TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting
A Fukuoka-based Japanese commercial television broadcaster and TX Network affiliate serving Fukuoka Prefecture.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting Co., Ltd. is a Japanese commercial television broadcaster based in Fukuoka, serving primarily Fukuoka Prefecture and the wider Kitakyushu media market. The station is affiliated with the TX Network, the television network associated with TV Tokyo, and carries network programming alongside locally produced news, information, entertainment, sports, documentary, and cultural content. Its call sign is JOTY-DTV, and its digital terrestrial service uses logical channel 7. The company was created during efforts by Nikkei and TV Tokyo to extend TX Network coverage across Japan. In the late 1980s, the two organizations worked with the Nishinippon Shimbun and local political and business interests to secure a new commercial television license in Fukuoka. More than two hundred applications were initially submitted, but the competing local groups eventually consolidated around a single proposal. Discussions also addressed the relationship between Fukuoka and Kitakyushu, with the resulting broadcaster maintaining facilities and a substantial presence in both cities. The intended corporate name was TV Kyushu, but that name was already in use by a cable television company in Saga Prefecture. The new company therefore adopted the name TXN Kyushu while retaining TVQ as its principal abbreviation and on-air identity. It received its broadcasting license in June 1990, was formally established later that year, began test transmissions in March 1991, and commenced regular broadcasting on April 1, 1991. The launch made it the fifth commercial television station in Fukuoka and the sixth TX Network affiliate. During its early years, TVQ developed its audience through a combination of TV Tokyo programming and regional production. Its first major ratings breakthrough came in 1992, when prime-time audience share reached double digits for the first time. A 1993 broadcast of the Japan–Iraq FIFA World Cup qualifying match generated a reported peak audience share of 38.3 percent, while the station recorded its first profit during that year. TVQ also expanded its physical presence in Kitakyushu, moving its local operations into the Nikkei Kitakyushu Media Hall and establishing studio facilities there. The broadcaster entered the digital era in the 2000s. It obtained a digital terrestrial broadcasting license in 2005, began digital transmissions on July 1, 2006, and ended its analogue service on July 24, 2011, in line with Japan's nationwide transition. The station has also pursued cultural and international programming projects, including documentary cooperation with Zhejiang Television in China and a later partnership with Kwangju Broadcasting in South Korea. Its public-facing activities have included major museum and art exhibitions in Kyushu, including exhibitions connected with Vincent van Gogh, ukiyo-e, and Claude Monet. The corporate name became TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting on January 1, 2001, emphasizing the station's television-broadcasting role while preserving the TVQ identity. Since April 1, 2019, the station has promoted the shorter Tele Q name and a revised logo. TVQ remains a regional terrestrial broadcaster whose principal differentiation is its combination of TX Network content, local reporting, regional event production, and programming aimed at audiences in Fukuoka and Kitakyushu.
History
The origins of TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting lie in the expansion strategy of Nikkei and TV Tokyo during the 1980s. The two organizations sought to extend TX Network coverage throughout Japan and identified Fukuoka as an important regional market. In June 1986, they expressed interest in establishing a station there. Following discussions with the Nishinippon Shimbun and local business and political circles, a formal licensing effort began in March 1989. More than 235 companies initially applied for the license, but local groups consolidated their proposals with the Nikkei and TV Tokyo bid. One of the principal organizational questions was whether the new broadcaster should be centered solely in Fukuoka or should also represent Kitakyushu, the prefecture's other major urban area. At the request of Kitakyushu's mayor and local interests, the station developed a dual-city presence. The intended name, TV Kyushu, could not be used because a Saga Prefecture cable operator had already registered it. The company consequently adopted TXN Kyushu, although TVQ remained the chosen abbreviation and public identity. TXN Kyushu received its broadcasting license on June 18, 1990, and held its founding meeting on August 31. Its headquarters were associated with the Nikkei Western Media Hall in Fukuoka, a purpose-built media facility. Test broadcasting started on March 25, 1991, and regular service began on April 1. TVQ became the fifth commercial television station to launch in Fukuoka and the sixth affiliate in the TX Network. Its schedule combined TV Tokyo network programs with locally produced material, allowing the new station to establish both a national network role and a regional editorial presence. The station's initial audience-building period produced several important developments. In November 1992, TVQ reached a double-digit prime-time rating for the first time. Its broadcast of the Japan–Iraq FIFA World Cup qualifying match in 1993 became an especially notable ratings success, reportedly reaching 38.3 percent. During the second half of that year, average prime-time audience share reached 8.7 percent, and the company reported its first profit since launch. In 1992, the Kitakyushu operation moved into the Nikkei Kitakyushu Media Hall, where TVQ used dedicated floors and local studios. TVQ continued to develop its corporate and public profile during the 1990s. It marked its fifth anniversary in 1996 with special events including an Asian music festival, and its labor union was established that year. The station launched an official website in October 1997, among the early Fukuoka television broadcasters to do so. It paid its first dividend in 1999, according to the cited history, and its revenue passed seven billion yen in 2000. On January 1, 2001, TXN Kyushu became TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting. The change clarified the company's broadcasting identity while preserving the familiar TVQ abbreviation. In the same year, the station aired a six-hour tenth-anniversary special and expanded international cooperation through a documentary co-produced with Zhejiang Television. A further relationship with Kwangju Broadcasting, an SBS affiliate in South Korea, followed in 2006. The transition to digital broadcasting was a central later milestone. TVQ obtained its digital terrestrial license in November 2005 and selected logical channel 7. Digital transmissions began on July 1, 2006, alongside other major Fukuoka commercial broadcasters. The analogue signal was discontinued on July 24, 2011. That year, TVQ also organized or presented several major art exhibitions in Kyushu, including a Van Gogh exhibition at the Kyushu National Museum that reportedly drew more than 350,000 visitors, as well as ukiyo-e exhibitions in Fukuoka and a Monet exhibition in Kitakyushu. The broadcaster refreshed its public identity again on April 1, 2019, adopting a new logo and promoting the Tele Q name. TVQ's continuing role is that of a regional commercial station: it distributes TX Network content, produces local journalism and programming, broadcasts sports and entertainment, and participates in cultural and international projects serving the Fukuoka and Kitakyushu markets.
- 2019
Tele Q branding introduced
[1]The station adopted a refreshed logo and promoted the Tele Q name from April 1.
- 2011
Analogue broadcasting ends
[1]TVQ discontinued its analogue signal during Japan's nationwide digital transition.
- 2006
Digital terrestrial service launches
[1]Digital broadcasts began on July 1 using logical channel 7.
- 2001
Corporate name changes to TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting
[1]The company adopted its current corporate name while continuing to use TVQ as its abbreviation.
- 1993
First major ratings and profit milestone
[1]A Japan–Iraq World Cup qualifying broadcast achieved a reported 38.3 percent audience share, and the company recorded its first profit.
- 1991
Regular broadcasts begin
[1]Test broadcasts began in March and regular service started on April 1.
- 1990
Broadcasting license granted
[1]TXN Kyushu received its Fukuoka broadcasting license on June 18 and held its founding meeting on August 31.
- 1986
Nikkei and TV Tokyo pursue a Fukuoka station
[1]Nikkei and TV Tokyo began exploring a Fukuoka television station as part of an effort to extend TX Network coverage across Japan.
Products and positioning
A regional terrestrial broadcaster combining TV Tokyo/TX Network programming with locally produced content for audiences in Fukuoka Prefecture and the Kitakyushu area.
Commercial television channel · 1991
TVQ terrestrial television service
TVQ's core service is a digital terrestrial television channel serving Fukuoka Prefecture and the surrounding regional market. It carries programs supplied through the TX Network, including TV Tokyo content, while reserving airtime for local news, information, entertainment, sports, documentaries, and special programming produced for Kyushu audiences. The service broadcasts under call sign JOTY-DTV and uses logical channel 7.
Broadcast programming · 1991
Local news and information programming
TVQ produces and schedules regional reporting and information programming focused on Fukuoka, Kitakyushu, and wider Kyushu topics. This local output complements the station's national network schedule and gives the broadcaster a distinct role in regional news, community information, events, and audience-oriented factual programming.
Cultural programming and events · 1996
Cultural exhibitions and special events
Beyond daily television, TVQ has participated in large cultural events and exhibitions in Kyushu. Documented examples include a Van Gogh exhibition at the Kyushu National Museum, ukiyo-e exhibitions in Fukuoka, and a Monet exhibition in Kitakyushu. These activities extend the station's regional media role into cultural promotion and event production.
Marketing campaigns
- 2011Kyushu art exhibition program
Fukuoka · Kitakyushu
TVQ presented or supported several major art exhibitions, including a Van Gogh exhibition at the Kyushu National Museum, ukiyo-e exhibitions in Fukuoka, and a Monet exhibition in Kitakyushu.
Outcome. The Van Gogh exhibition reportedly attracted more than 350,000 visitors, while the other exhibitions were described as well received locally.
- 1996Fifth-anniversary special events
Fukuoka · Kitakyushu
TVQ marked its fifth anniversary with special events, including an Asian music festival, as part of its regional audience and community engagement.
Outcome. The events formed part of the station's anniversary programming and public presence.
Brand decisions
2019
Refresh the station brand as Tele QStrategyBackground
TVQ updated its visual and public-facing identity after operating for many years under the TVQ name.
Action taken
The broadcaster introduced a new logo and promoted the Tele Q name from April 1.
Aftermath
Tele Q became an additional public brand while the legal company name remained TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting.
2006
Launch digital terrestrial televisionGeneration changeBackground
Japan's broadcasting market was transitioning from analogue terrestrial television to digital transmission.
Action taken
TVQ began digital broadcasts on July 1, using logical channel 7.
Aftermath
The digital service became the station's primary terrestrial platform, with analogue transmission ending in 2011.
2001
Rename the company TVQ Kyushu BroadcastingStrategyBackground
The broadcaster sought a corporate name that more clearly reflected its principal television business.
Action taken
TXN Kyushu changed its corporate name to TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting on January 1.
Aftermath
The company retained the TVQ abbreviation and later continued to use Tele Q as a public-facing brand.
1990
Use TXN Kyushu as the corporate nameStrategyBackground
The planned name TV Kyushu was unavailable because it was already registered by a cable television company in Saga Prefecture.
Action taken
The new company adopted TXN Kyushu while retaining TVQ as its abbreviation and public identity.
Aftermath
The TVQ identity became the basis for the station's later corporate and consumer branding.
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