UK Legal Anime Streaming Service launching April

If it was an April's Fools Day joke the news would have been announced today not a couple of days ago (also someone should have admitted to it by now).
 
Question for andrew, from your twitter:

To clarify too for simulcasts - we're working with the whole UK industry but we're also licensing simulcasts directly :)
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I take it that means if Manga etc... had simulcasts - they would be on AoD too?

I'm excited for this.
 
reborn said:
Question for andrew, from your twitter:

To clarify too for simulcasts - we're working with the whole UK industry but we're also licensing simulcasts directly :)
Click to expand...
I take it that means if Manga etc... had simulcasts - they would be on AoD too?

I'm excited for this.
Click to expand...

It means exactly that - we're excited too :)!
 
Given that Manga's FMA streams were sub-Youtube quality (at one point FUNi's streams were unlocked), they missed an episode and then never finished the series.. this can only be good news :p
 
Will this be strictly UK only or will it cover Republic of Ireland? RoI seems to be considered part of the UK market when it comes to DVD/Blu-ray.
 
I hope, but don't expect this to follow the Crunchyroll model, with 90% of the the anime streamed at SD for free, supported by advertising, with everything above 480 resolution behind the paywall.

The fansub devotee masses won't pay for what they won't pay for. But snag them for the free streams and you do get some advertising revenue, and there is a chance that a fraction may be tempted to open their wallets for the quality streams.

My worry is that this will be an Anime Network jobby, with everything behind the paywall except a couple of episode 1s as tasters, and the odd series from yesteryear as a freebie, and the fansub devotees won't even bother.

Of course I come from another angle, a DVD fanatic who has so much hardcopy to watch, that I just don't have the time to invest in online viewing. I might want to watch the occasional series, but I just don't have the time to spend in front of the PC doing it. Last season I watched just 2 series. This season I haven't watched any, although I have been interested in two or three. I just don't have the time. I certainly can't invest the time required that would make paying for a subscription worthwhile.

It's why the Crunchyroll model works best for me. I guess my real concern is that if AoD goes up directly against Crunchyroll, indeed even streams the same shows, that Crunchyroll decides that it isn't worth streaming those shows to the UK, and then AoD puts them behind the paywall.

Of course if AoD can invent a 30 hour day, then all my problems will be solved.
 
Just Passing Through said:
My worry is that this will be an Anime Network jobby, with everything behind the paywall except a couple of episode 1s as tasters, and the odd series from yesteryear as a freebie, and the fansub devotees won't even bother.
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At least 1 series free per season, eps 1-4 minimum will be streamed free via YouTube and embedded in our player as well.

I agree free content is good - long term this will be the case for ad supported but it all hangs on ensuring that there is a sufficient audience to make it viable and not complete corporate suicide is crucial too each season ^^;;. If that makes sense?

Just Passing Through said:
Of course I come from another angle, a DVD fanatic who has so much hardcopy to watch, that I just don't have the time to invest in online viewing. I might want to watch the occasional series, but I just don't have the time to spend in front of the PC doing it. Last season I watched just 2 series. This season I haven't watched any, although I have been interested in two or three. I just don't have the time. I certainly can't invest the time required that would make paying for a subscription worthwhile.

It's why the Crunchyroll model works best for me. I guess my real concern is that if AoD goes up directly against Crunchyroll, indeed even streams the same shows, that Crunchyroll decides that it isn't worth streaming those shows to the UK, and then AoD puts them behind the paywall.

Of course if AoD can invent a 30 hour day, then all my problems will be solved.
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Basically there will never be a 100% paywall - that's pointless. In fact as the model grows the paywall will drop further too - but in the short term it's important to some degree. At £10 for the whole season though - even if you watch 2 series, that works out to be not a bad deal if you're supporting the Japanese creators from the outset.

Am jetlagged and at an event just now or I'd write more but hope this helps :).

Andrew
 
beez_andrew said:
JohnC said:
Will this be strictly UK only or will it cover Republic of Ireland? RoI seems to be considered part of the UK market when it comes to DVD/Blu-ray.
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RoI is included :).
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damn it Andrew was just about to post that too ;)

must say the only thing i don't like about the whole thing so-far, is the site, dunno why, just looks....... plain to me, but that's to be expected until it kicks in......... i hope
 
Anime on Demand Has Launched

Anime on Demand, a new Video on Demand service for the UK, has launched at this <a href="http://www.anime-on-demand.com">website</a>.
&nbsp;
<a title="Anime on Demand by Mercury Rex, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/genkinahito/5582631056/"></a>
Anime on Demand is an endeavour between Anime News Network, French anime distributor Kaz&eacute; SAS, and some of the UK&rsquo;s leading anime distributors, which aims to offer the latest anime from Japan alongside at least on free simulcast (anime streamed internationally twenty-four hours after it airs on Japanese television) without the problem of geo-filtering in a service similar to Crunchyroll.
At this point content is limited to trailers, content from Anime News Network&rsquo;s main site including interviews with industry insiders and coverage of conventions in the US and Japan but they hope to bring the freshest anime from Japan to the UK as well as offering coverage of the UK&rsquo;s own convention scene.
They will give us more details on the content they hope to deliver on Monday just in time for the Spring simulcast season but you can sign up at the website now.
For early subscribers for the first season there are a number of special offers
<strong>Spring Season</strong> - early adopter's pass (April-July, including an extra month to sample the new season's anime): &pound;9.99

<strong>Annual pass</strong> (Spring, Summer, Winter and Autumn seasons): &pound;34.99

You can also sign up at Kitacon for &pound;10 whereyou will be asked to enter your email address, a user name and password when you sign up on their computer plus bring the season pass fee but you get a free gift.
For more information on what&rsquo;s on offer and how to sign up, <a href="http://www.anime-on-demand.com">visit their site</a>.
<a href="http://www.anime-on-demand.com">Source</a>
 
Just Passing Through said:
I hope, but don't expect this to follow the Crunchyroll model, with 90% of the the anime streamed at SD for free, supported by advertising, with everything above 480 resolution behind the paywall.

The fansub devotee masses won't pay for what they won't pay for. But snag them for the free streams and you do get some advertising revenue, and there is a chance that a fraction may be tempted to open their wallets for the quality streams.

My worry is that this will be an Anime Network jobby, with everything behind the paywall except a couple of episode 1s as tasters, and the odd series from yesteryear as a freebie, and the fansub devotees won't even bother.

Of course I come from another angle, a DVD fanatic who has so much hardcopy to watch, that I just don't have the time to invest in online viewing. I might want to watch the occasional series, but I just don't have the time to spend in front of the PC doing it. Last season I watched just 2 series. This season I haven't watched any, although I have been interested in two or three. I just don't have the time. I certainly can't invest the time required that would make paying for a subscription worthwhile.

It's why the Crunchyroll model works best for me. I guess my real concern is that if AoD goes up directly against Crunchyroll, indeed even streams the same shows, that Crunchyroll decides that it isn't worth streaming those shows to the UK, and then AoD puts them behind the paywall.
Click to expand...
Firstly:
Streams are worse than fansubs in every respect. With the sole exception of the streams of K-ON!! (S2), done by the fansub group.

Fansubs always have the advantage of not being region locked

"simul"casts (real simulcasts, have no time delay, 1/2 hour isn't bad though) have an advanage, they are out quicker. (fansubs take about 8 hours)


You misinterpret ANs problem, almost no simulcasts and region lock.
Non-simulcast streams CANNOT attract a fansub watcher, as they've already seen the show. It's only a viable alterntive for someone who's intersted in anime and hasn't found fansubs yet.
It's 1/2 shows, compared to 22 from CR, of course it's going to be tiny in comparison.

I watch fansubs and pay CR, have done for almost 2 years now. Fansubbers want to support shows, but often can't, importing form Japan is stupidly expensive and often gets you a product you don't actualy want/can't realy use (no subs).

Scenario where CR loses to AoD won't happen. It's 1/4 the shows for the same price atm. It needs exclusives, big exclusives at that. Only way to do that is do what AN or FUNi does and get dvd and simulcast rights together, which just ups the risk of getting lumbered with crap dvd rights like Vampire Bund.
 
Reaper gI said:
Just Passing Through said:
I hope, but don't expect this to follow the Crunchyroll model, with 90% of the the anime streamed at SD for free, supported by advertising, with everything above 480 resolution behind the paywall.

The fansub devotee masses won't pay for what they won't pay for. But snag them for the free streams and you do get some advertising revenue, and there is a chance that a fraction may be tempted to open their wallets for the quality streams.

My worry is that this will be an Anime Network jobby, with everything behind the paywall except a couple of episode 1s as tasters, and the odd series from yesteryear as a freebie, and the fansub devotees won't even bother.

Of course I come from another angle, a DVD fanatic who has so much hardcopy to watch, that I just don't have the time to invest in online viewing. I might want to watch the occasional series, but I just don't have the time to spend in front of the PC doing it. Last season I watched just 2 series. This season I haven't watched any, although I have been interested in two or three. I just don't have the time. I certainly can't invest the time required that would make paying for a subscription worthwhile.

It's why the Crunchyroll model works best for me. I guess my real concern is that if AoD goes up directly against Crunchyroll, indeed even streams the same shows, that Crunchyroll decides that it isn't worth streaming those shows to the UK, and then AoD puts them behind the paywall.
Click to expand...
Firstly:
Streams are worse than fansubs in every respect. With the sole exception of the streams of K-ON!! (S2), done by the fansub group.

Fansubs always have the advantage of not being region locked

"simul"casts (real simulcasts, have no time delay, 1/2 hour isn't bad though) have an advanage, they are out quicker. (fansubs take about 8 hours)


You misinterpret ANs problem, almost no simulcasts and region lock.
Non-simulcast streams CANNOT attract a fansub watcher, as they've already seen the show. It's only a viable alterntive for someone who's intersted in anime and hasn't found fansubs yet.
It's 1/2 shows, compared to 22 from CR, of course it's going to be tiny in comparison.

I watch fansubs and pay CR, have done for almost 2 years now. Fansubbers want to support shows, but often can't, importing form Japan is stupidly expensive and often gets you a product you don't actualy want/can't realy use (no subs).

Scenario where CR loses to AoD won't happen. It's 1/4 the shows for the same price atm. It needs exclusives, big exclusives at that. Only way to do that is do what AN or FUNi does and get dvd and simulcast rights together, which just ups the risk of getting lumbered with crap dvd rights like Vampire Bund.
Click to expand...

Should have prefaced that with a 'my own opinion based on my position'

I have a licence fee mentality, in that I feel that if I pay once for content, that's all you're going to get from me. Hence I pay my licence fee, happily take Freeview and Freesat and all the FTA satellite channels. But I'm not going to rent television from companies like Sky, If I want to see a premium TV show, or watch a movie that isn't available for free, I'd rather own it than rent it. Given my last few overpriced cinema experiences, I've also opted to wait for DVDs and Blurays in that instance too.

The same thing goes for me with respect to Internet streaming. I've paid for my broadband connection. That's all you're going to get from me. I'll watch my Internet streams free and legal as long as you supply them, and I'll take your advertising too. If I'm expected to pay extra for the privilege of watching them, then I'll go the extra mile and buy hardcopy, DVD or Blu-ray. Of course with me being a canny consumer, I'm not going to buy sight unseen. I'll want to know what I'm buying, which again is where the free and legal streaming comes in.

Of course this might be different if I a) had the time to watch more than one series online a season, and b) had a sufficiently broad enough connection to allow for HD streams. I don't, it's just SD only.

Of course I can see that this service is not actually aimed at me. This is really aimed at those anime fans who aren't stuck in the 20th Century, who don''t have to obsessively buy everything on disc, but who want to watch their shows anyway. That's a section of the anime audience that hasn't been properly catered for, and monetising that sector is a good thing.

That doesn't take away from the argument that we hardcopy Luddites still need to know what our next DVD fix is going to be, or slowly we'll wind up with cash to spend, but with no idea what to spend it on.
 
Dont see it catching on, i am a subscriber to Crunchyroll and they more than cater to the UK market.

Good luck to them but i wont be needing them.
 
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