TOKYO SKYTREE Role as a Broadcasting Tower

The role of terrestrial digital broadcasting and TOKYO SKYTREE

TOKYO SKYTREE Overview

The main role of TOKYO SKYTREE is the transmission of terrestrial digital broadcasting. Terrestrial digital broadcasting began in the Kanto region in December 2003, but there was a possibility that the transmission of radio waves would be affected by the numerous 200-meter-class skyscrapers in the city center. Therefore, transmission from a new 600-meter-class Tower was desired.

The transition to a new 600-meter-class Tower will approximately double the transmission height for terrestrial digital broadcasting, mitigating the impact of the increasing number of skyscrapers. It is also expected to expand the coverage area of ​​"One-Seg," a digital broadcasting service for mobile devices that began in April 2006. Furthermore, the tower is expected to serve as a disaster prevention Tower during emergencies.

History

  1. 2003 Launch of the new Tower concept

    • december Six Tokyo-based television companies launch "New Tower Promotion Project"

  2. 2004 Sumida Ward and local officials request cooperation in attracting a new Tower.

    • december Tobu Railway receives "Request Regarding Attraction of a New Tower"

  3. 2005 Sumida Ward is working together with local stakeholders to promote the attraction of a new Tower.

    • February Tobu Railway has announced its intention to undertake a new Tower project.

  4. 2006 Construction site decided

    • March The Sumida-Taito area has been finally selected as the site for the new Tower.

  5. 2007 Conclusion of usage contracts with six Tokyo-based television companies

    • december We have signed reservation agreements with six Tokyo-based television companies for the use of the new Tower.

  6. 2008 Name decision and start of construction

    • June The new Tower's name has been decided as "TOKYO SKYTREE".
    • July Construction begins
    • december TOKYO MX signs a reservation agreement for the use of the new Tower.

  7. 2012 Regular broadcast begins

    • April
      • FM radio (NHK, J-WAVE) regular broadcasting begins
      • Taxi radio system (Kanto Automobile Radio Association) begins full operation.
    • October TOKYO MX begins simulcasting (broadcasting from both Tokyo Tower and TOKYO SKYTREE).

  8. 2013 Broadcasting begins by six television companies

    • May
      • TOKYO MX has completed its transmission point relocation (broadcasts will now only be from TOKYO SKYTREE).
      • Six Tokyo-based television companies begin broadcasting (NHK, Nippon Television, TV Asahi, TBS Television, TV Tokyo, and Fuji Television).

  9. 2015 Start of AM radio FM complementary broadcasting

    • december FM complementary broadcasting begins on three Tokyo-based AM radio stations (TBS Radio, Nippon Cultural Broadcasting, and Nippon Broadcasting System).