Sony’s Anime Streaming Service Crunchyroll Launches Linear Channel

Sony is bringing a trove of anime content from its premium streaming service Crunchyroll to free streaming platforms.

Crunchyroll is launching a 24/7 linear channel, featuring a range of programming from its anime library. The channel will launch on a number of free, ad supported streaming platforms (FAST platforms), including Roku Channel, Amazon Freevee, LG Channels, and Vizio WatchFree+.

Shows that will stream on the Crunchyroll-branded channel will include Horimiya, Ranking of Kings, Moriarty the Patriot, PSYCHO–PASS, Arifureta, Sugar Apple Fairytale, To Your Eternity and Code Geass. Crunchyroll paid premium service and its AVOD service will remain the primary home for new and premium anime content, with the linear channel meant to “promote the growing medium of anime.”

“Crunchyroll Channel is a gateway to the world of anime where we will guide viewers to discover new worlds, new stories and new characters,” said said Rahul Purini, President of Crunchyroll, in a statement. “And thanks to our distribution partners at launch, millions of fans have easy access to the medium that is taking the world by storm!”

Crunchyroll appears to be a specialty streaming service that is flourishing even as others flounder. Its laser focus on anime, and its tiered viewing options (the liner channel being a new addition) give it more flexibility and revenue possibilities than some other niche streaming offerings.

The channel is a collaboration between Crunchyroll and another Sony company: GSN. The Japanese tech giant acquired the anime streaming service from AT&T in 2021 for $1.2 billion, hoping to leverage its more than 5 million subscribers into a larger business.

In 2019, Sony bought out AT&T’s stake in GSN (then known as Game Show network) for just over $500 million, and subsequently sold GSN’s nascent video game division for $1 billion.

“GSN is thrilled by the massive response from our platform partners for this channel, which is a testament to Crunchyroll’s brand and library,” added Tim Carry, executive VP of Distribution for GSN. “We are grateful to bring this channel to market.”