Hokkaido Television Broadcasting

Hokkaido Television Broadcasting Co., Ltd., commonly known as HTB, is a commercial television broadcaster headquartered in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. It operates as a regional station serving viewers throughout Hokkaido and is affiliated with the All-Nippon News Network, the Japanese television network associated with TV Asahi. Its programming combines network-supplied entertainment, news, sports and cultural content with locally produced broadcasts tailored to Hokkaido audiences. HTB was established during the expansion of commercial television into the UHF band in Japan. It received its formal broadcasting license in October 1968 and began regular broadcasting on November 3 of that year as Hokkaido’s third commercial television station. Before launch, several groups had sought the regional license. The venture that became HTB consolidated applicants and selected affiliation with NET TV, now TV Asahi, after receiving strong support from that network. HTB subsequently became one of the founding members of ANN when the network was organized in 1970. Local news and regional information have remained central to the station’s identity. HTB also developed production capabilities for news and field reporting, introducing electronic news gathering technology in 1977. The station expanded its relationships with broadcasters in other countries, including sister-city and regional media partners in the United States, China, Russia and South Korea. These relationships supported staff exchanges, training and international programming cooperation. HTB experienced a serious financial crisis in the early 1980s after the collapse of Sapporo Toyopet, a company associated with then-president Yasushi Iwasawa. The resulting pressure on HTB led to support and investment from Asahi-affiliated media organizations, including The Asahi Shimbun and TV Asahi, after which Asahi interests became more influential in the station’s management. This episode connected HTB more closely with the broader TV Asahi and ANN business environment. The station modernized its technical operations over subsequent decades. It began stereo broadcasting in 1983, launched an official website in 1995, introduced its current trademark in 2006 and started digital television transmission in June of that year. HTB ended analog television broadcasting on July 24, 2011, in line with Japan’s nationwide digital switchover. The station attracted substantial regional attention when it repeatedly played “Time to Say Goodbye” after the analog signal ended. HTB has also been associated with prominent Hokkaido sports coverage, including broadcasts of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. Its coverage of the team’s 2006 Nippon Professional Baseball championship game recorded a reported 52.5 percent rating in Hokkaido, described in reference material as the station’s highest rating at that time. In 2018, HTB moved its headquarters into Sapporo Genesis Plaza as part of the Sapporo Genesis urban redevelopment project. The relocation was completed in September, although the station’s operations were temporarily disrupted by the Hokkaido Eastern Iburi earthquake on September 6, shortly before the move. The former headquarters was later sold and demolished. In parallel with conventional broadcasting, HTB has expanded its digital presence, including an official YouTube channel launched in 2013 and more recent online distribution and live internet delivery of selected programming. HTB therefore operates as both a regional television station and a local content producer adapting to digital media consumption.

HTB emerged from Japan’s expansion of commercial television into the UHF frequency band during the late 1960s. Hokkaido was allocated an opportunity for a third commercial television station, and seven groups initially applied for the license. A Sapporo-centered organization known as Dōmin Broadcasting, associated with business leaders including Sapporo Toyopet president Yasushi Iwasawa and Iwata Construction president Yan Iwata, consolidated with other applicants and became the basis for the new broadcaster. On December 1, 1967, the organization held an initiating meeting. Both Fuji Television and NET TV sought to secure the new station’s network affiliation, but the station chose NET TV, now TV Asahi, after receiving strong support from that organization. HTB received its formal broadcasting license on October 7, 1968. The license was classified as quasi-educational and required a substantial share of educational and cultural programming. Test transmissions began on October 15, followed by regular broadcasting at 8:50 a.m. on November 3, 1968. HTB thus became Hokkaido’s third commercial television station. The new station experienced an early technical setback in May 1969, when a coaxial transmission-tube failure forced an interruption lasting more than fifteen hours. Despite this incident, HTB became one of the nine founding stations of the All-Nippon News Network on January 1, 1970. The station formed a labor union in 1973 and developed international broadcaster relationships during the following decades. In 1975 it signed a sister-station agreement with KATU-TV in Portland, Oregon, reflecting the relationship between Sapporo and Portland. HTB later established or pursued cooperation with broadcasters in Heilongjiang and Shenzhen in China, Seattle’s KOMO-TV, Sakhalin TV in Russia, and broadcasters in South Korea. Technical modernization was an important part of HTB’s development. In 1977 it introduced electronic news gathering, reportedly becoming the first commercial broadcaster north of Tokyo to adopt the technology. ENG improved the station’s capacity to gather and produce local news. HTB began stereo broadcasting in 1983 and marked its twentieth anniversary in 1988 with special programs, including productions distributed nationally through ANN. The most serious business crisis in the station’s history came in 1981. Yasushi Iwasawa, who was connected with both Sapporo Toyopet and HTB, faced the collapse of Sapporo Toyopet after losses related to stock speculation. The failure affected HTB and left the broadcaster close to bankruptcy. The Asahi Shimbun and TV Asahi provided financial relief, and Asahi-affiliated interests subsequently took a leading role in HTB’s management. This strengthened the station’s practical connection to the TV Asahi corporate and ANN ecosystem. HTB entered the internet era early among Hokkaido broadcasters, launching its official website on August 21, 1995. The station introduced its current trademark on January 1, 2006, and began digital television transmission on June 1 of the same year. On October 26, 2006, its broadcast of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters’ Nippon Professional Baseball championship game achieved a reported 52.5 percent rating in Hokkaido, one of the strongest audience results in the station’s history. Analog broadcasting ended on July 24, 2011. HTB’s repeated use of “Time to Say Goodbye” at the end of the analog service became a locally remembered feature of the switchover. HTB later participated in the Sapporo Genesis 1.1.1 District North 1 West 1 redevelopment project. After Sapporo Genesis Plaza was completed on June 20, 2018, HTB moved into the complex on September 17 and began broadcasting from the new facility. The September 6 Hokkaido earthquake, occurring shortly before the relocation, caused an interruption of approximately eleven minutes and twenty seconds. The previous headquarters was subsequently sold and demolished, with residential redevelopment planned for the site. Alongside terrestrial broadcasting, HTB has expanded its internet activity, including a YouTube channel launched in 2013 and online distribution of selected programs. Its current role is that of a regional Hokkaido broadcaster combining ANN network output, local journalism, entertainment, sports coverage and digital media.

1. 2018Headquarters relocates to Sapporo Genesis Plaza

   HTB moved its headquarters and broadcasting operations to Sapporo Genesis Plaza in September.

   Source
2. 2013Official YouTube channel launches

   HTB expanded its digital distribution presence by launching an official YouTube channel.

   Source
3. 2011Analog broadcasting ends

   HTB completed the transition from analog to digital terrestrial television.

   Source
4. 2006Digital broadcasting begins

   The station introduced its current trademark and began digital television transmission.

   Source
5. 1995Official website launches

   HTB launched its official website, described in reference material as the first official website operated by a television station in Hokkaido.

   Source
6. 1981Asahi-affiliated financial support

   Following the collapse of Sapporo Toyopet, support from The Asahi Shimbun and TV Asahi helped stabilize HTB.

   Source
7. 1977Introduces electronic news gathering

   HTB adopted ENG technology to improve field reporting and local news production.

   Source
8. 1975Sister-station agreement with KATU-TV

   HTB entered a sister-station relationship with KATU-TV in Portland, Oregon, Sapporo’s sister city.

   Source
9. 1970Joins the founding group of ANN

   HTB became one of the founding members of the All-Nippon News Network.

   Source
10. 1968Broadcasting license granted and regular service begins

    HTB received its license in October and began regular commercial television broadcasting on November 3 as Hokkaido’s third commercial television station.

    Source
11. 1967Initiating organization established

    The organization that would become HTB held an initiating meeting after consolidating applicants for Hokkaido’s third commercial television license.

    Source

Regional commercial broadcaster combining ANN network programming with locally produced news, information, entertainment and sports content for Hokkaido audiences.

• Local news programmingNews broadcasting1968

  HTB produces news focused on Hokkaido, including regional reporting, weather, public affairs and field coverage. Its local news output complements national news supplied through the ANN network and serves as one of the station’s principal public-facing activities.

• Regional information and entertainment programsTelevision programming1968

  The station develops locally oriented information and entertainment programs designed for Hokkaido viewers. These programs provide regional culture, personalities, consumer information and community-oriented content alongside TV Asahi network programming.

• Sports broadcastingSports media

  HTB broadcasts sports of regional interest, including coverage of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. Its 2006 broadcast of the team’s professional baseball championship game produced a particularly high reported Hokkaido audience rating.

• Digital video distributionOnline media1995

  HTB distributes selected station content through internet channels, including its official website, YouTube presence and more recent online and live-streaming initiatives. Digital distribution extends the reach of its locally produced programs beyond conventional terrestrial television.

• 2018Relocates headquarters to Sapporo Genesis PlazaStrategy

  HTB participated in the Sapporo Genesis urban redevelopment project.

  What changed. The broadcaster moved its headquarters and began broadcasting from Sapporo Genesis Plaza in September 2018.

  Aftermath. The former headquarters was later sold and demolished, while HTB consolidated operations in the new Sapporo facility.

  Source
• 2006Transition to digital televisionGeneration change

  Japan was moving terrestrial television from analog transmission to digital broadcasting.

  What changed. HTB began digital television transmission in June 2006 and later ended analog broadcasting in July 2011.

  Aftermath. The station completed its terrestrial digital transition and used the analog shutdown as a locally visible broadcast event.

  Source
• 1981Receives support during financial crisisStrategy

  The collapse of Sapporo Toyopet placed severe financial pressure on HTB because of the companies’ leadership and business connections.

  What changed. The Asahi Shimbun and TV Asahi provided relief investment and support.

  Aftermath. Asahi-affiliated interests took a leading role in HTB’s management, strengthening its relationship with the TV Asahi and ANN group.

  Source
• 1968Selects NET TV network affiliationStrategy

  Before HTB launched, both Fuji Television and NET TV sought to affiliate with Hokkaido’s new commercial station.

  What changed. HTB selected NET TV, now TV Asahi, after receiving strong support from that network.

  Aftermath. The decision placed HTB within the network structure that later became the All-Nippon News Network.

  Source

• 2018Earthquake disrupts HTB transmission before headquarters move

  The September 6 Hokkaido earthquake caused an interruption of approximately 11 minutes and 20 seconds shortly before HTB relocated to its new Sapporo headquarters.

  Other
  Source
• 2018HTB moves to Sapporo Genesis Plaza

  HTB began broadcasting from its new headquarters in Sapporo Genesis Plaza in September as part of a major urban redevelopment project.

  Other
  Source
• 2011Analog television service ends with repeated farewell song

  When HTB ended analog transmission, it repeatedly broadcast “Time to Say Goodbye,” an unusual sign-off that attracted local attention.

  Other
  Source
• 2006HTB begins digital television broadcasting

  The station started digital television transmission in Hokkaido as part of Japan’s transition away from analog broadcasting.

  Product generation
  Source
• 1981Financial crisis follows Sapporo Toyopet collapse

  The bankruptcy of Sapporo Toyopet, associated with HTB president Yasushi Iwasawa, placed financial pressure on the broadcaster. Support from The Asahi Shimbun and TV Asahi helped prevent a wider collapse and increased Asahi influence over HTB’s management.

  BankruptcyOther
  Source
• 1970HTB becomes one of the founding members of ANN

  Hokkaido Television Broadcasting joined the All-Nippon News Network when the network was established, formalizing its relationship with the TV Asahi-affiliated network.

  Other
  Source

1. Hokkaido Television Broadcasting
2. Hokkaido Television Broadcasting official website