Weekly TV Guide

Weekly TV Guide (週刊TVガイド, Shūkan TV Gaido) is a Japanese weekly television listings and entertainment magazine published by Tokyo News Service (東京ニュース通信社). First launched in 1962, it is the oldest television listings magazine still in publication in Japan. The magazine is released every Wednesday and provides program schedules, drama and variety coverage, artist interviews, and cover features. Its regional editions are tailored to the broadcasting areas of different parts of Japan, with program tables covering local stations, BS/CS satellite channels, and cable television in some editions. The magazine was modeled on the American TV Guide, and Japanese editors traveled to the United States to learn layout and editorial know-how. The two publications have no capital relationship. The cover logo changed from "週刊TVガイド" to "TVガイド" in the August 26, 1988 issue, and returned to "週刊TVガイド" in the March 10, 2023 issue after 35 years. In November 1995, the format changed from A5 to A4 variant size, with the catchphrase "史上最大の超番組表!" (The greatest super program guide in history!). In addition to the weekly magazine, Tokyo News Service operates the website TVガイドWeb (formerly Internet TV Guide), which launched in 1996 and was renewed as "インターネットTVガイドDaily" in October 2014, ending its program guide service on September 30 of that year. The company also publishes the monthly Digital TV Guide, focusing on BS broadcasting, and sister magazines such as Monthly TV Guide, B.L.T., and TV Bros. (which ceased publication in January 2020). Weekly TV Guide has featured many famous personalities on its cover, including SMAP, KinKi Kids, Kimura Takuya, and Arashi. It has also featured fictional characters such as Astro Boy, Ultraman, and Doraemon. The magazine celebrated its 65th anniversary year in 2026, as indicated by a special issue cover featuring Iwamoto Hikaru. Circulation has declined significantly from 637,173 copies in fiscal 2006.

Weekly TV Guide was first published in 1962 by Tokyo News Service, making it the oldest television listings magazine still in circulation in Japan. It was modeled after the American TV Guide, which had launched earlier in the United States. Japanese editors traveled to the American editorial offices to learn layout and editorial techniques, including the magazine format and the title layout with the red square logo in the upper left corner of the cover. The weekly program schedule started on Saturdays. Despite the inspiration, the two publications were independent companies with no capital relationship. The cover logo originally read "週刊TVガイド" but was changed to "TVガイド" starting with the August 26, 1988 issue. In the November 10, 1995 issue, the format was changed from A5 to A4 variant size, with the catchphrase "史上最大の超番組表!" (The greatest super program guide in history!), which allowed for more detailed program listings. In the March 10, 2023 issue, the magazine returned to the "週刊TVガイド" logo after 35 years, coinciding with the cessation of "週刊ザテレビジョン", emphasizing its status as a weekly publication. Circulation has declined significantly since fiscal 2006, when it stood at 637,173 copies. The magazine has expanded its regional editions over the years, with editions tailored to different broadcasting areas. As of the December 7, 2018 issue, editions include Hokkaido/Aomori, Iwate/Akita/Yamagata, Miyagi/Fukushima, Nagano/Niigata, Shizuoka, Kanto, Ishikawa/Toyama/Fukui, Chubu, Kansai, Okayama/Kagawa/Ehime/Kochi, Hiroshima/Shimane/Tottori/Yamaguchi-East, Fukuoka/Saga/Yamaguchi-West, Nagasaki/Kumamoto, and Kagoshima/Miyazaki/Oita. Some editions were discontinued, such as the Okinawa edition, which ceased publication with the June 30, 2015 issue. The magazine has featured many notable covers. The first issue featured Takahashi Keizo, a former NHK announcer and Japan's first freelance announcer. Fictional characters have also appeared on the cover, including Astro Boy (June 7, 1963 issue), Boo Foo Woo (May 7, 1965 issue), Ultraman and Magma Taishi (January 27, 1967 issue), and Doraemon (March 3, 2023 issue, alongside Nagase Ren). As of 2011, the ranking of most cover appearances was led by SMAP (46 times), followed by KinKi Kids (44), Kimura Takuya (40), Katori Shingo (39), and Arashi (31). In addition to the weekly magazine, Tokyo News Service launched Internet TV Guide in 1996. It was renewed as "インターネットTVガイドDaily" on October 1, 2014, and the program guide service ended on September 30, 2014. The website is now known as TVガイドWeb. The company also publishes the monthly Digital TV Guide, which covers BS and CS satellite broadcasting including 4K, and sister magazines such as Monthly TV Guide, B.L.T., and TV Bros. (which ceased publication in January 2020). In 2026, the magazine entered its 65th anniversary year, marked by a special issue cover featuring Iwamoto Hikaru. The magazine continues to be published weekly on Wednesdays and maintains a strong presence in Japanese entertainment media through its print and online offerings.

• 2026

  Entered 65th anniversary year; special issue cover featuring Iwamoto Hikaru.

• 2023

  Cover logo returned to '週刊TVガイド' after 35 years (March 10 issue).

• 2020

  Sister magazine TV Bros. ceased publication in January.

• 2018

  Regional editions reorganized (December 7 issue).

• 2015

  Okinawa edition ceased publication (June 30 issue).

• 2014

  Internet TV Guide renewed as 'インターネットTVガイドDaily'; program guide service ended September 30.

• 1996

  Internet TV Guide website launched.

• 1995

  Format changed from A5 to A4 variant size (November 10 issue).

• 1988

  Cover logo changed from '週刊TVガイド' to 'TVガイド' (August 26 issue).

• 1967

  Ultraman and Magma Taishi appear on cover (January 27 issue).

• 1965

  Boo Foo Woo becomes first puppet character on cover (May 7 issue).

• 1963

  Astro Boy becomes first anime character on cover (June 7 issue).

• 1962

  First issue published by Tokyo News Service.

Japan's longest-running weekly television listings and entertainment magazine, offering detailed program guides and celebrity coverage.

• Weekly TV Guide (週刊TVガイド)

  Weekly television listings magazine published every Wednesday.

• Digital TV Guide (月刊デジタルTVガイド)

  Monthly magazine covering BS and CS satellite broadcasting, including 4K.

• TV Guide Web (TVガイドWeb)

  Official website formerly known as Internet TV Guide, launched in 1996.

• Monthly TV Guide (月刊TVガイド)

  Sister monthly magazine.

• B.L.T.

  Sister magazine.

• TV Bros.

  Sister magazine, ceased publication in January 2020.

1. 1TVガイドWebtvguide.or.jp
2. 2週刊TVガイド - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org
3. 3周刊电视指南 - Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4七五三掛龍也、単独表紙！ Travis Japanで見守りたいメンバーは忘れ物が多いあの人 | TVガイドWebtvguide.or.jp
5. 5COVER STORY | TVガイドWebtvguide.or.jp