Anime Network launches video-on-demand in the UK

“UK ANIME FANS CAN NOW WATCH WHAT THEY WANT, WHEN THEY WANT, AND IT WON’T COST THE EARTH!

HOUSTON, TEXAS, USA, 6th AUGUST 2009

As a recent article in the Guardian newspaper pointed out, UK anime fans have received slim pickings from the nation’s broadcasters for the last few years. Dedicated cable channels have come and gone (mostly gone), and the mainstream broadcasters only think of anime when they’re planning a Japan season, or when Jonathan Ross is given free rein to make shows about his otaku side.

Well now things are changing. This week the Anime Network, America’s leading anime channel, launched its popular video-on-demand service in the UK, at a recession-busting monthly price of only £4.95. This is the first legitimate streaming video service available to UK anime fans (and those who are just curious), from the company behind the UK’s first dedicated anime block, which appeared on Sky 195.

The Anime Network offers access to a huge library of films and series, including Elfen Lied, Lady Death, This Ugly Yet Beautiful World, Azumanga Daioh and Cromartie High School, all for a monthly subscription fee far less than most anime DVDs. This is not even mentioning the many free sample episodes available without even needing to sign up in some cases!

Not only that, but the Anime Network online forums are some of the liveliest, most well-informed (and naturally well-opinionated) anime forums you can find online, and Anime Network UK will include UK-specific forums as well as allowing users the chance to talk anime with other fans worldwide.

Anime Network offers three levels of content…

Free content enables newcomers to sample a few episodes to see if anime is to their taste, and regular users to catch the first episode of something new, all without having to sign in.

Registered content is the next stage – just take a couple of minutes to set up a free account, and a load more episodes will be available. You will also have access to our extensive forums, where you can ask other fans for advice, or just chat anime.

Subscribed content is the ultimate level. For just £4.95 every month, you will have access to absolutely every show on the website, as soon as it comes out. You’ll be able to gorge yourself on non-stop anime, 24 hours a day, from hundreds of hours of available series.

Just visit www.theanimenetwork.co.uk to take part in the full on-demand anime experience.”

From Anime Network press release.