Kumamoto Asahi Broadcasting

Kumamoto Asahi Broadcasting Co., Ltd., commonly known as KAB, is a Japanese commercial television broadcaster based in Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture. It is affiliated with the All-Nippon News Network, the television network associated with TV Asahi, and operates as one of the prefecture's commercial television stations. Its service combines locally produced news and information programming with network content distributed through the ANN system. The station emerged from Japan's policy in the 1980s to expand the number of commercial television stations available nationwide. Kumamoto Prefecture was allocated a fourth commercial broadcaster in 1984, generating hundreds of applications. The Ministry of Posts later asked the Kumamoto Prefectural Government to consolidate the competing proposals. After nearly two years of coordination, the applicants agreed to combine their efforts into a single application. The name Kumamoto Asahi Broadcasting was selected in October 1988, and the station received a preliminary license the following month. KAB conducted technical preparations during 1989, including test transmissions from facilities in Kumamoto City. It received its official broadcasting license on September 22, 1989, and began regular broadcasting on October 1 of that year as Kumamoto's fourth commercial television station. At launch, programming previously supplied by TV Asahi and the ANN network through other local stations moved to KAB. The station subsequently developed local sports, news, cultural, and community programming alongside its network schedule. During its early years, KAB expanded its local role through coverage of the Kumamoto prefectural qualifiers for the Japan High School Baseball Championship, sports broadcasting, and cultural events. In 1993 it obtained local rights connected with J.League football and broadcast matches involving the Yokohama Flügels. The same year, it brought the Leningrad Ballet to Kumamoto, presenting what was described as the first performance by a foreign ballet company in the prefecture. KAB launched its official website in 1996 and later pursued partnerships and non-advertising revenue initiatives, including cooperation with Ehime Asahi Television around the opening of Amakusa Airport and a housing exhibition launched in 2001. The company also invested in its physical and technical infrastructure. Plans for an independent headquarters began in the mid-1990s. Archaeological remains associated with a former government office were discovered at the selected Nibonki site during the planning process. Construction began in March 2004, and the completed three-floor building began broadcasting operations on October 1, 2005. KAB introduced digital terrestrial television broadcasting from its main Kumamoto station on December 1, 2006, at the same time beginning high-definition transmission. Digital signal coverage reached most of the prefecture by 2008, while analog broadcasting ended in 2011. KAB's audience performance improved after a difficult early period. Ratings had generally been weak through the first years of operation, but began to improve consistently from around 2003. By 2008, the station was reported to rank second in daytime, evening, and prime-time viewing, and first in the late-night period between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. Its local news offering, known in an earlier period as KAB 600 Station, was later renamed Kuma Power J. KAB remains a regional television broadcaster whose principal role is to deliver ANN programming while producing content relevant to the people, institutions, culture, and events of Kumamoto.

Kumamoto Asahi Broadcasting was created during a national expansion of Japan's commercial television system. In 1984, Kumamoto Prefecture was allocated a fourth private television broadcaster. The opportunity attracted 482 applicants, including 215 associated with the Asahi Shimbun Group. In 1986, the Ministry of Posts asked the Kumamoto Prefectural Government to consolidate the proposals. After almost two years of negotiations, the applicants agreed to merge their efforts into a unified application. The station's name was chosen on October 5, 1988. A preliminary license followed in November, allowing the project to move toward construction and technical preparation. KAB moved into the Technology Plaza Building in Hanabata-cho, Kumamoto City, in July 1989. Test television transmissions began on August 15, and the official broadcasting license was granted on September 22. Regular service began on October 1, 1989, making KAB the fourth commercial television station in Kumamoto Prefecture. Programming from TV Asahi and the ANN network that had previously been carried by other local broadcasters was transferred to the new station. KAB broadened its regional presence during the 1990s. In its second year, it began televising the Kumamoto prefectural qualifying games for the Japan High School Baseball Championship. Typhoon Mireille damaged some relay stations in 1991, temporarily taking those facilities off air. In 1993, KAB acquired local broadcasting rights associated with J.League football and showed matches involving the Yokohama Flügels. It also organized a performance by the Leningrad Ballet, identified as the first appearance of a foreign ballet company in Kumamoto. The station established an official website in 1996. The company pursued cooperation and diversification in the 2000s. In 2000, it worked with Ehime Asahi Television in connection with the opening of Amakusa Airport, with both broadcasters promoting the attractions of their respective prefectures. In 2001, KAB opened a housing exhibition as an additional activity intended to diversify income beyond conventional advertising. In 2006, it concluded its first international sister-station agreement with Daejeon MBC in South Korea. KAB's headquarters project developed over a long period. Internal plans for a dedicated headquarters began in 1995, while a more concrete site plan was considered in 1999. Archaeological remains of a former government office were found at the Nibonki site selected for the building, adding an archaeological dimension to the project. Construction by Toda Construction began in March 2004 and was completed in June 2005. The three-story building has a reported floor area of 4,232.06 square meters. Broadcasting operations moved there on October 1, 2005, commemorated by a two-hour special program. The station's audience position improved after a relatively weak beginning. Until 2004, KAB was commonly near the bottom of local ratings across several measurement periods. Improvement that began around 2003 became more consistent, and by 2008 the station was reported to rank second in daytime, evening, and prime-time viewing, while ranking first from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. KAB entered the digital terrestrial era from its main Kumamoto station on December 1, 2006, launching high-definition broadcasting at the same time. Digital transmitter coverage reached approximately 95.5 percent of the prefecture by 2008. Analog broadcasting ended on July 24, 2011. The station's local news program, formerly known as KAB 600 Station, was later known as Kuma Power J. Through its ongoing ANN affiliation and local production, KAB continues to serve Kumamoto as a regional commercial television broadcaster.

• 2011

  Analog broadcasting ends

  [1]Kumamoto Asahi Broadcastingen.wikipedia.org

  The station ended analog television transmission on July 24 as Japan completed its transition to digital terrestrial broadcasting.

• 2006

  Digital terrestrial broadcasting launched

  [1]Kumamoto Asahi Broadcastingen.wikipedia.org

  KAB began digital terrestrial television and high-definition broadcasting from its main Kumamoto station on December 1.

• 2005

  New headquarters begins broadcasting operations

  [1]Kumamoto Asahi Broadcastingen.wikipedia.org

  After construction from 2004 to 2005, KAB transferred broadcasting operations to its new headquarters on October 1.

• 1996

  Official website launched

  [1]Kumamoto Asahi Broadcastingen.wikipedia.org

  KAB launched its official website as part of its expansion into online information distribution.

• 1993

  Expansion into football and international cultural programming

  [1]Kumamoto Asahi Broadcastingen.wikipedia.org

  KAB acquired local rights connected with J.League football and presented a performance by the Leningrad Ballet in Kumamoto.

• 1989

  Regular broadcasting begins

  [1]Kumamoto Asahi Broadcastingen.wikipedia.org

  KAB received its official license on September 22 and began regular commercial television broadcasting on October 1 as Kumamoto's fourth commercial station.

• 1988

  Station name selected and preliminary license obtained

  [1]Kumamoto Asahi Broadcastingen.wikipedia.org

  The name Kumamoto Asahi Broadcasting was selected in October, and the project obtained a preliminary license in November.

• 1984

  Fourth commercial broadcaster allocated to Kumamoto

  [1]Kumamoto Asahi Broadcastingen.wikipedia.org

  Japan's broadcasting authorities allocated Kumamoto Prefecture a fourth private commercial television station, initiating the application process that eventually led to KAB.

A regional commercial broadcaster combining ANN network programming with locally produced news, sports, cultural, and community content for viewers in Kumamoto Prefecture.

• Broadcast programming · 1989

  Local television news

  KAB produces and distributes news focused on Kumamoto Prefecture, including local public affairs, weather, events, and community developments. Its local news service was known in an earlier period as KAB 600 Station and was later renamed Kuma Power J. The service operates alongside ANN network news and gives the station a distinct regional editorial role.

• Network television · 1989

  ANN network programming

  As an All-Nippon News Network affiliate, KAB carries television programming supplied through the ANN and TV Asahi network system. This provides Kumamoto viewers with national news, entertainment, drama, sports, and other scheduled content while leaving room for locally produced programming.

• Sports television · 1991

  Regional sports broadcasting

  KAB's sports output has included coverage of Kumamoto's prefectural qualifiers for the Japan High School Baseball Championship and local rights connected with professional football. In 1993, the station broadcast selected J.League matches involving the Yokohama Flügels.

• Television transmission · 2006

  Digital terrestrial television

  KAB's main Kumamoto station began digital terrestrial transmission in December 2006, with high-definition broadcasting introduced at the same time. The digital network subsequently expanded across the prefecture, replacing the station's analog service in 2011.

• 2006

  Transition to digital and high-definition broadcastingGeneration change

  Background

  Japan was transitioning commercial television from analog transmission to digital terrestrial broadcasting.

  Action taken

  KAB launched digital terrestrial television and high-definition service from its main Kumamoto station on December 1, 2006.

  Aftermath

  Digital signal penetration reached approximately 95.5 percent of Kumamoto Prefecture by 2008, and analog broadcasting ended in 2011.

  Source

• 2005

  Transfer to a dedicated headquartersStrategy

  Background

  KAB had pursued plans for an independent headquarters since the mid-1990s to consolidate its broadcasting operations and infrastructure.

  Action taken

  Following construction from March 2004 through June 2005, KAB began broadcasting from its new three-story headquarters on October 1, 2005.

  Aftermath

  The move was marked by a two-hour special program and established the station's present principal broadcasting facility.

  Source

• 2001

  Diversification through a housing exhibitionStrategy

  Background

  KAB sought to develop revenue and business activities beyond conventional television advertising.

  Action taken

  The station launched a housing exhibition as an additional commercial and community-oriented activity.

  Aftermath

  The initiative formed part of KAB's broader effort to diversify its activities, although no financial outcome is specified in the reference material.

  Source

1. 1Kumamoto Asahi Broadcastingen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Kumamoto Asahi Broadcasting official websitekab.co.jp