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MegaNet

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The Megalopolis Radio Network (Japanese: メガロポリス・ネットワーク, romanizedMegaroporisu Nettowāku), a.k.a. MegaNet (Japanese: メガネット, romanizedmeganetto), 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

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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

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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

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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.)

References

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