WarnerMedia looking to unload Crunchyroll, offered to sell it to Sony for $1.5 billion

[Jman]

However, Sony turned it down as too expensive.

https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-08-12/report-at-t-offers-crunchyroll-to-sony-for-usd1.5-billion/.162867

Warner is still in a selling mood as they’re doing anything and everything to pair down their ginormous debt (see the mass bloodbath over at DC Comics and all but shutting down DC Universe streaming) so who, besides Sony, do you think would be interested in buying?

[mochi]

6 minutes ago, Jman said:

However, Sony turned it down as too expensive.

https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-08-12/report-at-t-offers-crunchyroll-to-sony-for-usd1.5-billion/.162867

Warner is still in a selling mood as they’re doing anything and everything to pair down their ginormous debt (see the mass bloodbath over at DC Comics and all but shutting down DC Universe streaming) so who, besides Sony, do you think would be interested in buying?

well not Disney since they're terrified of Anime

[PokeNirvash]

ANIME: THE DISNEY KILLER

[The1gairon]

People forget they had an anime block.  But of course all the anime was aimed at children only, and it didn't last.

[Jman]

https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/warnermedia-selling-crunchyroll-anime-sony-1234733441/

Warner is not playing.  They want all non-essential assets GONE and have courted multiple buyers for Crunchyroll with a $1 billion asking price.  Potential buyers have not been listed, but I would be unsurprised if Amazon or NBC Universal was looking into buying the service to boost their own streaming offerings.

[Ginguy]

Wonder if Apple would buy into it, as they look to expand their TV service, have the cash on hand, are reportedly looking for original exclusives and have a certain audience built in with their product audience.

[EmpressAngel]

It's not gonna happen but I'd laugh really, really hard if Adult Swim bought it.

[Jman]

6 hours ago, EmpressAngel said:

It's not gonna happen but I'd laugh really, really hard if Adult Swim bought it.

I’m sure DeMarco has $1 billion in Rick and Morty money to buy it, although if DeMarco bought it it would probably be to mothball it.

[Daos]

Ha they'd be able to offer 1.5 million maybe.

[Ginguy]

Crunchyroll is going to be worthless in a matter of 6 months to a year, which might be what is prompting the big effort to sell.

Apparently, according to a Variety article, several top studios in Japan are banding together to launch a global YT channel under the name Animelog/Anilog to offer free subtitled content.

Crunchyroll just got cut out at the knees.

https://variety.com/2020/streaming/asia/japan-animation-unified-youtube-anime-initiative-1234728555/#article-comments

 

[The1gairon]

58 minutes ago, Ginguy said:

Crunchyroll is going to be worthless in a matter of 6 months to a year, which might be what is prompting the big effort to sell.

Apparently, according to a Variety article, several top studios in Japan are banding together to launch a global YT channel under the name Animelog/Anilog to offer free subtitled content.

Crunchyroll just got cut out at the knees.

https://variety.com/2020/streaming/asia/japan-animation-unified-youtube-anime-initiative-1234728555/#article-comments

 

.... that's another thing. Why ARE they doing that?? Are they profiting off of this in another way?

[Ginguy]

3 hours ago, elfie said:

.... that's another thing. Why ARE they doing that?? Are they profiting off of this in another way?

The studios can release to YT directly to a global market and bypass the piracy and gain the viewership of the 40 million some odd users in America who watch that kind of content. YT will monetize those vids and the studios will stand to make a lot of money while avoiding losses from piracy/illegal streams and torrents.

 

[EmpressAngel]

" “There exists a problem of illegal video distribution service these days, but “AnimeLog” will distribute only officially-licensed animations and operate as a safe channel that families can enjoy together,” said Analyzelog in a statement."

It sounds like their focus is going to be older titles and those that target a younger demographic (early 200s series, 70's era Miyazaki), which are niches that CR doesn't seem to cater to as much. This doesn't seem like a direct competitor any more than a smartphone is a competitor to a Playstation.

[Chapinator_X]

Realistically speaking, Amazon or Hulu are probably the only two that would be able to make some kind of use out of their catalogue.

They might be too expensive for HiDive to swallow up and the other streaming sites are either too centered around their TV channel’s respective programming (HBO, CBS/Universal, NBC/Peacock) or have no direct incentive to adopt a catalogue that huge and full of seasonal shows.