To our Hardcore J and Hardcore ONE listeners:
REC Networks has announced today that its long running and successful Japanese popular music (JPOP) webcast Hardcore J will undergo an image and slight format change. After the change, Hardcore J will be reimaged as J1FM ("J-one FM" or just "J-one") and will continue to operate a JPOP format.
The reimaging is intended to modernize the station and to reach out to more listeners in both the Americas and the Asian-Pacific region. We wanted a name that would be compatible with the media landscape in our primary markets that would stand up to strong names like J-Wave and Nack5.
This change is also to distance ourselves from the "Hardcore" name. While there is a long history of the use of the "Hardcore" name on REC webcasts dating back to the late-90's, we feel that the name has exceeded its useful life. The word "Hardcore" was first used by REC for webcasts with "Powerpuff-Hardcore", a broadband version of "Powerpuff-FM", an REC network that played cartoon music and eventually started to play anime music. Powerpuff-FM eventually emerged into Anime Hardcore Radio which then split into Hardcore 1 (up-tempo), Hardcore 2 (down-tempo) and Hardcore 3 (instrumental). In 2001, REC launched a JPOP network. The decision was made at the time not to call the station "Hardcore 4" as the number 4 (shi) represented "death" in Japanese culture. Ironically, Hardcore J outlived all of the other Anime Hardcore Radio networks. Over the past decade, REC has been fighting with internet service providers and web filtering software vendors over our use of the word "hardcore" for a domain name that is not related to pornography. The change to J1 will eliminate those issues.
We have been slowing introducing the "J1" identity with the introduction of new station features including the J1 Video Channel as well as the use of the j1fm.com domain name in Twitter links. The "J1" logo will consist of the letter "J" inside of a red circle to signify both Japan and REC Networks. The digit "1" will be outside the ball. An optional use of "FM" will also be used in the logo and in on-air presentation. In the logo, the Japanese kanji reads ongaku wa nihon no doki. or "music is motivation for Japan.".
Some of the other changes that will take place with the image change will include:
REC also operates an anime music feed called Hardcore ONE, a rebirth of the former Anime Hardcore Radio One station. With the format change, Hardcore ONE will become J2ANIME and will have a logo similar to J1FM.
Please understand that a lot of thought went into this concept as we are looking at ways of shaping the station for the future. Hardcore J remains the #1 Japanese, #3 Asian and #11 International station on Live365 significantly outnumbering our Japanese competition in total listening hours (TLH). I feel that these changes will enhance the listening experience. We will continue to use our social network outreach to connect with all of you. You may always contact me with comments, questions and concerns about Hardcore J/J1FM and HardcoreONE/J2 by sending an e-mail to j1fm@recnet.com or direct message me on twitter at @michichan.
Barring any delays, the transition is currently expected to take place on July 23, 2009 to coinside with REC Networks' 25-year anniversary on July 20.
I am also announcing that on August 15, J1FM will be in San Francisco for the grand opening of the New People World JPOP Center in Japantown. If you are in Japantown and you see a redhead with a video camera decked out in red plaid, come by and say hi!
To our friends around the world, thank you very much for making Hardcore J a part of your life and I hope you welcome the new J1FM. Thank you for listening.
Michelle "Michi" Eyre
founder, REC Networks
=m
