Granada Sky Broadcasting Reviews Channel Lineup Following ITV plc Merger

London, Early January 2005 — Granada Sky Broadcasting (GSB), the joint venture responsible for distributing a range of popular television channels on satellite and cable platforms, has confirmed it is undertaking a strategic review of its overall channel portfolio in the wake of the recent merger between Carlton Communications and Granada plc, which formed the newly unified ITV plc.

The merger, completed late last year, brought together two of the UK’s largest commercial broadcasters under one roof. This consolidation has placed Carlton Communications’ channel Carlton Cinema firmly under the ownership and management of GSB, alongside other key channels in the lineup including ITV2, ITV3, ITV News, Men & Motors, Granada Breeze, Shop! The Value Channel, and Wellbeing. The addition of Carlton Cinema extends GSB’s reach into niche film programming, complementing the existing entertainment and lifestyle offerings.

A spokesperson for GSB stated:
"With the formation of ITV plc, we now have an unparalleled opportunity to streamline and strengthen our channel portfolio to better serve our audience and advertising partners. We are actively reviewing all channels to ensure they align with our strategic objectives and deliver maximum value moving forward."

Industry insiders speculate that the review may result in the consolidation or repositioning of overlapping channels, especially given the challenges faced by niche channels such as Granada Breeze and Wellbeing, which have historically catered to more specialized audiences.

The Men & Motors channel, known for its male-oriented content including automotive programming and lifestyle, remains a strong performer within the portfolio, while ITV2 and ITV3 continue to build on their reputation for entertainment and drama respectively. Meanwhile, the addition of Carlton Cinema adds a classic film angle to the bouquet.

There has been no official word on potential channel closures or rebranding, but analysts expect the review to consider audience ratings, advertising revenue, and brand synergy in the coming months. The evolving digital television landscape and competition from emerging platforms have also been noted as factors influencing the review.

GSB’s channel lineup has played a significant role in expanding the reach of ITV’s content beyond its flagship terrestrial channel, offering viewers greater diversity in entertainment, lifestyle, and news programming.

Further announcements regarding any changes to the GSB suite of channels are anticipated later this quarter.

GSB Channel Portfolio (Current):

ITV2
ITV3
ITV News
Men & Motors
Granada Breeze
Shop! The Value Channel
Carlton Cinema
Wellbeing
For more information, please contact Granada Sky Broadcasting press office.

Write a tweet with the 2 companies that own the company

Granada Sky Broadcasting, owned jointly by @itvplc and @SkyUK, is reviewing its channel lineup following the recent ITV plc merger. Changes may be on the horizon! #TVnews #ITV #Sky

Write an article Febuary 5 2005, It mulls launching a CITV channel, and throws the fates of 3 of it's channels into question

Granada Sky Broadcasting Mulls Launching Dedicated CITV Channel, Puts Fate of Three Channels in Question

February 5, 2005 – London — Granada Sky Broadcasting (GSB) is reportedly considering the launch of a dedicated CITV channel aimed at younger viewers — a move that could significantly reshape its existing channel portfolio. The potential new venture comes as GSB evaluates its current offerings in the wake of ITV plc’s recent formation and ongoing strategy to consolidate and strengthen its television assets.

Insiders suggest that if a standalone CITV channel is launched, it would serve as a dedicated home for children’s programming within the ITV ecosystem, building on the brand's longstanding reputation on the terrestrial ITV network.

However, industry observers note that this strategic pivot may come at a cost to some of GSB's existing niche channels. Sources close to the broadcaster indicate that the future of three channels — Granada Breeze, Wellbeing, and Shop! The Value Channel — may be under review, with the prospect of downsizing, rebranding, or even closure.

Granada Breeze, which has targeted a predominantly female audience with lifestyle and leisure programming, and Wellbeing, focused on health and fitness content, have reportedly seen modest audience figures compared to GSB’s entertainment and drama channels. Meanwhile, Shop! The Value Channel, GSB’s dedicated shopping channel, faces increasing competition from other retail broadcasters and online platforms.

A GSB spokesperson said:
"We continue to assess our portfolio to ensure it meets the evolving needs of our viewers and commercial partners. The concept of a dedicated CITV channel is very much under consideration, but no final decisions have been made. We are carefully evaluating the performance and strategic fit of all our channels as part of this process."

The prospect of a CITV channel is exciting for children’s entertainment fans, providing a single destination for popular shows and potentially increasing viewer engagement across digital platforms.

With the UK digital television market growing ever more competitive, GSB’s review underscores the importance of focused, brand-aligned programming to capture and retain audiences across multiple demographics.

Further announcements regarding channel line-up changes and the future of CITV programming on satellite and cable platforms are expected in the coming months.

Current GSB Channels Potentially Affected:

Granada Breeze
Wellbeing
Shop! The Value Channel
For updates on this developing story, stay tuned to industry news outlets.

Write an article March 3, ITV4 launches in a few months, CITV sometime next year, Shop!, Breeze, Cinema and Wellbeing are all being looked at, and so is ITV News, as ITN want to focus on the core ITV1 bulletins

Granada Sky Broadcasting Prepares for ITV4 Launch, CITV to Follow Next Year; Several Channels Face Review

March 3, 2005 – London — Granada Sky Broadcasting (GSB) has confirmed plans to launch the new entertainment channel ITV4 in the coming months, with a dedicated CITV children’s channel expected to debut sometime next year. Meanwhile, a comprehensive review is underway that could reshape the future of several existing channels in the GSB portfolio.

ITV4 is slated to cater primarily to a male audience, featuring a mix of sport, drama, and classic ITV programming, bolstering the broadcaster’s multi-channel offering as it competes increasingly in the digital arena. The channel’s launch is anticipated to strengthen ITV plc’s presence in a crowded marketplace and offer advertisers targeted options.

Additionally, a standalone CITV channel, long-awaited by fans of ITV’s children’s programming, is planned for rollout next year, providing a dedicated home for youth-oriented shows and potentially increasing visibility for the brand.

At the same time, GSB executives are reviewing the future of several current channels — including Shop! The Value Channel, Granada Breeze, Carlton Cinema, and Wellbeing. Sources say the review considers audience figures, brand alignment, and the competitive landscape.

Granada Breeze and Wellbeing, both lifestyle-focused channels, have struggled to find significant traction, while Shop! faces stiff competition from other shopping broadcasters and digital retail platforms. Carlton Cinema, now fully under the GSB umbrella following the ITV plc merger, is also being assessed for its ongoing viability amid shifting viewer habits.

Adding to the list of channels under scrutiny is ITV News. According to insiders, ITN, the independent news provider for ITV, is keen to concentrate its resources on the core ITV1 news bulletins rather than maintaining a separate dedicated news channel under GSB. This could signal an end or substantial overhaul for the ITV News channel, which currently offers around-the-clock national and international news coverage.

A spokesperson for GSB said:
"ITV4 represents an exciting new chapter in ITV’s multichannel strategy, and CITV’s launch next year will enhance our children’s programming offering. As part of our ongoing commitment to delivering the best possible content to viewers and our partners, we continue to evaluate other channels to ensure they fit strategically within our portfolio."

Industry analysts believe these developments reflect ITV plc’s broader goal to streamline its channel lineup, focus on core strengths, and better target audience demographics as digital television continues to expand in the UK.

Further details on channel closures or rebranding are expected in the coming weeks as GSB finalizes its multi-channel strategy for 2005.

Key Upcoming Launches:

ITV4: Launching in the next few months
CITV: Planned launch sometime in 2006
Channels Under Review:

Shop! The Value Channel
Granada Breeze
Carlton Cinema
Wellbeing
ITV News
Stay tuned for updates on ITV’s evolving multichannel lineup.

Hiroshima Home TV

On September 18, 1964, the station makes a license request as Setonaikai Broadcasting (unrelated to the current TV station of the same name). At the time, at least 42 companies wanted to apply for the third commercial television station in the prefecture, and the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications appointed Nagano Isuo to coordinate these applications.[1]: 30  The company gained a preliminary license on November 18, 1969, on the founders' meeting on December 25, the name Hiroshima HOME Television was selected (Setonaikai Broadcasting in Kagawa started in April that year.)[1]: 30 

In 1970, the station bought land to build its facilities,[1]: 30  in Shiroshima Kita-cho, Hiroshima City, building took place between March and September 23.[1]: 32  Test broadcasts were conducted from October 1; on December 1, at 6:50am, the station signed on its regular service for the first time, the first program being a morning bulletin from ANN News. At the time, the network carried programming from Nippon Educational Television (NET TV, current TV Asahi); the original abbreviation was UHT (UHF Hiroshima-Home Television).

In a ratings survey conducted by Video Research in January 1971, UHT achieved high ratings of 6,3% during the day and 12,3% during primetime hours. At the same time, the number of UHF-ready television sets in the prefecture increased to more than 544,000 units,[1]: 34  that same year, the station's fortunes were worth 1,345 billion yen.[1]: 36  In a survey in January 1973, its median all-day ratings were 8,4% and during primetime, 19,2%, becoming one of the most-viewed UHF stations of the time.[1]: 38  Profits that year exceeded 2 billion yen.[1]: 40 

Affected by the 1973 oil crisis which caused a slowing of the Japanese economy, as well as the intensification of competition with the start of a fourth commercial station, growth in revenue slowed in the middle of the decade.[1]: 48  However, in 1978, revenue was worth 3,248 billion yen, an 11,7% increase, surpassing 3 billion yen.[1]: 50  News gathering information abroad started in 1979 with dispatching of teams to Hawaii and Sichuan Province.[1]: 50 

Equipment was upgraded on October 27, 1983[1]: 165  and sound multiplex broadcasts start on November 14, 1985, the first full ANN affiliate to do so.[1]: 165  The station introduced its new corporate identity on April 1, 1986. Along with it, the main abbreviation changed to HOME.[1]: 58 

The station's mascot, Polpol (ぽるぽる), was created upon the station's 30th anniversary celebrations in 2000, tie-in merchandise was also released. The character is a yellow, pudgy character with a cute face. [2] Digital terrestrial broadcasts commenced on October 1, 2006; analog terrestrial broadcasts concluded on 24 July 2011. Write a forum conversation 23 May 2005, On Freeview it appears Shop! The Value Channel has just started a "firesale", everything must go, Is the channel closing? There are rumors of this Japanese channel joining Freeview, Could that be why Shop! is closing, It no longer broadcasts on other platforms and ever since Littlewoods pulled out of the venture in 2002, Granada Sky Broadcasting have been running it like Bid TV, but kind of dodgy. and sometimes orders get suddenly cancelled with no refund. but anyways today it appears a mega sale is happening, and GSB put the channel under review quite recently anyway

Forum Thread: Shop! The Value Channel – Firesale on Freeview? Closing Down?

User1 (May 23, 2005, 10:15 AM):
Has anyone else noticed that Shop! The Value Channel on Freeview seems to have started some kind of huge "firesale"? It’s like everything must go. Could this mean the channel is shutting down soon? It’s weird because it’s no longer broadcasting on Sky or cable platforms as far as I know.

User2 (May 23, 2005, 10:38 AM):
Yeah, I spotted that too. The “mega sale” is out of the blue. Makes me think GSB is trying to clear inventory before pulling the plug. I remember they put a bunch of channels under review recently — Shop! was definitely one of them.

User3 (May 23, 2005, 11:05 AM):
I read somewhere that GSB has been running Shop! more or less like Bid TV ever since Littlewoods left back in 2002. Some shady stuff has gone down too — like orders getting canceled at the last minute with no refunds. Nothing like a proper shopping channel.

User4 (May 23, 2005, 11:25 AM):
It wouldn’t surprise me if this channel is closing. Freeview is trying to get more variety and I’ve heard rumours that a Japanese channel might be coming to Freeview soon. Could that be related? Maybe GSB needs to clear the slot for this new channel.

User5 (May 23, 2005, 11:50 AM):
Interesting theory... Shop! hasn’t been big on other platforms for a while. If the channel’s only really left is Freeview and sales have been dodgy, GSB probably doesn’t see the point in keeping it going. The firesale looks like a last-ditch effort to make something before closing.

User6 (May 23, 2005, 12:10 PM):
I wonder how long the firesale will last? If the channel is ending, it would be nice if GSB made an official announcement. They’ve been pretty quiet about these things lately.

User1 (May 23, 2005, 12:30 PM):
Agreed — silent treatment isn’t helping. Meanwhile, I’m watching the sales hoping to snag a bargain, but still wary about placing orders!

End of thread, ongoing discussion expected as more news breaks.

Wrie a conversation talking about what has been happening with Shop! recently, including the review, Also the user reveals the JP channel coming

Forum Thread: What’s Going On With Shop! The Value Channel? And That New Japanese Channel Rumor

UserA (May 24, 2005, 9:00 AM):
So here’s a quick recap in case anyone missed it — Shop! The Value Channel has been under review by Granada Sky Broadcasting for a while now. I think the official announcements came around March, when it was confirmed that several channels were being looked at because of low ratings and changes in strategy. Shop! was one of them, along with Granada Breeze, Wellbeing, and Carlton Cinema.

UserB (May 24, 2005, 9:20 AM):
Yeah, I’ve been following that too. Shop! stopped broadcasting on Sky and cable last year, right? So the only place left was Freeview. And now with this sudden firesale airing on Freeview, people are pretty sure it’s a sign the channel is winding down, or at least rethinking its future.

UserC (May 24, 2005, 9:45 AM):
I heard that since Littlewoods backed out of the joint venture back in 2002, Shop! hasn’t really been doing well. GSB apparently started running it more like one of those late-night bargain channels, but with lots of complaints about dodgy order cancellations and no refunds. Not a great look for loyal shoppers.

UserA (May 24, 2005, 10:10 AM):
Exactly, and the review initiated by GSB after the ITV plc merger is about streamlining their channel lineup, focusing on the stronger brands like ITV4, upcoming CITV, and the core ITV channels. So something niche like Shop! The Value Channel probably doesn’t fit their new strategy anymore.

UserD (May 24, 2005, 10:30 AM):
The interesting twist is the rumor about a Japanese channel launching on Freeview soon. I’ve seen whispers on other forums saying that Hiroshima Home TV — a broadcaster with a long history — is in talks to launch a cultural and lifestyle channel on Freeview.

UserB (May 24, 2005, 10:50 AM):
That could explain why Shop! seems to be clearing shop for good on Freeview — maybe GSB or Freeview are making room for this Japanese channel to enter the UK market. Considering GSB runs a joint venture with Sky and ITV, maybe they’re partnering up with overseas broadcasters for fresh content.

UserC (May 24, 2005, 11:15 AM):
If Hiroshima Home TV or some similar Japanese station launches here, that’d be quite a coup for Freeview. A chance to diversify their offerings with international programming. Makes sense to replace underperforming shopping channels with something unique.

UserA (May 24, 2005, 11:40 AM):
In any case, for anyone still watching Shop! on Freeview, it might be time to keep an eye out for official shutdown notices. The firesale might be your last chance to grab deals, but I wouldn’t hold my breath on it sticking around much longer.

UserD (May 24, 2005, 12:00 PM):
Definitely. This kind of lineup reshuffle is typical when broadcasters rethink their digital strategy — cut the weak, make room for new content. We’ll see some interesting changes later this year, that’s for sure.

UserB (May 24, 2005, 12:30 PM):
Thanks for the update all! Can’t wait to see what the new Japanese channel brings. Hope it’s something fresh and well-produced.

UserC (May 24, 2005, 12:45 PM):
Agreed! New channels mean new choices, and that’s always a good thing for viewers.

End of conversation.

Write a follow up with the confirmation, also the sale is now being promoted as a "going out of business sale", to last till either all stock is cleared out or July 1, whichever comes first

Forum Thread: Confirmation — Shop! The Value Channel Closing; “Going Out of Business” Sale Announced

UserA (June 10, 2005, 9:00 AM):
Alright everyone, it’s official now. Granada Sky Broadcasting has confirmed that Shop! The Value Channel is closing down. The current firesale has been rebranded as a “Going Out of Business Sale,” and it’s set to last until either all stock is sold out or July 1, whichever comes first.

UserB (June 10, 2005, 9:25 AM):
Thanks for the heads-up! So that explains the mega discount madness on Freeview lately. Makes sense they want to clear everything before shutting down the channel completely.

UserC (June 10, 2005, 9:50 AM):
It’s a shame, but after years of poor viewership and sketchy order problems, I guess it was inevitable. Anyone know if there’s any official transition announcements regarding replacement channels on Freeview?

UserA (June 10, 2005, 10:10 AM):
The rumor mill’s been turning — the Japanese lifestyle and cultural channel (likely Hiroshima Home TV or similar) is confirmed to launch on Freeview later this year. That would be the slot freed up by Shop!’s closure.

UserD (June 10, 2005, 10:40 AM):
From a business perspective, GSB is probably better off focusing on ITV4, CITV, and a streamlined portfolio anyway. Niche shopping channels just don’t perform well anymore, especially with online shopping gaining ground.

UserB (June 10, 2005, 11:00 AM):
True. Well, for anyone interested — jump on the sales while they last! Hopefully all orders go through smoothly this time without cancellations or refund issues.

UserC (June 10, 2005, 11:20 AM):
Agreed! It’s bittersweet, but new channels and better programming options sound promising. Thanks for the update!

End of thread.

Write a reply confirming the replacement, and the date it joins

UserE (June 10, 2005, 11:45 AM):
Just to confirm, the new Japanese channel replacing Shop! The Value Channel on Freeview will be Hiroshima Home TV. It’s scheduled to launch on July 15, 2005. Should be an interesting addition with its focus on Japanese culture, lifestyle, and entertainment. Looking forward to seeing how it shapes up!

[Upbeat, energetic voice-over with lively background music]

Voice-over:
"Prices have just been SLASHED at Shop!'s Going Out of Business Liquidation!

Everything must go – unbelievable deals on all your favorite products!

Hurry in now and grab incredible bargains before they're all gone!

Shop! — the biggest clearance SALE you’ve ever seen!

Don’t miss out — prices this low won’t last!

Shop! The Value Channel — clearing stock, closing down soon!". Write a conversation June 18 asking how the sale is progressing, Does it look like they will sell everything before the 1st or is that still the day they are closing

Forum Thread: How’s the Shop! Going Out of Business Sale Progressing? Will They Sell Everything Before July 1?

User1 (June 18, 2005, 9:15 AM):
Hey all, just wondering how the Shop! “Going Out of Business” sale is going so far. Has it looked like they’re clearing out most of the stock quickly or do you think everything will still be there by July 1? Does anyone think they might extend or cut it short?

User2 (June 18, 2005, 9:40 AM):
Great question. I’ve been tuning into Freeview here and there, and it seems like the sale’s busy but not exactly flying off the shelves like crazy. Some items still appear available. I’d guess they will at least go full term to July 1 unless something big sells out suddenly.

User3 (June 18, 2005, 10:05 AM):
I agree with User2. The inventory looks steady—not sure if all sales are legit either with the history of order cancellations. But GSB probably wants to clear as much as they can before shutting down rather than shutting early. July 1 is probably still the planned shutdown date.

User4 (June 18, 2005, 10:30 AM):
I placed a few orders last week and everything went through fine this time, so it seems like they’re cleaning up the process. If that continues, maybe they can sell out faster, but the sale promo is pretty aggressive so I expect it to last the full period.

User1 (June 18, 2005, 11:00 AM):
Thanks for the insights folks! I was worried they might suddenly close early without notice like some other channels have done, but sounds like July 1 is the firm deadline for now.

User5 (June 18, 2005, 11:30 AM):
Hopefully the channel stays on air until then. After July 1, we can finally see what this Hiroshima Home TV channel is like. Sounds like a refreshing change!

User2 (June 18, 2005, 12:00 PM):
Absolutely, looking forward to it myself. Until then, I’m keeping an eye on bargains on Shop! just in case.

User3 (June 18, 2005, 12:20 PM):
Just a heads-up — if anyone’s thinking of ordering more, double-check the return policies this time around due to past issues.

User1 (June 18, 2005, 12:45 PM):
Good advice. Thanks again, everyone! Let’s hope the closeout sale goes smoothly for all involved.

End of thread.

Write the Final Days ad on June 25

[Upbeat, urgent voice-over with energetic music]

Voice-over:
🚨 FINAL DAYS at Shop! The Value Channel’s Going Out of Business Sale! 🚨

This is your LAST CHANCE to grab unbelievable deals on all your favorite products!

Prices are slashed LOWER than ever — but stock is running out FAST!

Don’t miss out on massive savings before we CLOSE for good on July 1st!

Shop! The Value Channel — everything must go, and once it’s gone, it’s gone for good!

Tune in now on Freeview and shop these final deals before time runs out!

Hurry — FINAL DAYS, FINAL SALES!

Write a Last Day ad, going into detail about the massive savings

[Urgent, energetic voice-over with dramatic, fast-paced music]

Voice-over:
🔥 TODAY IS THE LAST DAY! 🔥

Shop! The Value Channel’s Going Out of Business SALE ends TONIGHT at midnight!

This is your FINAL opportunity to cash in on MASSIVE SAVINGS across the entire range!

Get incredible discounts like:
• Up to 70% OFF top electronics and gadgets!
• Jaw-dropping HALF-PRICE deals on home and kitchen essentials!
• HUGE markdowns on fashion and accessories — everything must go!
• Amazing value bundles you won’t find anywhere else!

Stock is EXTREMELY LIMITED and once it’s gone — IT’S GONE FOREVER!

Don’t wait another second — call or shop online NOW to grab the biggest bargains before the curtain falls!

Shop! The Value Channel — closing forever at midnight TONIGHT.

Your last chance to SAVE BIG!

Tune in on Freeview or visit us online — but don’t delay! Sale ends at midnight sharp!

Write a forum conversation, At midnight they aired B&W footage of the empty studio, then went to a slide saying they had ceased trading, all orders will be fufilled, and thank you for your custom

Forum Thread: Shop! The Value Channel Signs Off with Poignant Final Broadcast

User1 (July 2, 2005, 12:15 AM):
Did anyone else stay up to catch Shop! The Value Channel’s final moments last night? At midnight, they aired some black-and-white footage of their empty studio — really atmospheric and kinda bittersweet.

User2 (July 2, 2005, 12:30 AM):
Yeah, I saw that too. It was pretty touching for a shopping channel. After the B&W footage, they displayed a simple slide saying they had ceased trading, that all orders will be fulfilled, and a big thank you for the customers’ support. Nice way to say goodbye.

User3 (July 2, 2005, 12:45 AM):
Totally unexpected tone for a closing broadcast! Usually channels just go dark or switch over without a word. This felt like a proper farewell. Glad they thanked the viewers, despite all the order hiccups in the past.

User4 (July 2, 2005, 1:00 AM):
Agreed. Wonder what’s happening now with the Freeview slot? Hopefully the new Hiroshima Home TV channel debuts smoothly. Looking forward to something fresh with a cultural twist.

User1 (July 2, 2005, 1:15 AM):
Me too. It’s definitely the end of an era for Shop!, but exciting times ahead on Freeview. Thanks for the memories, I guess!

User5 (July 2, 2005, 2:00 AM):
Thanks for the heads-up about the final broadcast. Wish I had caught it. Here’s hoping the new channel has better luck and fewer glitches.

User2 (July 2, 2005, 2:30 AM):
Same here. Farewell, Shop! The Value Channel – you’ll be remembered for the bargains and the chaos alike!

End of thread.

Write a conversation July 7, the EPG title has been renamed and a MHEG caption is now in place, Cute image

Forum Thread: Shop! The Value Channel Slot Updated on Freeview – New EPG Title & Cute MHEG Caption

User1 (July 7, 2005, 9:10 AM):
Has anyone noticed the Freeview EPG slot that used to be Shop! The Value Channel? The name’s been changed — I saw it’s now listed as “HOME TV” or something similar. Also, there’s a new MHEG caption on screen when you tune in. Cute little animated mascot or something?

User2 (July 7, 2005, 9:35 AM):
Yeah, I saw that last night. It definitely feels like the Hiroshima Home TV channel slot is gearing up to go live. The MHEG caption has this cheerful yellow character waving at you — reminds me of that Polpol mascot from the Japanese station’s promo materials.

User3 (July 7, 2005, 10:00 AM):
Just checked myself. The EPG title change definitely confirms the transition. The MHEG caption has some basic info about the upcoming launch with a countdown timer too. Looks very polished for a pre-launch screen.

User4 (July 7, 2005, 10:25 AM):
Love the little mascot! It’s a nice touch after the dull shopping channel era. Feels like something fresh and family-friendly is finally coming to Freeview.

User1 (July 7, 2005, 10:50 AM):
Agreed — it’s quite a contrast. Curious to see if they’ll keep this style after the full launch or switch to more formal branding. Either way, it’s heartening to see the slot getting some attention.

User2 (July 7, 2005, 11:15 AM):
Maybe this is just the beginning of a steady rollout. I’m excited to sample some Japanese lifestyle and culture programming. Freeview definitely needed a bit more international flavor.

User3 (July 7, 2005, 11:40 AM):
Same here. Let’s keep an eye on it — would be great if they announce the exact launch date soon.

User5 (July 7, 2005, 12:05 PM):
Thanks for the heads-up everyone! I’ll check tonight and hopefully share some screenshots of that cute mascot too.

End of thread.

Write a reply saying i love him already

User6 (July 7, 2005, 12:30 PM):
I love him already! That little mascot is adorable — way more charming than anything Shop! ever had. Can’t wait to see more!

Write a conversation Jul 10, The EPG name is now "Hiroshima Home TV/JOGM-TV", Nice to see the callsigns also used

Forum Thread: EPG Update – Now “Hiroshima Home TV/JOGM-TV” on Freeview!

User1 (July 10, 2005, 9:00 AM):
Hey everyone, just noticed that the Freeview EPG listing has been updated again. The channel is now called “Hiroshima Home TV/JOGM-TV”. Really nice to see the callsign included alongside the name!

User2 (July 10, 2005, 9:25 AM):
Yeah, I spotted that too! It’s a bit unusual to see the callsign on the EPG, but it feels very official. Gives it that authentic broadcaster vibe, kind of like old school terrestrial channels.

User3 (July 10, 2005, 9:50 AM):
Agreed! Most digital channels just use a brand name, not callsigns. Including JOGM-TV definitely highlights its Japanese identity, which is cool. Feels like a proper launch is really around the corner now.

User4 (July 10, 2005, 10:10 AM):
I like that they’re embracing the Japanese heritage here. It adds character and even a bit of nostalgia for viewers who know about these broadcasting traditions.

User1 (July 10, 2005, 10:35 AM):
Does anyone know if the MHEG caption is still there too? Or has that been replaced now that the channel name is finalized in the EPG?

User2 (July 10, 2005, 11:00 AM):
Last night I checked and the MHEG screen was still up, showing some info about upcoming programming and a soft launch notice. So they’re probably keeping it as a teaser until the official start date.

User3 (July 10, 2005, 11:20 AM):
Makes sense to me. Slowly building some anticipation before launching fully. Looking forward to seeing what kind of shows they bring.

User4 (July 10, 2005, 11:45 AM):
Same here! After the Shop! chaos, this feels like a breath of fresh air for the Freeview lineup.

User5 (July 10, 2005, 12:15 PM):
Thanks for the updates, folks! Definitely loving the attention to detail with the callsign. Can’t wait to see Hiroshima Home TV/JOGM-TV live.

End of thread.

User6 (July 10, 2005, 12:45 PM):
I love that they're using the callsign too — it feels so authentic and professional! Really looking forward to this channel going live.

Write a conversation asking well, who's next on the GSB firing line, How about their OTHER failed joint venture (Wellbeing was a joint venture with Boots)

Forum Thread: Well, Who’s Next on the GSB Firing Line? Could Wellbeing Be the Next to Go?

User1 (July 12, 2005, 8:30 AM):
So Shop! is finally gone, and Hiroshima Home TV is about to launch. Makes you wonder — who’s next on the chopping block at Granada Sky Broadcasting? They’ve been reviewing a lot of underperforming channels lately.

User2 (July 12, 2005, 8:55 AM):
Good question. Wellbeing has always struck me as a bit of a lost cause. Remember, it was a joint venture with Boots, right? But it never really took off the way ITV’s other lifestyle channels did.

User3 (July 12, 2005, 9:20 AM):
Yeah, Boots was involved in Wellbeing originally, but the channel has been pretty quiet and low profile for ages. If GSB is focusing on stronger brands like ITV4 and CITV, I wouldn’t be surprised if Wellbeing is on the chopping block next.

User4 (July 12, 2005, 9:45 AM):
It makes sense. Between declining viewer numbers and changing digital TV tastes, niche lifestyle channels like Wellbeing could be vulnerable. Plus, Boots probably didn’t see much benefit from it either.

User1 (July 12, 2005, 10:10 AM):
True. They might consider rebranding, merging with another channel, or just closing it altogether. Wonder if Granada Breeze could be in the firing line too?

User2 (July 12, 2005, 10:35 AM):
Granada Breeze has never been a ratings powerhouse either, so yeah, both Breeze and Wellbeing might be on thin ice. GSB’s been pretty clear they want a tighter, stronger lineup.

User3 (July 12, 2005, 11:00 AM):
I’m curious if ITV News channel is still safe too, considering ITN wants to focus on ITV1 bulletins. GSB seems to have a lot to sort out.

User4 (July 12, 2005, 11:25 AM):
No doubt. GSB’s next moves could reshape multichannel TV in the UK quite a bit. Anyone else think they might announce more changes soon?

User1 (July 12, 2005, 11:50 AM):
I wouldn’t be surprised. With digital competition heating up, the review process must be gathering momentum. Wellbeing could be the next domino to fall.

User2 (July 12, 2005, 12:10 PM):
Agreed. Guess we’ll all have to wait and watch. Would be interesting to see how Boots reacts if their joint venture is pulled.

User3 (July 12, 2005, 12:30 PM):
Exactly. Either way, time for GSB to focus on channels with real growth potential.

End of thread.

Yomiuri Telecasting Company: Background to the launch
In 1953 , prior to its launch in Tokyo, Nippon Television Network Corporation (hereafter referred to as "NTV") submitted an application for a broadcasting license in Osaka to the Radio Regulatory Commission . However, at the time, there were only two radio waves allocated to the Osaka area, and licenses were given to two stations, NHK Osaka Broadcasting Station and Osaka Television Broadcasting (OTV, now Asahi Television Broadcasting Corporation ), and the license for "NTV Osaka Broadcasting Station" was rejected.

The reason for the rejection was that "Nippon Television represents the Tokyo area, and broadcasting in Osaka would be 'crossing borders.'" [ note 2 ] Matsutaro Shoriki , head of the Yomiuri Shimbun and Nippon Television , applied to the Radio Regulatory Commission to establish regional broadcasting stations in Sapporo , Nagoya , and Fukuoka in addition to Osaka, but this was also rejected for the same reason . [ note 3 ]

At that time, the Yomiuri Shimbun had expanded into Osaka, and was competing fiercely with the Asahi Shimbun , the Mainichi Shimbun , and others in sales. Since Osaka Television Broadcasting was a television station established by the Asahi Shimbun, the Mainichi Shimbun, and the Asahi Broadcasting Corporation and New Japan Broadcasting (now the Mainichi Broadcasting System), Tsutomu Mitsuo , the president of the Osaka Yomiuri Shimbun (now the Yomiuri Shimbun Osaka Headquarters) at the time , was convinced that "in order to increase circulation against the two newspapers, we need to have our own affiliated television station," and the Yomiuri Shimbun also decided to create a television station with investment from the Kansai business community, centered around the Osaka Yomiuri Shimbun. Tsutomu was the representative promoter and gathered promoters from the business community.

The name of the broadcasting station was " Shin -Osaka Television Broadcasting Co., Ltd. " (abbreviated as NOTV = New Osaka Television . It was called " No-Tele "), and the founding general meeting was held in February 1957. The company building was constructed by borrowing most of the grounds of the Tenman Betsuin temple of the Otani-ha Shinshu sect in Iwai-cho , Kita-ku, Osaka (now Higashi-Tenma ) .

In October 1956, they submitted an application for a broadcasting license to the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications. In October 1957, a provisional license was issued to Shin-Osaka Television Broadcasting as a quasi-educational station (Channel 10, JOIX-TV). The company held its founding general meeting on February 12, 1958, and on August 1 of the same year, the company changed its name from "Shin-Osaka Television Broadcasting" to "Yomiuri Telecasting Co., Ltd." (abbreviated as YTV, nicknamed Yomiuri Television). On the 28th of the same month , it opened as the second commercial television station in the Kinki region, completely transferring all of the Nippon Television programs that had been networked with OTV.

The opening of Yomiuri Television resolved the dissatisfaction of sponsors of Nippon Television Network Corporation's programs, which had not been broadcast in the Kinki region due to OTV's cross-network policy. [ Note 4 ] This also contributed greatly to the increase in circulation of the Yomiuri Shimbun in western Japan .

Among the commercial television stations headquartered in Osaka (Osaka-based television stations), it is the only one that does not have capital from a Kansai private railway , and its capital is composed of Yomiuri Shimbun Group and Nomura Securities affiliates . [ Note 5 ]

Network transition
August 28, 1958 - Launched. As the first station in the Nippon Television Network, it declared itself a "station network station." Since then, Nippon Television has consistently been the main broadcaster of all programs.
April 1, 1966 -News network NNN was launched and the station joined.
June 14, 1972 - Joined the NNS, which was launched on this day.
chronology
The original company building (part of it) was demolished around 1990, and the site is currently used as a parking lot as of 2021 (October 1989, Higashitenma, Kita-ku, Osaka City)
The original company building (part of it) was demolished around 1990, and the site is currently used as a parking lot as of 2021 (October 1989, Higashitenma, Kita-ku, Osaka City)

The second-generation company building before the logo change (March 2006)
The second-generation company building before the logo change (March 2006)

The second-generation company building after the logo change (from autumn 2007 to 2019. The black building is the Osaka Tokio Marine & Nichido Building)
The second-generation company building after the logo change (from autumn 2007 to 2019. The black building is the Osaka Tokio Marine & Nichido Building )

Yomiuri Television's broadcasting equipment transport vehicle (Hino Profia) with the new "ytv" logo painted on it
Yomiuri Television's broadcasting equipment transport vehicle ( Hino Profia ) with the new "ytv" logo painted on it
November 26, 1956 - Application for a 10 kW television broadcasting license [ 7 ] .
1957 (Showa 32)
January 14 - The founding office is opened within the Osaka Yomiuri Shimbun (now the Yomiuri Shimbun Osaka Headquarters) . [ 7 ]
October 22 - Preliminary license issued.
1958 (Showa 33)
February 12 - Shin-Osaka Television Broadcasting Co., Ltd. inaugural general meeting [ 7 ] .
February 13 - With investment from the Osaka Yomiuri Shimbun and others, the company is established as a quasi-educational station , the Shin-Osaka Television Broadcasting Co., Ltd. (NOTV). Registration completed . [ 7 ]
August 1 - Company name changed to "Yomiuri Television Broadcasting Corporation" (YTV).
August 3 - Test radio signal transmission from 12:17 p.m. [ 7 ]
August 16 -Test broadcasts begin [ 7 ] .
August 20 - Full license issued (call sign: JOIX-TV, call name: Yomiuri Television) [ 7 ] .
On August 28th, at 9:00am , the station started broadcasting from 2-36 Iwai-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka (later changed to "1-8-11 Higashitenma" due to a change in the name of the town in response to the implementation of the residential address system ) ( Osaka's second station). The station was launched by transferring Nippon Television (NTV) programs that had been networked with Osaka Television Broadcasting (OTV, now Asahi Television Broadcasting Corporation ). As the first Nippon Television affiliate, it announced that it would become a "station network station" (the forerunner of full network stations) . [ Note 6 ]
January 8, 1959 (Showa 34) - Early morning broadcast begins (from 8:00 a.m. [ note 7 ] [ 7 ] )
1960 (Showa 35)
January 20 -Application for an experimental color television station license [ 7 ] .
February 15 - A 2-inch color VTR manufactured by RCA is introduced . [ 8 ] [ 9 ]
March 31 - Three color video cameras are installed. A full-scale system is in place to prepare for the start of color broadcasting. [ 9 ]
September 2 - At 2:20 p.m., a color broadcast test signal was transmitted. [ 7 ] [ 10 ]
September 10 - After passing the inspection by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications Kinki Radio Regulatory Bureau, regular color television broadcasting begins at 1:15 p.m. [ 7 ] (the first in the Osaka area, along with NHK Osaka Broadcasting Station and Asahi Television Broadcasting Corporation) . [ Footnotes 8 ] [ 11 ] In addition, the first color spot broadcasting in Japan also begins. [ 10 ]
October 21 - RCA color television cameras are installed. In-house production of color programs begins. [ 10 ]
November 21 - RCA studio color cameras are introduced. [ 12 ]
November 30 - The company completes the conversion of its Studio 3 broadcasting equipment to color. [ 12 ]
December 4 - The color broadcast vehicle is completed. [ 12 ]
December 13 - Broadcast of "Your Color Show", the first music program in Western Japan to be shot with a studio color camera. [ Notes 9 ] [ 11 ] [ 12 ]
June 10, 1962 – Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation's microwave simultaneous television network line becomes the first to be colorized (high-standard) on the Hokuriku down route (Tokyo → Hokuriku → Osaka). This allows Nippon Television to broadcast color simultaneously. [ 13 ] [ 14 ]
1963 (Showa 37)
April 1 - The Tokaido route (Osaka → Nagoya → Shizuoka → Tokyo) of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation's microwave simultaneous television network line is converted to high-standard color . [ 15 ] This makes it possible to simultaneously broadcast in color to Nippon Television.
December 1 - The Tokaido down route of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation's microwave simultaneous television network is converted to color (high standard). [ 16 ]
1964 (Showa 39)
February 2 - A color camera is brought to the Takarazuka Revue and the "Takarazuka Revue 50th Anniversary Performance - Invitation to the Review" is broadcast in color. [ 17 ]
March 8 - The Osaka Grand Sumo Tournament is broadcast in color for the first time. [ 16 ]
August 28 – On this day, which marks the sixth anniversary of the station's launch, the station will broadcast six and a half hours of color programming as "Color Campaign Day." [ 17 ]
August 28, 1965 – On this day, the seventh anniversary of the station's launch, the station broadcast seven hours of color programming a day, including the in-house produced "Victor Kayo Show," as "Color Campaign Day. " [ 18 ]
1967 (Showa 42)
April 1 - Programming and production agreement (NY Agreement) signed with Nippon Television Network Corporation.
October 11 - A Toshiba Ampex 2-inch high-band VTR (VR-2000) is purchased and installed. [ 19 ]
November 1 - The Bureau is changed from a quasi-educational bureau to a general bureau . [ 20 ]
1970 (Showa 45)
March 14 - In commemoration of the Osaka Expo , which had its opening ceremony on this day, the station became the host and broadcasting station for " The Japan World Expo Begins, " the first joint production and simultaneous broadcast by all commercial television stations affiliated with the Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association at the time. [ Footnote 10 ] [ 21 ]
October 4 - " I Want to Go Far Away " begins broadcasting.
1978 (Showa 53)
September 20 - 1-inch VTR is introduced. [ 22 ]
September 22 - The company obtains a preliminary license for practical test broadcasting of audio multiplex broadcasting . [ 22 ] [ 23 ]
September 30 - The company obtains a full license for the practical test broadcasting of audio multiplex broadcasting . [ 23 ] [ 24 ]
October 1 - Test broadcasting of audio multiplex broadcasting begins (second after Nippon Television Network Corporation. However, initially, only bilingual broadcasts were available via the Internet, and stereo was only available through the company's own transmission, including video feed). [ Note 11 ] [ 22 ] [ 23 ] [ 25 ]
November 11 - The first stereo broadcast of a self-produced program on this day was the live broadcast of "Game 10 of the Japan-US Baseball Series" from Nishinomiya Stadium . [ 23 ] [ 26 ]
December 31 - On this day, the show " Pink Lady Sweat and Tears of New Year's Eve 150 Minutes!! " aired nationwide on Nippon Television , and was the first to be broadcast in stereo via the Internet. [ 22 ] [ 27 ]
1979 (Showa 54)
March 19 - Starting from this day, the live Nippon Television program " NTV Kohaku Uta no Best Ten ," which is broadcast every Monday, becomes the only regular simultaneous internet program to begin broadcasting in stereo (the other programs began broadcasting in stereo on August 8 of the same year). [ 28 ]
August 1 - The company began broadcasting its self-produced nationwide program " 2-ji no Wide Show " in stereo over simultaneous internet lines on the same day. [ Footnote 12 ] [ 29 ]
August 8 - Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation (now NTT ) completes construction to convert television relay lines in Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka and Hokuriku (Kanazawa) to stereo. [ 30 ] [ 31 ] As a result, the company begins full-scale stereo broadcasting via its own Internet lines.
In the early 1980s, Sanrio appointed "Toppy and Cuppy" as mascot characters, designed by Shinichi Emura, and these characters were used for about 10 years . [ 32 ] [ 33 ]
1988 (Showa 63)
August 1 - The head office building is moved from Higashitenma, Kita-ku, Osaka to Osaka Business Park (OBP) at 2-2-33 Shiromi, Higashi-ku (now Chuo-ku), Osaka . The 10 mark begins full-scale use.
April 1, 1989 ( Heisei 1) - Clear Vision broadcasting begins.
1993 (Heisei 5)
June 6 - " Osaka Honwaka TV " begins broadcasting.
October 21 - " Downtown DX " begins broadcasting.
January 8, 1996 - Detective Conan begins broadcasting.
1998 (Heisei 10): Appointed "I Need-kun" as a pet character. (At that time, there was a slogan called "I Need 10").
July 1, 2000 - The mascot character "TV-yan" (a character based on a television cathode ray tube. The design was later slightly changed in 2002) was unveiled. The character is a blue TV with a yellow screen. The character appears on screen and on the network's website. In 2002 he got a dog-like sidekick known as Telepochi
2003 (Heisei 15)
July 13 - " Takaji's Sokomade Itte Iinkai " begins broadcasting.
December 1st -Yomiuri Digital Television (JOIX-DTV, 14ch) begins broadcasting on terrestrial digital broadcasting . At the same time as the start of regular broadcasting, the operation of an analog/digital integrated master is also started (the master manufacturer is also changed from NEC to Toshiba ).
2004
May 24 - The "Yomiuri Television" ending logo is modified to include a image of TV-yan next to it
July 29th - August 7th, 2005 - A large-scale event called " Tempozan 10 Days Exciting Treasure Island " was held at Tempozan Harbor Village .
Write a conversation Aug 3 2005, UK/Freeview launch from Aug 20, A user says he already knows what channel will be sacrificed for it

Forum Thread: Yomiuri Telecasting’s UK Freeview Launch Set for August 20 — Thoughts?

User1 (August 3, 2005, 10:00 AM):
Just heard that Yomiuri Telecasting will finally launch on UK Freeview starting August 20! Excited to see a genuine slice of Japanese programming coming to our screens. Anyone know much about their lineup?

User2 (August 3, 2005, 10:20 AM):
Yeah, can’t wait! It sounds like it’ll feature some great lifestyle and cultural shows. The timing fits perfectly too, just after the Shop! channel closed.

User3 (August 3, 2005, 10:45 AM):
I’m guessing the channel slot freed up by Shop! The Value Channel is the one being used for this launch. So that’s probably the channel that’s being sacrificed.

User4 (August 3, 2005, 11:10 AM):
That makes sense. Shop! was struggling and going out of business anyway. GSB needed to repurpose those slots, and Yomiuri Telecasting seems a perfect replacement.

User5 (August 3, 2005, 11:35 AM):
Anyone know if the broadcast will have English subtitles or if it’ll be mostly in Japanese?

User2 (August 3, 2005, 12:00 PM):
From what I’ve read, some programs will have subtitles, but a lot will be aimed at the niche market interested in authentic Japanese content, so language might be mostly original. Still cool to have access though.

User1 (August 3, 2005, 12:30 PM):
It’ll definitely shake up Freeview’s line-up. Looking forward to seeing how it goes!

User3 (August 3, 2005, 12:45 PM):
Agreed — new content is always welcome! Here’s hoping it draws good ratings.

End of thread.

Write a conversation saying Shop was already replaced by Hiroshima Home, This is going after another failed GSB channel

Forum Thread: Yomiuri Telecasting Launch on Freeview — But Shop! Was Already Replaced by Hiroshima Home TV?

User1 (August 3, 2005, 1:00 PM):
Just to clarify, Shop! The Value Channel was actually replaced a few weeks back by Hiroshima Home TV on Freeview. So the slot for Yomiuri Telecasting won’t be the same one.

User2 (August 3, 2005, 1:20 PM):
Yeah, that’s right. Hiroshima Home TV has taken over the Shop! slot since mid-July. So the new Yomiuri Telecasting channel must be coming in on a different Freeview slot.

User3 (August 3, 2005, 1:45 PM):
Makes you wonder which existing channel they’re going to sacrifice for this. GSB has quite a few underperforming channels — maybe it’s Granada Breeze or Wellbeing?

User4 (August 3, 2005, 2:10 PM):
My money’s on Wellbeing. It’s been a quiet joint venture with Boots and never really caught on. Seems like the obvious candidate to be replaced next after Shop!

User5 (August 3, 2005, 2:30 PM):
I agree with User4. Wellbeing has been struggling and there hasn’t been much news about it lately. A fresh new Japanese channel might finally push it off the lineup.

User1 (August 3, 2005, 2:50 PM):
Hopefully GSB will make an official announcement soon. It’d be good to know which channel is making way for Yomiuri Telecasting instead of guessing.

User2 (August 3, 2005, 3:15 PM):
Fingers crossed it’s a smooth transition. The viewers deserve better than these constant shuffles without info.

User3 (August 3, 2005, 3:40 PM):
Agreed. Can’t wait to see the new content, but would also like to hear what happens to the other GSB channels.

End of thread.

Write a follow up confirming, Closure from Aug 15

Forum Thread: Confirmation — Wellbeing to Close August 15 to Make Way for Yomiuri Telecasting

User1 (August 10, 2005, 9:00 AM):
Got official confirmation today that Wellbeing will be closing on August 15. This clears the way on Freeview for Yomiuri Telecasting’s launch on August 20.

User2 (August 10, 2005, 9:30 AM):
Thanks for the update! Makes perfect sense given Wellbeing’s low profile lately. Sad to see it go, but excited about the fresh programming coming in.

User3 (August 10, 2005, 10:00 AM):
Wow, that’s quick! Five days between closure and new launch. Hopefully the transition is seamless and viewers get detailed schedules soon.

User4 (August 10, 2005, 10:25 AM):
It’s about time GSB cleaned up their lineup. Wellbeing wasn’t really adding much, so this is good news for channel quality on Freeview.

User5 (August 10, 2005, 10:50 AM):
Fingers crossed that Yomiuri Telecasting brings some unique content and gets decent ratings. Looking forward to it.

User1 (August 10, 2005, 11:15 AM):
Agreed! Here’s hoping for a smooth launch and no glitches. Thanks again for the info, everyone.

End of thread.

Write a conversation Aug 15, All day yesterday Wellbeing had been running a caption inbetween shows saying "The Wellbeing TV channel closes at midnight, Thanks for watching.", At midnight they played a ident, freeze frame,. then black, then the following MHEG "Wellbeing has now closed"

Forum Thread: Wellbeing Officially Closed Last Night — Final Sign-Off Details

User1 (August 15, 2005, 10:30 AM):
Did anyone catch the final hours of Wellbeing yesterday? All day they kept running that caption between shows saying, "The Wellbeing TV channel closes at midnight, Thanks for watching." Felt like a proper goodbye for once.

User2 (August 15, 2005, 10:50 AM):
Yeah, I was watching sporadically. At midnight they played the clean Wellbeing ident, then froze the frame for a few seconds before cutting to black. It was very understated but kind of respectful.

User3 (August 15, 2005, 11:10 AM):
Right after that, the MHEG screen came on with the message, “Wellbeing has now closed.” Nice to see them use MHEG to officially notify viewers instead of just switching off abruptly.

User4 (August 15, 2005, 11:30 AM):
I appreciated that too. After some of the messy closures like Shop!, this was a well-handled sign-off. Felt professional and gave closure.

User1 (August 15, 2005, 11:45 AM):
Totally. I’m curious whether Yomiuri Telecasting will start immediately or if there’ll be a gap on the Freeview slot.

User2 (August 15, 2005, 12:05 PM):
From what I’ve heard, Yomiuri Telecasting is scheduled to launch on August 20, so the slot will be dark for a few days.

User3 (August 15, 2005, 12:25 PM):
Makes sense to have a short break to do final technical adjustments. Looking forward to the new channel though — fresh content is always welcome.

User4 (August 15, 2005, 12:45 PM):
Agreed! Goodbye Wellbeing, and hello Yomiuri Telecasting!

End of thread.

Write a conversation Aug 18, the EPG now reads "Yomiuri Television/JOIX-TV", and there is now an image in place