TV Shizuoka
A Japanese commercial television station serving Shizuoka Prefecture as an affiliate of the Fuji television networks.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
TV Shizuoka is a Japanese commercial television station headquartered in Shizuoka City and serving viewers throughout Shizuoka Prefecture. Its terrestrial broadcasting identification is JOQH-DTV, and its principal digital channel is channel 8. The station is affiliated with Fuji News Network and Fuji Network System, carrying network news, entertainment, sports and other programming while also producing local news and prefectural content. The station emerged from a long effort to establish a second private television broadcaster in Shizuoka. Applications for such a station were submitted by competing newspaper and business groups from the early 1960s onward. The licensing process became more practical after Japan authorized the use of UHF frequencies for additional television stations in regional areas. Local authorities encouraged the competing applicants to consolidate, and the resulting venture brought together local capital with support associated with Sankei Shimbun and Fuji Television. The company was incorporated in February 1968 under the name Shizuoka UHF Television, later changing its corporate name to TV Shizuoka shortly before broadcasting began. TV Shizuoka commenced its television service in 1968. Contemporary station history identifies December 24, 1968, as the start of regular broadcasting and commercial service, after an earlier launch period. At the outset, the station reached approximately 80 percent of Shizuoka Prefecture's population. It expanded its production capabilities through facilities in Shizuoka and Hamamatsu, introduced color production in the early 1970s, and developed local programming for the prefecture. Its Hamamatsu facilities also supported program production, while an enlarged studio at the Shizuoka headquarters strengthened local output. The station operated in an increasingly competitive advertising and ratings environment as additional commercial broadcasters entered the Shizuoka market in the late 1970s. After revenue pressure in 1979 and 1980, the business returned to growth in 1981. A stronger performance followed in the mid-1980s, helped in part by the performance of Fuji Television, its key network affiliate. TV Shizuoka recorded a ratings triple crown in June 1984, marking an important competitive milestone, and its sales later passed seven billion yen in 1986 according to the station's historical account. TV Shizuoka also developed international and technical relationships. It signed a sister-station agreement with KMTV in the United States in the 1970s and later established a relationship with South Korea's Daejeon Munhwa Broadcasting. The station adopted satellite news-gathering technology in 1989 to improve the mobility of field reporting. In the digital era, it began terrestrial digital test transmissions in 2005 and formally commenced digital broadcasting on November 1 of that year. Analog transmissions ended on July 24, 2011, as part of Japan's nationwide transition to digital television. The brand introduced its current logo and the Teleshizu mascot in 2003. A replacement headquarters was constructed during the 2010s, with offices, studios, production areas and a master-control facility organized in a five-story building. TV Shizuoka began broadcasting programs from the new headquarters in October 2017. Today, the station's role combines Fuji network programming with local journalism, weather, community information, cultural coverage and other programming aimed at audiences across Shizuoka Prefecture.
History
Shizuoka has an early connection with Japanese television history. In 1926, Kenjiro Takayanagi, then associated with Hamamatsu Technical School, successfully displayed a character on a television screen in Hamamatsu. Although this experiment predates TV Shizuoka by decades, it helped establish the prefecture's historical association with television technology. The organizational path to TV Shizuoka began in 1961, when Sankei Shimbun and Fuji Television jointly applied to establish a second private television station in Shizuoka. Other applications followed, including a proposal supported by Chunichi Shimbun, Suzuki Motor and other businesses. By 1962, more than ten groups were reported to have expressed interest. The availability of UHF television frequencies became a decisive factor. In 1967, Japan's Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications indicated that UHF licenses would be made available in Shizuoka and other areas, making a second private station feasible. The prefectural government sought to reconcile the competing applications and give local capital an important role. Newspaper groups from outside the prefecture agreed not to appoint directors, while several rival applicants withdrew. The remaining participants adopted the name Shizuoka UHF Television and submitted a consolidated application in September 1967. A preliminary license was granted in November. The founders' meeting took place in December 1967, followed by a formal founding meeting in February 1968. The company was registered on February 13, 1968, and acquired land in Kurihara, Shizuoka City, with cooperation from the real-estate division of Shizuoka Railway. The company changed its name to TV Shizuoka in October 1968. The station began service in 1968, with regular commercial broadcasting commencing on December 24. Its initial signal covered roughly four-fifths of the prefectural population. The broadcaster expanded its facilities during the 1970s. A Hamamatsu headquarters was completed in July 1973, providing a larger studio and a base for program production. A new 315-square-meter studio at the Shizuoka headquarters was completed in October that year and was described as the largest television studio in the prefecture at the time. TV Shizuoka introduced color cameras in 1971 and produced local programming from its expanding facilities. The station entered a more difficult commercial period after additional private broadcasters began operating in Shizuoka during the late 1970s. Turnover declined in 1979 and 1980, while ratings placed the station behind some local competitors in 1981. It returned to revenue growth in 1981, exceeding five billion yen, and subsequently benefited from the strong network position of Fuji Television. In June 1984, TV Shizuoka achieved a ratings triple crown across all-day, prime-time and evening measurements. The company completed another headquarters building in December 1984, and sales exceeded seven billion yen in 1986. TV Shizuoka pursued overseas broadcaster relationships, signing a sister-station agreement with KMTV in the United States in 1974 and another with Daejeon Munhwa Broadcasting in South Korea in 1987. It adopted a satellite news-gathering system in 1989, improving the ability of its news teams to report from locations across the prefecture. The modern brand identity dates from 2003, when TV Shizuoka introduced its current logo and Teleshizu mascot. The station moved into digital terrestrial broadcasting through test transmissions beginning in March 2005 and formal service beginning on November 1, 2005. Analog transmissions ended on July 24, 2011. A new headquarters project began in July 2014, and the station started broadcasting from the completed building in October 2017. The building brought together studios, news and production departments, technical operations, management functions and the master-control room. TV Shizuoka continues to operate as a Fuji network affiliate and regional broadcaster for Shizuoka Prefecture.
- 2017
Broadcasting moves to new headquarters
[1]The station began broadcasting from its new headquarters building in October.
- 2011
Analog television service ends
[1]TV Shizuoka ended its analog terrestrial broadcasts during Japan's nationwide digital transition.
- 2005
Digital terrestrial broadcasting begins
[1]Digital test transmissions began in March, followed by formal digital television service on November 1.
- 2003
Current logo and Teleshizu mascot introduced
[1]TV Shizuoka launched its current logo and introduced the Teleshizu brand mascot.
- 1989
Satellite news-gathering adoption
[1]The station introduced an SNG system to improve the mobility of its news operations.
- 1987
South Korean sister-station agreement
[1]TV Shizuoka established a sister-station relationship with Daejeon Munhwa Broadcasting.
- 1984
Ratings triple crown
[1]The station recorded its first ratings triple crown in June, covering all-day, prime-time and evening measurements.
- 1974
First overseas sister-station agreement
[1]TV Shizuoka signed a sister-station agreement with KMTV in the United States.
- 1973
Hamamatsu and Shizuoka studio expansion
[1]The station completed a Hamamatsu facility and a larger headquarters studio, increasing its capacity for local production.
- 1971
Color broadcasting introduced
[1]TV Shizuoka introduced color cameras and began producing its own color programs.
Products and positioning
A regional commercial broadcaster combining locally produced Shizuoka coverage with programming supplied through the Fuji television network.
Digital terrestrial television service · 2005
JOQH-DTV
TV Shizuoka's primary digital terrestrial television service, identified by the JOQH-DTV call sign and carried on channel 8. The service combines Fuji network programming with locally produced news, weather, information and community-oriented content for viewers in Shizuoka Prefecture.
Regional television programming · 1968
Local news and information programming
TV Shizuoka produces regional coverage focused on events, public issues, weather, disasters, culture, sports and daily life in Shizuoka Prefecture. Its production infrastructure includes newsroom, studio and technical facilities designed to support local reporting and live or field-based coverage.
Network television programming · 1968
Fuji network programming
As an affiliate of Fuji News Network and Fuji Network System, TV Shizuoka carries programming supplied through the Fuji network, including news and other national or network-originated content alongside its own regional output.
Brand decisions
2014
New headquarters constructionStrategyBackground
TV Shizuoka required updated facilities for broadcasting, production, technical operations and administration.
Action taken
Construction of a new five-story headquarters began in July 2014.
Aftermath
The station began broadcasting from the completed building in October 2017.
2005
Transition to digital terrestrial broadcastingStrategyBackground
Japan's television industry was moving from analog terrestrial transmission to digital broadcasting.
Action taken
TV Shizuoka conducted digital transmission tests beginning in March and formally launched its digital service on November 1.
Aftermath
The station continued simultaneous analog and digital service until analog broadcasting ended on July 24, 2011.
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