Listen!Wonderground is the result of a collaboration between Tokyo Metro and Tokyo FM, the largest train operator and radio station, respectively. So what exactly is "Listen?" It's a smartphone application that uses underground Wi-Fi cables to deliver new content to daily subway commuters.
The Tokyo subway, unlike most major metropolitan train systems, is owned and maintained by several large corporations, as opposed to the local municipality. Tokyo Metro accounts for over 6.2 million daily passengers across its nine subway lines. In an attempt to liven things up in the city's bland, often overcrowded train cars, Listen!Wonderground was launched.
The "smartphone station" provides over 30 minutes of daily, area-specific content. Passengers can enjoy interviews with neighborhood icons and news reports about local developments on their way to work!
Subway Train Tunes
"Listen!Wonderground" is a Custom Radio Station for Subway Commuters
Trend Themes
1. Train Commuter Radio - Increased use of underground Wi-Fi technology to deliver daily, area-specific content creates opportunities for new commuter market radio programming.
2. Smartphone Train Apps - The emergence of smartphone train applications that provide commuters with access to content not normally available during their daily ride offers opportunities to develop innovative new ad-supported apps for users.
3. Collaborative Marketing - Opportunities for collaborations between transportation and media industries offer a new avenue for targeted marketing applications.
Industry Implications
1. Transportation - Transportation industry giants, including subway operators and rail companies, are likely to find success with current marketing and ad-supported applications.
2. Broadcasting - The broadcasting industry, including radio and television stations, can look to further develop applications that work in conjunction with transportation providers, such as subway operators, to reach a wider audience and create new business models.
3. Technology - As underground Wi-Fi networks continue to gain global popularity, the technology industry is poised to take advantage of this trend by developing new platforms and content for commuter use.