Sapporo Television Broadcasting
A Hokkaido-based Japanese commercial television broadcaster and NNN/NNS affiliate headquartered in Sapporo.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Sapporo Television Broadcasting Co., Ltd., commonly known as STV, is a Japanese commercial broadcaster serving Hokkaido from its headquarters in Sapporo. The company was established on April 8, 1958, after receiving a license for a second commercial television station in Hokkaido. Television broadcasting began on April 1, 1959. STV initially operated under a mixed network arrangement, carrying programming associated with Nippon Television, Fuji Television, and other suppliers while also meeting the educational-programming requirements attached to its original quasi-educational license. The station later transitioned to a general television license, allowing it to broaden its entertainment, news, sports, and regional programming. STV became an important part of Hokkaido's media infrastructure as its terrestrial signal expanded across the prefecture. It completed its first dedicated broadcasting hall in 1960, introduced color television in 1966, and joined Nippon Television's NNN news network as a founding member in the same year. Its network identity was further consolidated after Hokkaido Cultural Broadcasting began service in 1972, ending STV's remaining Fuji Television affiliation. STV has since operated primarily as a Nippon Television affiliate through NNN and NNS, combining national network programming with locally produced shows and regional news. The company's scope has included television production, local journalism, advertising-supported broadcasting, event activity, and, until 2005, radio broadcasting. STV launched radio service in December 1962, making it unusual among Japanese broadcasters for having added radio after television. Radio operations were separated into the wholly owned STV Radio Broadcasting subsidiary in 2005, with the subsidiary assuming the radio license and continuing as an Hokkaido affiliate of the National Radio Network. The television company consequently became more focused on its television and related media activities. STV has produced and carried programs aimed specifically at Hokkaido audiences, including regional information, news, entertainment, and lifestyle programming. Its local output has helped establish the STV name as both a broadcaster and a program label. Examples associated with the station include Dosanko Wide and Dosanko Sunday, while STV has also contributed production support to network programs such as 11PM. The company participated in coverage of the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics and developed overseas news-gathering capacity through bureaus in Berlin and later Moscow. Audience performance has been a central part of STV's regional identity. The station first achieved a Hokkaido television ratings triple crown in 1993 and, according to the referenced account, maintained leading television ratings for extended periods in the 2000s and 2010s. STV also invested in public-facing cultural and entertainment infrastructure, including the Sapporo Media Park Spica, which opened in 2000 but was later exited after continuing losses. Digital terrestrial broadcasting began on June 1, 2006, and analog transmission ended on July 24, 2011. The transition placed substantial pressure on capital spending and contributed to a loss in 2006, the first since the station's launch. As an operating broadcaster, STV remains focused on serving Hokkaido through television programming, news, advertising, digital distribution, and regional community engagement. It is distinct from STV Radio, which became a separate subsidiary, although the two organizations retain a shared historical identity and the STV name.
History
Sapporo Television Broadcasting emerged from efforts in 1957 to establish a second private television station in Hokkaido. Regional business and newspaper interests sought a commercial license as national newspaper groups also explored entry into the prefecture's television market. The proposed Sapporo Television operation received its license in October 1957, and the company was founded on April 8, 1958. Television service began on April 1, 1959, initially for roughly nine and a half hours per day. Because the station began with a quasi-educational license, a significant share of its schedule had to meet educational requirements. Its early programming included the educational production Television Fudoki. STV developed its own facilities with the completion of a broadcasting hall in 1960, and its coverage expanded rapidly across Hokkaido. The company also sought a radio license, eventually receiving approval in 1962. Radio service began on December 15 of that year, making STV a combined television and radio broadcaster. In its first years STV carried programs from several network sources. Nippon Television was its principal affiliation, while Fuji Television served as a secondary affiliation and some programming from Nippon Educational Television was also carried. The station's network position became clearer during the 1960s. STV introduced color broadcasts on March 20, 1966, and joined Nippon Television's NNN news network as a founding member on April 1, 1966. When its license was renewed in 1967, the station became a general television broadcaster rather than a quasi-educational one. This enabled a broader schedule and encouraged further development of entertainment and regional production. STV expanded its production capabilities during the late 1960s and 1970s. It assisted with production of Nippon Television's late-night program 11PM and constructed a larger broadcasting hall in 1971, including a dedicated television news studio. The station contributed to broadcasting the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics. In the same year, Hokkaido Cultural Broadcasting began operations, and STV ended its remaining Fuji Television and FNN programming relationship. The broadcaster subsequently concentrated on its Nippon Television affiliation through NNN and NNS. During the 1970s and 1980s, STV modernized its commercial operations and expanded its regional reach. It adopted an automated advertising broadcast system in 1977. By the 1980s, the television and radio divisions had each grown substantially in turnover, and STV Radio achieved a leading Hokkaido listening position in 1985 according to the referenced historical account. In 1993, STV recorded its first Hokkaido television ratings triple crown, leading in all-day, prime-time, and evening measures. The company also organized cultural events, including an exhibition commemorating its 35th anniversary, and opened an official website in 1996. The broadcaster developed international reporting capacity in connection with its 40th anniversary. It opened a Berlin bureau in 1998, later closing that bureau and opening a Moscow bureau in 2005. STV also diversified into cultural and event facilities by investing in Sapporo Media Park Spica, which opened in 2000. Continued losses led STV to withdraw from operating Spica in 2007, after which parts of the building were demolished. A major structural change occurred in 2005, when radio operations were separated from the television company. STV Radio Broadcasting became a wholly owned subsidiary, received the radio license, and began service under its own corporate structure on October 1, 2005. STV television then continued as the Hokkaido NNN/NNS broadcaster while the radio business operated as an affiliate of the National Radio Network. STV began digital terrestrial television broadcasting on June 1, 2006. Expansion of digital relay stations continued through Hokkaido, but the equipment investment caused the company to record a loss in 2006, its first since broadcasting began. Analog broadcasts ended on July 24, 2011. The station subsequently maintained a strong regional audience position; the cited account states that STV had remained number one in Hokkaido television ratings for an extended period through 2019, with a particularly long run in all-day ratings beginning in 1993. In November 2024, STV joined Yomiuri TV, Chukyo TV, and Fukuoka Broadcasting System in announcing a proposed management integration through a new holding-company structure. The reference material describes the transaction as a joint stock transfer intended to preserve the four broadcasters' operating identities while consolidating corporate functions, subject to approval by shareholders and the relevant Japanese communications authorities.
- 2024
Management integration announced
[1]STV and three other NNN/NNS broadcasters announced a proposed holding-company integration.
- 2011
Analog broadcasting ends
[1]Analog television transmission ended on July 24 during Japan's digital switchover.
- 2006
Digital television launched
[1]STV began digital terrestrial television broadcasting on June 1.
- 2005
Radio business separated
[1]Radio operations were transferred to the wholly owned STV Radio Broadcasting subsidiary.
- 2000
Sapporo Media Park Spica opens
[1]The broadcaster's Sapporo Media Park Spica cultural and event facility opened.
- 1993
First Hokkaido television ratings triple crown
[1]STV achieved its first regional triple crown across all-day, prime-time, and evening audience ratings.
- 1972
Sapporo Winter Olympics coverage
[1]The station assisted with broadcasting the Sapporo Winter Olympics.
- 1966
Color television and NNN membership
[1]STV began color broadcasts and joined NNN as one of its founding members.
- 1962
Radio broadcasting begins
[1]STV started radio broadcasting on December 15 after receiving a radio license.
- 1959
Television service begins
[1]STV commenced television broadcasting on April 1.
Products and positioning
A leading Hokkaido-focused commercial television broadcaster combining local journalism and programming with the national reach of the Nippon Television network.
Television broadcasting · 1959
STV television broadcasting
STV's core service is commercial terrestrial television for Hokkaido. It combines Nippon Television network programs carried through NNN/NNS with regional news, information, entertainment, sports, and locally produced programming. The service moved from analog to digital transmission during the 2000s and early 2010s.
Broadcast programming
Regional news and information programming
STV produces and broadcasts Hokkaido-focused news and information programs addressing local politics, weather, community affairs, culture, lifestyle, and regional events. These programs are central to the station's role as a prefecture-wide broadcaster and to its differentiation from national network content.
Regional television program
Dosanko Wide
Dosanko Wide is a locally oriented STV television program associated with the broadcaster's regional information and entertainment output. It represents the station's use of a recognizable local brand to connect national-network operations with everyday Hokkaido audiences.
Radio broadcasting · 1962
STV Radio
Radio service historically operated within Sapporo Television Broadcasting from 1962 and was transferred in 2005 to STV Radio Broadcasting. The separate subsidiary continues the STV radio identity and serves Hokkaido as an NRN affiliate.
Brand decisions
2024
Proposed management integration with three NNN affiliatesM&ABackground
STV and three other regional Nippon Television affiliates sought to combine management functions while retaining the operating identities of the individual broadcasters.
Action taken
The broadcasters announced a proposed joint stock transfer and holding-company structure.
Aftermath
The reference material states that the plan required shareholder and Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications approval; its final implementation status requires verification.
2006
Transition to digital terrestrial televisionGeneration changeBackground
Japan's broadcasting sector was moving from analog transmission to digital terrestrial television.
Action taken
STV launched digital broadcasts and expanded digital relay coverage throughout Hokkaido.
Aftermath
The required investment contributed to STV's first recorded loss since its launch, while analog broadcasting ultimately ended in 2011.
2005
Separate radio operationsStrategyBackground
STV had operated television and radio under one corporate structure since 1962.
Action taken
The company transferred its radio operations and broadcasting license to a wholly owned subsidiary, STV Radio Broadcasting.
Aftermath
Television and radio continued under related STV-branded organizations, with the television company concentrating on its television business.
Sources2 sources
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