Tag: netflix

Sony is acquiring anime distributor Funimation

Turns out the partnership Sony and Funimation forged to create the latter’s streaming service wasn’t a one-off thing. Sony Pictures is currently in the process of buying 95 percent of Funimation for $143 million, putting the anime distributor’s value at around $150 million. Funimation’s streaming website, which launched earlier this year, has over 400 titles on offer, including Dragon Ball Z, Cowboy Bebop, One Piece and Attack on Titan . While the service is new, the company itself has been selling anime DVDs and merchandise for over two decades. Sony isn’t a newcomer in the space either — it owns the ANIMAX network, which airs anime in 23 countries around the globe, including Japan. It also owns AXN, a cable TV channel that broadcasts anime, action shows, movies and sports programs. By acquiring 95 percent of Funimation, though, it will also be in direct competition with Netflix and Hulu, which have animated offerings on top of TV shows and movies. Sony Pictures Television President Andy Kaplan said: “Around the world, Sony’s networks have been major players in the anime space for nearly two decades, and in more recent years we have rapidly increased our networks’ over-the-top and digital offerings to consumers. With the acquisition of Funimation, the combined IP of ANIMAX, KIDS STATION and Funimation allows us to deliver the best anime to fans across all screens and platforms.” Source: Sony Pictures

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Sony is acquiring anime distributor Funimation

Netflix blows past 100 million subscriber mark

A year after subscriber growth slowed due to price hikes, Netflix says ( PDF ) it added more US customers in the last quarter than it has since 2011. The company is now up to 103.95 million subscribers worldwide, up 5.2 million from last count . The company also unveiled a new strategy ( PDF ) for explaining its spending on content, that’s presumably more appropriate for its abundance of award-nominated shows . In the letter to investors, execs also discussed recent series cancellations , saying “As much as we dislike ending a series early, it consoles us that it frees up investment for another new show, or two.” The company has also topped 50 million paying customers in the US alone, and anticipates “the first ever annual contribution profit from our international segment” in Q3. Overall it’s rosy news for the streaming service, which plans to debut 40 movies this year. We’ll find out more during its tape-delayed investors call at 6PM ET, if there are any substantial updates (what’s bigger than the Stranger Things season two release date? ) we will add them to this post. Source: Netflix Q2 2017 Investor Letter (PDF)

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Netflix blows past 100 million subscriber mark