Kabushiki Gaisha ABS

Kabushiki Gaisha ABS is a Japanese international media conglomerate. Their headquarters are located in the Shinjuku Ward of Tokyo, within the ABS Broadcasting Center, that houses the operations of JOBX-DTV, ABS' flagship television station serving the Kanto region of Japan.

Company overview
The company was founded in 1999 by Kenji Yukimura to take control of the Aso Broadcasting System, an English-language television station formed in 1987 as part of a deal between Nippon TV and TV Asahi. Kenji stated that his goal was to "expand the previously-independent Aso Broadcasting System's outreach" and to "operate a nationwide network of English-language television stations all over Japan".

Prior to the company's establishment, ABS' stations were "loosely" connected in a non-centralised manner.

Since then, Kabushiki Gaisha ABS has introduced Japanese viewers to many Korean and western programmes and (as of recently) creating its own exclusive series, whilst keeping its original focus of making popular Japanese programming more accessible to foreigners residing in Japan and those interested in Japanese culture.

Commercial relations
Kabushiki Gaisha ABS has relationships with the following media companies:
 * TV Asahi Corporation
 * Nippon Television Network Corporation
 * Fuji Television Network, Inc.
 * Columbia Pictures
 * Shin-ei Animation
 * The Seoul Broadcasting System
 * CJ E&M Corporation
 * Japan International Broadcasting, Inc.

Channels
Kabushiki Gaisha ABS operates a number of television stations, under the ABS Television Network banner.

The following stations form the network as of currently: Kabushiki Gaisha ABS also operates the following cable and satellite channels: The following channels have been shut down: The following channels are either proposed or are yet to launch:
 * Aso Broadcasting System (ABS), JOBX-DTV (7ch)
 * Sapporo Broadcasting System (SBS), JOLX-DTV (10ch)
 * Hyogo Broadcasting System (HBS), JOFX-DTV (10ch)
 * Tohoku-ABS Broadcasting (TAB), JOHY-DTV (10ch)
 * Shikoku Television Broadcasting (STB), JODK-DTV (6ch)
 * Kyushu-Ryukyu Broadcasting (KRB), JOTN-DTV (10ch)
 * Chubu-ABS Television (CAT), JOPX-DTV (10ch)
 * ABS Sat.1 (S1) (7ch)
 * ABS Plus (+) (Check local listings)
 * ABS N24 (N24) (24ch)
 * ABS International (ABS-INTL) (Check local listings)
 * Asahi Kokusai (ASAHI-K) (Check local listings)
 * ABS Television Hiroshima (ATH), JOEH-DTV (5ch)
 * Chugoku Television System (CTS), JOHX-DTV (5ch), expected to launch mid-August
 * ABS Kodomo (KDM) (Proposed children's channel)
 * ABS Ultra (ULTRA) (Proposed sports channel)
 * NHK World (NHK-W) (Proposed relaunch under ABS control)

Production
Kabushiki Gaisha ABS has never made a television programme of its own until 2013, when the company collaborated with TV Asahi to create a variety show themed around the Doraemon anime series.

Kabushiki Gaisha ABS is now producing a reboot of the PaRappa The Rapper anime, airing on the ABS Television Network and numerous cable, terrestrial and satellite networks internationally.

Merchandising
Kabushiki Gaisha ABS is responsible for the international distribution and marketing of anime merchandise associated with its series.

Many DVDs were also released by Kabushiki Gaisha ABS.

Interactive
Kabushiki Gaisha ABS is responsible for the operation of its own website, abs.jp, along with many show-specific microsites.