Overview
- The popular online radio service Super! A&G, dedicated to anime and gaming, is set to conclude its regular broadcasts on March 31, 2025.
- Following the transition, a majority of programs will be relocated to the QloveR streaming platform, while some will continue on a terrestrial radio station.
- This shift signals a broader trend favoring subscription-based media consumption and highlights the need for organizations to adapt to evolving listener preferences.
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For anime enthusiasts in Japan, the impending discontinuation of a beloved radio service may leave a noticeable void. Although the anime industry is thriving more than ever, it appears that traditional radio may be falling by the wayside.
Over the past decade, there has been a substantial transformation in media consumption habits. Streaming platforms have come to dominate both audio and video markets. In the past, audiences discovered new music via radio and television, whereas today’s listeners often rely on services like Spotify and social media platforms such as TikTok. While the fundamental concept of content discovery remains, the channels through which audiences access their preferred media has diverged significantly.
Nippon Cultural Broadcasting (JOQR) has recently revealed plans to phase out its **Cho! A&G+**, widely known as **Super! A&G**, with the official end of regular broadcasts slated for **March 31, 2025**. While the cessation of standard broadcasting is confirmed, many existing programs will transition to alternative platforms.
For further details, JOQR has shared an explanatory video on their YouTube channel, available here:
Understanding Super! A&G
Launched in 2007, Super! A&G is an innovative online radio service tailored for fans of anime and gaming. Recent reports indicate that the channel boasts over 4 million monthly listeners, predominantly comprising individuals aged 20 to 39.
Signs of this transition have been surfacing for some time, as JOQR reduced the service’s broadcast hours from 20 to just 10 hours per week back in 2023, as noted by Animenomics.
Next Steps Following the Transition
The majority of the programming will transition to the **QloveR** streaming platform, which focuses on live broadcasting while also offering on-demand content. This platform, launched in 2024 and operated by Dwango (the company behind Niconico), is now a strategic partner of JOQR.
Dwango’s collaboration with JOQR allows for a more sustainable revenue model that decreases reliance on traditional advertising since QloveR primarily operates on a subscription basis—though free access is available as well. This move appears timely, given the current trend of advertisers reallocating their budgets towards social media instead of conventional radio channels.
In addition to the move to QloveR, certain shows will shift to JOQR’s terrestrial radio station, while others may face cancellation. Audience updates regarding each show’s future will be communicated as the shutdown date approaches in April.
While niche Japanese radio services like Onsen continue to serve the anime community, this significant change for Super! A&G might prompt listeners to feel that radio is evolving too quickly for their preferences.
Sources: JOQR, Animenomics, SoulDB
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