Hokkaido Television Broadcasting
Hokkaido Television Broadcasting Co., Ltd., known as HTB, is a TV station in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. It is affiliated with the All-Nippon News Network (ANN).
A quick history
- Founded: December 1, 1967. Started broadcasting on November 3, 1968, making HTB the third commercial TV station in Hokkaido.
- Early license: The initial license required more than 30% of programs to be educational or cultural.
- Networks: HTB joined NET TV early on and became a founding member of ANN when the network formed in 1970.
- Technology and leadership: HTB introduced ENG (focus on news reporting) in 1977. In 1981, the parent company faced bankruptcy; Asahi Shimbun and TV Asahi helped, and Asahi-affiliated companies have led management since then.
- Programs and online presence: Stereo broadcasting began in 1983. HTB opened its official website in 1995. The station launched its current branding in 2006.
- Digital and milestones: HTB started digital broadcasting in 2006 and set a local ratings record (52.5%) for a Nippon Ham Fighters baseball game in October of that year. Analog broadcasts ended on July 24, 2011.
- Headquarters and facilities: In 2018, HTB moved to Sapporo Genesis Plaza (new headquarters). The move occurred in September 2018, and the old headquarters in the Nanpiga area was later sold and demolished (planned for 2021). There was a brief outage during the 2018 Hokkaido earthquake.
- Online and media presence: HTB has a YouTube channel (launched in 2013) and streams programs online in real time.
People and channels
- Headquarters: 1-6, Nishi, Kita 1-jo, Chūō-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.
- Employees: About 179.
- Channel information: Digital - 23 (UHF); Virtual - 6.
- Call sign history: JOHH-TV from 1968 to 2011; analog channel 35.
- Branding: Hokkaido Television, HTB.
- Language: Japanese.
- Website: ht b dot co dot jp
HTB remains a key local broadcaster in northern Japan, producing news and entertainment for people in Hokkaido.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 16:39 (CET).