Sapporo Broadcasting System

The Sapporo Broadcasting System (札幌放送システム) is an Aso Broadcasting System affiliate that serves the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido.

History
As part of an expansion plan set out by the Aso Broadcasting System, SBS started broadcasting on May 30th, 1990.

As with ABS, a large number of SBS' initial programmes were made by Nippon TV/TV Asahi, and subtitled into English. NTV/Tele-Asa's local affiliates (Sapporo Television/STV and Hokkaido Television Broadcasting/HTB) actually showed strong support for the English-language broadcast startup.

Notable special programming
SBS airs its own local newscast, N-Hokkaido, at 6:20pm every weekday, immediately after SBS N6.

Day of Anpanman
On the 19th of May every year, SBS participates actively in activities dedicated to the Soreike! Anpanman anime series, along with other ABS Television affiliates.

2013 DoA Dokin-chan assault controversy
At around 4:15pm on the 2013 Day of Anpanman, SBS invited the Anpanman character Dokin-chan to SBS Television Center for an interview. The interview went as planned, however immediately afterwards Dokin-chan was seen in a corridor, immediately outside their studio, being attacked by an SBS staff member. The presenter of the interview immediately addressed viewers, stating;

"It looks like Dokin-chan is being attacked here in the SBS Television Center. In addition, our main presenters in Yokohama are currently off-duty. We shall now hand over to the Aso Broadcasting System at this time, OK?"

The person in the Dokin-chan costume was taken to hospital. The staff member responsible for the attack could not recall the event. The Dokin-chan actor was put on sick leave due to his injuries, and the attacker was fired from SBS.