Sky A

Sky A (スカイA) is a Japanese satellite broadcasting channel specializing in sports and culture programming, operated by sky-A, Inc. (株式会社スカイA), a consolidated subsidiary of Asahi Broadcasting Group Holdings Corporation. The channel is distributed via CS digital satellite platforms in Japan, including Sky PerfecTV! and its predecessors, and its transmission master equipment is located within the Asahi Broadcasting Group headquarters building in Fukushima-ku, Osaka. The channel's programming is anchored in sports, most notably professional baseball. It broadcasts Hanshin Tigers official games, often more than 60 per year, under the banner "Sky A Moko Chukei," including post-game hero interviews. It also airs complete recorded coverage of the National High School Baseball Championship, JLPGA Step-Up Tour golf tournaments, professional bowling, basketball, table tennis, climbing, and outdoor programming. In addition to sports, Sky A carries variety shows such as "Detective! Night Scoop" and "Aiseki Shokudo," many produced by ABC TV, as well as original comedy content. The company was established in February 1990 as Satellite ABC, Inc. and began broadcasting in August 1990 as "Ch.O" for cable television. It was renamed Sky A in 1994, and the corporate name was changed to sky-A, Inc. in 2001, then to Sky A, Inc. in 2020. The channel name changed to "Sky A Sports+" in 2006 and reverted to "Sky A" in 2016. Asahi Broadcasting became its parent through a third-party allotment of shares in 2008, making Sky A a consolidated subsidiary. Sky A operates as a paid CS channel with a subscriber base that surpassed 5 million households in 2005. It has progressively upgraded to high-definition broadcasting and added closed-caption subtitles. The channel also operates an online shop, "Golf Gear Quest," and maintains a YouTube channel and social media presence. Its programming day typically runs from early morning to late night, with occasional overnight broadcasts during major sports events.

Sky A traces its origins to February 8, 1990, when Satellite ABC, Inc. (株式会社サテライトエー・ビー・シー) was established with Asahi Broadcasting as the parent body. On August 1, 1990, it began broadcasting for cable television under the channel name "Ch.O" (Channel O), primarily airing programs produced by Asahi Broadcasting. On April 1, 1994, the channel name was changed to "Sky A" (スカイ・A), and it began broadcasting as a CS commissioned broadcaster on the analog satellite service "CS BAAN" on J-9ch. Programming centered on sports, hobbies, and culture, including professional baseball official games of the Hanshin Tigers and Kintetsu Buffaloes. On April 1, 1996, digital broadcasting began on PerfecTV! (now Sky PerfecTV! Premium Service) on Ch.285, and the CS BAAN channel was changed from J-9ch to J-7ch. CS BAAN broadcasting ended on March 31, 1998. On April 1, 1999, broadcasting began on DirecTV Ch.131, and in October 1999, a special program on the Hanshin Tigers was aired to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Sky A's founding. DirecTV broadcasting ended on September 30, 2000. On September 1, 2001, the company name was changed to Sky A, Inc. (株式会社スカイ・エー). On April 1, 2002, broadcasting began on Sky PerfecTV!2 (later Sky PerfecTV! e2, now Sky PerfecTV!) on Ch.CS255, with Active Sports Broadcasting as the commissioned broadcaster. In September 2004, coverage of the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes ended, and in December a final team special, "Goodbye Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes," was aired. In February 2005, paid subscription households surpassed 5 million. On April 1, 2005, coverage of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles began. On October 1, 2006, the channel name was changed to "Sky A Sports+" (スカイ・A スポーツ・プラス), and a mascot named Appy (アッピィー) featuring an A+ design was introduced. On April 1, 2008, Asahi Broadcasting (now Asahi Broadcasting Group Holdings) accepted a third-party allotment of shares, making Sky A a consolidated subsidiary. On May 12, 2008, the head office moved to the ABC Annex in Fukushima 2-chome, Fukushima-ku, Osaka, and the broadcasting center moved to the adjacent new Asahi Broadcasting building. On June 17, 2008, transmission from the new broadcasting center began, and the transmission master was upgraded to support high-definition broadcasting. On April 1, 2009, high-definition distribution for cable television began, and on May 1, 2009, high-definition broadcasting began on Sky PerfecTV! HD. In 2012, Sky A, together with ABC, acquired J.League broadcasting rights and sublicenses, and began live coverage of J.League Division 1 and Division 2. On January 24, 2012, the Sky PerfecTV! e2 channel number changed from Ch.255 to Ch.250. On February 10, 2012, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications announced the certification of operations for 110-degree CS broadcasting (HDTV, 16 slots). On July 1, 2012, subtitle broadcasting began on Sky PerfecTV! HD, and on December 1, 2012, high-definition and subtitle broadcasting began on Sky PerfecTV!, with the satellite core broadcaster changed from Active Sports Broadcasting to Sky A. On June 30, 2013, standard-definition broadcasting ended on Sky PerfecTV! Premium Service Hikari, completing the transition to high-definition. On October 7, 2013, the broadcast start time was moved up to 5:00 a.m. daily. In May 2014, standard-definition broadcasting ended on Sky PerfecTV! Premium Service, and in September 2014, the early morning start was moved up to 4:00 a.m. On April 1, 2016, the channel name reverted to "Sky A" after 10 years, and the logo mark was renewed. On December 1, 2016, the satellite general broadcaster for Sky PerfecTV! Premium Service changed from Sky PerfecTV! Broadcasting to Sky PerfecTV! Entertainment. On April 1, 2020, the company name was changed to Sky A, Inc. (株式会社スカイA), unifying the corporate and channel names. On January 23, 2023, the broadcast master equipment was updated.

• 2023

  Broadcast master equipment updated on January 23.

• 2020

  Company name changed to Sky A, Inc. on April 1.

• 2016

  Channel name reverted to "Sky A" on April 1; logo renewed.

• 2014

  Standard-definition broadcasting ended on Sky PerfecTV! Premium Service in May; early morning start moved to 4:00 a.m. in September.

• 2013

  Standard-definition broadcasting ended on Sky PerfecTV! Premium Service Hikari on June 30; broadcast start time moved to 5:00 a.m. on October 7.

• 2012

  Acquired J.League broadcasting rights with ABC; channel number changed to Ch.250 on January 24; subtitle broadcasting began July 1; HD and subtitle broadcasting began on Sky PerfecTV! December 1.

• 2009

  High-definition distribution for cable began April 1; HD broadcasting began on Sky PerfecTV! HD on May 1.

• 2008

  Asahi Broadcasting accepted third-party allotment, making Sky A a consolidated subsidiary on April 1; head office and broadcasting center moved in May; new broadcasting center transmission began June 17.

• 2006

  Channel name changed to "Sky A Sports+" on October 1; mascot Appy introduced.

• 2005

  Paid subscription households surpassed 5 million in February; began covering Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles on April 1.

• 2004

  Coverage of Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes ended in September.

• 2002

  Began broadcasting on Sky PerfecTV!2 Ch.CS255 on April 1.

• 2001

  Company name changed to Sky A, Inc. on September 1.

• 2000

  DirecTV broadcasting ended on September 30.

• 1999

  Began broadcasting on DirecTV Ch.131 on April 1.

• 1998

  CS BAAN broadcasting ended on March 31.

• 1996

  Digital broadcasting began on PerfecTV! Ch.285.

• 1994

  Channel name changed to "Sky A"; began CS BAAN broadcasting on J-9ch.

• 1990

  Established as Satellite ABC, Inc. on February 8; began cable broadcasting as "Ch.O" on August 1.

A sports-focused CS satellite channel under the Asahi Broadcasting Group, emphasizing Hanshin Tigers baseball, high school baseball, and golf.

• Sky A Moko Chukei (Hanshin Tigers official games)

• National High School Baseball Championship coverage

• JLPGA Step-Up Tour

• Sky A Perfect Bowling

• Golf Gear Quest online shop

• Aiseki Shokudo

• Detective! Night Scoop

1. 1スカイＡ｜CS放送のスポーツチャンネルsky-a.asahi.co.jp
2. 2Sky A - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3スカイA - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org