Niigata Television Network 21

Niigata Television Network 21 is a Japanese commercial television station serving Niigata Prefecture from its base in Niigata City. The station is affiliated with the All-Nippon News Network (ANN), the television news and programming network associated with TV Asahi. Its Japanese corporate name is Kabushikigaisha Niigata Terebi Nijūichi, while the station was historically identified on air as NT21. Since 2006, it has used the shorter brand name ux, derived from the final two letters of its call sign, and its current slogan is “YOU&ME&UX.” The station was created during the expansion of Japan’s regional commercial television system. Niigata had previously received TV Asahi programming through NST, which had carried programming from several major national networks. The launch of TNN, now known as TeNY, had already reorganized the local NNN affiliation in 1981. Niigata Television Network 21 subsequently assumed the ANN affiliation, helping complete the prefecture’s four-station commercial network structure. The company was established in 1983 and began regular broadcasting at 6:10 a.m. on October 1 of that year. Its core business is terrestrial television broadcasting, including ANN news, information programs, entertainment, drama, sports, and other programming supplied by TV Asahi and the wider ANN system. Because TV Tokyo does not maintain a full terrestrial affiliate station in many Japanese prefectures, the station also carries selected TV Tokyo programs. In addition to network programming, a regional station such as ux provides locally produced news and information for viewers in Niigata, although the supplied reference material does not identify specific current programs or production divisions. The station entered the digital broadcasting era in 2006. Digital terrestrial test transmissions began on August 1, 2006, and the station adopted the ux identity as part of this transition. A full digital terrestrial broadcasting license was granted on September 25, 2006, and digital broadcasting began on October 1, 2006. The rebranding positioned ux as the station’s modern consumer-facing identity while retaining the legal corporate name Niigata Television Network 21. Today, the organization is best understood as a regional broadcast station rather than a national consumer brand. Its value proposition rests on combining national ANN content with prefecture-level news, information, and community relevance. Publicly available reference material confirms its active operation, ANN affiliation, historical transition from NT21 to ux, and continuing terrestrial television role, but does not provide enough verified information to identify its current executives, ownership structure, financial performance, detailed program portfolio, or major advertising campaigns.

Niigata Television Network 21 emerged from the restructuring of commercial television affiliations in Niigata Prefecture during the early 1980s. Before its creation, NST carried programming from multiple national networks, including TV Asahi programming. The local broadcasting landscape changed when TNN, later renamed TeNY, began handling the NNN affiliation in 1981. Niigata Television Network 21 was then established to take over the ANN affiliation and expand the prefecture’s commercial television network structure. The company was established in March 1983 and commenced regular transmissions at 6:10 a.m. on October 1, 1983. Its original station identity was NT21, reflecting the corporate and broadcast branding used at launch. As an ANN affiliate, it became a local outlet for TV Asahi news, entertainment, drama, and other network content while also serving as a source of programming and coverage directed at Niigata viewers. The station’s development followed the standard model of Japan’s regional commercial broadcasters: national network supply provided a stable programming base, while the local station maintained a role in regional news, information, advertising, and community-oriented broadcasting. The available reference material does not document individual founding executives, ownership changes, major facilities, or detailed locally produced programs, so those aspects cannot be stated reliably here. A major technological and branding transition took place in 2006. Niigata Television Network 21 began digital terrestrial television test transmissions on August 1. The station adopted the ux brand during this period, using the final two letters of its call sign as a shorter, more contemporary on-air identity. A full digital terrestrial broadcasting license was granted on September 25, and digital broadcasting began on October 1, 2006. The ux identity has remained associated with the station, while Niigata Television Network 21 continues to describe the underlying broadcaster. In its current role, the station operates as an ANN-affiliated commercial television broadcaster for Niigata Prefecture. It carries TV Asahi and ANN programming and also broadcasts selected TV Tokyo programs, reflecting the absence of a TV Tokyo terrestrial station in many prefectures. Its current slogan is “YOU&ME&UX.” The station’s documented history therefore centers on its formation during the 1980s network reorganization, its launch as an ANN affiliate, and its transition to digital broadcasting and the ux brand in 2006.

• 2006

  Digital terrestrial testing and ux rebrand

  [1]Niigata Television Network 21en.wikipedia.org

  Digital terrestrial test transmissions began on August 1. The station adopted the ux brand, derived from the final two letters of its call sign.

• 2006

  Digital broadcasting license and launch

  [1]Niigata Television Network 21en.wikipedia.org

  A full digital terrestrial broadcasting license was granted on September 25, and digital broadcasting commenced on October 1.

• 1983

  Company established

  [1]Niigata Television Network 21en.wikipedia.org

  Niigata Television Network 21 was established in March 1983 as part of the expansion and reorganization of commercial television service in Niigata Prefecture.

• 1983

  Regular broadcasting begins

  [1]Niigata Television Network 21en.wikipedia.org

  The station began regular transmissions at 6:10 a.m. on October 1, 1983, taking on the ANN affiliation in Niigata.

• 1981

  NNN affiliation reorganized in Niigata

  [1]Niigata Television Network 21en.wikipedia.org

  TNN, now known as TeNY, took over the NNN affiliation in Niigata, setting the stage for the later launch of Niigata Television Network 21 as the prefecture’s ANN affiliate.

A regional commercial broadcaster combining national ANN programming with local television service for Niigata Prefecture.

• Broadcast television · 2006

  ux terrestrial television service

  The station’s consumer-facing television service in Niigata Prefecture. The ux identity has been used since 2006 and provides a mix of ANN and TV Asahi network programming, locally relevant news and information, and selected programming from TV Tokyo.

• Network television programming · 1983

  ANN-affiliated programming

  Programming supplied through the All-Nippon News Network, including TV Asahi news, information, entertainment, drama, and other national broadcasts. This network affiliation has been central to the station’s role since its launch in 1983.

• Local media · 1983

  Regional broadcasting

  Television service directed at viewers, communities, advertisers, and organizations across Niigata Prefecture. The available sources confirm the station’s regional role but do not identify a complete list of current locally produced programs.

• 2006

  Adopted the ux station brandStrategy

  Background

  The station was preparing for the transition from analog to digital terrestrial television and sought a shorter on-air identity.

  Action taken

  Niigata Television Network 21 adopted “ux,” based on the final two letters of its call sign, as its station brand.

  Aftermath

  The ux identity became the station’s modern public-facing brand while the legal corporate name remained Niigata Television Network 21.

  Source

• 2006

  Transitioned to digital terrestrial broadcastingGeneration change

  Background

  Japan’s television market was moving from analog transmission to digital terrestrial broadcasting.

  Action taken

  The station conducted digital test transmissions beginning August 1, received a full license on September 25, and started digital broadcasting on October 1.

  Aftermath

  The station entered the digital terrestrial era and aligned the transition with its ux rebranding.

  Source

1. 1Niigata Television Network 21en.wikipedia.org