TV Osaka
A Japanese commercial television station serving Osaka Prefecture as a TX Network affiliate.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
TV Osaka, commonly abbreviated as TVO, is a Japanese commercial television station serving Osaka Prefecture. It broadcasts digitally on channel 7 under the call sign JOBH-DTV and operates as the Osaka-area affiliate of the TX Network, the television network centered on TV Tokyo. The station is owned and operated by Television Osaka, Inc., whose headquarters and studios are located in Osaka's Chūō-ku district. Nikkei, Inc., the Japanese business-media group, is the station's largest shareholder. The station emerged from efforts to establish an additional television service in the Osaka area. In the late 1970s, Osaka prefectural officials and local business leaders sought a new regional station, initially envisioning coverage across the wider Kansai region. Opposition from existing broadcasters contributed to a narrower licensing arrangement focused on Osaka Prefecture. In June 1980, the Broadcasting Regulatory Council approved the use of UHF channel 19 for the proposed service. After competing applicants consolidated around a proposal associated with Nihon Keizai Shimbun and Kansai business leaders, Television Osaka held its founding general meeting in January 1981. TV Osaka began broadcasting on March 1, 1982, becoming the first station outside the Tokyo area to affiliate with the network that was then called the Mega TON Network. The network later developed into today's TX Network. From its launch, TV Osaka emphasized programming that was close to local communities, urban life and the business world. Its schedule combined programs supplied by network partners with locally produced content, including business news, regional reporting, sports, entertainment and cultural programming. Business and economic coverage has remained central to the station's identity. TV Osaka introduced locally focused business programming at launch and later carried TV Tokyo's World Business Satellite. Its local news formats evolved through several titles before becoming the current Yasashii News service. The station also became involved in international reporting and, during the 2000s, took responsibility for the TXN network's Shanghai office while sending reporters to New York. Sports have provided some of TV Osaka's strongest audience moments. The station has broadcast Hanshin Tigers baseball, J.League football and international football. Its coverage of the 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Japan and Iraq produced a particularly high local audience share, while its 2003 coverage of the Hanshin Tigers' championship season also attracted substantial viewership. TV Osaka has additionally carried motorcycle racing and other sports programming. Entertainment and locally distinctive programming are another major part of the brand. The station became associated with Kansai comedians through programs such as Yoshimoto Chougoukin and later produced the talk show Kirakira Afro. Its long-running Wafu Sohonke combined travel, craftsmanship and Japanese cultural themes and represented the station's stated interest in intellectually oriented entertainment. THE Fishing, which began in 1983, is its longest-running program and remains one of the best-known productions associated with the station. TV Osaka also maintains a significant role in the Sunday-morning anime schedule. The station began digital terrestrial broadcasting on December 1, 2003, adopting channel 7 and introducing a new logo selected through a public contest. Analog broadcasting ended on July 24, 2011. TV Osaka acquired the adjacent Otemae Central Building in 2005 and subsequently developed a new headquarters. Construction began in 2021, the building was completed in 2024, and broadcasting moved to the new facility on May 13, 2024. A further logo redesign was introduced in 2022. Its mascot is Takoru-kun, a character based on an octopus and associated with Osaka's regional identity.
History
The origins of TV Osaka lie in a late-1970s campaign for an additional television station in the Osaka area. In November 1978, Osaka prefectural governor Ryōichi Kuroda and local business leaders organized a committee to petition the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications for a new regional broadcaster. The proposal initially sought coverage across Kansai, but resistance from the four established regional television stations helped produce a more limited license covering Osaka Prefecture alone. On June 20, 1980, the Broadcasting Regulatory Council approved UHF channel 19 for the proposed service. Sixty-three companies expressed interest in the license. With the assistance of Kansai business figures, including Keizo Saji, the competing groups consolidated around a plan associated with Nihon Keizai Shimbun. The new company adopted the name Television Osaka. Its founding general meeting took place on January 23, 1981, and work began on facilities and a transmitter in the Mount Ikoma area. TV Osaka commenced broadcasting on March 1, 1982. It was the first affiliate of the Tokyo-based Mega TON Network outside the Kanto region. The first program transmitted was a documentary about the path to Tōshōdai-ji Temple. At launch, the station described its programming principles as being close to local communities, urban society and the business world. Its schedule combined network-supplied programs with a substantial amount of local production. In 1983, TV Osaka joined TV Tokyo and the newly launched TV Aichi in forming the Mega TON Network, the predecessor of TX Network. The station developed a particular reputation for business-oriented programming. It introduced Kansai Business Frontline at launch, later carried World Business Satellite, and built a succession of local evening-news services. News programming eventually broadened beyond economics to include general, regional and sports reporting. TV Osaka also participated in international coverage, including responsibility for the TXN Shanghai office from 2005 and the dispatch of reporters to New York. Sports became an important audience driver. TV Osaka's Hanshin Tigers coverage produced notable ratings milestones, including its first professional baseball ratings record in 1985 and further peaks during the Tigers' successful 2003 season. The station also carried J.League matches from the competition's first season and broadcast Japan's 1994 World Cup qualifying match against Iraq, which produced one of its highest reported audience shares. Motorcycle racing was another part of its sports history, with MotoGP coverage during the 1990s. The station's entertainment output has often drawn on Kansai's comedy and performance culture. Between 1997 and 2000, Yoshimoto Chougoukin became a signature collaboration with Yoshimoto Kogyo and was later sold for broadcast in Thailand. TV Osaka subsequently produced other programs centered on Kansai comedians, including Kirakira Afro, which began in 2001. Wafu Sohonke, broadcast from 2008 to 2020, combined Japanese craft, food, travel and cultural themes and was distributed across the TXN network. THE Fishing, launched in October 1983, became the station's longest-running program. TV Osaka also developed a continuing role in Sunday-morning anime and produced drama and special programming. The station expanded its physical and digital infrastructure as its business grew. It announced new headquarters plans in 1996, completed facilities in 1998 and launched its official website that year. It acquired the adjacent Otemae Central Building in 2005. Digital terrestrial broadcasting began on December 1, 2003, accompanied by a new logo, while analog transmission ended on July 24, 2011. A new logo was introduced in 2022. The station's new headquarters was completed in 2024, and TV Osaka began broadcasting from the facility on May 13 of that year. Throughout these changes, it has remained an Osaka-focused commercial broadcaster within the TX Network, with Takoru-kun serving as its mascot.
- 2024
New headquarters enters service
[1]The new headquarters was completed, and broadcasting operations moved there on May 13.
- 2022
Brand logo updated
[1]The station introduced a new logo.
- 2011
Analog transmission ends
[1]TV Osaka ended analog broadcasts as part of Japan's digital television transition.
- 2003
Digital television launch
[1]Digital terrestrial broadcasting began on December 1, using channel 7 and a new logo.
- 1996
Official website launched
[1]TV Osaka launched its official website on April 1.
- 1983
Mega TON Network formation
[1]TV Osaka joined TV Tokyo and TV Aichi in forming the network that later became TX Network.
- 1983
THE Fishing begins
[1]TV Osaka launched THE Fishing, which became its longest-running program.
- 1982
Broadcasting launch
[1]TV Osaka began broadcasting on March 1 as the first Mega TON Network affiliate outside Tokyo.
- 1981
Television Osaka founded
[1]Television Osaka held its founding general meeting and began constructing its transmission infrastructure.
- 1980
UHF channel allocation approved
[1]The Broadcasting Regulatory Council approved UHF channel 19 for the proposed Osaka broadcaster.
Products and positioning
A locally rooted Osaka broadcaster combining TX Network programming with business journalism, regional news, sports, Kansai entertainment and culturally oriented factual content.
Broadcast service · 1982
Television broadcasting
TV Osaka provides digital terrestrial commercial television for Osaka Prefecture under the JOBH-DTV call sign. Its schedule combines locally produced news, business, sports, entertainment and cultural programs with content supplied through the TX Network. The station broadcasts on channel 7 and also distributes information through its online presence.
News · 1982
Local news and business programming
Business and regional reporting have been central to TV Osaka since its launch. The station created local business programming, carried World Business Satellite and developed multiple evening-news formats. Its current local news service is Yasashii News, which covers regional, business, general and sports topics.
Sports media · 1985
Sports broadcasting
TV Osaka has broadcast Hanshin Tigers baseball, J.League football, international football and motorcycle racing. Its sports output has included local professional baseball and major regional events, helping the station generate some of its highest recorded audience shares.
Outdoor entertainment · 1983
THE Fishing
THE Fishing is a fishing and outdoor program that began in October 1983. It features fishing locations, techniques and guests, including public figures known for the hobby. It is described as TV Osaka's longest-running program.
Talk and comedy · 2001
Kirakira Afro
Kirakira Afro is a talk and comedy program produced by TV Osaka from 2001. It is associated with performers Shōfukutei Tsurube and Naomi Matsushima and reflects the station's long-running use of Kansai-based comedy talent.
Culture and documentary · 2008
Wafu Sohonke
Wafu Sohonke was a TV Osaka-produced program broadcast from 2008 to 2020. It explored Japanese crafts, food, customs and traditional culture, and was distributed through the TXN network as an example of the station's 'intellectual entertainment' positioning.
Comedy · 1997
Yoshimoto Chougoukin
Yoshimoto Chougoukin was a comedy collaboration between TV Osaka and Yoshimoto Kogyo that ran from 1997 to 2000. It became one of the station's most recognized local entertainment programs and was later licensed for broadcast in Thailand.
Brand decisions
2022
Corporate logo refreshOtherBackground
TV Osaka continued updating its visual identity after its earlier digital-broadcasting rebrand.
Action taken
The station introduced a new logo.
Aftermath
The updated identity accompanied the station's ongoing brand development before the move to its new headquarters.
2021
Construction of a new headquartersStrategyBackground
TV Osaka had expanded beyond the capacity of its existing headquarters and had acquired the adjacent Otemae Central Building in 2005.
Action taken
Construction began on a new headquarters facility.
Aftermath
The completed facility became the station's broadcasting base in May 2024.
2003
Transition to digital terrestrial broadcastingGeneration changeBackground
Japan was introducing digital terrestrial television, requiring commercial stations to upgrade transmission and branding.
Action taken
TV Osaka began digital terrestrial broadcasts on December 1 and adopted channel 7 and a new logo.
Aftermath
The station later completed the transition by ending analog broadcasts in 2011.
1983
Participation in network formationStrategyBackground
TV Osaka initially operated as the first Mega TON Network affiliate outside Tokyo.
Action taken
TV Osaka joined TV Tokyo and TV Aichi in forming the network structure that later became TX Network.
Aftermath
The affiliation gave TV Osaka access to a national network supply while preserving a role for Osaka-focused local production.
1980
Consolidation around an Osaka-focused licenseStrategyBackground
The original movement sought a new broadcaster serving the wider Kansai region, but opposition from established stations contributed to a license limited to Osaka Prefecture.
Action taken
Applicant groups consolidated around a proposal associated with Nihon Keizai Shimbun and Kansai business leaders and proceeded with the Television Osaka plan.
Aftermath
The resulting station became an Osaka-prefecture broadcaster rather than a fully regional Kansai station.
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