HOUSTON: Anime Network, the first North American cable channel dedicated to anime (Japanese animation), is eyeing the MIPCOM market in Cannes, France for acquiring additional anime programming to feed its digital network.
"With the diversity of programming available at MIPCOM, we expect to discover new sources for content which we can then bring back and introduce to American viewers, " said President of the Anime Network Kevin Corcoran. "We're also anxious to meet and explore other opportunities for our sister companies, including ADV Films and NewType USA."
The Anime Network, a subsidiary of A.D. Vision, Inc. was launched in North America in late 2002 as part of Comcast Cable's free video-on-demand (VOD) initiative. The network is being marketed to multi-system operators (MSOs) from coast-to-coast both as a stand-alone 24-hour digital network and as a VOD programming offer.
Earlier in July 2003 saw Anime Network announcing a new carriage agreement for providing high definition anime content to IN DEMAND's INHD and INHD2 subscribers starting from September this year. The content will be available in wide screen, high-resolution format and will also feature Dolby Digital 5.1 audio when available.