National Radio Network (Japan)

National Radio Network (NRN; ) is a Japanese commercial radio network.[1] Both Nippon Cultural Broadcasting (QR) and Nippon Broadcasting System (LF) in Tokyo serve as the network's co-flagship stations; the Fujisankei Communications Group has an influence on both stations. Established on 3 May 1965, NRN is made up of 40 regional affiliates, including eleven full-time affiliates and 31 stations that are dual-affiliated with the rival Japan Radio Network (JRN), which is a practice of "cross-networking" in Japan.

Out of the 40 affiliates, 15 NRN stations are also affiliated with JRN, and is connected with a JNN TV station, 10 are JRN/NRN dual affiliates that are connected with a Nippon TV (NNN/NNS) station, 9 are radio-only stations (Including core stations LF, QR, SF, and Radio Osaka), 3 are radio subsidiaries (NRN-only core station STV Radio, and dual JRN/NRN core stations MBS Radio & ABC Radio), 1 connected to a dual NNN/NNS & ANN affiliate (JRN/NRN station Fukui Broadcasting), 1 connected to a key ANN affiliate (NRN-only core station Kyushu Asahi Broadcasting), and 1 connected to a JAITS television station (KBS Kyoto). Previously, the Okayama-Takamatsu market (Okayama & Kagawa Prefectures), were once handled by Nishinippon Broadcasting when they joined the NRN in 1965. That all changed in 1997 when RSK Sanyo Broadcasting in Okayama, a JRN-only station in the market at that time, became a cross-net station, and joined the NRN. In turn, RNC Radio also became a cross-net station, being the last station to join the TBS Radio-led JRN that same year, making the two serve their respective areas as dual JRN-NRN affiliates unlike their television counterparts that served the entire market.

Despite no longer affiliated, Radio Kansai airs the network's late-night flagship program, "All Night Nippon", and other NRN programs due to program sales. Also, despite being a core affiliate of the network, OBC Radio Osaka carries some programming from rival JRN, which includes the BRAND NEW MORNING program. Also, All Night Nippon, and other NRN radio shows are also being aired on 2 key JRN affiliates. CBC Radio carries the flagship ANN program (Monday to Saturday), while RKB Radio carries the ANN special hosted by Japanese boy-band SixTones every Saturday, instead of NRN's core Fukuoka affiliate, KBC Radio.

With the exception of Hokkaido (HBC & STVradio) and Akita (ABS), all 44 NRN-affiliated stations are conducting AM suspension experiments as a measure to utilize their Wide FM broadcasts as per mandate by the Ministry of Communications. The suspensions will run until September 2026, with a gradual transition from AM to FM within 2028.

List of affiliates

Stations are listed mostly in Japanese order of prefectures which is mirrored in ISO 3166-2:JP.

Programmes

• All Night Nippon