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 intl 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, Granada Sky Broadcasting have been running it like Bid TV, but anyways today it appears a mega sale is happening, I know the new channel won't be a shopping one, Can anyone tell me what the new channel is called?

Forum conversation: May 23, 2005

User1:
On Freeview, it looks like Shop! The Value Channel has just started a massive "firesale" — everything must go! Is the channel closing down?

User2:
I’ve heard rumors that an international channel might be joining Freeview soon. Could that be the reason Shop! is shutting up shop?

User3:
Yeah, I noticed Shop! hasn't been broadcasting on other platforms lately. After Littlewoods pulled out, Granada Sky Broadcasting basically started running it like Bid TV. Today’s mega sale definitely looks like the end.

User4:
From what I’ve read, the new channel coming in won’t be a shopping channel at all. Does anyone know what it’s going to be called?

User1:
No idea yet — I’m curious too. I guess we’ll find out soon! Hopefully, it’s something good.

User5:
Same here. I’m ready for a change though, the shopping channels have been a bit stale on Freeview lately.

This captures the conversation around the May 2005 rumors about Shop! The Value Channel on Freeview and speculation about the new channel replacing it.

Write a conversation confirming what the firesale is for

Forum conversation: May 24, 2005

User1:
So, does anyone have any confirmation about this "firesale" going on at Shop! The Value Channel? Is it really closing down?

User2:
I checked around a bit — it looks like the firesale is definitely because the channel is shutting down on Freeview. They’re clearing out all their stock before the channel goes off-air.

User3:
Yeah, I heard the same. After Littlewoods pulled out and Granada Sky Broadcasting took over, the channel just wasn’t doing well. The firesale is basically them selling everything before they switch the slot.

User4:
I found a small notice on their website (not very obvious though) saying something like "final clearance sale due to channel closure." So that pretty much confirms it.

User1:
Thanks, that clears it up! So no more Shop! on Freeview soon then?

User2:
That’s right. I’ve also seen rumors that the new channel taking over won’t be a shopping channel — more of an entertainment or international channel, apparently.

User3:
Makes sense. The shopping channels seem to be declining on Freeview, so maybe it’s time for something different.

User4:
Agreed. It’s sad to see Shop! go, but the firesale explains why everything is so heavily discounted right now. They’re clearing stocks before signing off.

User1:
Alright, thanks everyone for confirming! I’ll keep an eye out for what channel takes its place.

Write a reply revealing the name of the new channel, takes over either on June 20 or when the last Shop! item is sold, whichever comes first