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New FunimationNow Streaming App Launches

Funimation launched its updated North American streaming app, FunimationNow, for iOS and Kindle devices on Monday. The old streaming apps are being retired immediately, and users will receive a push notification to download the new app.

The app will launch for Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV "shortly." Funimation will then launch the app for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, and Roku this May. The old console apps will remain active until the new ones launch. Funimation will also launch a redesigned website for streaming on desktops and laptops in May.

Funimation partnered with Sony DADC New Media Solutions to utilize the company's Ven.ue channel creation service. "We beta-launched the streaming service a little over a year ago, but it was homegrown," Funimation's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Mike Duboise told ANN. "While it did do a lot of things right, it didn't really have the ability to deliver the kind of scale and experience that we feel like our fans deserve. So we made a choice to form a strategic relationship with Sony to help us deliver an all-new digital ecosystem."

Duboise also commented on Funimation's current mobile apps compared with FunimationNow, stating, "We feel our mobile apps have not given our fans the experience they deserve, and by doing this we're going to have a significant upgrade to that experience... we have a lot of extraordinary content that's difficult for fans to find on their mobile device, and we're removing that obstacle."

The new apps feature Airplay and Chromecast support. Subscription pricing will remain the same, with a free basic plan as well as a US$4.99/month plan and a US$7.99/month plan.

The service is also launching in the United Kingdom and Ireland later this month.

Update: Funimation updated to say that it is still waiting on confirmation for Android and Windows 10 devices, and asked users to stand by.

Update 2 (3/8/16): The Android and Windows 10 apps are now available.