Prior to publishing this article, we sent its contents to East Asia Television's Managing Director Ash Lawliét, giving him a full right to reply to respond to any of the contents within this piece. A statement provided to us by Mr. Lawliét on behalf of the East Asia Television follows:
On behalf of East Asia Television Broadcasting Ltd.
East Asia Television set out with one goal: to broadcast East Asian programming to the UK and to as many homes as possible. Whilst working for the Global Anime Network, a title given to the organisation many years before the channel was conceived by the founders and freelancers helping on this project now, we heard how much demand was out there for an East Asian Media based channel which lead to the creation of the company you see today.
The weeks went on and the odd question as to when the launch would be and what might be broadcast arose (which was to be expected). So we opened up the voice of the viewers and let them suggest what they wished to see on our channel for the launch night. Whilst voting was being undertaken between November 2013 - January 2014 we were in talks with both Anime providers here in the UK and overseas (though many contracts depended on proving a potential market after other channels with the same aim had failed here in the UK before) which then lead us to the point of ready and waiting.
As we'd be taking over a currently existing Sky EPG slot we waited for the right time (as from the moment an OFCOM license is put in we must begin broadcasting) where we would have had the programming and the press to launch East Asia Television off in the best possible way and make it a true competitor against the big transmitters currently on offer.
With MCM May 2014 in the works it would've played host to all of our previews and a Q&A panel so the viewers who waited so long would finally know who East Asia Television was and wouldn't forget to watch. But this wasn't to be, as when we simply opened up the Kickstarter Campaign for feedback on a concept series we were lashed out against, even resulting in Social Media Hate toward employees at the company.
Having worked in the anime industry for so long we understood there would be adequate objection and skepticism, but we had to keep our cards close to our chest, especially when one slip could give your business rival the advantage in an already competitive market. But some viewers decided to cross the boundary and began stalking employees in real life, harassing and abusing them on the street in a sadistic attempt to get information from them.
With this a line had to be drawn.
And so, I take this opportunity, on behalf of those effected and those true supporters, whom we thank dearly from the bottom of our hearts here at East Asia Television, to announce that East Asia Television Broadcasting Ltd. will cease trading on Friday 7th February and close indefinitely. We apologise that we cannot continue our operations but at this time employee protection is our main priority.
East Asia Television was based on the premise "A channel made by fans for fans" which was both the cause and terminus of the Broadcasting Company.
Ash Lawliét
Representative for East Asia Television.
