What ABS秋田放送 does

ABS秋田放送 (ABS Akita Broadcasting System Corporation) is a privately held regional commercial broadcaster headquartered in Akita City, Akita Prefecture, Japan. Founded on November 1, 1953 as Radio Tohoku Co., Ltd. (the first private radio station in Akita Prefecture), the company expanded into television in 1960 and was rebranded to its current name. It operates 53 terrestrial TV transmission stations covering approximately 96% of Akita Prefecture's ~370,000 households and achieves 100% radio coverage across the prefecture via multiple AM frequencies and an FM 90.1MHz wide-FM service (launched in 2015, first in the Tohoku region). ABS is an affiliate station of the Nippon Television Network System (NNS), receiving national programming while producing and distributing local news (ABS news every.), variety, drama, and cultural content. The company completed its digital terrestrial TV transition on July 24, 2011.

The company's product surface extends beyond traditional broadcasting to include the ABSあきたアプリ mobile application (70,000+ downloads as of 2025, integrating Google Health Connect and EventBank), official YouTube channels, radiko internet radio streaming, and TVer on-demand video streaming. It also operates ABSコンテンツスタジオ (a content production service) and a live event business spanning concerts, rakugo performances, theater (e.g., Takarazuka), exhibitions, and financial seminars. Proprietary technology assets include the emergency earthquake warning broadcast system (operational since September 2008) and the digital broadcast infrastructure underpinning 53 TV stations.

ABS's revenue model is anchored in television and radio advertising (spot CM, program sponsorships, time-report CM, banner ads on its website at ¥77,000/month), supplemented by ticket sales and sponsorships from its event business and content production services. Primary customer segments are Akita Prefecture residents (viewers/listeners), local businesses seeking regional advertising reach, and prefectural/municipal government entities requiring public information and emergency broadcasting infrastructure. Pricing for radio CM is tiered from ¥50,000 up to ¥1,000,000+ per package. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed. The company holds partnerships with Akita Sakigake Shimpo (local newspaper), the National Association of Broadcasters, and the Civil Broadcasting Education Council.

Name

ABS秋田放送

Legal name

株式会社秋田放送 (Akita Broadcasting System Corporation)

Website

https://akita-abs.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1953

Operating status

Operating

Short description

ABS秋田放送 is a privately held regional commercial broadcaster headquartered in Akita City, Japan, operating TV and radio stations covering ~96% of Akita Prefecture households, serving local viewers, advertisers, and government clients with news, entertainment, events, and digital platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Broadcasting

NAICS

Television Broadcasting Stations (51612), Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110), Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations (5161)

SIC

Television Broadcasting Stations (4833), Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Network-Affiliated Local TV Stations (ABC/CBS/NBC/FOX/CW/Telemundo/Univision, etc.) (MPABACAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Commercial Terrestrial Radio Broadcasting (AM/FM) (MPAIAEAA), Network-Affiliated Local Radio Stations (News/Talk/Sports Syndication Affiliates) (MPABACAF), Program Distribution to Stations & Affiliates (Domestic) (MPABAMAC)

Keywords

• Regional television broadcasting
• Radio broadcasting services
• Local advertising sales
• Emergency broadcast systems
• Event organization sponsorship

Headquarters

HQ city

秋田市

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. テレビ・ラジオ広告: Television and radio advertising revenue from spot commercials, program sponsorships, and promotional content. This is the primary revenue stream for the regional broadcaster.
2. バナー広告: Website banner advertising on ABS official website homepage. Sold as monthly contracts at 77,000 yen per month (tax included).
3. ラジオCM広告商品: Radio CM advertising products including program sponsorship, spot commercials, time-report CM, one-day intensive CM, radio program live appearance slots, and radio car broadcasting coverage.
4. イベント事業: Organization and hosting of concerts, exhibitions, seminars, and community events. Revenue from ticket sales, sponsorships, and event-related activities.
5. 番組制作・配信: TV drama production (金曜ドラマ, etc.), variety shows, news programs, and content distribution via TVer streaming platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ABS秋田放送 is Akita Prefecture's primary regional commercial broadcaster, delivering television and radio programming across 53 TV transmission stations (covering 96% of households) and multiple AM/FM frequencies (covering 100% of the prefecture). The company also distributes content through digital extensions including TVer streaming, YouTube, radiko, and its proprietary ABSあきたアプリ mobile application, while operating advertising sales, event organization, and content production studio services.

Product overview

ABS秋田放送 is a regional commercial broadcaster in Akita Prefecture operating a multi-platform media portfolio. The core offering consists of television broadcasting (53 stations covering 96% of Akita's 370,000 households) and radio broadcasting (AM 936kHz with FM supplementary 90.1MHz wide FM). Digital extensions include the ABSあきたアプリ (70,000+ downloads), official YouTube channels, radiko streaming, and TVer video streaming. Content production spans ABS news every. news programming, variety shows, drama theaters, and cultural programming, with ABSコンテンツスタジオ handling content production services. The company also operates event promotion services through EventBank integration and manages the ABS投稿ポスト for viewer submissions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ABS秋田放送 テレビ放送 (Television Broadcasting) Television broadcasting service covering Akita Prefecture with 53 transmission stations covering approximately 370,000 households (96% coverage rate). Includes news programs (ABS news every.), variety shows, dramas, and special programming for general viewers in Akita Prefecture.
• ABS秋田放送 ラジオ放送 (Radio Broadcasting) Radio broadcasting service on AM 936kHz with FM supplementary broadcasting at 90.1MHz. Started as radio-only service in 1953. Covers Akita Prefecture at 100% with relay stations in Odate, Honsho, Asamai, Kakunodate, and other locations. Serves general listeners in Akita Prefecture.
• ABSあきたアプリ (ABS Akita App) Official mobile application for Android and iOS providing event information, news updates, promotional campaigns, and integrates with Google Health Connect for step count tracking. Reached 70,000+ downloads. Available to general consumers and businesses in Akita Prefecture.
• ABSラジオ radiko配信 (Radio Streaming via radiko) Radio streaming service via the radiko platform allowing listeners to access ABS radio broadcasts online from anywhere. Serves general listeners nationwide with internet access.
• ABSコンテンツスタジオ (ABS Content Studio) Content production studio service for creating various media content. Provides production services to internal programming and external clients.
• ABS EVENT (Event Organization and Promotion) Event business including organization and hosting of concerts (Akita CARAVAN MUSIC FES), rakugo performances, exhibitions, theater productions, and seminars. Includes event information service and ticketing through EventBank integration. Serves event attendees and event organizers in Akita Prefecture.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% household coverage in Akita Prefecture
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 日本テレビ放送網（日本テレビ系列）coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 November 1953ABS秋田放送 is a key affiliated station of Nippon Television Network System (NNS), receiving national programming and contributing local content to the network. This affiliation provides access to national drama series, variety shows, and news content while broadcasting local Akita content nationally.
• 秋田魁新報社coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal newspaper partnership for content collaboration and news sharing within Akita Prefecture.
• 秋田県・各市町公共機関coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with local government for emergency broadcasts, public safety information, disaster response, and civic communication services. ABS serves as a designated public institution for national protection and emergency broadcasting.
• 日本民間放送連盟minorOthersMembership in the National Association of Broadcasters for industry standards, advocacy, and regulatory compliance.
• 日本民間放送教育教会minorOthersMembership in civil broadcasting education council for educational content standards and programming.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• 秋田朝日放送 (AAB): TV Asahi (ANN) affiliate also serving Akita Prefecture. Directly comparable to ABS as a competing in-prefecture commercial broadcaster operating within the same small regional advertising market.
• 秋田テレビ (AKT): TBS (JNN) affiliate serving the same Akita Prefecture market. Comparable regional broadcaster splitting local advertiser budgets and audience attention with ABS.

Direct peers

• 青森放送 (RAB): NNS (Nippon TV) affiliate and regional commercial broadcaster in neighboring Aomori Prefecture. Closely comparable in business model, network affiliation structure, and mix of TV/radio/digital platforms.
• 山形放送 (YBC): NNS-affiliated regional broadcaster in Yamagata Prefecture with combined TV and radio operations. Highly comparable operating model and scale to ABS.
• 宮城テレビ放送 (MTV/OX): NNS-affiliated commercial broadcaster in Miyagi Prefecture (Tohoku). Comparable multi-platform regional broadcaster with similar network-driven content mix.
• 福島中央テレビ (FCT): NNS affiliate serving Fukushima Prefecture. Closely comparable as a Tohoku-region NNS commercial broadcaster with combined TV/radio and digital extensions.
• テレビ岩手 (TVI): NNS affiliate in Iwate Prefecture operating TV and radio broadcasting plus digital channels. Highly comparable regional broadcaster in an adjacent Tohoku prefecture.
• 北海道放送 (HBC): Larger NNS-affiliated commercial broadcaster in Hokkaido offering TV and radio. Comparable in network structure and operating model, but with a meaningfully larger geographic and population footprint than Akita.

Broad incumbents

• 中京テレビ放送 (CTV): Larger NNS affiliate serving the Nagoya/Tokai region. Comparable in network affiliation and broadcast operations, but at substantially greater scale and broader geographic reach than ABS.
• NHK秋田放送局: Public broadcaster (NHK) covering Akita Prefecture. Comparable geographic footprint and audience overlap, but operates on a non-commercial, license-fee-funded model that competes for local viewership and emergency-broadcast mandate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCVRs8dYm9OH-_g4V84BfbQw

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ABS秋田放送