Music Network
Music Network Corporation is a Yokohama-based, founder-led Japanese media company operating free music magazines (DiGiRECO.JR for 2,033 schools), the LIVE & TALK streaming program, LINE character stamps, and two heavy metal record labels (STAY METAL RECORDS, PARANOID RECORDS).
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersYokohama-shi, Japan
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
Music Network firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Music Network
- Legal name
- 株式会社ミュージックネットワーク (MUSIC NETWORK CORPORATION)
- Website
- https://musicnetwork.co.jp
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Music Network Corporation is a Yokohama-based, founder-led Japanese media company operating free music magazines (DiGiRECO.JR for 2,033 schools), the LIVE & TALK streaming program, LINE character stamps, and two heavy metal record labels (STAY METAL RECORDS, PARANOID RECORDS).
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Music Network industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Music Media & Publishing
- NAICS
- Music Publishers (512230), Record Production and Distribution (51225), Musical Groups and Artists (711130), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)
- SIC
- Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721), Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Publishing Administration (Catalog Admin, Global Subpublishing) (MPAIABAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Print Music Publishing (Sheet Music, Scores, Educational Repertoire) (MPAIABAG), Remote Recording & Online Session Services (MPAIAHAL), Sync Rights Representation (Pitching, Clearance, Negotiation) (MPAIABAF)
Keywords
Where Music Network is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Yokohama-shi
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Music Network business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations
Revenue model
- Music Labels: Operation of two music labels - STAY METAL RECORDS for international dark/gothic metal bands and PARANOID RECORDS for domestic Japanese heavy metal bands, releasing albums and compilation albums
- Magazine Publishing: Free magazine publishing (DiGiRECO, DiGiRECO.JR) with advertising revenue model, distributed to schools and music retail locations
- LINE Stamps: Sale of LINE messaging stamps featuring original characters from music education books, priced at 120 yen per 24-sticker set
- Book Publishing: Publishing paid books in collaboration with Yamaha Music Media, including educational materials like 'BOSS COMPACT EFFECTOR BOOK' and 'マンガでわかる！ロックな楽典'
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | LINE Stamps - 24 stickers per set |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Music Network product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Music Network Corporation is a Japanese music media company founded in 1987 that publishes free music magazines (DiGiRECO for musicians and DiGiRECO.JR for school light music clubs), produces the LIVE & TALK streaming program featuring musician interviews and performances, sells LINE messaging character stamps, and operates two heavy metal record labels (STAY METAL RECORDS for international acts and PARANOID RECORDS for domestic Japanese metal bands). The company also publishes music education books in collaboration with Yamaha Music Media.
Product overview
Music Network Corporation operates a multi-faceted media portfolio centered on music education and entertainment. The core offerings include DiGiRECO (a free magazine on digital instruments and recording, discontinued 2018 after 203 issues) and DiGiRECO.JR (a free magazine for school light music clubs, distributed to 2,033 schools). LIVE & TALK is a 90-minute streaming program featuring musician interviews and performances distributed via TwitCasting with YouTube archives. The company also publishes LINE character stamps including collaborations with animator ベルだぬき and original characters from 'Manga de Wakaru! Rock na Gakuen'. Music operations include two record labels: STAY METAL RECORDS (handling international acts like the ETERNAL) and PARANOID RECORDS (handling BLOOD SABBATH tribute band). The YouTube channel serves as the distribution platform for DiGiRECO Online content. DiGiRECO and DiGiRECO.JR serve different audience segments (professional musicians/students vs. school clubs) and together form a comprehensive music media ecosystem spanning print, digital streaming, and merchandise.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- DiGiRECO Magazine A free magazine focused on electronic instruments and digital recording, targeting musicians and creators with features, new product news, equipment reviews, and interviews. Published 203 issues from 2001 until discontinuation in 2018.
- DiGiRECO.JR Magazine A free magazine for junior and senior high school light music clubs, covering music and instrument basics, performance techniques, NPO nationwide school music club association events, and club profiles. Published 7 times yearly and distributed to 2,033 schools nationwide as of February 2021.
- LIVE & TALK Streaming Program A music streaming program featuring musician song explanations, performance technique tips, sound creation secrets, and real-time Q&A. Streamed live via TwitCasting with edited archive versions later published on YouTube. Each episode is a 90-minute session with a guest musician.
- LINE Stamps LINE messaging stamps featuring animated characters, including collaboration with creator ベルだぬき (Bell Danuki) featuring smoothly animated cat stamps, and original characters from the book 'Manga de Wakaru! Rock na Gakuen'. Character stamps priced at 120 yen per 24-stamp set.
- STAY METAL RECORDS A record label releasing Japanese domestic editions of Australian dark/gothic metal band the ETERNAL and other international heavy metal acts, including albums and compilation albums.
- PARANOID RECORDS A record label handling BLOOD SABBATH works and compilation albums, featuring music inspired by early Black Sabbath and Japanese heavy metal bands.
- DiGiRECO Online (YouTube Channel) Online video content from DiGiRECO magazine, migrated to YouTube channel in April 2021. Features music-related educational and entertainment content distributed via the Music Network Channel.
Companies that use Music Network
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Music Network technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Music Network partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ベルだぬき (Bell Danish)coreCollaboration with popular LINE stamp creator ベルだぬき for music-themed moving stamps. ベルだぬき's smooth animation LINE stamps have sold over 2 million copies, with 20 frames per second animation achieving industry-leading smoothness. Collaboration features musical instruments and music-themed characters.
- 特定非営利活動法人 全国学校軽音楽部協会 (NPO National School Light Music Club Association)coreNPO established by Music Network's founder 三谷佳之 to support and promote school light music club activities nationwide. Operates competitions, provides educational resources, and represents school music clubs across Japan.
- STAY METAL RECORDScoreMusic Network's own label for international dark/gothic metal bands, specializing in releasing Australian and international heavy metal acts in Japan.
- PARANOID RECORDScoreMusic Network's label for domestic Japanese heavy metal bands, including the company's own band BLOOD SABBATH and compilation albums.
- 株式会社ヤマハミュージックメディア (Yamaha Music Media)minorPublishing partnership for paid book titles, including the BOSS COMPACT EFFECTOR BOOK and other music education publications.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Music Network competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Tower Records Japan: Major Japanese music retailer and music media operator with stores, e-commerce, and editorial content. Overlaps with Music Network in music media/distribution activities, though primarily a retail-led model.
- Pony Canyon: Major Japanese music label and content distributor (Fujisankei Communications Group). Adjacent incumbent with broader portfolio in recorded music, video distribution, and music publishing that dwarfs Music Network's labels.
- Victor Entertainment: One of Japan's largest record labels (JVC Kenwood Group). Comparable as a Japanese music label with extensive domestic distribution, but at vastly larger scale and broader genre coverage than Music Network's metal-focused labels.
Direct peers
- Barks: Japan's leading online music news site covering rock, metal, and pop artists. Comparable to Music Network's DiGiRECO online operations as a digital music news and content platform serving the Japanese musician and enthusiast segment.
- Shinko Music (シンコーミュージック): Long-established Japanese music publisher producing Guitar World Japan, Young Guitar, and other instrument-focused magazines plus book titles. Highly comparable to Music Network in combining print/magazine publishing with music book publishing for the Japanese musician audience.
- Nuclear Blast Records: Global independent heavy metal record label with strong roster in gothic, symphonic, and extreme metal. Directly comparable to STAY METAL RECORDS as a label bringing international metal acts to regional markets with curated rosters.
- Century Media Records: International metal and hard rock label (Sony Music subsidiary). Comparable to STAY METAL RECORDS and PARANOID RECORDS in focusing on dark/gothic and extreme metal roster management.
- Natasha (ナターシャ): Major Japanese online music and entertainment news network (natalie.mu). Comparable to Music Network's transition to web/YouTube-based music media distribution, though at substantially larger scale.
- Rittor Music: Japanese music media publisher producing magazines such as Guitar Magazine, Sound & Recording, and Keyboard Magazine. Directly comparable as a music-specialist publishing house serving musicians, recording professionals, and instrument enthusiasts in Japan.
Others
- Disk Union: Japan's largest independent music retailer specializing in used/new CDs, vinyl, and live event production across multiple formats including metal. Adjacent comparable as a music-focused specialty retailer with event and label-adjacent activities serving similar enthusiast audiences.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Music Network social profiles
Digital presenceMusic Network financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Music Network leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Music Network funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Music Network M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Music Network
What does Music Network do?
Music Network Corporation is a Japanese music media company founded in 1987 that publishes free music magazines (DiGiRECO for musicians and DiGiRECO.JR for school light music clubs), produces the LIVE & TALK streaming program featuring musician interviews and performances, sells LINE messaging character stamps, and operates two heavy metal record labels (STAY METAL RECORDS for international acts and PARANOID RECORDS for domestic Japanese metal bands). The company also publishes music education books in collaboration with Yamaha Music Media.
Is Music Network a public or private company?
Music Network is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Music Network founded?
Music Network was founded in 1987. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Music Network based?
Music Network is headquartered in Yokohama-shi, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Music Network make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Music Labels are the primary driver. The others are magazine Publishing, LINE Stamps and book Publishing.
Who are Music Network's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Tower Records Japan, Pony Canyon and Victor Entertainment. Direct peers are Barks, Shinko Music (シンコーミュージック), Nuclear Blast Records, Century Media Records, Natasha (ナターシャ) and Rittor Music. Disk Union is listed as an others.
Does Music Network have an API?
No public API is recorded for Music Network.
What industry is Music Network in?
Music Network's product category is Music Media & Publishing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIABAB, Publishing Administration (Catalog Admin, Global Subpublishing), with a secondary code of MPAIABAG, Print Music Publishing (Sheet Music, Scores, Educational Repertoire). Its NAICS code is 512230 and its SIC code is 2721.