Nippon Television


JOAX-DTV, branded as or Nippon TV, is a Japanese television station serving the Kantō region as the flagship station of the Nippon News Network and the Nippon Television Network System, owned and operated by the, a wholly owned subsidiary of the certified broadcasting holding company
Nippon Television's studios are located in the Shiodome area of Minato, Tokyo, Japan, and its transmitters are located in the Tokyo Skytree. Broadcasting terrestrially across Japan, it is also the first commercial TV station in Japan, and it has been broadcasting on Channel 4 since its inception. Nippon Television is the home of the syndication networks NNN and NNS. Except for Okinawa Prefecture, these two networks cover the whole of Japan. Nippon Television is one of the five private broadcasters based in Tokyo and is the first commercial broadcaster in Asia.
Nippon Television Holdings is partially owned by the Yomiuri Shimbun Holdings, Japan's largest media conglomerate by revenue and the second largest behind Sony. It forms part of Yomiuri's main television broadcasting arm alongside Kansai region flagship Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation, which owns a 6.57% share in the company. It is also the owner of Hulu Japan, formerly part of the US-based Hulu streaming service and the company has shares in animation studios Madhouse, Tatsunoko Production and Studio Ghibli as well as a share in the film studio Nikkatsu.

History

Early stages

The history of Nippon Television began in 1951 with the announcement by US Senator Karl Mundt that commercial television would be set up in Japan. According to Japanese-Canadian writer Benjamin Fulford, Mundt recommended Matsutarō Shōriki to the CIA ; with executives of The Asahi Shimbun and Mainichi Shimbun, Shōriki then persuaded then-Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida to form a commercial television network in Japan.
On July 31, 1952, Nippon Television was granted the first TV broadcasting license for a commercial broadcaster in Japan. The Nippon Television Network Corporation was established in October of the same year. After obtaining the broadcasting license, Nippon Television purchased the land for the construction of the headquarters building in Nibancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, and began preparations for the broadcast of TV programs. However, due to delays in delivering equipment used for broadcasting, test trials were significantly delayed from their initial scheduled date, resulting in NHK being the first to start broadcasting TV programs. On August 24, 1953, Nippon Television started broadcast trials and four days later, Nippon TV officially began to broadcast TV programs as Asia's first commercial broadcaster, with an animated dove spreading its wings in the logo on its first sign-on. The first TV commercial was also aired at the same time.
Due to high prices, television sets were not widely available at the launch of NTV and NHK. As a result, NTV installed 55 street TVs in the Kanto area in an effort to broaden the advertisement impact. This program was a huge success, attracting 8,000 to 10,000 people to watch sports broadcasts such as professional baseball and sumo wrestling.
Plans for the expansion of Nippon Television to the whole of Japan weren't continued due to its given license being restricted to the Kanto area only. As a result, the Yomiuri Shimbun Group filed for a separate TV license in Osaka under the name Yomiuri TV. In 1955, Matsutaro Shoriki stepped down as the president of Nippon TV after being elected to the Japan's House Of Representatives. Said election was the first electoral coverage carried out by commercial TV in Japan.

Nippon News Network and launch of color broadcasts

With the issuance of a large number of new TV licenses by the Ministry of Posts in the late 1950s, Yomiuri Shimbun and Nippon Television began to establish TV stations outside the Kanto area. On August 28, 1958, Yomiuri TV started broadcasting, marking the start of Nippon TV's expansion into the Kansai area. However, due to the close partnership between Nippon TV and the Yomiuri Shimbun, the network's expansion was opposed by local newspapers, and the network's expansion was slower than that of the JNN affiliates, which are less newspaper-oriented. Before 1958, NTV's programming was seen on CBC and OTV, whose television broadcasts started on December 1, 1956. The four commercial television stations that existed at the time broadcast a special program called The Coming Year. Until the last edition, production rotated between the main Kanto stations.
On the fifth anniversary of NTV's launch, Yomiuri TV and Television Nishinippon started broadcasting, and Nishinippon Broadcasting, which started earlier, created the backbones of a precursor of NNN. In December, when Tokai Television started broadcasting in the Tokai area, NTV programs moved to the new station.
Following TBS' establishment of JNN in 1959, Nippon Television founded the second Japanese television network, NNN, on April 1, 1966, with a total of 19 affiliated stations as founding members. Nippon Television founded the NNS in 1972 to improve collaboration among network stations in the field of non-news programming. On September 15, 1959, Nippon Television's stock was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, becoming the first media company in Japan to list its stock.
Nippon Television applied to the MPT in April 1957 for a color television broadcast license, which it received in December of that year. Matsutaro Shoriki returned to Nippon TV as the president of the broadcaster after resigning as the Minister of State in 1958. After taking office as the president, he increased his investment in color television. In December 1958, NTV introduced videotape recording in a one-off drama series using American RCA 2-inch quad tape.
The first live coverage broadcast from Japan on color TV was the wedding of the Crown Prince on April 10, 1959, alongside the first TV program with commercials broadcast in color. In December of the same year, NTV aired Japan's first color VTR broadcast Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall from NBC. NTV later obtained a broadcasting license for broadcasting programs in color on September 10, 1960. After a year, NTV aired a total of 938 hours of programs broadcast in color. As a result, programs produced in black and white steadily decreased.
In October 1963, Nippon Television has successfully trialed overnight broadcasts. On November 22, 1963, using a communication satellite relay, NTV conducted the first black-and-white TV transmission experiment between Japan and the United States during coverage of the Assassination of John F. Kennedy. On July 1, 1966, The Beatles' concert at the Nippon Budokan, part of their Japanese tour, was shown in color on NTV, with the viewing rate reaching 56 percent.
After the death of Matsutaro Shoriki on October 9, 1969, Nippon TV and NHK agreed to integrate signal transmission facilities in the Tokyo Tower.

1970s–1980s

When Kobayashi Shoriki took over Nippon TV in 1969, he continued the progress of TV broadcasting in color. In April 1970, Nippon TV's color programs accounted for 76.4% of total broadcast time, ahead of NHK which was second with 73%. In October 1971, Nippon TV achieved broadcasting all of its programs in color.
However, during this period, due to the economic depression in Japan and the discovery of falsification of financial reports by the Ministry of Finance, Nippon TV was in a state of recession. Ratings of other Japanese commercial TV stations also declined during that period, from competing with Fuji TV for second place in the core bureau for most of the 1960s to competing with Fuji Television and NET TV, and then being pulled away from TBS. This led Kobayashi Shoriki to launch business reforms to promote the outsourcing of program productions and decided to build a new headquarters which enabled them to turn losses into profits in 1972.
The non-news counterpart of Nippon News Network, Nippon Television Network System, was formed on June 14, 1972. NTV had also been successful in exporting its programs around the world, with programs such as The Water Margin and Monkey being aired on the BBC in the UK. On January 14, 1973, NTV airs the live satellite relay in Japan for Elvis Presley's concert in Hawaii, U.S.A. On October 8 & 15, 1975, the classic film Gone with the Wind makes its world television premiere on NTV, about 13 months before NBC airs the film in North America.
Nippon TV also started diversifying its operations, opening subsidiaries such as Nippon TV Music, Union Movies, and Nippon Television Services in the early 70s.In the following years, Nippon TV also participated in cultural events such as the restoration of the Sistine Chapel ceiling in 1984which took 13 years to restore and costing to ¥2.4 billion and also held two special exhibitions at the Vatican Museums. On March 9, 1984, Dan Goodwin, aka Spider Dan, Skyscraperman, in a paid publicity event, used suction cups to climb the 10 floor Nippon Television Kojimachi Annex in Chiyoda.
On the 25th anniversary of Nippon Television's first broadcast in 1978, the broadcaster launched 24-Hour TV: Love Saves the Earth, the only telethon in Japanese TV, which achieved high ratings and continued to be aired until the present day.But in the 1980s, ratings continued to decline after Fuji TV and TBS promoted much of their primetime programming.This prompted to increase airtime of its news programs and baseball events. Multichannel television sound broadcasting began in December 1982. NTV also launched NTV Cable News in 1987, being the first news channel in Japan.

1990s and "Triple Crown Ratings"

of Studio Ghibli, Inc. designed Nippon Television's mascot character 'Studio Ghibli short films#Nandarō to commemorate the channel's 40th anniversary in 1993.
After entering the 90s, although ratings of its Nippon TV affiliates increased, advertising revenue decreased in 1992 due to the collapse of Japan's bubble economy. The number of Nippon TV affiliates increased to 30 after Kagoshima Yomiuri Television started broadcasting in 1994. In 1992, after Seiichiro Ujiie became president of Nippon TV, the broadcaster carried out major changes in its programming, such as adjusting its late night news programs to air earlier than its rivals, and ending certain primetime variety shows to boost ratings.These major changes helped become number 1 in ratings from 1993 to 1994 overtaking Fuji TV. Earlier, it had attempted to replace its afternoon wide show with a comedy programs to compete with its rival networks.
As part of its major renovations in the broadcasting industry, Nippon TV launched its first cable-exclusive channel, CS Nippon TV, in 1996.

2000s–present

At the start of the new century, Nippon TV and its 29 affiliates won the triple crown ratings. In December 2000, Nippon TV launched its satellite-exclusive BS Nippon TV.On April 30, 2003, Nippon TV held a completion ceremony at its headquarters in Shiodome, Tokyo, which it took 7 years to build as part of its 50th anniversary from its opening. However, in October of the same year, employees of the network bribed the surveyed households to increase their ratings. This impacted the ratings of Nippon TV most especially on baseball games. Fuji TV took advantage of the incident when it became number 1 in ratings. Nippon TV started digital broadcasting on December 1, 2003. Nippon TV moved to Shiodome on February of the following year, and high-definition production also started. With the rising trend for Internet services, Nippon TV launched Dai2 Nippon TV, the first video-on-demand service from a commercial broadcaster in Japan.
Analog broadcasting ended on July 24, 2011, fully entering digital TV era. Also in 2011, Nippon TV regained the Triple Crown Ratings after 8 years due to high ratings of the drama I am Mita, Your Housekeeper. Although in 2012 and 2013, this was later taken by TV Asahi on ratings of its primetime programming. Nippon TV later regained the Triple Crown Rating in 2014. On April 26, 2012, Nippon Television Network Preparatory Corporation is founded as part of the network's major reorganization. On October 1, 2012, Nippon Television Network Corporation transitions to a certified broadcasting holding company, Nippon Television Holdings, Inc., and Nippon Television Network Preparatory Corporation is renamed Nippon Television Network Corporation.
On February 1–2, 2013, Nippon TV collaborated with NHK to air a special program related to the first TV broadcasts 60 years ago. On February 27, 2014, Nippon TV acquired the Japanese division of Hulu, Hulu Japan. They started airing more programs exclusively to Hulu following its acquisition, which was later criticized from viewers.
In 2015, Nippon TV launched TVer, its free on-demand service. On the Q4 of 2020, they started trials on live online streaming of its channel on TVer. In September 2020, Nippon TV, alongside PricewaterhouseCoopers, collaborated to create a system that uses artificial intelligence to predict audience ratings, which was first trialed on its movie block, Friday Roadshow. From Q4 of 2021, the broadcaster officially started its live online streaming of its channel, albeit with the exception of its late-night news program, news zero, and its succeeding program, despite being included in the trial the year before. In 2022, Nippon TV currently holds the Triple Crown Rating for 12 years. On October 6, 2023, Nippon Television purchased a majority stake in Studio Ghibli, and began to handle management of the studio while the company continues to focus on creative efforts.

Branding

When Nippon Television started in 1953, its English acronym "NTV" was used as its first corporate logo, with a colored version later used in 1972 after the launch of color TV broadcasting. The logo was designed by Shōjirō Takada, an assistant professor at Tokyo University of the Arts. In 2003, Nippon TV launched a new corporate logo with the introduction of Nandarou, the broadcaster's mascot. The orange dot in the 2003 logo represents the sun with the 日 in gold representing tradition. The logo was designed by Junichi Fumura, an employee of the broadcaster. On January 1, 2013, Nippon TV changed its logo as part of its 60th anniversary, with the "日" kanji changed to number 0 with a diagonal line inside, to denote starting from zero and starting anew. The change was inspired by the on-screen clock, usually located in the upper left corner of the screen.

Monsho logo and Nandarou mascot

In 1978, as part of its 25th anniversary, Nippon Television introduced a monsho in addition to the corporate trademark.The logo was designed with the NTV's "sun" and the earth represented by the Mercator projection, symbolizing NTV's leading position in the television industry.The logo is colored blue, representing clear skies. The monsho was designed by Masahiro Touzawa, an employee of the broadcaster.
On August 28, 1992, as part of its 40th anniversary, Nippon Television invited Hayao Miyazaki to design its first mascot. The mascot was shaped like a mouse with the tail of a pig, symbolizing creativity, curiosity, and hard work. The mascot's name was collected from an audience nomination campaign and voted on from 51,026 names. The winning name of the mascot was "Nandarou", literally translating to "What is it?" The mascot was supposed to be used for one year only, but it was used until 2013 after audience popularity. It was replaced by DA BEAR, introduced in 2009.

Affiliates

After the launch of Japan News Network in April 1960, a new group of networks was supposed to be formed between Sendai Television, Nagoya TV, NTV, and Hiroshima Telecasting in 1962.But in 1963, Nishinippon Shimbun, which is a key shareholder of Television Nishinippon, disagreed to Yomiuri Shimbun's plans to expand in Fukuoka Prefecture.This resulted in Television Nisihinippon withdrawing from being part of Nippon TV and losing Nippon TV's local news base in Kyushu. On April 1, 1966, Nippon News Network was formally launched with 19 founding members.
The non-news counterpart of Nippon News Network, Nippon Television Network System, was formed on June 14, 1972.

TV programs

News

Zip! News Every News Zero
  • ''NNN News 24''

Former Japanese dramas

2000s

Ruri no Shima Kikujirou to Saki 2 Joou no Kyoushitsu Gokusen Ai no Uta Nobuta wo Produce Hana Yori Dango Kami wa Saikoro wo Furanai Kui-tan Gyarusaa Primadem CA to Oyobbi! My Boss My Hero 14-year-old Mother Tatta Hitotsu no Koi Enka no Joou Haken no Hinkaku Kuitan 2 Bambino! Sexy Voice and Robo Juken no Kamisama Hotaru no Hikari Tantei Gakuen Q Yukan Club Hataraki Man Dream Again Binbou Danshi Saitou-san 1 Pound no Fukuin Osen Hokaben Gakkō ja Oshierarenai! Seigi no Mikata Yasuko to Kenji Oh! My Girl OL Nippon Scrap Teacher Kami no Shizuku RESET Zeni Geba Moso Shimai Kiina Aishiteiru The Quiz Show

2010s

Mother Kinoshita Bucho to Boku Magerarenai Onna Misaki NO.1!! Deka Wanko Sayonara Bokutachi no Youchien Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni Kaseifu no Mita – the highest watched show of 2011 in JapanHimitsu Chouhouin Erika Deka Kurokawa Suzuki Dirty Mama! Konna no Idol Janain!? Perfect Son Sūgaku Joshi Gakuen Teen Court: 10-dai Saiban Cleopatra na Onnatachi Shiritsu Bakaleya Koukou Taburakashi Ghost Mama Sousasen Sprout Totkan Tokubetsu Kokuzei Choshukan Vision: Koroshi Ga Mieru Onna Akumu-chan Sugarless Tokyo Zenryoku Shoujo Muse no Kagami Share House no Koibito 35-sai no Koukousei Hakuba no Ōji-sama Gakkō no Kaidan Marumaru Tsuma Majisuka Gakuen4 Jimi ni Sugoi! Kōetsu Girl: Kouno Etsuko Kyabasuka Gakuen Ieuru Onna Kaettekita Ieuru Onna You Don't Know Gunma Yet Voice: 110 Emergency Control Room Ieuru Onna no Gyakushū Innocence, Fight Against False Charges
  • ''Nurse in Action!!''

2020s

Captured Hospital

Variety and music

Question for one hundred million people!? Waratte Koraete! Guruguru Ninety Nine Sekaiichi Uketai Jugyo Enta no Kamisama ~the god of Entertainment~ Sekai Marumie! TV Tokusoubu The! Tetsuwan! DASH!! Gyoretsu no dekiru Horitsu Sodanjo Shōten.Gaki no tsukai Cartoon KAT-TUN AKBingo!Kyosen to Maetake no Geba Geba 90 pun Karikyura Mashin Music LoversGod of Music 1 Oku 3000 mannin no Shō Channeru
  • ''With Music''

Former

Family Wisdom of the Itos Nazo o toke! Masaka no Mistery Magical Zunou Power!! Tokujo! Tensei Shingo Dotch Cooking Show Arashi no Shukudai-kun

Animation

The company has intimate connections with Studio Ghibli, led by Hayao Miyazaki. Nippon TV has funded all of the company's productions since Kiki's Delivery Service and holds the exclusive Japanese rights to broadcast their motion pictures. It has also produced and broadcast popular anime series like My Hero Academia, Claymore, Death Note, Hajime no Ippo, Magical Emi The Magic Star, Orange Road, as well as Detective Conan and Inuyasha. NTV produced the first, unsuccessful Doraemon anime in 1973; when the second, more successful Doraemon series premiered in 1979, it was on TV Asahi, which remains the franchise's broadcaster to this day. As of now, NTV is currently producing a second anime adaptation of Hunter × Hunter. NTV has also been broadcasting the yearly Lupin III TV specials since 1989, which they co-produce with TMS Entertainment. Nippon Television announced on February 8, 2011, that it would make the anime studio Madhouse its subsidiary after becoming the primary stockholder at about 85%, via a third-party allocation of shares for about 1 billion yen.
On January 29, 2014, Nippon Television announced that it will purchase a 54.3% stake in Tatsunoko Production and adopt the studio as a subsidiary.

Special TV programs

Notable person

List of most-watched films

The following is a list of the most-watched films of all time on NTV, as of 2007.
RankFilmRatingAiring date
1Spirited Away46.9%2003-01-24
2Princess Mononoke35.1%1999-01-22
3Howl's Moving Castle32.9%2006-07-21
4Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone30.8%2004-06-25
5Tsuribaka Nisshi 428.4%1994-02-04
6Tsuribaka Nisshi 628.3%1994-12-23
7Tsuribaka Nisshi 227.7%1995-01-13
8Tora-san's Forbidden Love27.6%1996-08-09
9Shall We Dance?27.4%1997-03-28
10Tsuribaka Nisshi 527.1%1994-09-16
11Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom26.9%1987-10-16
1226.9%1995-03-03
13Tsuribaka Nisshi 826.1%1997-10-24
14Titanic26.1%2003-06-28
15Abunai Deka Forever25.7%1998-08-28
16First Blood25.3%1985-10-25
17The Matrix25.1%2003-06-06
18List of [Lupin III television specials|Lupin III: Moeyo Zantetsuken!]24.9%1994-07-29
19Death Note24.5%2006-10-27
20Kiki's Delivery Service24.4%1990-10-05