TV Miyazaki

TV Miyazaki, legally Miyazaki Telecasting Co., Ltd. and commonly abbreviated UMK, is a regional commercial television broadcaster based in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. It broadcasts on digital channel 3 under the callsign JODI-DTV and is known for its unusually broad network relationships. Unlike most Japanese commercial television stations, TV Miyazaki has maintained affiliations with three major national television network groups: Fuji News Network and Fuji Network System (FNN/FNS), Nippon News Network (NNN), and All-Nippon News Network (ANN). This arrangement makes it distinctive within Japan's television landscape, although the station does not carry all programming from each network. The station's origins lie in the second UHF television allocation plan announced by Japan's Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications in July 1968. Fourteen areas, including Miyazaki Prefecture, were offered new station licenses. In Miyazaki, twelve proposed license holders consolidated their applications at the request of the prefectural government. The participating interests agreed in early 1969 to form a single company and received a reserved broadcasting license soon afterward. Trial broadcasts began on March 1, 1970, followed by official service commencement on April 1 of the same year. During its early years, TV Miyazaki operated without a formal network affiliation and assembled a mixed schedule. Its programming was primarily supplied by Fuji Television, with additional output from Nippon Television and TV Asahi. In April 1973, it became an FNN/FNS affiliate. It subsequently added a secondary ANN relationship in April 1976 and a tertiary NNN relationship in April 1979. The resulting structure allowed TV Miyazaki to combine programming and news services from several national networks while tailoring its schedule to local demand. Its current arrangements have included FNN services for much of its news output, ANN material in selected daytime periods, and NNN material for late-night news, alongside locally produced programs. TV Miyazaki expanded its technical and event capabilities during the 1970s and 1980s. It established relay stations, completed its transition to color broadcasting in 1973, introduced a color outside-broadcast vehicle in 1979, and built a dedicated sports studio in 1980. The station also developed event production as part of its regional role, beginning with a NASA Space Science Fair in 1982. Its activities extended beyond television: TV Miyazaki helped establish FM Miyazaki, now associated with the JOY FM brand, in 1984. During the Japanese asset-price bubble, the company pursued diversification that included real estate activity and investment in the UMK Country Club golf facility in 1991. In preparation for digital broadcasting, TV Miyazaki invested in a new headquarters project beginning in 2000. The new facility was completed in 2001 and entered formal use in 2002. Digital terrestrial broadcasts began on December 1, 2006, while analog transmissions ended nationally on July 24, 2011. In 2020, the broadcaster introduced its current logo in connection with its fiftieth anniversary. Today, TV Miyazaki remains a local television platform combining regional news, information, entertainment, sports, event coverage, and selected national programming. Its identity is defined by its Miyazaki base, its UMK operating name, and its rare three-network affiliation model.

TV Miyazaki emerged from Japan's expansion of regional UHF television licensing. On July 16, 1968, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications announced a second UHF allocation plan covering fourteen areas, including Miyazaki Prefecture. Twelve proposed license interests in Miyazaki were consolidated into one application following a request from the prefectural government. In February 1969, the participating owners agreed to form a single company, and a reserved license was granted the following month. Trial transmissions began on March 1, 1970, and regular broadcasting started on April 1. The station initially operated outside a formal network affiliation, drawing most of its schedule from Fuji Television and smaller portions from Nippon Television and TV Asahi. This arrangement changed in April 1973, when TV Miyazaki joined FNN/FNS. It added ANN as a secondary affiliate in April 1976 and NNN as a tertiary affiliate in April 1979. TV Miyazaki consequently became notable as Japan's only television station affiliated with three major national network groups at the same time. The affiliations are selective rather than comprehensive: different parts of the schedule and news day are supplied by different networks, while local production fills other periods. The broadcaster developed its technical infrastructure throughout the 1970s. In 1971 it established seven relay stations alongside Miyazaki Broadcasting. Color broadcasting was completed in 1973, and a color outside-broadcast vehicle was introduced in 1979. The vehicle was first used for coverage of the thirty-fourth National Sports Festival held in Miyazaki. In 1980, TV Miyazaki completed a sports studio described as the first of its type in Japanese television broadcasting. The station also pursued large public events, beginning with a NASA Space Science Fair in 1982. Its regional media role broadened in the 1980s. TV Miyazaki helped establish FM Miyazaki in 1984; the radio service is now associated with the JOY FM brand and operates as a JFN affiliate. During Japan's bubble-economy period, TV Miyazaki explored business diversification, including real estate. In 1991 it invested in the establishment of UMK Country Club, extending its activities into leisure and property-related operations. The company began preparing for the digital era with a new headquarters project in March 2000. Construction was completed in August 2001, and the facility entered formal use in February 2002. Digital terrestrial television began on December 1, 2006. Analog broadcasting ended on July 24, 2011, in line with Japan's national switchover. For its fiftieth anniversary in 2020, TV Miyazaki introduced its current logo. The broadcaster continues to serve Miyazaki Prefecture through local news, information, sports, entertainment, event coverage, advertising, and a schedule assembled from its three network relationships.

1. 2020Current logo unveiled

   TV Miyazaki introduced its current logo during its fiftieth-anniversary period.

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2. 2011Analog broadcasting ended

   Analog transmissions ceased on July 24 as Japan completed its national terrestrial television transition.

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3. 2006Digital broadcasting launched

   Digital terrestrial broadcasting began on December 1.

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4. 2002New headquarters entered formal use

   A new headquarters built for the digital-broadcasting era entered formal use in February.

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5. 1991UMK Country Club investment

   The company invested in the establishment of UMK Country Club as part of its diversification activities.

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6. 1984FM Miyazaki established

   TV Miyazaki helped establish FM Miyazaki, now associated with the JOY FM brand.

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7. 1982Large-scale event production expanded

   The station hosted a NASA Space Science Fair, identified as its first large-scale event.

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8. 1980Sports studio completed

   TV Miyazaki completed a dedicated sports studio described as a first in Japanese television broadcasting.

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9. 1979Color outside-broadcast vehicle introduced

   A color outside-broadcast vehicle was introduced and later used at the National Sports Festival in Miyazaki.

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10. 1979NNN tertiary affiliation began

    The station joined NNN as a tertiary affiliate, completing its three-network arrangement.

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11. 1976ANN secondary affiliation began

    TV Miyazaki added a secondary relationship with ANN, without becoming a general-programming ANN affiliate.

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12. 1973Color broadcasting completed

    The station completed its transition to color television and joined FNN/FNS.

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13. 1971Relay network expanded

    Seven relay stations were established alongside Miyazaki Broadcasting.

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14. 1970Official broadcasting began

    Trial broadcasts started in March, followed by regular broadcasting on April 1.

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15. 1969Single company formed for the television license

    Twelve proposed license holders agreed to consolidate their applications and establish one broadcasting company.

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16. 1968Miyazaki included in the second UHF allocation plan

    The national government announced a new UHF television licensing plan that included Miyazaki Prefecture.

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A regional commercial broadcaster focused on Miyazaki Prefecture, differentiated by local programming capabilities and simultaneous relationships with FNN/FNS, NNN, and ANN.

• Regional television broadcastingBroadcast television1970

  TV Miyazaki operates a commercial terrestrial television service for Miyazaki Prefecture. Its output combines locally produced news, information, sports, entertainment, and event coverage with programs supplied through its FNN/FNS, NNN, and ANN relationships. The station broadcasts digitally on channel 3 under the callsign JODI-DTV.

• Local news and information programmingNews and information1970

  The station produces regional reporting and information programming for viewers in Miyazaki Prefecture. Its schedule includes local news alongside national bulletins supplied by its network partners, giving the broadcaster a role in both community coverage and wider Japanese news distribution.

• Sports and event broadcastingSports and events1979

  TV Miyazaki has developed specialist sports and outside-broadcast capabilities, including a dedicated sports studio completed in 1980 and a color outside-broadcast vehicle introduced in 1979. These resources support coverage of regional sports, public events, and other live productions.

• 2020Introduced the current brand logoOther

  The broadcaster marked its fiftieth anniversary and refreshed its visual identity.

  What changed. TV Miyazaki unveiled its current logo.

  Aftermath. The logo became the station's current stated visual identity.

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• 2006Launched digital terrestrial televisionProduct launch

  Japan was moving regional broadcasters from analog transmission to digital terrestrial television.

  What changed. TV Miyazaki began digital broadcasting on December 1.

  Aftermath. Analog broadcasting continued until July 24, 2011, when it was discontinued as part of the national switchover.

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• 2000Invested in a new headquarters for digital broadcastingStrategy

  The company began preparing its facilities for the transition from analog to digital terrestrial television.

  What changed. TV Miyazaki invested in a new headquarters project, completed in 2001 and placed into formal use in 2002.

  Aftermath. The facility supported the station's digital-broadcasting preparations and subsequent launch of digital service.

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• 1973Adopted the FNN/FNS affiliationStrategy

  After operating without a formal network affiliation, TV Miyazaki needed a stable national programming and news relationship.

  What changed. The station joined Fuji News Network and Fuji Network System while continuing to develop local programming.

  Aftermath. This became the principal element of a broader multi-network operating model later supplemented by ANN and NNN relationships.

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• 2020Current TV Miyazaki logo introduced

  The broadcaster unveiled its current logo during its fiftieth-anniversary period.

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• 2006Digital terrestrial broadcasting launched

  TV Miyazaki started digital broadcasting on December 1 as part of Japan's nationwide transition to digital terrestrial television.

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• 1979TV Miyazaki added an NNN relationship

  The broadcaster became a tertiary affiliate of Nippon News Network, completing its distinctive three-network affiliation arrangement.

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• 1976TV Miyazaki added an ANN relationship

  The station joined All-Nippon News Network as a secondary affiliate, while continuing its existing FNN/FNS relationship.

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• 1973TV Miyazaki joined the FNN/FNS network structure

  The station became affiliated with Fuji News Network and Fuji Network System, establishing the principal network relationship in its later programming structure.

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• 1970TV Miyazaki began official broadcasting

  The broadcaster commenced regular television service in Miyazaki Prefecture on April 1, following trial broadcasts that began on March 1.

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1. TV Miyazaki
2. TV Miyazaki official website