The main anime radio service is shutting down after 18 years

Summary

  • Cool! A&G's online anime and gaming radio service ends regular broadcasts on March 31, 2025.

  • Most of the programs will move to the QloveR streaming platform, some will go to the terrestrial radio station.

  • The changes reflect a shift in content consumption patterns with a focus on subscription-based platforms and customization.

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    • What will happen from now on?

Anime fans in Japan may soon miss a specific radio service. Anime seems to be booming like never before, but the radio days seem to be truly over now.

In the last decade, many things have changed in how we consume media. Streaming platforms – for video and audio – have captured the market. If in 2000 people discovered new songs through radio and TV, today they might be using Spotify or even TikTok. It may not be as different as we imagine, but there are at least some differences in the way the new generations consume content.

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Anyway, it was announced by Nippon Cultural Broadcasting (JOQR). Go! A&G+also known as Cool! A&G, will cease operations on March 31, 2025. What will actually end is regular broadcasting and some programs will move to other platforms.

They also posted a video about it on their YouTube channel (in Japanese):

What exactly is Super! A&G?

ag chou radio

Cool! A&G is an online radio service specializing in anime and games that launched in 2007 in Japan. According to data provided to media buyers, it reaches over 4 million listeners a month, mostly between the ages of 20 and 39.

There have been some indications that JOQR may be considering ending the service as it has reduced its broadcast time from 8pm to 10am in 2023. Animenomics.

What will happen from now on?

Apparently, most of the programming will be moved to a streaming platform called QloveR, which specializes in live streaming (but also on-demand content). QloveR launched in 2024, distributed by Dwango (operator of Niconico), currently a partner of JOQR.

According to Dwang, the partnership allows JOQR to rely less on traditional sources of revenue (such as advertising) as QloveR is more subscription-based (although it's apparently free to use) – given that advertisers are spending more money on social media and less on radio today, that might be better for JOQR.

Other programs will move to the terrestrial radio station operated by JOQR, and some may simply end. Until the service shuts down, each show will keep viewers updated on what's in store for them in April.

While there are other Japanese radio services targeting the anime niche, such as Onsensuch a big change regarding the service could cause things to change too quickly for radio lovers.

Sources: JOQR, Animenomics, SoulDB

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