should there be a live anime tv channels in the uk?

sam_sam · Post by **sam_sam** » 08 Jul 2020, 19:34

I was just thinking that the UK like japan and maybe the USA should have tv channels dedicated to anime and Japanese culture. Like for example BBC anime or <insert tv station brand> anime.

Momogari · Post by **Momogari** » 08 Jul 2020, 22:21

I know nothing of broadcast television economics. But from a streaming consumer's perspective,

It seems to me there are people who watch broadcast television and also have DVRs now when they wish to have on-demand shows, and then there are people who stream pretty much everything. I don't know how distinct these groups are, but I know people exist solely in one and not the other, and on both sides. Being the latter, I can't imagine watching live tv. I haven't watched live tv in years. It's just not in my lifestyle. I imagine people with a lifestyle of watching broadcast television still find streaming services to be a unique thing they might have tried but is not really a go-to behavior for entertainment.

And so, I wonder if the determination of whether broadcast television makes sense for anime--in the UK or otherwise--certainly it works for Japan--might depend more on the people who watch broadcast television more than it depends on the people who watch anime.
In Japan anime is normal enough to all generations that there's enough overlap between the two groups to probably not matter. I doubt that's true of the UK.

Beex · Post by **Beex** » 09 Jul 2020, 20:52

I watch both. I like the live option because I don't have to decide on a program. Just the channel. When streaming I often take half an hour to decide. There's way too many options.

And to be more on topic, does The Anime Channel still exist? Also, PlutoTV has some live anime channels. They kinda suck though.

UnmeiNoTenshi · Post by **UnmeiNoTenshi** » 09 Jul 2020, 21:45

There used to be an anime channel over a decade ago called Anime Central, it showed 6 anime episode a night and repeated them throughout the night from 9pm to I think 6am.

However it was poorly run and ended up changing channel numbers and eventually got cancelled within 6 months

Beex · Post by **Beex** » 10 Jul 2020, 02:17

PlutoTV has two channels I know of. Anime All Ages, this one is English kids stuff.

Anime All Day is descent. It's all subs and cooler titles. I just think it sucks because I only really watch subs.

@Momogari

That sig is bad ass!

GokuRK · Post by **GokuRK** » 12 Jul 2020, 17:54

Vice and Showcase on sky show anime late at night/early morning. The issue is why anime central failed for example is simply cost licensing and revenue. All of these things mean right now getting the licences to show new anime in uk region is hard and costly.

Post by **Expendable** » 13 Jul 2020, 00:38

You really have to prove there's a market before they'll try again.

GokuRK · Post by **GokuRK** » 13 Jul 2020, 13:58

It's a really hard market as well because you have Netflix and prime dropping whole series at a time funimation and crunchy roll have the simulcast market. I can't see there being a sustainable market

Purplegems3 · Post by **Purplegems3** » 14 Jul 2020, 11:14

I think it would be nice to see a channel in the UK dedicated to Anime and/or Manga like they do with Syfy or the Horror Channel or Christmas 24/7