Sony's Funimation Global Group acquires Crunchyroll (update: Funimation to unify under Crunchyroll brand)
12-11-20, 09:09 AM
#26
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Crunchyroll For Sale
Unless the media publication rights were part of the streaming package, and Crunchyroll was just sitting on them, I don't think much will change in this area beyond what was originally planned to be published. Depending on how the dub license works, maybe more dubs? I guess we'll see.
12-11-20, 11:13 AM
#27
Re: Crunchyroll For Sale
Unless the media publication rights were part of the streaming package, and Crunchyroll was just sitting on them, I don't think much will change in this area beyond what was originally planned to be published. Depending on how the dub license works, maybe more dubs? I guess we'll see.
Last edited by chrisc31; 12-12-20 at 05:25 AM.
12-16-20, 07:04 PM
#29
Re: Crunchyroll For Sale
I can't see Crunchyroll name going away. I would rather see Funimation use Crunchyroll as there main streaming website and even release some dvds under the Crunchyroll brand.
12-16-20, 09:03 PM
#30
Re: Crunchyroll For Sale
FUNimation (or Sony) now owns FUNimation, AnimeLab, Crunchyroll, VRV, Wakanim, and AnimeOnDemand.
Practically the only anime-dedicated streaming service not owned by them at this point is HIDIVE.
03-03-21, 12:26 AM
#31
Moderator
Thread Starter
Re: Crunchyroll For Sale
03-24-21, 11:05 PM
#32
Anime Talk Contributor / Moderator
Re: Crunchyroll For Sale
http://4NN.cx/.171049 https://www.theinformation.com/artic...ntitrust-probe
Report: U.S. Justice Department Extends Antitrust Review of Sony's Proposed Acquisition of Crunchyroll
Review seeks to determine if deal would give Sony dominance over anime streaming
Technology website The Information reported on Wednesday that the U.S. Justice Department has extended its antitrust review of Sony's proposed US$1.175 billion acquisition of Crunchyroll from AT&T. The Information notes that the review, which seeks to determine if the deal would give Sony dominance over anime streaming, could delay the sale by several months and could also potentially kill it.
Justice Department attorneys are reviewing the deal to see if it would give Japanese animation studios fewer options to distribute shows in the U.S. The Information adds that the review could take six months or longer, and that if the department does not approve the merger, it could sue to block it.
[...]
Review seeks to determine if deal would give Sony dominance over anime streaming
Technology website The Information reported on Wednesday that the U.S. Justice Department has extended its antitrust review of Sony's proposed US$1.175 billion acquisition of Crunchyroll from AT&T. The Information notes that the review, which seeks to determine if the deal would give Sony dominance over anime streaming, could delay the sale by several months and could also potentially kill it.
Justice Department attorneys are reviewing the deal to see if it would give Japanese animation studios fewer options to distribute shows in the U.S. The Information adds that the review could take six months or longer, and that if the department does not approve the merger, it could sue to block it.
[...]
03-25-21, 08:17 AM
#33
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Crunchyroll For Sale
As an aside, I know some people were concerned about this before but I'm really surprised that they would seriously consider blocking this on dominance over a niche, especially considering Netflix is still licensing anime and, if they wanted to, pretty much any streaming service can (with Amazon seemingly getting out only because it wasn't making financial sense for them). It seems like there are still options to distribute anime outside of Sony, the only caveat being if the studios signed exclusivity agreements, which is kind of on them?
I mean just for anime streaming alone there's still HiDive and RetroCrush.
03-26-21, 12:58 AM
#34
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Crunchyroll For Sale
More or less positive it was another Hollywood studio that likely had the Justice Department step in at this late stage. They don't like Sony having that much control over anime. There's a growing belief in Hollywood that anime is on the verge of becoming massive in the West and rivals don't like ceding that much power to Sony. Western animation is collapsing as children turn away from television to games, so anime is important as a source of content.
03-26-21, 09:04 AM
#35
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Crunchyroll For Sale
More or less positive it was another Hollywood studio that likely had the Justice Department step in at this late stage. They don't like Sony having that much control over anime. There's a growing belief in Hollywood that anime is on the verge of becoming massive in the West and rivals don't like ceding that much power to Sony. Western animation is collapsing as children turn away from television to games, so anime is important as a source of content.
08-09-21, 03:20 PM
#36
Anime Talk Contributor / Moderator
Re: Crunchyroll For Sale
https://www.sonypictures.com/corp/pr...chyrollfromatt
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sony’s Funimation Global Group Completes Acquisition of Crunchyroll from AT&T
CULVER CITY, CA AND DALLAS, TX, August 9, 2021 — Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. (SPE) and AT&T Inc.* (NYSE:T) today announced that SPE has completed its acquisition of AT&T’s Crunchyroll anime business through Funimation Global Group, LLC. Funimation is a joint venture between SPE and Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc.’s subsidiary, Aniplex Inc. The agreement was first announced in December 2020.
Crunchyroll is a premier anime direct-to-consumer service with 5 million SVOD subscribers and growing. It serves 120 million registered users across more than 200 countries and territories offering AVOD, mobile games, manga, events merchandise and distribution. The deal provides the opportunity for Crunchyroll and Funimation to broaden distribution for their content partners and expand fan-centric offerings for consumers.
“We are very excited to welcome Crunchyroll to the Sony Group,” said Kenichiro Yoshida, Chairman, President and CEO, Sony Group Corporation. “Anime is a rapidly growing medium that enthralls and inspires emotion among audiences around the globe. The alignment of Crunchyroll and Funimation will enable us to get even closer to the creators and fans who are the heart of the anime community. We look forward to delivering even more outstanding entertainment that fills the world with emotion through anime.”
“Crunchyroll adds tremendous value to Sony’s existing anime businesses, including Funimation and our terrific partners at Aniplex and Sony Music Entertainment Japan,” said Tony Vinciquerra, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. “With Crunchyroll and Funimation, we are committed to creating the ultimate anime experience for fans and presenting a unique opportunity for our key partners, publishers, and the immensely talented creators to continue to deliver their masterful content to audiences around the world. With the addition of Crunchyroll, we have an unprecedented opportunity to serve anime fans like never before and deliver the anime experience across any platform they choose, from theatrical, events, home entertainment, games, streaming, linear TV -- everywhere and every way fans want to experience their anime. Our goal is to create a unified anime subscription experience as soon as possible.”
The purchase price for the transaction is $1.175 billion, subject to customary working capital and other adjustments, and the proceeds were paid in cash at closing. AT&T expects to use the proceeds from this transaction to help support its debt reduction efforts, with plans to reach a net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA of below 2.5x by year-end 2023.[1]
Sony’s Funimation Global Group Completes Acquisition of Crunchyroll from AT&T
CULVER CITY, CA AND DALLAS, TX, August 9, 2021 — Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. (SPE) and AT&T Inc.* (NYSE:T) today announced that SPE has completed its acquisition of AT&T’s Crunchyroll anime business through Funimation Global Group, LLC. Funimation is a joint venture between SPE and Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc.’s subsidiary, Aniplex Inc. The agreement was first announced in December 2020.
Crunchyroll is a premier anime direct-to-consumer service with 5 million SVOD subscribers and growing. It serves 120 million registered users across more than 200 countries and territories offering AVOD, mobile games, manga, events merchandise and distribution. The deal provides the opportunity for Crunchyroll and Funimation to broaden distribution for their content partners and expand fan-centric offerings for consumers.
“We are very excited to welcome Crunchyroll to the Sony Group,” said Kenichiro Yoshida, Chairman, President and CEO, Sony Group Corporation. “Anime is a rapidly growing medium that enthralls and inspires emotion among audiences around the globe. The alignment of Crunchyroll and Funimation will enable us to get even closer to the creators and fans who are the heart of the anime community. We look forward to delivering even more outstanding entertainment that fills the world with emotion through anime.”
“Crunchyroll adds tremendous value to Sony’s existing anime businesses, including Funimation and our terrific partners at Aniplex and Sony Music Entertainment Japan,” said Tony Vinciquerra, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. “With Crunchyroll and Funimation, we are committed to creating the ultimate anime experience for fans and presenting a unique opportunity for our key partners, publishers, and the immensely talented creators to continue to deliver their masterful content to audiences around the world. With the addition of Crunchyroll, we have an unprecedented opportunity to serve anime fans like never before and deliver the anime experience across any platform they choose, from theatrical, events, home entertainment, games, streaming, linear TV -- everywhere and every way fans want to experience their anime. Our goal is to create a unified anime subscription experience as soon as possible.”
The purchase price for the transaction is $1.175 billion, subject to customary working capital and other adjustments, and the proceeds were paid in cash at closing. AT&T expects to use the proceeds from this transaction to help support its debt reduction efforts, with plans to reach a net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA of below 2.5x by year-end 2023.[1]
08-09-21, 03:34 PM
#37
Moderator
Thread Starter
Re: Crunchyroll For Sale
08-09-21, 04:04 PM
#38
DVD Talk God
Re: Crunchyroll For Sale
Last week T-Mobile was giving away a free 2 month subscription to Funimation (now the owners of Crunchyroll), but I decided to pass on it. Anime has never been really my cup of tea and I highly doubt I would watch it enough.
08-09-21, 04:13 PM
#39
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Crunchyroll For Sale
I'm just wondering if my Funimation price is going to go up.
08-09-21, 04:17 PM
#40
Re: Crunchyroll For Sale
I hope FuniRoll license some animes for blu-ray release under the Crunchyroll brand. I don't see this as a bad thing, at least not yet, it depends if less shows gets licensed each season from now on.
08-09-21, 04:19 PM
#41
Moderator
Thread Starter
Re: Crunchyroll For Sale
08-09-21, 04:23 PM
#42
08-09-21, 04:24 PM
#43
Moderator
Thread Starter
Re: Crunchyroll For Sale
I wonder what'll happen to VRV. That's owned by Crunchyroll.
HiDive is part of the VRV bundle. They don't simulcast many shows. But they've got a great back catalog with lots of English Dubs, OVA's and Movies.
It would be nice if there was a bundle with Funi, CR and HiDive.
HiDive is part of the VRV bundle. They don't simulcast many shows. But they've got a great back catalog with lots of English Dubs, OVA's and Movies.
It would be nice if there was a bundle with Funi, CR and HiDive.
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John Pannozzi (08-11-21)
08-09-21, 04:31 PM
#44
DVD Talk God
Re: Crunchyroll For Sale
I'm guessing Crunchyroll content will soon be removed from HBO Max.
08-09-21, 04:33 PM
#45
DVD Talk God
Re: Crunchyroll For Sale
I wonder what'll happen to VRV. That's owned by Crunchyroll.
HiDive is part of the VRV bundle. They don't simulcast many shows. But they've got a great back catalog with lots of English Dubs, OVA's and Movies.
It would be nice if there was a bundle with Funi, CR and HiDive.
HiDive is part of the VRV bundle. They don't simulcast many shows. But they've got a great back catalog with lots of English Dubs, OVA's and Movies.
It would be nice if there was a bundle with Funi, CR and HiDive.
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John Pannozzi (08-11-21)
08-09-21, 05:52 PM
#46
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Crunchyroll For Sale
I have a feeling it will be like the Vudu/Fandango merger where they just add Funimation to the logo and leave the name intact.
Last edited by Bob_Bobbson; 08-09-21 at 05:56 PM. Reason: That post really blew up in my face somehow. lol.
08-09-21, 08:29 PM
#47
Re: Sony’s Funimation Global Group Completes Acquisition of Crunchyroll from AT&T
All of this is now owned by Sony in regards to anime worldwide:
Except AnimeNetwork, not sure why whoever compiled this image included it as it's owned by HIDIVE which is Sentai Filmworks.
Except AnimeNetwork, not sure why whoever compiled this image included it as it's owned by HIDIVE which is Sentai Filmworks.
Last edited by Koby; 08-09-21 at 08:39 PM.
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John Pannozzi (08-11-21)
08-09-21, 11:44 PM
#48
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Sony’s Funimation Global Group Completes Acquisition of Crunchyroll from AT&T
Anime is too small of an industry for a corporate giant like Sony to own this much of it. Nothing good will come from this merger for consumers.
08-10-21, 10:05 AM
#49
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Sony’s Funimation Global Group Completes Acquisition of Crunchyroll from AT&T
Also if they tick off the anime community or raise prices really high or whatever, that would create quite an uproar and I doubt that would be good for them. But we'll see.
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John Pannozzi (08-20-21)
08-13-21, 02:18 PM
#50
Anime Talk Contributor / Moderator
Re: Sony’s Funimation Global Group Completes Acquisition of Crunchyroll from AT&T
http://4NN.cx/.176220
Crunchyroll confirmed with ANN on Friday that since Ellation's VRV bundle streaming service is a Crunchyroll brand, VRV is also now part of Sony following Sony's Funimation Global Group's acquisition of Crunchyroll from AT&T.
Crunchyroll confirmed with ANN on Friday that since Ellation's VRV bundle streaming service is a Crunchyroll brand, VRV is also now part of Sony following Sony's Funimation Global Group's acquisition of Crunchyroll from AT&T.