NHK (日本放送協会, Nihon Hōsō Kyōkai), or the Japan Broadcasting Corporation, is Japan's public broadcaster. Radio Tokyo and Radio Japan are informal English names, referring to NHK's original role as a radio broadcaster. Today it operates two terrestrial television services (NHK General TV and NHK Educational TV), three satellite services (NHK BS-1, NHK BS-2, and NHK Hi-Vision – High-definition TV), and three radio networks (NHK Radio 1, NHK Radio 2, and NHK FM). For audiences overseas it also broadcasts NHK World TV, NHK World Premium, and NHK World Radio.
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| Type | Broadcast radio network and television network |
|---|---|
| Country | |
| Availability | National |
Launch date | 1926 (radio); 1953 (television) |
Official website | www.nhk.or.jp/ |
History
NHK was founded in 1926, modelled on the BBC radio company. A second radio network was started in 1931 and a shortwave service broadcasting to listeners overseas began in 1935.
In November 1941, the Imperial Japanese Army nationalized all public news agencies and coordinated their efforts through the Information Liaison Confidential Committee, which included representatives from the Army, the Navy, the Foreign Ministry, the Government Information Office, the Cabinet Information Bureau, the Home Ministry, the Ministry of Greater East Asia, the Transportation Ministry, the Domei News Agency and the NHK. Thereafter, all published and broadcast news reports became official announcements of the Imperial Army General Headquarters in Tokyo for the duration of World War II.
NHK started television broadcasts in 1953. It aired its first colour television broadcast in 1960. Although the network first introduced commercial broadcasts to Japan, nowadays NHK is paid for by viewer fees. Residents of Japan who own a TV are obliged to pay a fee of about USD 12 per month under the "Hōsō Hō" (Broadcasting Act). However, the act does not stipulate any punishment for failure of payment.
NHK World TV started broadcasts in 1995. The entire NHK network moved to digital broadcasting in 2000.
TV Programming
NHK General TV broadcasts a variety of programming. The following are noteworthy:
- News. Local, national, and world news reports. NHK is one of the few international broadcasters to maintain reporting bureaus in Afghanistan and Iraq.
- Emergency Reporting. Under the Broadcast Act, NHK is under the obligation to broadcast early warning emergency reporting in times of natural disasters as earthquake and tsunami.
- Education. Education programmes are watched nation-wide at primary schools. "Tensai Terebikun MAX" (better known as TTK) is a one-of-a-kind educational show combining education with a bit of entertainment. TTK is currently hosted by the TIM duo Red Yoshida and Golgo Matsumoto and a cast of 22 children ranging from ages 9 to 14.
- Weather. Weather in detail, nationwide, and international for travellers.
- Sports. NHK broadcasts the six annual Grand Sumo tournaments, high-school baseball championships from Koshien Stadium, Olympic Games, and a range of other sports.
- News analysis. The network carries in-depth reports on current topics, political debate, and similar programming.
- Music. The annual Kōhaku Uta Gassen on New Year's Eve is the highlight. The weekly schedule includes an amateur hour, and prime-time shows for all ages.
- Drama. A sentimental morning show, a weekly jidaigeki and a year-long show, the Taiga drama, spearhead the network's fiction offerings.
- Documentaries. NHK has become known for its documentary series, first popularized by the miniseries Legacy for the Future, and "The Silk Road".
- Children. The longest running children's show in Japan, "Okassan to Issho", still airs up to this day on NHK-ETV.
- Other. Cooking, comedy, exercise, etc.
- Anime
See also: Japanese television programs, International broadcasting in Japan, Japanese media
Anime Programs
- MAJOR (anime)
- Snow Princess
- Tsubasa Chronicle
- Planetes
- Zettai Shonen ("Absolute Boy") (2004-2005)