Crunchyroll and GSN have teamed up to launch a new Crunchyroll free ad-supported streaming television channel that will promote anime 24 hours a day.

The new channel launched Wednesday on LG Channels, The Roku Channel and Vizio WatchFree Plus. It will be added to Amazon Freevee on Oct. 17.

Crunchyroll and GSN are both controlled by Sony Pictures Entertainment.

“Crunchyroll Channel is a gateway to the world of anime where we will guide viewers to discover new worlds, new stories and new characters,” Rahul Purini, president of Crunchyroll, said. “And thanks to our distribution partners at launch, millions of fans have easy access to the medium that is taking the world by storm.”

Also Read: AMC Networks Adds to Streaming Portfolio with Sentai Anime Acquisition

The network will be programmed with series dubbed in English at launch. 

Series available at launch include Horimiya, Ranking of Kings, Moriarty the Patriot, PSYCHO–PASS, Arifureta, Sugar Apple Fairytale, To Your Eternity and Code Geass. 

Going forward, blocks will be scheduled for viewers to sample the wide range of anime being created from Japan.

New and premium anime content will remain on Crunchyroll’s SVOD and AVOD services.

Also Read: Crunchyroll News Relaunches With Expanded Coverage and Features

“GSN is thrilled by the massive response from our platform partners for this channel, which is a testament to Crunchyroll’s brand and library.  We are grateful to bring this channel to market,” said Tim Carry, executive VP of distribution for GSN, 

AMC Networks said it acquired Sentai Holdings, a supplier of anime content and merchandise, from Cool Japan Fund Inc., a private investment fund.

Included in the deal is Hidive, a direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service that will join AMC’s stable of targeted, genre-specific streaming services.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Also: AT&T Closes $1.175 Billion CrunchyRoll Sale to Sony

“With a seasoned team, strong content and direct-to-consumer offerings for fans around the world, Sentai is a key global player in anime,” said AMC Networks Interim CEO Matt Blank.

“This acquisition builds on AMC Networks’ already strong IP and franchises, and furthers our targeted streaming strategy of super-serving passionate audiences with content depth, curation and community,” Blank said. “With the addition of Sentai, we see an even greater opportunity to build on AMC Networks’ position as the global leader in targeted streaming, as we continue to grow a sustainable and long-term profitable streaming business that will be transformational for our company.”

At a time when cord-cutting is eroding its traditional cable business, AMC expects its streaming services, including AMC Plus, Acorn TV, Shudder, Sundance Now  and ALLBLK, to reach between 20 million and 25 million paid subscribers by 2025. They were forecasted to finish 2021 with 9 million subscribers.

Sentai’s management team of founder John Ledford, Griffin Vance and Paul Clinkscales, will continue on in senior roles, AMC said. 

“We are thrilled by AMC Networks’ acquisition and are excited to be a part of their growth strategy," said Ledford. "This acquisition will not change Sentai’s mission to deliver the most exciting anime content to audiences around the world — it will expand it greatly and will give our content businesses more distribution, more partnerships, more scale and more reach. I could not be more pleased.” ■ 

Digital Media Rights said it made a deal with Pluto TV to launch a RetroCrush-branded block of programming on Pluto TV’s Anime All Day channel.

The block will start streaming on March 4 at 8 p.m. ET and will feature anime television series from the 70s, 80s and 90s on the free, ad supported service.

DMR launched RetroCrush as a digital channel devoted to classic anime in March 2020.

Also Read: Dr. Oz Gets Streaming Channel on Pluto TV

“DMR’s goal for RetroCrush from day one has been to utilize our vast library to provide anime fans with the world’s best series and films. We have done so by launching RetroCrush first as a social media channel, then a standalone OTT service, and then a free ad supported linear channel,” said John Stack, DMR director, digital distribution and content strategy. “Now, and in that same spirit, we’re showing our flexibility as an independent media company to be able to offer Pluto TV an engaging block of classic anime programming to its expanding audience.”

The RetroCrush programming block will appear Thursday and Sunday nights.

Titles include Cyborg 009: The Cyborg Soldier, GoShogun: The Time Étranger, Saint Seiya: Evil Goddess Eris, Saint Seiya: Legend of Crimson Youth,Saint Seiya: The Heated Battle of the Gods, Saint Seiya: Warriors of the Final Holy Battle, GoShogun, Dragon Half, Yamibo: Darkness, The Hat and the Travelers of the Books,Ramen Fighter Miki, Love Hina Again and Honey and Clover. 

Idris Elba and his wife Sabrina have made a deal with Crunchyroll to develop an animated sci-fi thriller with the working title Dantai. 

Crunchyroll, in the process of being sold to Sony’s Funimation Global Group by AT&T for $1.175 billion, said it now has more than 4 million subscribers, up 1 million in the past six months.

Also Read: AT&T Sells Crunchyroll to Sony for $1.175 Billion

The Elba's will serve as executive producers for Dantai, in conjunction with their production companies, Green Door Pictures and Pink Towel Pictures. 

“We’re really excited to be announcing this deal on our first anime," they said. “We’re both fans of the genre and see a huge opportunity to create something unique for a powerhouse like Crunchyroll. The story of Dantai is our first collaboration as producers together and is one that is close to our hearts.”

Dantai is described as an Afro-futuristic science-fiction series set in a city where biotechnology has created a widening gap between the haves and have nots.

Also Read: Adult Swim Teams with Crunchyroll on ‘Fena’

“Through anime and anime-inspired originals, Crunchyroll has been leading the charge for the popularization of adult dramatic animation for more than a decade and we are fast becoming the epicenter for the next generation of animation fans, as is evidenced by incredible growth in registered users and subscribers” said Joanne Waage, general manager of Crunchyroll. “Gens Y and Z have experienced superhero fatigue and are hungry for the new stories and ideas that our creators tell. This development deal with Sabrina and Idris Elba is another example of how we’re working with best-in-class partners to bring in new audiences and tell fresh and compelling stories through a medium that transcends genres and generations.”

Also Read: Crunchyroll Sets Slate of Original Anime Series

Crunchyroll is adding originals to its library of more than 1,000 titles and 30,000 episodes, which are available to fans in 200 countries and territories. Crunchyroll currently has more than 100 million registered users and more than 50 million followers across social media, in addition to its 4 million subscribers.

Adult Swim said it is teaming up with AT&T sister company Crunchyroll to produce an original anime series Fena: Pirate Princess.

The show is expected to air as part of Adult Swim’s Toonami black and stream in Crunchyroll in 2021. 

Last year, Adult Swim and Crunchyroll expanded their programming partnership and recently announced plans to make Uzumaki and Blade Runner: Black Lotus. 

“I’m thrilled to be able to announce our next co-produced anime series with our partners at Crunchyroll and bring Nakazawa’s unique vision to life,” said Jason DeMarco, senior VP/creative director on-air for Adult Swim. “I hope you come to love these characters as much as I do.”

Fena: Pirate Princess is a 12 episode original anime series that tells the tale of a young orphan girl who aims to forge a new identity, free of bondage, and search for a place where she can truly belong.

“The global anime community is going to love adventuring alongside Fena in this new series setting sail next year,” said Sarah Victor, head of development, Crunchyroll. “We’re delighted to be working alongside Adult Swim to bring this new series to life.”

Fena: Pirate Princess, directed by Kazuto Nakazawa and with animation by Production IG, will be an Adult Swim and Crunchyroll Production.

Digital Media Rights said it signed an agreement with Tezuka Production to get the SVOD, VOD, AVOD and digital linear rights in the U.S. for several classic anime titles including Astroboy and Black Jack. 

The shows will initially air on DMR's RetroCrush channel starting June. 5.

“It is an honor to bring a touch of the genius of the late Osamu Tezuka to our newly launched RetroCrush platform," said DMR co-founder and CEO David Chu. "Anime aficionados across North America will be thrilled to once again enjoy these incredible programs. New fans will have the opportunity to learn why Mr. Tezuka has been called the Walt Disney of Japan.” 

Other shows and movies in the deal include Ambassador Magma, A Time Slip of 10,000 Years: Prime Rose, Undersea Super Train: Marine Express, One Million-Year Trip: Bander Book, Dear Brother, Jungle Emperor--The Brave Changes the Future and Moby Dick--Great Whale in Space.

RetroCrush, launched in March, is devoted to streaming classic anime TV and movies. It is available with new VOD apps on iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV and smart TVs. It’s also available at www.retrocrush.com.

DMR operates six OTT channels including Asian Crush, Midnight Pulp and KMTV.

Crunchyroll, AT&T’s anime streaming brand, is rolling out its first full slate of original series.

The shows, starting with the fantastical mystery In/Spectre, which is streaming now, will cover a variety of genres and roll out over the course of the year.

“Since our launch in 2006, Crunchyroll has been at the forefront of anime fandom and a driving force in the popularizing of this beloved genre worldwide,” said Joanne Waage, general manager of Crunchyroll. “In keeping with this tradition, we are incredibly excited to announce our first slate of Crunchyroll Originals. These stories range from the traditional to the innovative, blending eastern and western ideas within the spectrum of anime. We hope this content will not only delight our current fans but also create a pathway for new fans to fall in love with this amazing art form.” 

Upcoming Crunchyroll originals include:

Tower of God - A Crunchyroll and Webtoon Production, based on the comic series Tower of God created by SIU and published by Webtoon. This dark fantasy action series centers on the journey of a young man as he battles his way through the mysterious Tower, building friendships, discovering the rules that govern this tower, and facing unimaginable terrors, as he strives to find the only friend he's ever known. Animation produced by Telecom Animation Film. Production Management provided by Sola Entertainment. Coming to Crunchyroll spring 2020.

Onyx Equinox - In this Crunchyroll Studios Production created by Sofia Alexander, a young Aztec boy is saved from death by the gods and chosen to act as ‘humanity’s champion,’ forced to discard his apathy toward his fellow man and prove humanity’s potential in a fight that spans across fantastical-yet-authentic Mesoamerican cultures. Premieres summer 2020 on Crunchyroll.

The God of High School - A Crunchyroll Original, based on the comic series The God of High School created by Yongje Park and published by Webtoon, this action-packed series follows a high schooler and his friends as they compete in an epic tournament, borrowing power directly from the gods and uncovering a mysterious organization along the way… With the promise of their heart’s deepest desires, motivating their tournament victory. Animation produced by Mappa. Production Management provided by Sola Entertainment. Coming soon on Crunchyroll.

Noblesse - A Crunchyroll and Webtoon Production, based on the comic series Noblesse from Jeho Son and Kwangsu Lee and published by Webtoon, this fantasy follows a powerful vampire noble who is thrown into modern civilization after 820 years of slumber. Animation produced by Production I.G. Coming soon on Crunchyroll.

Meiji Gekken: Sword & Gun (Working title)” - Japan, 1870. We follow an ensemble of characters - a former samurai, a yakuza bodyguard, a devious spy and a geisha assassin - as they try to find their place in the rapidly evolving Meiji-era while escaping the sins of their pasts…Inspired by historical events. A Crunchyroll Studios Production. Coming soon on Crunchyroll.

FreakAngels - After civilization comes to a sudden and crashing end, twelve 23-year-old psychics living in the rubble of London must check their wild impulses and discover their better angels in order to rebuild society. A Crunchyroll Studios Production based on the graphic novels by Warren Ellis & Paul Duffield. Coming soon on Crunchyroll.

High Guardian Spice - In this Crunchyroll Studios production created by Raye Rodriguez, four fierce girls train to become great heroes at High Guardian Academy, where they form allegiances, uncover betrayals, and discover their true identities, while preparing to protect the world from an ominous unknown threat. Coming soon on Crunchyroll.

Crunchyroll has been co-producing original content since 2015, working with partner in Japan. The originals will come on top of 1,000 titles and 30,000 episodes of acquired shows available to viewers.

WarnerMedia divisions Crunchyroll and Adult Swim are teaming with Alcon Television Group to produce a half-hour series based on the Blade Runner science fiction film franchise.

Blade Runner—Black Lotus will feature 13 half-hour episodes, produced by animation studio Sola Digital Arts. Kenji Kamiyama, best known for his work on “Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex,” will direct all episodes of the premiere season.

The series will be based on the 2017 film sequel Blade Runner: 2049, starring Ryan Gosling.

Adult Swim will have worldwide rights to the show, excluding Asia, to distributed English dubbed versions of the series. The cable network will run the series on its popular anime programming block, Toonami. Anime-focused SVOD platform Crunchyroll, meanwhile, will have worldwide streaming rights.

The producers did not express a premiere date. 

Crunchyroll, Ellation’s anime-focused SVOD service, is branching into the world of linear TV through a partnership with Brazilian television network Rede Brasil (RBTV).

Starting April 21, Crunchyroll and RBTV will offer a programmed anime hour featuring two subtitled shows, Black Clover and Re:Zero. The block will run on Saturdays at 8 p.m., and rerun on Sundays at 11 a.m.

That hour on RBTV, they said, will also include eight minutes of local programming from Crunchyroll’s Brazilian community managers, Maria Luiza Petranski Arantes and Beatriz Braz Accioly, who will “explore the latest and greatest in anime and fandom.” (Here’s a video preview from them.)

The TV-focused deal will help to broaden Crunchyroll's reach and attempt to establish more connections with anime fans. It’s another example of how SVOD services are expanding their game plan in order to stand apart in a crowded and fragmented market.

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Among other recent moves that extend beyond its core OTT focus, Crunchyroll teamed with Sumitomo Corp. and GREE to launch its first game, Memoria Freese, for iOS and Android devices.

Crunchyroll, which is also distributed through VRV (Ellation’s SVOD aggregation service), said it has more than 40 million registered users and more than 1 million subscribers. 

The federal government has no antitrust issues with the combination of Sony Pictures Television Networks and animation studio Funimation.

On July 31, Sony announced it had reached a deal to buy a 95% interest in the Japanese anime distributor for $143 million. Sony is getting North America's top supplier of anime content—over 10,000 hours—to combine with its anime network, ANIMAX, and other platforms.

On Tuesday, the Federal Trade Commission included the deal on the list of proposed mergers that have gotten early termination of their Hart Scott Rodino antitrust reviews, meaning neither the FTC nor the Justice Department—they divide up such reviews—found a reason to block or condition the deal.

Related: FTC on Cybersecurity: Protect and Defend

Funimation titles include Dragon Ball Z, Cowboy Bebop and Attack on Titan as well as operating the FunimationNOW streaming service on PlayStation, Google Play, Amazon, iTunes and other platforms.

“With the acquisition of Funimation, the combined IP of ANIMAX, KIDS STATION and Funimation allows us to deliver the best anime to fans across all screens and platforms," said Andy Kaplan, president, Worldwide Networks, Sony Pictures Television, back when the deal was announced.

ANIMAX is an anime network operating in 23 countries, including Japan.