The special "Share Radio" program "Suntory Natural Water presents Utada Hikaru's Phantom Hour" is now airing!

radiko, the operator of IP simulcast radio "Radiko" that turns PCs and smartphones into radio receivers, will begin a proof-of-concept trial of its "Time-Free Listening Feature" on October 11. This feature allows free access to programs anytime within the past week.

The Time-Free Listening feature offers regular radio listeners the chance to catch programs they accidentally missed or couldn't tune into due to scheduling conflicts. For non-listeners unfamiliar with radio, it provides the enjoyment of listening to programs that became topics of discussion across various media after their initial broadcast. Programs remain available for listening for three hours after pressing the play button, during which time users can fast-forward, rewind, or pause.

Additionally, the NCR Radio Committee is promoting "Share Radio" as a new radio listening culture, enabling listeners to share favorite programs via social media. When encountering interesting talk segments, news, music, or other favorite parts during a program, listeners can press the share button on the listening screen to share the URL for that specific point via social media or email.

To promote this Share Radio experience, the Share Radio/Commercial Radio Special Program " Suntory Natural Water presents Utada Hikaru's Phantom Hour " will air nationwide from October 11th to 17th.

Approximately two and a half years ago, during the final episode of her regular radio program, Utada Hikaru commented: "I hope that in the future, positive changes like this will continue to advance—for example, that programs can be streamed online for a certain period after broadcast... I hope there will be changes that connect radio with modern lifestyles and all other media." This special program is also an answer from the side of "radio that has changed positively."

Time-Free Listening Feature: http://radiko.jp/rg/timefree/
Share Radio Special Site (Suntory Natural Water presents "Hikaru Utada's Phantom Hour" - details including broadcast times by station) 　http://shareradio.jp/