Sony Pictures takes ‘anime’ channel mobile

Japanese anime fans in Canada and Australia can now access Animax Mobile, a new mobile TV channel, to watch programming that is currently available on cable and satellite TV across Asia, Latin America, Central Europe and Germany. Sony Pictures Television International announced the service will hit those countries before a global rollout.
The mobile channel, streaming on 3G networks, will launch on Australia’s 3 this month and Canada’s Bell Mobility in July.
Animax Mobile will initially offer a two-hour loop of four full-length anime series, “Blood+,” “Last Exile,” “R.O.D -The TV-,” and “The Count of Monte Cristo.” Sony Pictures said the series will be packaged with unique interstitial material, made-for-mobile trivia elements and Animax graphics.
The company stressed that Animax Mobile will be a product separate from the Animax cable and satellite TV, a statement possibility intended to generate new advertising revenues.
“Tailor-made for today’s young adult mobile consumer, Animax Mobile builds on the brand loyalty of Animax and extends the consumer experience to a vast and loyal fanbase seeking anytime anime content and culture in current and emerging market,” said Marie Jacobson, executive VP of programming and production at international networks.
“It’s not about the big screen vs. the little screen. Often, it’s a choice of a small screen vs. no screen at all, and with Animax Mobile, we’re able to bring some of Animax’s most valuable programs to fans new and old at times and in places where they couldn’t see them before,” added Bill Sander, VP of mobile network programming.