Hiroshima Home Television
A Japanese commercial television station serving Hiroshima Prefecture as an affiliate of the All-Nippon News Network.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Hiroshima Home Television is a commercial television broadcaster based in Hiroshima, Japan. Commonly branded as HOME, the station serves Hiroshima Prefecture and operates as an affiliate of the All-Nippon News Network (ANN). Its headquarters and studios are located in Hiroshima's Naka Ward. The station broadcasts on digital terrestrial channel 5 under the call sign JOGM-DTV. The broadcaster emerged from a crowded effort to establish a third commercial television station in Hiroshima Prefecture. An application was initially submitted in 1964 under the proposed name Setonaikai Broadcasting. At least 42 companies were interested in the license, prompting the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications to appoint Nagano Isuo to coordinate the competing applications. The project received a preliminary license in November 1969. At a founders' meeting later that year, the name Hiroshima HOME Television was selected, distinguishing the planned station from Setonaikai Broadcasting in Kagawa. Construction of the station's facilities took place in Hiroshima during 1970. Test transmissions began on October 1, and regular broadcasting commenced at 6:50 a.m. on December 1, 1970. The opening program was an ANN News morning bulletin. At launch, the station was associated with Nippon Educational Television, then commonly known as NET TV and now known as TV Asahi. Its original abbreviation was UHT, derived from UHF Hiroshima-Home Television. The station gained substantial early audience traction. Video Research surveys in January 1971 recorded a 6.3 percent all-day rating and a 12.3 percent prime-time rating. By January 1973, its median all-day rating had reached 8.4 percent and its prime-time figure 19.2 percent, making it one of the strongest-performing UHF stations of the period. Its business growth later slowed as the Japanese economy was affected by the 1973 oil crisis and as competition intensified following the launch of a fourth commercial station in the prefecture. Revenue nevertheless exceeded 3 billion yen in 1978, when the station also began expanding its overseas news-gathering activity through dispatches to locations including Hawaii and Sichuan Province. Technological and brand changes became more visible in the 1980s. Equipment was upgraded in 1983, and the station began stereo and other sound multiplex broadcasting in November 1985, reportedly becoming the first full ANN affiliate to introduce the service. On April 1, 1986, it adopted a new corporate identity and shifted its primary abbreviation from UHT to HOME, a brand that remains central to its public identity. The mascot Pol Pol was introduced during the station's 30th-anniversary activities in 2000, accompanied by related merchandise. Hiroshima Home Television entered the digital terrestrial era on October 1, 2006. Analog terrestrial broadcasting ended nationwide in the station's service area on July 24, 2011. Today, the station's role combines local news and information programming for Hiroshima with networked ANN content and other television programming. Its brand is primarily associated with HOME, while its corporate identity remains Hiroshima Home Television Co., Ltd.
History
The origins of Hiroshima Home Television date to a 1964 application for a new commercial television license in Hiroshima Prefecture. The proposed applicant used the name Setonaikai Broadcasting, although it was unrelated to the present-day broadcaster of the same name in Kagawa. Demand for the license was substantial: at least 42 companies sought to establish the prefecture's third commercial television station. The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications appointed Nagano Isuo to coordinate the competing applications and consolidate the licensing process. The project obtained a preliminary license on November 18, 1969. At a founders' meeting on December 25 of that year, the name Hiroshima HOME Television was chosen. The company acquired land in Hiroshima in 1970 and constructed its facilities between March and September 23. Test transmissions began on October 1. Regular service started at 6:50 a.m. on December 1, 1970, with a morning bulletin from ANN News. The station initially operated under the abbreviation UHT, meaning UHF Hiroshima-Home Television, and carried programming associated with Nippon Educational Television, the network later known as TV Asahi. Hiroshima Home Television performed strongly during its first years. A Video Research survey conducted in January 1971 reported all-day viewing of 6.3 percent and prime-time viewing of 12.3 percent. The growth of UHF television receivers in Hiroshima helped expand the station's potential audience; more than 544,000 UHF-capable sets were reported in the prefecture in that period. In January 1973, the station recorded median all-day ratings of 8.4 percent and median prime-time ratings of 19.2 percent. These results placed it among the more successful UHF broadcasters of its era. The economic environment became more difficult after the 1973 oil crisis, while the launch of a fourth commercial station increased competitive pressure in Hiroshima. Revenue growth slowed during the middle of the decade, but the broadcaster continued to expand. Revenue reached more than 3 billion yen in 1978, with reported revenue of 3.248 billion yen. The station also developed its news-gathering capabilities: in 1979 it began sending reporting teams overseas, including to Hawaii and China's Sichuan Province. Technical modernization continued in the 1980s. Station equipment was upgraded on October 27, 1983. Sound multiplex broadcasting began on November 14, 1985, making Hiroshima Home Television the first full ANN affiliate identified in the source material to adopt the technology. On April 1, 1986, the station introduced a new corporate identity and changed its main abbreviation from UHT to HOME. HOME subsequently became the station's principal consumer-facing brand. The broadcaster marked its 30th anniversary in 2000 by introducing Pol Pol, a station mascot that was also used for promotional merchandise. Hiroshima Home Television entered the digital terrestrial era on October 1, 2006. Its analog terrestrial service ended on July 24, 2011. The station continues to operate from Hiroshima as an ANN-affiliated regional broadcaster, delivering local programming for Hiroshima Prefecture alongside network content.
- 2011
Analog service ends
[1]Analog terrestrial broadcasting ended on July 24 as the station completed its digital transition.
- 2006
Digital terrestrial service starts
[1]Digital terrestrial television broadcasting began on October 1.
- 2000
Pol Pol mascot launched
[1]The station introduced Pol Pol as part of its 30th-anniversary activities.
- 1986
HOME identity adopted
[1]A new corporate identity was introduced and HOME became the station's main abbreviation.
- 1985
Sound multiplex broadcasting introduced
[1]The station began sound multiplex broadcasts in November following an equipment upgrade earlier in the decade.
- 1979
Overseas news-gathering expands
[1]The station began dispatching reporting teams to overseas locations including Hawaii and Sichuan Province.
- 1970
Regular broadcasting begins
[1]After construction and test transmissions, the station began regular service on December 1 with an ANN News bulletin.
- 1969
Preliminary license and naming
[1]The project received a preliminary license in November, and the founders selected the name Hiroshima HOME Television in December.
- 1964
Initial license application
[1]An application was submitted for a proposed third commercial television station in Hiroshima under the name Setonaikai Broadcasting.
Products and positioning
A regional commercial broadcaster combining Hiroshima-focused news and information with programming supplied through the All-Nippon News Network.
Television broadcasting · 1970
HOME local television broadcasting
The station's core offering is free-to-air commercial television for Hiroshima Prefecture. Its schedule combines locally produced news and information programs with content supplied through the All-Nippon News Network. The service currently uses digital terrestrial broadcasting and is identified by the call sign JOGM-DTV and digital channel 5.
News broadcasting · 1970
ANN News programming
ANN network news has been part of Hiroshima Home Television's service since its launch. The station began regular broadcasting with an ANN News morning bulletin and continues to combine network news coverage with reporting and information relevant to viewers in Hiroshima Prefecture.
Mascot and merchandise · 2000
Pol Pol
Pol Pol is Hiroshima Home Television's station mascot, introduced for the broadcaster's 30th anniversary in 2000. The character served as a promotional identity and was supported by tie-in merchandise.
Marketing campaigns
- 200030th-anniversary Pol Pol promotion
Hiroshima Prefecture
For its 30th anniversary, the station introduced Pol Pol as a mascot and used the character in promotional activity and merchandise.
Outcome. Pol Pol became part of the station's public-facing identity.
Brand decisions
2006
Transition to digital terrestrial broadcastingGeneration changeBackground
Japanese terrestrial television was moving from analog transmission to digital broadcasting.
Action taken
Hiroshima Home Television began digital terrestrial broadcasts on October 1.
Aftermath
Analog terrestrial transmissions ended on July 24, 2011, leaving digital broadcasting as the station's terrestrial service.
1986
Adoption of the HOME brandStrategyBackground
The station sought to establish a new corporate identity after operating for many years under the UHT abbreviation.
Action taken
It introduced a new identity on April 1 and changed its principal abbreviation from UHT to HOME.
Aftermath
HOME became the broadcaster's primary public brand.
Recent events
- 2011
Analog terrestrial broadcasting ends[1]
Product generation
Analog terrestrial transmissions from the station ended on July 24, 2011, completing its transition to digital terrestrial broadcasting.
- 2006
Digital terrestrial broadcasting begins[1]
Product generation
The station began digital terrestrial television broadcasting on October 1, 2006.
- 2000
Pol Pol mascot introduced for the station's 30th anniversary[1]
Campaign
Hiroshima Home Television created the Pol Pol mascot during its 30th-anniversary celebrations and released related merchandise.
- 1986
Hiroshima Home Television introduces a new corporate identity[1]
Other
The broadcaster launched a new corporate identity and adopted HOME as its principal abbreviation, replacing UHT in its public branding.
- 1970
Hiroshima Home Television begins regular broadcasting[1]
Other
The station commenced regular television service in Hiroshima on December 1, opening with an ANN News morning bulletin.
Sources1 sources
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