NHK General TV (NHK総合)

City: Tokyo

About / 概要

English:
NHK General TV (NHK総合テレビジョン) is Japan’s flagship public-service television channel, operated by the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK). Launched to serve the nation with comprehensive, high-quality programming, it offers a diverse schedule that includes national and regional news, prime-time drama series, documentaries, variety and talk shows, educational and children’s programming, live sports, and special-event coverage. Funded through viewer license fees rather than commercial advertising, NHK General TV maintains strong editorial independence, prioritizing accuracy, cultural enrichment, and inclusivity. The channel reaches over 99% of Japanese households via digital terrestrial broadcasts (callsign: JOAK-DTV) and plays a central role in emergency and disaster information dissemination, providing real-time alerts and community updates. With multilingual subtitling and audio-description services, it also supports accessibility for hearing- or visually-impaired audiences.

日本語:
NHK総合テレビジョン（NHK総合）は、日本放送協会（NHK）が運営する日本を代表する公共放送の旗艦チャンネルです。視聴料を財源とすることで商業広告に依存せず、正確かつ信頼性の高い報道をはじめ、文化的教養、地域情報、教育・児童向け番組、バラエティ、トーク番組、ドキュメンタリー、スポーツ中継、特別番組など、多彩なコンテンツを全国に提供しています。地上デジタル放送（コールサイン：JOAK-DTV）で全国99%以上の世帯に到達し、緊急災害時にはリアルタイムの警報や避難情報を伝えるなど、地域社会への貢献も大きな役割です。多言語字幕や音声解説を導入し、視聴者のアクセシビリティにも配慮した放送を行っています。

History / 歴史

1. Beginnings (1950s): Experimental television broadcasts by NHK commenced on February 1, 1953 (callsign: JOAK-TV), focusing initially on technical trials and educational content. By 1955, regular service was established under the name “NHK General TV” to distinguish it from NHK’s educational channel.
2. Expansion & Color Era (1960s–1970s): The network rapidly expanded regional studios nationwide. Color broadcasts began in 1960, culminating in full-color programming by 1970 and the introduction of advanced video technologies.
3. Satellite & Digital Transition (1980s–2000s): NHK pioneered satellite broadcasting with NHK BS-1 in 1984 and BS-2 (now BS Premium) in 1986. In the late 1990s, NHK General TV began digital terrestrial test transmissions, transitioning fully to digital by July 24, 2011, when analog signals were switched off nationwide.
4. HD & Beyond (2000s–Present): High-definition (HD) broadcasts launched in 2003, alongside enhancements such as 5.1-channel surround sound for select programs. In the 2010s, NHK introduced data-driven interactive services, mobile streaming apps, and AI-powered closed-captioning to improve viewer experience. Today, NHK General TV continues to innovate in UHD trials, multi-platform delivery, and community engagement through regional hubs.

TV Schedule (Sample) / 番組表（例）

• 06:00–08:00 NHK News Ohayō Nippon / NHKニュース おはよう日本
• 08:00–10:00 Asaichi (Morning talk & variety) / あさイチ
• 12:00–12:10 NHK News Lunch / NHKニュース ランチ
• 19:00–19:57 NHK News 7 / NHKニュース7
• 20:00–21:30 Documentary Japan / ドキュメンタリーJAPAN
• 21:30–22:24 Drama Series (e.g. “Gochi Tsu Koto”) / 連続ドラマ（例：「ごちそうさん」）

More Info / その他情報

Official website / 公式サイト: nhk.or.jp

Launched / 放送開始: February 1, 1953

Callsign / コールサイン: JOAK-DTV

Network / ネットワーク: NHK Public Broadcasting