"Is it wrong for TV to cross networks?" Chiba TV x KAB's unprecedented collaborative commercial features popular characters 'Chuba' x 'Keebie' co-starring for the first time
Chiba TV and KAB have produced an unprecedented collaborative commercial, crossing regional and network boundaries, featuring their popular mascots 'Chuba' and 'Keebie' co-starring for the first time. This aims to revitalize the TV industry and will be broadcast during both stations' baseball coverage.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 25, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 25, 2026 at 11:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 25, 2026 at 16:06 (4h 34m after Collected)
PR TEAM Inc., Kumamoto Asahi Broadcasting (KAB), Chiba Television Broadcasting (Chiba TV), and Unizon Systems have produced a local character collaboration commercial that completely disregards network and regional boundaries. It will be aired during the commercial breaks of the 'Professional Baseball Broadcast: Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks vs. Chiba Lotte Marines' on KAB, starting from 12:55 PM on Saturday, April 25th.
The incongruity and cheapness are precisely the themes of this commercial.
■ A character visited the station.
The commercial features Chiba TV's mascot character 'Chuba' and KAB's 'Keebie'. The starting point of the project was a very simple statement:
"Regardless of region or network, we want to liven up TV together."
So, Chuba actually went to Kumamoto. Keebie wholeheartedly welcomed and entertained Chuba at the station. The entire process was made into a commercial as is.
■ Contents of the commercial
Chiba TV's mascot 'Chuba' traveled all the way to Kumamoto—. The setting is Kumamoto Asahi Broadcasting (KAB). Despite the sudden visit, Keebie gave a full welcome, guiding Chuba through the station. The interaction, which unfolded with a somewhat handmade, relaxed atmosphere in meeting rooms, studios, and corridors, was truly a "cut-out as is," minimal-production-cost documentary. It depicts a new form of local station collaboration, enjoying even the awkwardness and warmth created by the intersection of two stations from different networks and regions.
■ Watch the videos here:
Part 1: https://youtu.be/msxAkC0nCCA
Part 2: https://youtu.be/MTX7pn0ECWU
■ The game is also hot.
The collaborative commercial will be aired during the "Kumamoto Decisive Battle" held at Livwork Fujisakidai Stadium. The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, who achieved their first Japan Series championship in five years in the 2025 season, will clash with the Chiba Lotte Marines. Under manager Hiroki Kokubo, the Hawks' performance in Kumamoto this year is a highly anticipated match.
Game name: 2026 PERSOL Pacific League Official Game Presents by Megane no Yonezawa
Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks vs. Chiba Lotte Marines
Date & Time: Saturday, April 25, 2026, Game starts at 1:00 PM (Gates open at 11:00 AM) *Cancelled in case of severe weather
Venue: Livwork Fujisakidai Stadium
■ To be continued.
This collaboration doesn't end with just one event. When a game is held in Chiba, Keebie from KAB is scheduled to visit Chiba TV. It's a "return of hospitality." An initiative where characters from two stations travel back and forth, fostering their relationship, is quietly and enjoyably beginning among local TV stations.
■ Comments from those in charge
Chika Fukushige, PR TEAM Inc.
"'We can't cooperate because we're from different networks' — that's just an assumption we make. I thought if there are benefits for both sides, and if it helps revitalize TV, why not? It's better to act before adhering to rules. Seeing Chuba and Keebie getting along made even the adults smile genuinely. This is our idea of PR."
Hiroshi Takaoka, Kumamoto Asahi Broadcasting (KAB)
"When Chuba-san came to Kumamoto, there was a slight stir in the station (laughs). I was genuinely happy to hear 'Let's liven things up together' after setting aside various constraints. Keebie also welcomed Chuba with full hospitality. Next time, we'll be heading to Chiba!"
Tomomi Tsugie, Chiba Television Broadcasting (Chiba TV)
"When I heard Chuba was going to Kumamoto, honestly, I thought, 'Will it be okay?' But Chuba came back looking somewhat proud. I believe we were able to achieve a relaxed collaboration that only local stations can do. Next, we will warmly welcome Keebie in Chiba."
Yoshitaka Ikemoto, Unizon Systems
"'It's impossible because the networks are different,' 'It's irrelevant because the regions are different' — I thought something interesting would happen if we removed such barriers. So, I briefly introduced the stations that already had connections. After that, everyone naturally created a chemical reaction. Seeing Chuba and Keebie getting along, I was convinced that this is what we want to do. I believe that by connecting stations, television can become even more vibrant.
The incongruity and cheapness are precisely the themes of this commercial.
■ A character visited the station.
The commercial features Chiba TV's mascot character 'Chuba' and KAB's 'Keebie'. The starting point of the project was a very simple statement:
"Regardless of region or network, we want to liven up TV together."
So, Chuba actually went to Kumamoto. Keebie wholeheartedly welcomed and entertained Chuba at the station. The entire process was made into a commercial as is.
■ Contents of the commercial
Chiba TV's mascot 'Chuba' traveled all the way to Kumamoto—. The setting is Kumamoto Asahi Broadcasting (KAB). Despite the sudden visit, Keebie gave a full welcome, guiding Chuba through the station. The interaction, which unfolded with a somewhat handmade, relaxed atmosphere in meeting rooms, studios, and corridors, was truly a "cut-out as is," minimal-production-cost documentary. It depicts a new form of local station collaboration, enjoying even the awkwardness and warmth created by the intersection of two stations from different networks and regions.
■ Watch the videos here:
Part 1: https://youtu.be/msxAkC0nCCA
Part 2: https://youtu.be/MTX7pn0ECWU
■ The game is also hot.
The collaborative commercial will be aired during the "Kumamoto Decisive Battle" held at Livwork Fujisakidai Stadium. The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, who achieved their first Japan Series championship in five years in the 2025 season, will clash with the Chiba Lotte Marines. Under manager Hiroki Kokubo, the Hawks' performance in Kumamoto this year is a highly anticipated match.
Game name: 2026 PERSOL Pacific League Official Game Presents by Megane no Yonezawa
Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks vs. Chiba Lotte Marines
Date & Time: Saturday, April 25, 2026, Game starts at 1:00 PM (Gates open at 11:00 AM) *Cancelled in case of severe weather
Venue: Livwork Fujisakidai Stadium
■ To be continued.
This collaboration doesn't end with just one event. When a game is held in Chiba, Keebie from KAB is scheduled to visit Chiba TV. It's a "return of hospitality." An initiative where characters from two stations travel back and forth, fostering their relationship, is quietly and enjoyably beginning among local TV stations.
■ Comments from those in charge
Chika Fukushige, PR TEAM Inc.
"'We can't cooperate because we're from different networks' — that's just an assumption we make. I thought if there are benefits for both sides, and if it helps revitalize TV, why not? It's better to act before adhering to rules. Seeing Chuba and Keebie getting along made even the adults smile genuinely. This is our idea of PR."
Hiroshi Takaoka, Kumamoto Asahi Broadcasting (KAB)
"When Chuba-san came to Kumamoto, there was a slight stir in the station (laughs). I was genuinely happy to hear 'Let's liven things up together' after setting aside various constraints. Keebie also welcomed Chuba with full hospitality. Next time, we'll be heading to Chiba!"
Tomomi Tsugie, Chiba Television Broadcasting (Chiba TV)
"When I heard Chuba was going to Kumamoto, honestly, I thought, 'Will it be okay?' But Chuba came back looking somewhat proud. I believe we were able to achieve a relaxed collaboration that only local stations can do. Next, we will warmly welcome Keebie in Chiba."
Yoshitaka Ikemoto, Unizon Systems
"'It's impossible because the networks are different,' 'It's irrelevant because the regions are different' — I thought something interesting would happen if we removed such barriers. So, I briefly introduced the stations that already had connections. After that, everyone naturally created a chemical reaction. Seeing Chuba and Keebie getting along, I was convinced that this is what we want to do. I believe that by connecting stations, television can become even more vibrant.