MegaNet
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The Megalopolis Radio Network (Japanese: メガロポリス・ネットワーク, romanized: Megaroporisu Nettowāku), a.k.a. MegaNet (Japanese: メガネット, romanized: meganetto), is Japan's only network of multi-lingual commercial radio stations. The network was established in December 1999. Currently all such stations are members of the network. The flagship station is InterFM in Tokyo.
They all broadcast in FM. It is the latest network, third national FM network and the fifth in radio in general in Japan.
Operation
[edit]As a network of foreign-language focused FM radio stations which serve four major metropolitan areas, MegaNet reaches about 65% of Japan's population. However, unlike the rival network JFL, MegaNet doesn't have an affiliate in Hokkaido. MegaNet lost an affiliate in Aichi Prefecture when Radio-i closed in 2010, reducing its affiliates to three; MegaNet returned to Aichi in April 2014 as InterFM Nagoya and change name as Radio Neo in October 2015; Radio Neo ceased operation in June 2020.
Initially, it was planned that affiliate stations in the network would only share information and produce and broadcast shows independently. However, recently[when?] the network has begun to broadcast flagship station InterFM's programming across the entire network.
During the 2002 FIFA World Cup (which Japan co-hosted with South Korea), the network capitalized on the fact that it was targeted towards foreigners by being the only FM network offering live coverage of Japan's games, as well as broadcasting news in English to foreign tourists in the country for the games. (MegaNet is a member of the Japan Consortium). They also broadcast games from the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany in conjunction with other radio stations, however FM COCOLO did not participate.
List of affiliates
[edit]| Broadcasting area(s) | Station | Frequency | Start date of broadcast |
Ownership | Note(s) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prefecture(s) | Region | On air branding | Call sign | ||||
| Greater Tokyo Area | Kantō | InterFM | JODW-FM | 89.7 MHz | 1 April 1996 | InterFM Inc. (The Japan FM Network Company) | Flagship station; special affiliate of JFN since 1 September 2020 |
| Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo and Nara | Kansai | FM Cocolo | JOAW-FM | 76.5 MHz | 16 October 1995 | 802 MediaWorks Co., Ltd. | |
| Fukuoka and Saga | Kyūshū | Love FM | JOFW-FM | 76.1 MHz | 1 April 1997 | Love FM International Broadcasting Co., Ltd. | |
Former affiliate stations
[edit]| Broadcasting area(s) | Station | Frequency | Years of affiliation |
Ownership | Note(s) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prefecture | Region | On air branding | Call sign | ||||
| Aichi Prefecture and Hamamatsu City | Chūbu | Radio-i | JOGW-FM | 79.5 MHz | 2000–2010 | Kowa Co. Ltd. | |
| Aichi Prefecture | Chūbu | Radio Neo | JOCW-FM | 79.5 MHz | 2014–2020 | InterFM Inc. (Kinoshita Management Inc.) | |