Anime Network Taps Akimbo Internet VOD Service
Akimbo™ today announced that Anime Network’s comprehensive collection of animated films and TV programs from Japan will soon be available to North American viewers on-demand via the Akimbo Service. Among Japan’s most recognizable cultural exports, anime is an art form that uses distinctive, vibrant animation to tell stories that blend elements of science fiction and fantasy. Now anime lovers will be able to watch Anime Network’s ever-changing line-up of current shows and old-school gems on any TV when they subscribe to Akimbo, the world’s largest Internet-to-TV video-on-demand service with more than 8,000 titles in some 85 categories.
‘We partnered with Akimbo because our viewers told us they wanted more opportunities to watch anime on demand,’ said Anime Network President and Chief Executive Officer John Ledford. ‘The user-friendly, on-screen Akimbo Guide and pleasurable Queue-and-View™ format are ideal ways for people to experience Anime Network. Moreover, Akimbo lets us reach yet-untapped markets with the best new Japanese entertainment.’
Despite its popularity in the West, anime is often hard to find on regular broadcast and cable schedules. Anime Network was created to give millions of anime fans across North America better access to their favorite programs. Akimbo subscribers will soon discover Anime Network hits like ‘DN Angel’ and ‘Full Metal Panic!’ as well as legendary mainstays like ‘Robotech’ and ‘Samurai X.’
‘Anime Network is one of the biggest sources of high-quality, up-to-date anime programming outside of Japan,’ said Akimbo Chief Executive Officer Josh Goldman. ‘With a large but geographically scattered fan base, anime is the classic example of a genre that benefits from Akimbo’s distribution model. Now anyone with a home broadband Internet connection will be able to experience the richness of Anime Network’s catalog on any TV.’
Akimbo’s award-winning service bridges the gap between broadcast and broadband, complementing existing broadcast, cable and satellite systems. The Akimbo collection features on-demand video and movies from over 165 providers. Programs include well-known film and television fare as well as hard-to-find specialty video in areas like extreme sports, education, music, healthy sustainable living, independent films and foreign languages.
Consumers can sign up for Akimbo through the Online Spotlight area of Microsoft Media Center Edition 2005 PCs and at www.akimbo.com.