The Most Popular TV Channel in Japan, Ranked

Choose the channel you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 9, 2024 06:53
With a diversity of TV channels in Japan, each offering unique content from news and entertainment to sports and documentaries, it can be a challenge for viewers to decide where to tune in. Ranking these channels by popularity can provide clear insights into audience preferences, helping new residents, tourists, or even long-time locals discover which channels might best suit their interests or provide the most reliable news. This live ranking system offers an ongoing snapshot of what others are watching and enjoying. By casting a vote for your preferred TV channels, you contribute to a dynamically updated barometer of popular opinion. Not only does this encourage viewer engagement, but it also fosters a community of informed audiences actively shaping their viewing landscape.

What Is the Most Popular TV Channel in Japan?

  1. 1
    54
    votes

    NHK

    Japan's national public broadcaster and the largest television network in the country, offering a wide range of programming, including news, sports, and entertainment.
    NHK is a public broadcasting organization in Japan. It is the country's leading television channel, providing a wide range of programs including news, documentaries, dramas, variety shows, and educational content.
    • Launch Date: May 29, 1925
    • Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
    • Broadcast Area: Nationwide
    • Funding: Publicly funded through mandatory reception fees
    • Number of Channels: Four major channels: General TV, Educational TV, BS Premium, BS4K
  2. 2
    42
    votes
    One of the major commercial television networks in Japan, known for its popular dramas, variety shows, and anime programming.
    Fuji TV is one of the most popular television channels in Japan, providing a wide range of entertainment and news programming. It is operated by Fuji Television Network, Inc., a subsidiary of Fujisankei Communications Group, and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
    • Launch date: March 1, 1959
    • Broadcast area: Nationwide, Japan
    • Target audience: General audience
    • Available in HD: Yes
    • Number of channels: 6 (independent stations)
  3. 3
    19
    votes
    Another major commercial television network in Japan, known for its news and entertainment programming, including dramas and variety shows.
    Nippon TV is one of the most popular TV channels in Japan. It offers a wide range of programming that appeals to audiences of all ages and interests, including dramas, variety shows, news, and sports. Nippon TV is known for its high-quality content and innovative approach to television production.
    • Launch Date: 1953
    • Broadcast Area: Nationwide
    • Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
    • Language: Japanese
    • Available in HD: Yes
  4. 4
    29
    votes

    TV Asahi

    TV Asahi Corporation
    A commercial television network in Japan, known for its news and entertainment programming, including dramas, variety shows, and anime.
    TV Asahi is one of the most popular television channels in Japan. It is a general entertainment channel that offers a wide range of programs catering to different interests and age groups. The channel is known for its diverse content, including dramas, variety shows, news programs, and anime. TV Asahi has gained a significant viewership and has remained one of the top channels in Japan for several years.
    • Launch Date: November 1, 1957
    • Headquarters: Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo, Japan
    • Broadcast Area: Nationwide
    • Language: Japanese
    • Ownership: Independent
  5. 5
    10
    votes

    TBS

    A commercial television network in Japan, known for its news and entertainment programming, including dramas, variety shows, and sports.
    TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System Television) is one of the most popular TV channels in Japan. It is a major terrestrial television network that offers a wide range of programming, including news, dramas, variety shows, and sporting events.
    • Launch Date: December 17, 1951
    • Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
    • Coverage: Nationwide
    • Broadcast Area: Japan
    • Broadcast Language: Japanese
  6. 6
    18
    votes

    TV Tokyo

    TV Tokyo Corporation
    A commercial television network in Japan, known for its anime programming, as well as news and entertainment shows.
    TV Tokyo is one of the most popular television channels in Japan. It is known for airing a wide range of programs including anime, dramas, variety shows, and news. The channel caters to a diverse audience and has gained a strong following over the years.
    • Launch Date: April 12, 1964
    • Headquarters: Minato, Tokyo, Japan
    • Broadcast Area: Nationwide
    • Language: Japanese
    • Ownership: Independent
  7. 7
    9
    votes

    Tokyo MX

    MX Network Inc.
    A local television station in Tokyo, known for its anime programming and variety shows.
    Tokyo MX is a popular Japanese television channel that primarily broadcasts in the Tokyo metropolitan area. It offers a wide range of programming, including anime, variety shows, news, drama, and sports. With its diverse content, Tokyo MX caters to a broad audience in the region.
    • Broadcast area: Tokyo metropolitan area
    • Programming content: Anime, variety shows, news, drama, sports, etc.
    • Target audience: Wide-ranging demographic in the region
    • Availability: Terrestrial, cable, satellite, and online streaming
    • Launch date: April 30, 1995
  8. 8
    2
    votes
    A satellite television station owned by TBS, known for its news and entertainment programming, including dramas and variety shows.
    BS-TBS is a popular television channel in Japan that primarily focuses on entertainment, drama, and sports programming. It is a subsidiary channel of TBS Television, one of Japan's major terrestrial broadcasters.
    • Launch Date: December 1, 2000
    • Broadcast Area: Throughout Japan
    • Programming Language: Japanese
    • Availability: Satellite (BS) and cable television
    • Logo Color: Blue
  9. 9
    6
    votes
    A premium satellite television network in Japan, known for its movies, sports, and original programming.
    WOWOW is a popular satellite television channel in Japan that offers various genres of programming including movies, dramas, sports, and documentaries. It was launched in 1991 and has since become one of the leading subscription-based television providers in the country.
    • Launch Year: 1991
    • Type: Satellite TV Channel
    • Programming: Movies, Dramas, Sports, Documentaries
    • Subscription-Based: Yes
    • Language: Japanese
  10. 10
    4
    votes
    A satellite television station in Japan, known for its anime programming and variety shows.
    BS11 is a popular TV channel in Japan that primarily focuses on broadcasting anime, dramas, and variety shows. It is known for its diverse programming lineup and collaboration with various production companies to bring quality content to its viewers. The channel caters to a wide audience and has gained a strong following since its launch.
    • Launch Date: June 1, 1998
    • Broadcasting format: Digital Broadcast (UHF)
    • Target Audience: General population, primarily anime fans
    • Headquarters: Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
    • Programming: Anime, dramas, variety shows

Missing your favorite channel?

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Discussion

Ranking factors for popular channel

  1. Popularity of programs
    Channels with popular and well-known programs tend to attract more viewers.
  2. Advertising revenue
    The amount of revenue generated from advertising can be used as a measure of a channel's popularity.
  3. National coverage
    Channels that reach a wider audience across the country are more likely to be popular.
  4. Subscriber base
    Channels that have a large subscriber base tend to have a higher viewership and are more likely to be popular.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular TV channel in Japan. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or channel is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 6545 views
  • 175 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Movers & Shakers

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each channel once every 24 hours. The rank of each channel is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular tv channel in japan

Japan is known for its unique and diverse culture, and it's no wonder that its television industry is just as distinct. With a plethora of channels to choose from, it can be difficult to determine which one is the most popular. However, according to recent polls, the most watched TV channel in Japan is NHK General TV. This public broadcaster offers a variety of programming, including news, dramas, and documentaries, and has been a staple in Japanese households for decades. Other popular channels in Japan include TBS, Fuji TV, and TV Asahi, each offering their own unique programming and entertainment options. Whether you're a fan of anime, dramas, or variety shows, there is no shortage of options when it comes to Japanese television.

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