continuing role is that of a locally rooted commercial station: it produces and distributes regional news and entertainment while carrying NNN/NNS programs for viewers in Fukuoka and much of Saga.

1. 2017Double crown in major audience dayparts

   FBS leads the Fukuoka commercial television market in both prime-time and golden-time ratings.

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2. 2011Analog transmission ends

   FBS switches fully to digital terrestrial broadcasting on July 24.

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3. 2006Digital terrestrial broadcasting launches

   FBS begins digital terrestrial television transmission on July 1.

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4. 2000Current logo introduced

   FBS adopts its present logo, designed by Fumiya Fujii.

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5. 1997Commercial under-delivery scandal

   The station is investigated and penalized after discovering that contracted advertising spots had not all been broadcast.

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6. 199425th-anniversary special

   FBS airs an eight-and-a-half-hour anniversary program that records a 10.7 percent rating.

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7. 1989Satellite news gathering begins

   The broadcaster adds a satellite news-gathering unit to improve field reporting and news transmission.

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8. 1987Teletext service introduced

   FBS becomes the first television station in Fukuoka to use teletext services.

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9. 1976FBS assumes responsibility for the NNN Bangkok bureau

   The station takes on an overseas reporting role within the Nippon News Network.

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10. 1971Local color production and first profitable year

    FBS begins producing local programs in color and reaches profitability after its initial launch period.

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11. 1969Regular broadcasting begins

    FBS starts regular television operations on April 1 after a month of test transmissions.

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12. 1968FBS receives a preliminary license and is incorporated

    The station receives its preliminary license on April 19 and is formally established as a company on May 27.

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13. 1958TV Nishinippon begins as the first Nippon Television affiliate in Fukuoka

    The earlier Fukuoka affiliate that helped create the later demand for a dedicated Nippon Television station in the prefecture begins broadcasting.

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A regional commercial television broadcaster combining Fukuoka-focused programming and news with Nippon Television network content.

• JOFH-DTVDigital terrestrial television station2006

  FBS’s primary digital terrestrial television service, branded as Fukuoka Broadcasting and transmitted on digital channel 5. It serves Fukuoka Prefecture and reaches much of Saga Prefecture through the station’s relay and transmitter network. The service combines locally produced programming with content supplied by the Nippon News Network and Nippon Television Network System.

• Local news programmingTelevision news1969

  FBS produces regional news coverage focused on Fukuoka Prefecture and northern Kyushu. Its news operation is supported by the station’s relay network and, since 1989, satellite news-gathering capability. Local reporting is complemented by national and international material distributed through NNN.

• Regional information and entertainment programmingTelevision programming1969

  The station’s locally produced information and entertainment programs address the interests of viewers in Fukuoka and surrounding areas. These programs sit alongside network dramas, variety shows, news, sports, and other content from Nippon Television, creating a schedule that combines regional identity with national-scale programming.

• 199930th-anniversary broadcast

  Fukuoka Prefecture · Saga Prefecture

  The station aired an anniversary special lasting eight hours and 35 minutes to commemorate three decades of broadcasting.

  Outcome. The broadcast achieved a reported 10.8 percent audience share.

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• 199425th-anniversary broadcast

  Fukuoka Prefecture · Saga Prefecture

  FBS marked its 25th anniversary with an eight-and-a-half-hour special broadcast.

  Outcome. The program achieved a reported 10.7 percent rating.

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• 1968Pre-launch UHF reception campaign

  Fukuoka Prefecture

  Before regular broadcasting began, FBS actively promoted the sale and installation of UHF antennas so households could receive its new service.

  Outcome. The effort supported initial reception of the station’s UHF signal ahead of its 1969 launch.

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• 2011End analog broadcastingGeneration change

  Japan’s national television policy required the migration from analog terrestrial transmission to digital broadcasting.

  What changed. FBS ceased analog transmission on July 24, leaving digital terrestrial broadcasting as its terrestrial delivery platform.

  Aftermath. The station continued its regional service through the digital network.

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• 2006Launch digital terrestrial televisionProduct launch

  Japan was transitioning commercial television from analog transmission to digital terrestrial broadcasting.

  What changed. FBS began digital broadcasts on July 1 using digital channel 5 and developed a transmitter network covering Fukuoka and surrounding areas.

  Aftermath. The station completed the transition when its analog signal was shut down in 2011.

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• 1968Create a locally backed Nippon Television affiliateStrategy

  Nippon Television needed a new affiliate in Fukuoka after TV Nishinippon moved away from its network, while local businesses and the Yomiuri group pursued competing broadcasting proposals.

  What changed. Seven locally backed companies were consolidated into Fukuoka Broadcasting, with local interests retaining majority ownership at formation and the station joining the Nippon Television network.

  Aftermath. FBS launched in 1969 and became the regional NNN/NNS broadcaster for Fukuoka.

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• 1997Underdelivery of contracted commercialsControversy

  An internal investigation determined that FBS had broadcast 2,433 fewer commercials than required by advertising agreements during the 1989–1996 period. The station compensated advertisers by more than 930 million yen, was suspended from NNS and the Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association, and experienced the resignation of president Yoshinosuke Sada.

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• 2017FBS records strong regional audience performance

  FBS achieved a double crown in prime-time and golden-time audience ratings, reinforcing its position among commercial broadcasters in the Fukuoka market.

  Other
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• 2011FBS completes analog television shutdown

  The station ended its analog television signal on July 24 as part of Japan’s nationwide transition to digital terrestrial broadcasting.

  Product generationRegulation
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• 2006Digital terrestrial broadcasting begins

  FBS launched digital terrestrial television services on July 1, alongside other major commercial broadcasters serving the Fukuoka area.

  Product launchProduct generation
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• 2000FBS unveils its current logo

  The station introduced its current logo, designed by Japanese singer and songwriter Fumiya Fujii.

  Campaign
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• 1971Fukuoka Broadcasting introduces local color programming

  The station began producing local programs in color and recorded its first year without a loss, marking an early operational and commercial turning point.

  Product generation
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• 1969Fukuoka Broadcasting begins regular television operations

  After test transmissions began in March, Fukuoka Broadcasting launched regular television broadcasting on April 1, establishing a new Nippon Television-affiliated service in Fukuoka Prefecture.

  Other
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1. Fukuoka Broadcasting Corporation
2. Fukuoka Broadcasting Corporation official website