Sony Pictures Television International has launched its Japansese Anime cartoon channel for Australian mobiles on the 3 network.
The Animax channel is currently on air via cable and satellited across Asia, Latin America, Central Europe and Germany. Animax Mobile is a dedicated mobile version of the anime cartoon channel. The service is also launching in Canada via Bell Mobility as part of a strategy to roll out the channel for mobile globally.
Sony says Animax is targeted at 14-34 year olds who use their 3G phones for streaming mobile TV. At launch, Animax Mobile will offer a two-hour loop of four full-length anime series, Blood+, Last Exile, R.O.D -The TV-, and The Count of Monte Cristo. There will also be extra made-for-mobile content.
“It’s not about the big screen vs. the little screen. Often, it’s a choice of small screen vs. no screen at all, and with Animax Mobile, we’re able to bring some of Animax’s most valuable programs to fans new and old at times and in places where they couldn’t see them before,” said vice president, mobile network programming, Bill Sanders.
The company also said as Animax Mobile is it is not a rebroadcast, simultaneous co-transmission or cut-down version of an existing television channel, it is a tailor-made channel for mobile phones.
