Chūkyō Television Broadcasting

Chūkyō Television Broadcasting is a commercial television broadcaster headquartered in Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, Japan. Branded primarily as Chukyo TV, it operates JOCH-DTV on virtual channel 4 and serves the Chūkyō metropolitan area, covering Aichi, Gifu, and Mie prefectures. The station is a regional flagship affiliate of the Nippon News Network and the Nippon Television Network System, giving it responsibility for locally produced programming as well as the distribution of national news, entertainment, sports, and other network content. The company originated in the competition for a fourth private television license in Aichi Prefecture. Six prospective operators sought the license in the 1960s, but technical constraints and the limited availability of VHF spectrum led Japanese authorities to designate a UHF channel. The applicants were subsequently consolidated around Chūkyō Television. The company was established as Chūkyō UHF TV Broadcasting on March 1, 1968, began test transmissions in March 1969, and launched regular broadcasting on April 1, 1969. It was Japan's first wide-area UHF commercial television station. Its original UHF format created a technical and commercial challenge because many television receivers were not initially equipped to receive UHF signals. The broadcaster therefore participated in efforts to expand UHF receiver ownership across the region. At launch, Chūkyō TV carried programming from several sources, including NET TV, Nippon Television, and Tokyo Channel 12. In 1970, it adopted the name Chūkyō Television Broadcasting and joined NET TV's All-Nippon News Network. A network realignment followed disputes between Nippon Television and Nagoya Broadcasting Network over programming arrangements. From April 1973, Chūkyō TV became the principal Nippon Television affiliate in the region and joined both NNN and NNS, while Nagoya TV moved into the ANN role. This transition substantially improved the station's commercial position and helped eliminate accumulated operating losses. During the 1970s and 1980s, the broadcaster developed its local production capacity, introduced stereo broadcasting, expanded international relationships, and diversified into events and related businesses. It established overseas reporting capabilities, organized golf and music events, and operated or invested in non-broadcast ventures including housing exhibitions and leisure businesses. In the early 1990s, the collapse of Japan's asset bubble encouraged a retreat from activities such as ski resorts and golf-course operations, bringing the company’s strategic focus back toward television. Chukyo TV strengthened its audience position during the 1990s and 2000s as Nippon Television's national performance improved. It introduced the Chukyo-kun mascot in 2000, participated with Nagoya TV in the development of the Seto Digital Tower, and began digital broadcasting on December 1, 2003. Analog transmission ended on July 24, 2011. The station moved from its former facilities to a new headquarters in the Sasashima district of Nagoya in 2016 and introduced a refreshed corporate identity and the slogan “To your center.” In addition to linear broadcasting, Chukyo TV has pursued digital distribution and regional collaboration. In 2020 it joined CBC Television, Tokai Television Broadcasting, and TV Aichi in creating Locipo, a regional on-demand video service. It also participated in real-time Internet distribution of selected evening and prime-time programs through TVer with Nippon Television and Yomiuri TV. The station has repeatedly achieved the Chūkyō area's “triple crown” of ratings across key dayparts, including a reported ten consecutive years through fiscal 2022. In November 2024, Chukyo TV and three other NNN/NNS broadcasters announced a planned integration under Yomiuri Chukyo FS Holdings; Japanese regulatory approval and certification were reported in March 2025, with the broadcasters intended to remain operational subsidiaries.

Chūkyō Television Broadcasting was created during the 1960s expansion of Japan's commercial television sector. In 1964, six organizations applied for the fourth private television license in Aichi Prefecture. Because the proposed VHF allocation risked interference with channels in neighboring regions, the authorities selected a UHF frequency. The applicants were consolidated around Chūkyō Television, and the preparatory license was issued in November 1967. The company held its founding meeting in February 1968 and was formally established as Chūkyō UHF TV Broadcasting on March 1, 1968. Test broadcasting began in March 1969, followed by regular service on April 1. The station became Japan's first wide-area UHF commercial television broadcaster. UHF reception was not yet standard in Japanese households, so receiver penetration was an important early business issue. Chukyo TV conducted popularization activities, and UHF viewing equipment became widespread in Aichi, Gifu, and Mie by the beginning of the 1970s. The station initially carried a mixed schedule supplied by NET TV, Nippon Television, and Tokyo Channel 12. On April 1, 1970, it adopted the Chūkyō Television Broadcasting name and joined the All-Nippon News Network. A major network realignment occurred after disagreements between Nippon Television and Nagoya Broadcasting Network. From April 1973, Chukyo TV joined Nippon Television's NNN and NNS networks, while Nagoya TV became the region's principal ANN affiliate. The change gave Chukyo TV a clearer network identity and was followed by substantial sales growth; the station also cleared its accumulated losses during the early years after the transition. In the late 1970s and 1980s, Chukyo TV increased its technical and production capabilities. It introduced a second-generation trademark in 1977 and stereo television in 1979. The company established overseas reporting and sister-station relationships, including arrangements with broadcasters in the United States and China. A 1981 medium-term plan targeted greater local production and a larger share of the Nagoya advertising market. By 1984, locally produced programming represented more than ten percent of its schedule, among the highest proportions reported for Nagoya stations. The broadcaster also expanded into housing exhibitions, golf tournaments, rock concerts, and other large-scale events. The economic downturn of the early 1990s prompted Chukyo TV to withdraw from several non-core leisure businesses, including ski resorts and golf-course interests. It concentrated more heavily on television while benefiting from stronger ratings at Nippon Television. The station opened an official website in 1996, reached leading ratings positions in the region during the late 1990s and early 2000s, and began 24-hour broadcasting in 1999. Its mascot, Chukyo-kun, was introduced in 2000. Chukyo TV and Nagoya TV jointly invested in the Seto Digital Tower, and Chukyo TV launched digital broadcasting on December 1, 2003. Although its ratings weakened in parts of the mid-2000s, the station continued developing local programming, exhibitions, and public-facing events. It helped organize a major Hermitage Museum exhibition in 2007 and opened an Anpanman-themed children's museum in 2010. Analog broadcasting ended on July 24, 2011. The company decided in 2011 to relocate its headquarters to the Sasashima area of Nagoya. Construction of the new facility began in 2014, and the station moved in November 2016. The relocation coincided with a new corporate identity and the “To your center” slogan. Chukyo TV continued to pursue strong regional ratings, including repeated triple-crown results. In 2020, it joined three other Nagoya broadcasters in launching Locipo and expanded the Internet distribution of selected programs through TVer. In November 2024, Chukyo TV announced a planned holding-company integration with Yomiuri TV, Sapporo Television Broadcasting, and Fukuoka Broadcasting System. The proposed Yomiuri Chukyo FS Holdings structure was designed to consolidate corporate functions while leaving the four broadcasters as operating subsidiaries. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications approved and certified the transaction in March 2025. Chukyo TV remains an active regional broadcaster under the Nippon Television network.

1. 2025Holding-company integration approved

   The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications approved and certified the proposed Yomiuri Chukyo FS Holdings integration involving Chukyo TV and three other NNN/NNS broadcasters.

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2. 2020Locipo launched

   Chukyo TV joined three other Nagoya broadcasters in creating the Locipo regional streaming service.

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3. 2016New headquarters and corporate identity

   Chukyo TV moved to its new Sasashima headquarters and introduced a refreshed identity and the “To your center” slogan.

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4. 2011Analog transmission ends

   The station ended analog broadcasting on July 24 as part of Japan's nationwide digital transition.

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5. 2003Digital broadcasting begins

   Chukyo TV launched digital terrestrial broadcasting on virtual channel 4.

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6. 2000Chukyo-kun mascot introduced

   The broadcaster introduced Chukyo-kun, a white oval-shaped mascot used in its public identity.

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7. 199924-hour broadcasting begins

   The station moved to a 24-hour broadcasting schedule.

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8. 1979Stereo broadcasting introduced

   Chukyo TV began transmitting stereo television programs.

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9. 1973Joins Nippon Television's NNN and NNS

   Following a regional network realignment, Chukyo TV became the Nippon Television affiliate for the Chūkyō area and joined NNN and NNS.

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10. 1970Name and network affiliation change

    The company adopted the Chūkyō Television Broadcasting name and joined the All-Nippon News Network.

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11. 1969Regular broadcasting begins

    The station began regular broadcasts on April 1, becoming Japan's first wide-area UHF commercial television broadcaster.

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12. 1968Company established

    Chūkyō UHF TV Broadcasting was formally established on March 1 as the organization selected to operate Aichi Prefecture's fourth commercial television service.

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A regional mass-media broadcaster combining locally produced Nagoya-area content with the national news, entertainment, and sports resources of the Nippon Television network.

• JOCH-DTVDigital terrestrial television2003

  Chukyo TV's primary terrestrial digital television service, broadcast on virtual channel 4 across the Chūkyō metropolitan area. The service combines regional news, locally produced information and entertainment programs, sports, advertising, and national content supplied through Nippon Television's NNN and NNS networks.

• LocipoRegional streaming platform2020

  A regional on-demand video service created jointly by Chukyo TV, CBC Television, Tokai Television Broadcasting, and TV Aichi. Locipo extends the reach of Nagoya-area broadcaster content beyond the linear schedule and represents Chukyo TV's participation in collaborative digital distribution.

• Local news and information programmingBroadcast programming

  Chukyo TV produces regional news, information, lifestyle, and public-affairs content for viewers in Aichi, Gifu, and Mie. These programs provide local reporting and advertising inventory while differentiating the station from national network services.

• Special events and exhibitionsEvents

  The broadcaster has organized or supported public events including golf tournaments, music performances, museum exhibitions, housing exhibitions, and children's attractions. These activities broaden its role from television transmission to regional cultural and commercial event production.

• 2020Locipo regional streaming initiative

  Nagoya region · Aichi Prefecture · Gifu Prefecture · Mie Prefecture

  Chukyo TV partnered with three other commercial broadcasters in Nagoya to create a shared on-demand video service for regional programming.

  Outcome. The initiative gave the participating broadcasters a joint digital distribution channel beyond terrestrial television.

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• 2016To your center

  Japan · Chūkyō metropolitan area

  Chukyo TV introduced the “To your center” corporate slogan as part of a station-name and visual-identity refresh associated with its move to the Sasashima headquarters.

  Outcome. The slogan became the broadcaster's principal audience-facing positioning during its renewed corporate identity.

  Source

• 2024Planned integration into Yomiuri Chukyo FS HoldingsM&A

  Chukyo TV and three other regional NNN/NNS broadcasters sought a structure for shared corporate functions and closer group coordination.

  What changed. The broadcasters announced a joint-stock transfer plan to create Yomiuri Chukyo FS Holdings, with Chukyo TV intended to remain a wholly owned operating subsidiary.

  Aftermath. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications approved and certified the plan in March 2025. The broadcasters' operating identities and core functions were intended to continue.

  Source
• 2011Headquarters relocationStrategy

  Chukyo TV decided to consolidate its operations in the Sasashima district of Nagoya.

  What changed. The company began constructing a new headquarters in 2014 and moved into the facility in November 2016.

  Aftermath. The relocation was accompanied by a new corporate identity and the “To your center” brand slogan.

  Source
• 2003Launch of digital terrestrial televisionProduct launch

  Japan's television industry was transitioning from analog transmission to digital terrestrial broadcasting.

  What changed. Chukyo TV began digital broadcasts on virtual channel 4, supported by the Seto Digital Tower infrastructure.

  Aftermath. The station continued its transition toward digital distribution and subsequently ended analog transmission in 2011.

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• 1973Switch to a full Nippon Television network affiliationStrategy

  A dispute over programming ratios weakened the existing relationship between Nippon Television and Nagoya Broadcasting Network and prompted a reassignment of regional network roles.

  What changed. Chukyo TV joined the Nippon News Network and Nippon Television Network System, while Nagoya TV moved to the All-Nippon News Network.

  Aftermath. The clearer affiliation improved Chukyo TV's commercial performance and was followed by the elimination of accumulated losses.

  • Nagoya Broadcasting Network — Nagoya Broadcasting Network became the region's principal All-Nippon News Network affiliate.
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• 2025Japanese authorities approve the planned Yomiuri Chukyo FS Holdings integration

  The planned joint-stock transfer and holding-company structure involving Chukyo TV and three NNN/NNS affiliates received approval and certification from Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

  M&ARegulation
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• 2024Chukyo TV announces planned integration with three other NNN/NNS broadcasters

  Chukyo TV, Yomiuri TV, Sapporo Television Broadcasting, and Fukuoka Broadcasting System announced plans to combine their operations under a new holding company, while retaining the four broadcasters as operating subsidiaries.

  M&A
  Source
• 2020Chukyo TV joins the regional Locipo streaming service

  Chukyo TV collaborated with three other Nagoya commercial broadcasters to establish Locipo, an on-demand video service focused on regional content.

  Product launch
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1. Chūkyō Television Broadcasting
2. Chukyo Television Broadcasting official website