Asahi Broadcasting Group Holdings
Japanese certified broadcasting holding company overseeing radio, television, content production, and related media businesses centered in the Kansai region.
Last updated August 26, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Asahi Broadcasting Group Holdings Corporation is a Japanese certified broadcasting holding company based in Osaka. The group traces its origins to the establishment of Asahi Broadcasting Corporation in 1951 and has historically operated both radio and television services for audiences in the Kansai region, including Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Nara, Shiga, and Wakayama. Its media identity is commonly associated with the initials ABC and with programming distributed through Japan’s commercial radio and television networks. The original company began as a commercial radio broadcaster. ABC Radio started AM transmission in Osaka in November 1951, making the station one of Japan’s earliest commercial broadcasters. During the following decade, the company expanded its infrastructure, increased transmission power, joined national radio networks, and consolidated its studios and offices. Its radio services later became affiliated with both the Japan Radio Network and the National Radio Network. The station’s principal AM frequency changed from 1010 kHz to 1008 kHz in 1978, and the radio service subsequently added wide-FM transmission. Television became part of the company’s history through Osaka Television Broadcasting Corporation, a venture formed by Asahi Broadcasting and New Japan Broadcasting, the predecessor of Mainichi Broadcasting System. Osaka Television began broadcasting in December 1956 as the first private television station in the Kansai region. Asahi Broadcasting and Osaka Television were combined in 1959, creating a unified company with radio and television operations. The television service initially had relationships with the Tokyo-based commercial networks, but in 1975 it moved from the Japan News Network to the All-Nippon News Network, becoming a major ANN affiliate in western Japan. For much of its existence, Asahi Broadcasting was an integrated broadcaster responsible for radio, television, news, advertising-supported programming, local production, and technical operations. The company developed entertainment, news, sports, information, drama, and animation programming, while also carrying national network content. It became known for its role in producing and distributing programming from Osaka and for its contribution to the commercial broadcasting industry in Japan. Its television service broadcasts on digital terrestrial channel 6 in the Osaka area, while ABC Radio serves the region through AM and FM transmission. A major organizational change took effect on April 1, 2018. The former Asahi Broadcasting Corporation became a certified broadcasting holding company and adopted the name Asahi Broadcasting Group Holdings Corporation. Its radio operations were transferred to Asahi Radio Broadcasting Corporation and its television operations, employees, and related administrative functions were transferred to Asahi Television Broadcasting Corporation. The holding company thereafter focused on group governance, investment, and oversight of broadcasting and associated media businesses rather than directly operating the former combined radio-and-television license structure. The group remains a regional media enterprise with national network connections. Its activities include broadcasting, content creation, program distribution, digital media, and other businesses related to communications and entertainment. Its principal geographic base is Osaka, although its programming and commercial relationships extend throughout Japan through network affiliations and digital distribution. The company’s present identity therefore combines the heritage of a long-running Kansai broadcaster with the corporate structure of a modern media holding group.
History
Asahi Broadcasting’s origins lie in the postwar creation of Japan’s commercial broadcasting system. In 1948, planning connected with The Asahi Shimbun considered the establishment of a private radio station, and the ABC name was selected for the proposed service. An initial attempt to combine several radio proposals into a Tokyo-centered company did not produce the intended Osaka station, so the plan was revived for a separate broadcaster in Kansai. Asahi Broadcasting Corporation was established in Osaka on March 15, 1951, with Mitsujirō Ishii as its first president. ABC Radio began AM broadcasting on November 11 of that year at 1010 kHz, becoming the third commercial radio station to sign on in Japan. The company subsequently expanded its transmission facilities and audience reach. In 1958 it moved to the Shin-Asahi Building and began simultaneous programming with KRT Radio in Tokyo, an early commercial radio simulcast between the two cities. Transmission power increased from 10 kilowatts to 20 kilowatts in 1959 and eventually to 50 kilowatts in 1971. ABC joined the Japan Radio Network in 1965 and later also became part of the National Radio Network. Its AM frequency was changed to 1008 kHz in 1978, and the service adopted ABC Radio as its commercial name in 1989. The television business developed through Osaka Television Broadcasting Corporation. Asahi Broadcasting and New Japan Broadcasting formed the company in 1955 after discussions about the limited number of available television licenses in the Kansai region. Osaka Television began regular broadcasting on December 1, 1956, using channel 6 and call sign JOBX-TV. It was the first private television station in Kansai. The station emphasized locally produced programs while also carrying network material, and it introduced recording technology early in its development. Osaka Television later had a primary relationship with KRT, now associated with TBS, and a secondary relationship with Nippon Television before the launch of Yomiuri Television changed the network structure. Asahi Broadcasting acquired Osaka Television in 1959, and the two companies were merged on June 1 of that year. The combined company operated both radio and television and used the JONR call sign for its television service. This created the integrated broadcaster that would define ABC for most of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. In 1966, dispersed studios and offices were brought together in a consolidated headquarters facility in Osaka. Network affiliations were an important part of the company’s development. ABC was among the broadcasters associated with the formation of the Japan News Network, but on March 31, 1975, it left JNN and joined the All-Nippon News Network in connection with its relationship with The Asahi Shimbun. The change made ABC a central ANN television affiliate in the Kansai market. Its radio operations continued to participate in Japan’s two major commercial radio networks. The company continued to modernize its facilities and public identity. It obtained ISO 14001 environmental-management certification in 2001, a distinction described in reference material as a first for a Japanese broadcaster. In 2008, it introduced a redesigned logo and moved its headquarters to Fukushima-ku, Osaka. The new site in the Hotarumachi district began broadcasting operations in June of that year. ABC ended analog television transmission on July 24, 2011, following Japan’s nationwide conversion to digital terrestrial television. Radio operations later added wide-FM transmission in 2016. The most significant corporate transformation occurred on April 1, 2018. Asahi Broadcasting became a certified broadcasting holding company and changed its corporate name to Asahi Broadcasting Group Holdings Corporation. Its radio business was assigned to Asahi Radio Broadcasting Corporation, while television broadcasting was assigned to Asahi Television Broadcasting Corporation. The reorganization separated the operating licenses and day-to-day broadcasting functions from the holding company, allowing the parent group to oversee multiple media and related businesses. The group today retains the ABC heritage while operating through a holding-company structure focused on broadcasting, content, and associated communications activities.
- 2018
Holding-company reorganization
[1]On April 1, the company became Asahi Broadcasting Group Holdings Corporation, while separate subsidiaries assumed the radio and television businesses.
- 2016
Wide-FM radio service begins
[1]ABC Radio added wide-FM transmission in the Kansai region on March 19.
- 2011
Analog television service ends
[1]ABC completed the switch to digital terrestrial television on July 24.
- 2008
Headquarters moves to Fukushima-ku
[1]ABC relocated its headquarters to the Hotarumachi district of Fukushima-ku, Osaka, with broadcasts from the new facility beginning in June.
- 2001
ABC obtains ISO 14001 certification
[1]The broadcaster received ISO 14001 environmental-management certification and introduced the Info Designing ABC slogan.
- 1978
AM frequency changes to 1008 kHz
[1]ABC Radio changed its principal AM frequency from 1010 kHz to 1008 kHz on November 23.
- 1975
Television affiliation changes from JNN to ANN
[1]ABC left the Japan News Network and joined the All-Nippon News Network on March 31.
- 1965
ABC joins the Japan Radio Network
[1]The radio service joined JRN and subsequently participated in Japan’s commercial radio network system.
- 1959
Osaka Television merges with Asahi Broadcasting
[1]The two companies combined on June 1, creating an integrated radio and television broadcaster.
- 1956
First private television station in Kansai begins broadcasting
[1]Osaka Television began regular television broadcasting on December 1 using channel 6 and call sign JOBX-TV.
Products and positioning
A Kansai-centered commercial media group combining regional broadcasting expertise, national network distribution, and content production across radio, television, and digital channels.
AM and wide-FM radio broadcasting · 1951
ABC Radio
The group’s Kansai radio service, historically transmitted on AM and later expanded to wide-FM. ABC Radio provides locally oriented news, talk, information, sports, entertainment, and network programming for listeners in and around Osaka and neighboring prefectures.
Digital terrestrial television broadcasting · 1956
ABC Television
The group’s television operation serving the Kansai region on digital terrestrial channel 6. It produces and distributes local news, information, entertainment, drama, sports, and animation programming and operates as an affiliate of the All-Nippon News Network.
Media content services
Content production and distribution
The group develops, produces, licenses, and distributes radio and television content, with activities extending into digital media and other communications-related businesses. These activities build on the company’s long-standing role as a Kansai production center within Japan’s commercial broadcasting system.
Brand decisions
2018
Creation of a certified broadcasting holding companyStrategyBackground
The former integrated broadcaster operated radio and television under one corporate structure. The group decided to separate those operating businesses while retaining group-level oversight.
Action taken
On April 1, 2018, Asahi Broadcasting Corporation changed its name to Asahi Broadcasting Group Holdings Corporation. Asahi Radio Broadcasting Corporation assumed the radio business, and Asahi Television Broadcasting Corporation assumed the television business and related operating functions.
Aftermath
The reorganization established the current holding-company structure and separated the group’s principal radio and television operations into subsidiaries.
1975
Television network affiliation changeStrategyBackground
ABC had been associated with the Japan News Network since the early development of commercial television in Japan.
Action taken
The television service left JNN and joined the All-Nippon News Network on March 31, 1975.
Aftermath
ABC became a major ANN affiliate serving the Kansai region and has continued that television-network relationship.
Recent events
- 2018
Asahi Broadcasting becomes a certified broadcasting holding company[1]
Other
The former Asahi Broadcasting Corporation reorganized as Asahi Broadcasting Group Holdings Corporation. Radio and television activities were transferred to separate operating subsidiaries.
- 2016
ABC begins wide-FM radio transmission[1]
Product launch
ABC Radio expanded its transmission platform by beginning broadcasts in the wide-FM band in the Kansai market.
- 2011
ABC television completes the transition to digital broadcasting[1]
Regulation
ABC ended its analog television service as part of Japan’s national transition to digital terrestrial television.
- 2008
ABC completes relocation to Fukushima-ku headquarters[1]
Other
The company moved its headquarters from Oyodo-minami in Kita-ku, Osaka, to the Hotarumachi area of Fukushima-ku and began broadcasting from the new facility.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/asahi-broadcasting-group-holdings · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled