Recap To Last Year: Could The Crunchyroll Streaming Service Expand Its 24 Hour Service To DStv And StarSat Or Fold Under Openview's Ultraview?

Crunchyroll is an anime based streaming platform operated as part of a joint venture between Sony Pictures Television and Aniplex. Founded in 1994 as FUNimation, it is known for anime, films and TV series including Dragonball, My Hero Academia and Attack On Titan. 

Last year, Crunchyroll through one of their partners Sony Pictures Television expanded the streamer outside of its comfort zone with a 24 hour channel in Latin America. As some readers are aware, Crunchyroll is looking to duplicate this in key markets.

Although, they haven't specified which region would get access to the 24 hour service. It's likely that they're going to look into regions where they have no local presence whatsoever and others that do have some streaming presence but still recieve plenty of linear consumption.

The introduction of Crunchyroll Channel would come 13 years after Animax had exited Africa for also defunct brand Sony Max on DStv and other parts of the world. Since then, it has only been SABC 2, Toonami and Cartoon Network to ramp up a similar offering in Africa but not full-time.

The only problem pertaining to them is that the latter doesn't offer the full line-up of content. Take for instance Cartoon Network, it's current demographic only caters to shows like Pokémon followed by Toonami and SABC 2 whose slate has been repetitive in the last year.

As for Crunchyroll, I believe they're just looking to expand out of streaming and reach new audiences. It would prove to be very beneficial especially in regions which the brand lacks any type of local presence.

Similar to Disney+ and Britbox, even Crunchyroll has no presence in some of Europe and Africa. In some of these areas, there was an alternative offering Animax which too was managed by Sony battled a tough economic climate and struggled to sustain themselves in the regions.

If Crunchyroll were to debut in Africa it would help free up the responsibility from Cartoon Network and SABC 2 as they can prioritise on their other content. It would also serve as a replacement to the defunct Animax brand in Africa that is if DStv opts to carry the channel.

Other platforms in the market that could as well acquire Crunchyroll Channel include Openview Ultra, StarTimes, Azam TV, Canal+ and Zuku TV.

Development Alert: FUNimation Shutting Down Their Streaming Service By Early April

Funimation, one of the most popular anime streamers, has announced that as part of its merger with Crunchyroll in March 2022, its app and website will end service on April 2, 2024. The platform states that it's sunsetting to provide fans with "an exceptional streaming experience and access to the largest anime library in the world. The collaboration between Funimation and Crunchyroll allows us to continue delivering on that mission and bring you the best of anime content."

While Funimation customers may lament the news, this has been a long time coming for the streaming service. After its merger, Funimation has been slowly rolling back features, announcing in December 2023 that downloading content and offline viewing wouldn't be allowed going forward. They encourage users to complete the move to Crunchyroll and have already migrated most accounts over. Funimation subscriptions will be replaced by Crunchyroll ones, with fees following the latter's pricing, and measures have been put in place to transfer Watch History and queues to the new Crunchyroll accounts. Customers facing any issues with migrating are encouraged to contact Crunchyroll's customer support.

While the measures put in place are exhaustive, customers have been advised that account transfer may vary based on "specific payment platform, subscription type and region." Furthermore, differences between Funimation and Crunchyroll libraries mean that not all content will be transferred across. For example, Funimation Digital copies aren't supported on Crunchyroll, and users will thus lose access to these. The FAQ does not mention whether refunds will be provided. Canadian, Chilean, Legacy and Roku Pay subscribers are strongly encouraged to check the official announcement.

Crunchyroll remains one of the largest streamers in the world, revealed to have passed 13 million paid subscribers last month. The acquisition of Right Stuf means the company is also now among the top go-to destinations for anime merchandise. Crunchyroll's expansion over the last few years has seen it increasingly finance some of the biggest anime titles, such as Solo Leveling and Metallic Rouge. The debut of a new Crunchyroll podcast -- The Anime Effect -- later this month will be quickly followed by the Crunchyroll Anime Awards in March.

Development Alert: Crunchyroll To Get A Dedicated TV Channel In North America With Global Plans On The Cards, Could MultiChoice Or StarTimes Perhaps Get It?

Since 2006, Crunchyroll has been known as the leading destination for anime fans featuring shows such as My Hero Academia, Demon Slayer, Attack On Titan and One Piece. Since it's inception in 2006, it garnered 120 million subscribers globally with 1% of the population under a paywall.

For a decade, the Sony based brand was available only as a streaming service with a freemium tier available to low income households with select shows licenced to broadcasters in Africa such as Toonami and SABC 2.

Through the greenhouse website, it was revealed that the company is looking for a director/manager in charge of managing the upcoming linear service to the current Crunchyroll streaming service alongside the programming and operations for the brands.

For now, the channel will rollout in North America (likely Latin America) and through a statement it was also mentioned that the Crunchyroll Channel will rollout "in key markets around the world" so we assume they'll be targeting regions which already bundle the streaming service.

South Africa is the most notable within the African region to bundle Crunchyroll alongside various other streaming services such as The Walt Disney Company's Disney+, BBC and ITV Studios' BritBox and Vuclip's VIU. As other territories have yet to see these in their markets.

With a majority of gaming and anime fans residing within South Africa and selected African territories, there's no doubt that Crunchyroll Channel would be a resounding success but questions amounts to whether or if StarTimes and/or MultiChoice will look into adding the channel.

Crunchyroll catering for the same audience as Adult Swim and not Cartoon Network isn't regarded as a kids channel so if anything these channel will likely set alongside brands like Universal, M-Net and BBC Brit on DStv or FilmBox Africa, FilmBox Action and St Zone on StarSat.