Radiko, which provides radio streaming services online, will begin experimental distribution of NHK radio nationwide across all 47 prefectures around noon on April 12. The previous experimental distribution of NHK radio in five domestic areas, which began in October 2017, ended on March 30.
The experimental NHK radio streaming on radiko is part of a joint campaign by the National Association of Commercial Broadcasters in Japan and NHK. Its objectives are to promote radio's social value as an effective communication medium during disasters like earthquakes and typhoons, and to convey radio's appeal to younger audiences.
The NHK radio broadcasts available on Radiko are limited to free live (simultaneous) streaming. The content includes NHK Radio 1 (8 content streams covering 8 regions nationwide), NHK Radio 2 (1 nationwide common stream), and NHK-FM (1 Tokyo stream).
Listening via Radiko's "Area-Free Listening (Radiko Premium)" (paid/listening outside broadcast areas) or "Time-Free Listening" (free) is not possible.
Currently, Radiko has 91 commercial radio stations and the Open University of Japan participating, with approximately 10 million monthly unique users and over 1.2 million daily unique users. Furthermore, the number of Premium members for "Radiko Premium," launched in April 2014, is approximately 470,000 (as of March 2018). Additionally, the pilot test for "Time-Free Listening," launched in October 2016, has reached approximately 2.7 million monthly unique users (as of March 2018).
Official website:
http://radiko.jp/
