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Anime Network and Funimation Channel go Head to Head in Houston
posted on by Christopher Macdonald
In early November, Optical Entertainment Network (OEN) will launch in Houston Texas and it will be the first television signal provider to carry both The Anime Network and the FUNimation Channel.
In early November Optical Entertainment Network will launch its Fision IPTV service in the Houston Area. At launch time, OEN will become the first TV signal provider to provide a single market with both The Anime Network and the FUNimation Channel, North America's only linear TV channels dedicated to anime.
This will also be the first time that the FUNimation Channel is available in the Houston area, although The Anime Network has already been available in the area through Time Warner.
In addition to offering Anime Network's linear channel at launch, Kevin McFeeley, Anime Network's vice president, affiliate sales and new media, informed ANN that there are plans to launch Anime Network's VOD service on Fision shortly after the initial launch.
Although this will be the first time that the two networks compete head to head in the same market, both Anime Network and Funimation told us that they don't see it as a competition issue. "It's good for the anime industry and will help grow awareness of anime," says Funimation's Jeff Dronen. "It only helps having 2 channels offering anime exclusively."
When asked how they felt about going head to head with Funimation, McFeeley said, "We don't see it that way. I think it's a sign of the times of just how popular anime has become and I think there is plenty of room for everyone."
Both companies stress that they are excited to work with OEN, "Especially since they're there in our backyard," adds McFeeley.
This will also be the first time that the FUNimation Channel is available in the Houston area, although The Anime Network has already been available in the area through Time Warner.
In addition to offering Anime Network's linear channel at launch, Kevin McFeeley, Anime Network's vice president, affiliate sales and new media, informed ANN that there are plans to launch Anime Network's VOD service on Fision shortly after the initial launch.
Although this will be the first time that the two networks compete head to head in the same market, both Anime Network and Funimation told us that they don't see it as a competition issue. "It's good for the anime industry and will help grow awareness of anime," says Funimation's Jeff Dronen. "It only helps having 2 channels offering anime exclusively."
When asked how they felt about going head to head with Funimation, McFeeley said, "We don't see it that way. I think it's a sign of the times of just how popular anime has become and I think there is plenty of room for everyone."
Both companies stress that they are excited to work with OEN, "Especially since they're there in our backyard," adds McFeeley.
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