臼杵ケーブルネットにみる「公設民営」による運営

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), cable television networks have been installed throughout Japan since the early 1955s to eliminate challenges when broadcasting. The number of cable TV household subscriptions has been increasing year on year, reaching over 31 million by the end of 2022, with an average household viewing rates of approximately 52%. Nevertheless, there are variations in the viewing rates from just under 6% in Fukushima Prefecture compared to the substantial rate of 93% in Tokushima Prefecture. Furthermore, there are differences in management strategies and business conditions. Usuki City municipality and local businesses are continuously upgrading the infrastructure and hardware, such as the fiber-optic networks and cables, studios, and other buildings, while leaving the program management and programming to the private sector. One of the features of this public-private management system is called "Usuki Sekibutsu Net. It's an ID card issued by the local government with citizen's personal information such as medical, pharmacy, and nursing care information that can be shared with hospitals and other institutions so that the date can be utilized. Usuki Cable TV has been characterized by its cooperative partnership with medical associations, local governments, and the private sector. This paper will focus on a cable TV station in Usuki City in Oita Prefecture that has adopted a public-praivate management system.