Animax

Japanese anime satellite television network

This article is about the television network. For the animation studio, see Animax Entertainment.

Television channel

Animax

Logo used since 2006

Country| Japan
Broadcast area| Nationwide
Headquarters| Minato, Tokyo, Japan[1]
Programming
Language(s)| Japanese
Picture format| 1080i (HDTV)
Ownership
Owner| AK Media
(Nojima)
Key people| Ryoji Nojima, CEO
Masao Takiyama, Chairman[1]
Akira Sasaki, President
History
Founded| July 1, 1998; 26 years ago (1998-07-01)
Links
Website| www.animax.co.jp
Headquarters in Toranomon, Minato, Tokyo

Animax Broadcast Japan Inc. (Japanese: アニマックス, Hepburn: Animakkusu), stylized as ANIMAX in all caps, is a Japanese animation satellite television network, dedicated to broadcasting anime programming. Launched on July 1, 1998, Animax is the first 24-hour network in the world dedicated to anime.[2][3]

Animax is part of AK Media, owned by Nojima, and is headquartered in New Pier Takeshiba North Tower[4] in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. The channel was originally co-founded by Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan, with its shareholders including studios Bandai Namco Filmworks,[1][5] Toei Animation,[6][7] TMS Entertainment, and production company Nihon Ad Systems.[8][2]

Animax previously operated separate TV channels for Asia (four separate feeds for South East Asia, the Philippines, Hong Kong and Taiwan), South Asia and South Korea; in addition to either owning, or licensing its brand to, several television networks, programming blocks, and VOD platforms around the world. As of 2020, most of these services have either been sold off to third-parties or closed altogether.

## History[edit]

### Under Sony[edit]

Animax's original logo, used from its formation until 2006 Animax's second logo, solidly used from 2006 to 2010, and 2013 to 2016 (except Japan). Animax's third logo, used from 2010 to 2016 in the European countries.

Established on May 20, 1998, by Sony, Animax Broadcast Japan Inc. (株式会社アニマックスブロードキャスト・ジャパン(Hiragana), Kabushiki-gaisha Animakkusu Burōdokyasuto Japan) launched in Japan on July 1, the same year, across the SKY PerfecTV! satellite television platform.[1] Headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan, and presided by Masao Takiyama, Animax's shareholders and founders include Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan, Sunrise,[1][5] Toei Animation,[6][7] TMS Entertainment, and NAS.[8][2] Its founders also include noted anime producer and production designer Yoshirō Kataoka.[1] The network began broadcasting in high definition from October 2009.[citation needed]

Animax also exhibits affiliations with anime pioneer Osamu Tezuka's Tezuka Productions company, Pierrot, Nippon Animation, and numerous others.[8] Other noted Japanese celebrities and personalities to have appeared on Animax with their own programs include actress Natsuki Katō, among numerous others.[citation needed] The network's narrators are the voice actors Yukari Tamura and Kōsuke Okano; and from October 2007, Sayuri Yahagi.[citation needed]

Beyond the channel, Animax has hosted and organized several anime-based competitions across Japan, such as the Animax Taishō scriptwriting competition[9] and the Animax Anison Grand Prix; a anime song music competition judged by a panel of noted anime figures

Several other Animax-branded events and concerts across Japan have included the annual Animax Summer Fest (アニマックスサマーフェス, Animakkusu Samāfesu), a live concert during which renowned Japanese bands, artists and voice actors perform, and is often held at Zepp Tokyo.[10] They've also held another annual Anime song concert event called Animax Musix.[11][12]

Animax previously operated a mobile television service, which was announced in February 2007, and launched through the mobile phone company MOBAHO! from April 2007.[13]

### Sale to Nojima[edit]

On December 18, 2023, Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan announced that will sell their stakes in both Animax and sister channel Kids Station to electronic store chain Nojima. The deal was finalized on April 1, 2024.[14][15]

Sony first established a new company called "AK Media", which would take over all shares in Animax and Kids Station from their previous owners. Nojima's AK Entertainment subsidiary (which was established on October 24, 2023 to house the AXN Japan and AXN Mystery channels, now respectively known as Action Channel [ja] and Mystery Channel [ja], which were acquired from Sony Pictures Entertainment by Nojima in 2021) would then acquire AK Media from Sony.[16]

It's been speculated that Animax was sold in-order for Sony to focus on its US-based global anime entertainment and streaming companies – Funimation (which was acquired in 2017) and Crunchyroll (which was acqured in 2021) – which have since been merged into Crunchyroll LLC and operate as a joint venture with Sony Music Entertainment Japan's Aniplex.[16]

## Programming[edit]

Main article: List of programs broadcast by Animax

Animax's programming is dedicated to anime, and it has been acknowledged as the largest 24-hour anime-only network in the world.[3] The channel has also aired imported foreign cartoons that have been dubbed in Japanese.[1] Its viewer reach has been quoted as spanning over 89 million homes. across 62 countries and 17 languages.[17][18]

The channel has co-produced and exclusively premiered several original anime series, including Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex[19] and Marvel Anime.[20] Other Animax originals include Ultra Maniac, Astro Boy, Hungry Heart: Wild Striker, and Aishiteruze Baby'.

## International[edit]

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "Animax" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (August 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

Channel | Country or region | Formerly | Launch year | Replaced by | Shutdown year

|
|
|
|
|

Animax  | Japan |  | May 20, 1998  |  |
Animax (Asian TV channel) | Asia |  | January 1, 2004  |  |
Animax India | India |  | July 5, 2004  | Sony Yay
Animax Asia | April 18, 2017
Animax (Latin America) | Latin America | Locomotion | July 31, 2005  | Sony Spin | May 1, 2011
Animax (South Korean TV channel) | South Korea |  | April 29, 2006  |  |
Animax (German TV channel) | Germany |  | May 14, 2007  | discontinued  | July 7, 2016
Animax (Eastern European TV channel) | Hungary | A+ Anime  | July 2, 2007  | C8 | March 31, 2014
Romania
Czech Republic
Slovakia
Animax (African TV channel)  | South Africa |  | November 3, 2007  | Sony MAX | February 1, 2011
Animax (block on AXN Italy)  | Italy |  | January 12, 2008  | discontinued  | 2008
Animax (Portuguese TV channel) | Portugal |  | April 12, 2008  | AXN Black | May 9, 2011
Animax (Spanish TV channel) | Spain |  | discontinued  | December 31, 2013
Animax (block on SF) | Australia |  | November 5, 2008  | 2016

### Asia[edit]

Main articles: Animax Asia, Animax India, and Animax (South Korea)

Asian versions of Animax, featuring its programming within separate networks and feeds in their respective regions and languages, were rolled out beginning in 2004. The first one was launched in Taiwan and the Philippines on January 1, 2004, and in Hong Kong on January 12, 2004. A week later, Animax launched in Southeast Asia on January 19, 2004, featuring its programming within feeds in English audio, as well as Japanese audio, with English subtitling, and other languages in the region, becoming the company's first English-language network.[21]

On July 5, 2004, Animax India was launched across India and neighboring countries featuring its programming in English.[22]

On April 29, 2006, Animax started its operations in South Korea, broadcasting separately from Seoul.[23]

Animax Asia aired their first ever simulcast, Tears to Tiara, on the same time as the Japanese broadcast. They would also premiere Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood series, within the same week as Japan.[24]

In January 2020, Sony sold the South Korean and Southeast Asian Animax channels to former Sony Pictures Television executives Andy Kaplan and George Chien, who have since formed KC Global Media.[25]

Animax ceased transmissions in Laos, 16 March 2021.[citation needed] One year later, Astro shut the channel down on 1 January 2022 in Malaysia.[citation needed]

### Latin America[edit]

Main article: Animax (Latin America)

Animax was launched in Latin America on July 31, 2005, replacing Locomotion after Sony's purchase from Hearst Corporation and Corus Entertainment, in January 2005.[26]

Animax Latin America would rebrand in August 2007, coinciding with the premiere of a new adult-oriented programming block named Lollipop.[27] Likewise, on March 18, 2008, it was announced that the mobile service Animax Mobile, available on Japan and Australia, was to be launched as well in Mexico and eventually in other Latin American countries.[28]

Animax Latin America would eventually incorporate live-action programming and was later relaunched as Sony Spin on May 1, 2011, with anime programming retained until March 2012. Sony Spin would be discontinued on July 1, 2014, and replaced with a local version of Lifetime.[29]

### North America[edit]

Animax has sponsored several anime-based events across North America, including hosting an anime festival, in association with other anime distributive enterprises such as Bandai Entertainment and Viz Media, across Sony's San Francisco-based entertainment shopping complex Metreon in October 2001, during which it aired numerous of its anime titles across the centre, including special Gundam, The Making of Metropolis, and Love Hina screenings.[30]

The noted international business newspaper Financial Times, reported, in September 2004, of Sony planning and being "keen" to launch Animax across the United States and North America, after Sony had signed an agreement with the largest cable company in the United States, Comcast, with whom it had co-partnered in a US$4.8 billion acquisition of legendary Hollywood studio MGM, to bring at least three of Sony's television networks across the region.[31][32]

On June 13, 2007, Sony Pictures Television International officially announced that Animax would be launching its mobile television service, Animax Mobile, in Canada from July 2007, on Bell Digital's mobile phone service.[33] This was Animax Mobile's third major expansion, after initially launching the mobile television service in Japan from April 2007 and Australia from June 12, 2007.[34]

On January 17, 2012, the streaming service Crackle, added Animax to their lineup[35] for the North America region, marking the network's first launch in the United States. Its programming has included for the first time several of Animax's English language dubs, including that of shows that had yet been adapted into English and had only aired in Southeast Asia and South Asia prior, such as Nodame Cantabile, Yōkai Ningen Bem and several others. Towards the end of 2013, the Animax branding was dropped.[citation needed]

### Europe[edit]

In April 2007, Animax launched across several countries in Europe, including Hungary, Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, with Sony announcing plans to launch in the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Poland (put on hiatus) and other major countries in the continent, with discussions at an advanced stage.[36][37] The launch marked Animax's first major expansion into Europe.[36][37] The network then soon launched in Germany in May 2007, Spain and Portugal in 2008.[38]

#### United Kingdom[edit]

In October 2007, further details emerged on Animax's launch details in the United Kingdom, with Sony Pictures Television International senior-vice president of international networks Ross Hair being quoted by Brand Republic's Media Week as stating that Sony was preparing to launch Animax in the United Kingdom initially as a video on demand service alongside other Sony television networks, with Sony also looking at launching Animax across the free digital television service Freeview subject to new frequencies and slot being available.[39]

As of April 2011, one of Sony's 3 channels that they were planning to launch in the UK since 2007, Sony Entertainment Television, is now available there on Sky following Sony's acquisition of channel slots 157 and 190, which were previously owned by Film 24 and Open Access 3, respectively, not only making it now possible that Sony can launch Animax in the UK but also marking Sony Pictures Television's entry into both the British and Irish markets. On October 15, 2013, Sony Pictures Television announced it will launch a UK version of Animax as a SVOD service. SPT also announced a multi-year volume deal with Viz Media to secure exclusive content for the service.[40]

The SVOD service launched online on October 24, 2013, with three simulcast series and over twenty archive series[41] including many titles which originally debuted on Kaze's Anime On Demand service. Some content has also appeared on Sony Movie Channel's Late Night Anime block,[42] with the channel's website referencing Animax. Starting from March 2014, the Late Night Anime block has since been rebranded to Animax. An app for PlayStation 4 was released in October 2014.[43]

On March 5, 2015, Scuzz launched Animax Movie Nights, a weekly block that aired anime movies on Thursday nights for the next month.[44]

On October 15, 2018, the service closed down, with subscribers being directed to Funimation's streaming service.[45]

#### Hungary, Romania, Czech Republic and Slovakia[edit]

See also: Animax (Eastern European TV channel)

This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (August 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

In September 2006, Sony Pictures Television International bought A+ (Anime+) television channel and rebranded it as Animax in July 2007 The channel aired from 8 pm to 2 am on same frequency as Minimax and broadcast anime in Japanese with Romanian subtitles and also with Romanian dubbing in Romania, with Hungarian dubbing in Hungary and with Czech dubbing for the most of them in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.[36][37] Among the most popular series were: Naruto, Bleach, Fullmetal Alchemist, InuYasha, Death Note, D.Gray-man, Blood+, Kaleido Star, Hell Girl, Kilari, Dragon Ball GT, Kirarin Revolution, Love Com, Vampire Knight, MegaMan NT Warrior, Trigun, Slayers, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Digimon, Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo, Nana, Kiddy Grade.

On June 1, 2009, the channel changed its focus, targeting a more broad young adult audience and adding more American television series. At the same time, it dropped support of its forums on its website and, in September 2013, closed them entirely. On June 9, 2009, RCS & RDS (Digi), the largest Romanian cable operator dropped the channel due to high costs of broadcasting.

On March 31, 2014, the channel was closed down and replaced by C8.

Meanwhile, in Romania, Sony's AXN Spin was launched on 1 March 2013 on Romtelecom's digital lineup, a few months after both Minimax and Animax were dropped from that platform. Until 2015, AXN Spin broadcast Naruto, Dragon Ball GT, Dragon Ball Z Kai, Kinniku Banzuke, Kirarin Revolution and Hello Kitty.

#### Spain and Portugal[edit]

See also: Animax Spain and Animax Portugal

This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (August 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

Animax began as a programming block in Spain and Portugal in the channel AXN. Shows broadcast on the block include InuYasha, Outlaw Star, Trigun, Orphen, Excel Saga and Samurai Champloo. Later shows include Corrector Yui, The Law of Ueki, Detective Conan, Lupin III and Kochikame. These shows were shown in Portugal and Spain from October 2007 until September 2008, airing weekends from 13:00 to 16:00.[46][47]

The full channel was subsequently launched on April 12, 2008, on the Movistar TV and Digital+ platforms in Spain and Meo and Clix in Portugal.[38] Among the series broadcast across Animax's networks in Spain and Portugal were Nana, Black Lagoon, Love Hina, Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, Chobits, Devil May Cry. As of 2011, the Portuguese feed was removed due to low ratings and was replaced by AXN Black, an offshoot of AXN.[48] In 2013, the Spanish feed rebranded and eliminated all of its western programming in favor for anime, although the programming consisted on continuous reruns of four anime, later reduced to two. On December 31, 2013, the Spanish feed was also removed due to its low ratings.

#### Italy[edit]

This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (August 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

Animax in Italy began as a nighttime 1-hour programming block on sister channel AXN Italy on January 12, 2008, indicating that it will eventually launch as a 24/7 channel. The programs that aired on the block were Planetes, The Vision of Escaflowne, .hack//SIGN, and Noein.[49] The block hasn't aired since 2009, likely to avoid competition with MTV, who also aired anime and was more widely available.[50]

#### Germany[edit]

See also: Animax Germany

On May 14, 2007, Sony announced Animax would be launching in Germany from early June 2007, becoming the country's first ever television network solely dedicated to anime programming.[51][52][53] Animax launched in the country from June 5, 2007, on Unity Media's digital subscription television service in the regions of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hesse and other regions.[51][53][54] Among the first anime series premiering on Animax Germany were .hack//Sign, Dragon Ball, Earth Girl Arjuna, Eureka Seven, Gundam SEED, Oh My Goddess!, One Piece, Record of Lodoss War, School Rumble, The Candidate for Goddess, X and numerous others.[54][55] The channel later launched into Austria and Switzerland.

Animax closed on July 7, 2016, but would continue as a VOD service in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, before it was replaced by Crunchyroll on September 30, 2022.

#### Poland[edit]

This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (August 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

In Poland, Animax was a daily block on AXN Spin HD (which is an offshoot of AXN Poland) airing on late mornings, the afternoon, and sometimes late at night.[citation needed]

Programs that have aired on the block included Dragon Ball GT, Naruto, Vampire Knight, Kilari, Deltora Quest, D.gray-man, Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos, the Slayers series, and Soul Eater.[citation needed]

Plans to launch a full Animax network in Poland were scrapped due to financial reasons.[citation needed]

### Australia[edit]

Animax launched as a two-hour programming block on the Sci Fi Channel Australia (which was co-owned by Animax's parent Sony Pictures Entertainment) from November 5, 2008, playing on Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings.[56] It launched with the series Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Cowboy Bebop, Black Lagoon and Blood+.[56][57]

This was Animax's latest English-language venture, following their networks in Southeast Asia, South Asia and South Africa. As of 2016, the block no longer airs.[citation needed]

Animax programming has also been available since June 12, 2007, through its mobile television service, Animax Mobile, available on 3 mobile's 3G network.[34][58] Its initial programming on launch consisted of four full-length anime series, Blood+, R.O.D the TV, Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo and Last Exile.[33][34] As of 2016 Animax Mobile has been discontinued.[citation needed]

### Africa[edit]

In August 2007, it was announced that Animax would be launching across several countries in Africa, including South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique and Lesotho, on the DStv satellite service and in Nigeria on HiTV, from March 19, 2009.[59][18]

On 31 October 2010, Animax was removed from DSTV, due to a lack of viewers. The channel had engaged in channel drift with the introduction of reality shows to its line-up.[citation needed] It would be replaced by in February 2011 with Sony MAX.[60]

#### South Africa[edit]

Animax broadcast on DStv from November 3, 2007, until October 31, 2010.

It featured English language programming.[61] It had been lauded by publications such as The Times for having singularly spread awareness about anime than any other platform,[62] and celebrated its first year of broadcasts in South Africa in November 2008.[62] Sony Pictures Television International manager Philipp Schmidt was quoted by The Times as saying that Animax's primary goal was to "establish itself as the destination for anime programming" in South Africa, and also that the feedback that it has received has shown it has been making an impact in the country.[62]

Animax South Africa premiered programs such as Neon Genesis Evangelion, Tenjo Tenge, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Record of Lodoss War, .hack//SIGN, Negima! Magister Negi Magi, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, Eureka Seven, Angelic Layer, SoltyRei, Black Cat, Hinotori, Final Fantasy: Unlimited, Chrono Crusade, Last Exile, Samurai 7, Burst Angel, Black Jack, Black Lagoon, Hellsing, Wolf's Rain, Basilisk, Gantz, Paranoia Agent, Witchblade, Elfen Lied, and le Chevalier D'eon.[63]

## Other ventures[edit]

### Animax Mobile[edit]

Apart from operating its programming as a television network, Animax begun launching its programming across mobile television, first beginning in their original home in Japan and subsequently overseas. In February 2007, Animax announced that it would be launching a mobile television service in Japan on the mobile phone company MOBAHO! from April 2007, having its programming being viewable by the company's mobile phone subscribers.[13] Subsequently, in June 2007, it launched in Australia[58] and Canada, its first English language mobile networks,[33] in Latin America on March 18, 2008,[28] and Southeast Asia on November and December 2008, their third mobile English language network, launching in Malaysia and Singapore through mobile service providers Astro, Maxis and StarHub respectively.[64][65][66]

As of 2016 the Animax Mobile service is discontinued worldwide.[citation needed]

Animax-branded streaming channels are available in Hong Kong, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia, Selected Countries also available On Demand Across Southeast Asia (Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines) and Germany (Deutschland, Switzerland and Austria).[citation needed]

### Game arenas[edit]

Sony Pictures Television International signed a deal with developer Arkadium on January 7, 2009, to provide game arenas for Sony Pictures Television International websites, including Animax, with more than forty games licensed.[67][68]

## See also[edit]

* Animax Taishō
* List of programs broadcast by Animax

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f g 企業情報 [About]. Animax (in Japanese). Archived from the original on July 4, 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2010.
2. ^ a b c Sony Pictures Entertainment to Launch Animax Asia Archived August 18, 2005, at the Wayback Machine, Press Release, SPE, 29 October 2003, Anime News Network.
3. ^ a b The Anime Biz \- By Ian Rowley, with Hiroko Tashiro, Chester Dawson, and Moon Ihlwan, BusinessWeek, June 27, 2005.
4. ^ ニューピア竹芝ノースタワー, Nyū Pia Takeshiba Nōsu Tawā
5. ^ a b Sunrise official website - corporate outline Archived 2006-01-05 at the Wayback Machine \- Sunrise, official corporate outline, About Us section. (in Japanese)
6. ^ a b Toei Animation official website - history section Archived October 12, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, Toei Animation official website. (in Japanese)
7. ^ a b Toei Animation official website - English section - History Archived March 2, 2015, at the Wayback Machine Toei Animation official website.
8. ^ a b c Animax's official website - Official Partners Archived August 13, 2006, at the Wayback Machine \- Animax official website, Official Partners section, links page. (in Japanese)
9. ^ Animax Award official site [dead link], Animax official website. (in Japanese)
10. ^ Animax Summer Festival 2005 - Report Archived October 12, 2006, at the Wayback Machine, Excite.co.jp. (in Japanese)
11. ^ "寒さも吹き飛ばす大熱狂のアニソンのパワー「ANIMAX MUSIX 2021」Part2ライブレポート". Spice (in Japanese). November 24, 2021. Archived from the original on May 11, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
12. ^ "【レポート】魂が揺さぶられるアニソンの祭典!「ANIMAX MUSIX 2018 OSAKA」を振り返る_第一部" [[Report] Looking back on "ANIMAX MUSIX 2018 OSAKA"!]. Animedia (in Japanese). May 20, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
13. ^ a b Animax Official Press Archived May 24, 2007, at the Wayback Machine (in Japanese)
14. ^ ソニー・ピクチャーズ公式 (December 18, 2023). "アニマックスブロードキャスト・ジャパンおよびキッズステーションに関する事業の承継について" (Press release) (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 23, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
15. ^ "Nojima Corporation agreed to acquire Animax Broadcast Japan Inc and Kids Station Inc. from Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc". MarketScreener. December 18, 2023. Archived from the original on January 17, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
16. ^ a b アニマックスとキッズステーション、ソニー・ピクチャーズがノジマに売却 [Animax and Kids Station sold by Sony Pictures to Nojima]. animationbusiness.info (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 6, 2024. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
17. ^ "Animax International". Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
18. ^ a b "SPTI to Launch SET, AXN Channels in Africa". WorldScreen.com. August 23, 2007. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved August 26, 2007.
19. ^ Official Ghost in the Shell information site Archived 2011-05-17 at the Wayback Machine, Production I.G official website.
20. ^ "Iron Man, Wolverine in Marvel, Madhouse's 1st TV Anime (Updated)". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved February 25, 2008.
21. ^ Animax Asia - Corporate Profile Archived 2006-06-14 at the Wayback Machine \- Animax Asia official website.
22. ^ "Animax goes all English from 15 August". indiantelevision. August 14, 2006. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved April 20, 2009.
23. ^ "Animax Crashes Korea on Saturday". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on October 29, 2007. Retrieved October 20, 2007.
24. ^ "Animax Asia to Run 2009 Fullmetal Alchemist in Same Week as Japan". Anime News Network. March 20, 2009. Archived from the original on March 22, 2009. Retrieved March 21, 2009.
25. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (January 7, 2020). "Sony Pictures Sells Asia Channels to Former Executives Andy Kaplan and George Chien (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on January 8, 2020. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
26. ^ "Silex-IT Client Case Studies" Animax Channel Client Profile: Sony Corporation Archived January 5, 2009, at the Wayback Machine silex-it.com Retrieved on May 18, 2012
27. ^ "Animax - Intro Lollipop". July 5, 2014. Archived from the original on January 7, 2024. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
28. ^ a b Anabella Marciello (March 18, 2008). "Las señales de TV alistan sus contenidos multiplataformas". Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved April 1, 2008.
29. ^ "Lifetime to Launch in Latin America as Joint Venture Between A+E Networks Latin America and Sony Pictures Television Distributed by HBO Latin America Group". PR Newswire (Press release). Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
30. ^ Sony Metreon media release Archived September 2, 2005, at the Wayback Machine, Anime News Network, 9 October 2001.
31. ^ Sony and Comcast plan new channels Archived July 26, 2020, at the Wayback Machine, Tim Burt, Financial Times, 22 September 2004.
32. ^ Animax could be available in North America soon. Archived October 20, 2004, at the Wayback Machine, Anime News Network, 23 September 2004.
33. ^ a b c "Sony Pictures Television International's Global Animax Brand Goes Mobile". Sony Pictures Television International. June 13, 2007. Archived from the original on December 23, 2009. Retrieved June 20, 2007.
34. ^ a b c "Sony's Animax Channel Goes Mobile in Australia - Further Information". Anime News Network. June 15, 2007. Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved June 20, 2007.
35. ^ "Animax Launches on Crackle". Anime News Network. January 17, 2012. Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
36. ^ a b c "Sony drives Animax across Europe". Archived from the original on January 7, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2007.
37. ^ a b c "Animax Heads to Europe". Archived from the original on May 4, 2007. Retrieved April 12, 2007.
38. ^ a b OTR/PRESS (April 5, 2008). "El 12 de abril llega a España el canal Animax, especializado en anime japonés". Información (in Spanish). Archived from the original on August 30, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
39. ^ Tristan O'Carroll (October 16, 2007). "Sony pay-TV channels will come to UK as VoD services". Media Week. Archived from the original on December 6, 2008. Retrieved October 20, 2007.
40. ^ "About SPT - Sony Pictures Television". Archived from the original on October 18, 2013.
41. ^ "UK Anime Network - Animax UK now online". Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
42. ^ "Late Night Anime". Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
43. ^ "Animax Expands onto PS4". Anime News Network. October 8, 2014. Archived from the original on October 22, 2014. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
44. ^ "Scuzz TV launch Animax Movie Nights". UK Anime Network. March 2, 2015. Archived from the original on April 25, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
45. ^ "Animax". Animax UK homepage. October 7, 2018. Archived from the original on October 19, 2018. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
46. ^ "AXN - Sala de prensa". October 21, 2007. Archived from the original on October 21, 2007. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
47. ^ "Dois canais Sony chegam a Portugal através do Meo". www.dn.pt (in European Portuguese). April 11, 2008. Archived from the original on July 7, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
48. ^ "Sony lança novo canal de séries e cinema no mercado português". Meios & Publicidade (in European Portuguese). May 4, 2011. Archived from the original on July 7, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
49. ^ ".Hack//Sign e Noein ogni settimana su AXN". May 14, 2010. Archived from the original on May 14, 2010. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
50. ^ Media, Associazione NewType. "AXN, autunno senza anime: Naufraga il progetto Animax?". AnimeClick.it (in Italian). Archived from the original on August 30, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
51. ^ a b "Animax, the Animé [sic] Channel from Sony Pictures Television International, to Launch in Germany". May 14, 2007. Archived from the original on May 16, 2007. Retrieved May 14, 2007.
52. ^ Clarke, Steve (May 15, 2007). "Animax toons in Teutons". Variety. Archived from the original on May 26, 2007. Retrieved May 14, 2007.
53. ^ a b "Animax Channel Expands into Germany with Unity Media". Anime News Network. May 14, 2007. Archived from the original on June 26, 2007. Retrieved May 14, 2007.
54. ^ a b Ed Meza (June 8, 2007). "Sony launches anime channel". Variety. Archived from the original on June 11, 2007. Retrieved June 20, 2007.
55. ^ "Animax Germany official website". Archived from the original on May 24, 2007. Retrieved May 5, 2007.
56. ^ a b "Animax block to start on SciFi Channel". November 2, 2008. Archived from the original on March 31, 2020. Retrieved April 5, 2009.
57. ^ "Forum : Animax? // SCI FI Channel". Scifitv.com.au. Archived from the original on April 8, 2012. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
58. ^ a b "Anime channel for mobiles". The Sydney Morning Herald. June 14, 2007. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2007.
59. ^ "Sony Brings Anime Channel to Africa". Anime News Network. August 25, 2007. Archived from the original on December 14, 2018. Retrieved August 26, 2007.
60. ^ "DStv Self Service | Self Service". Care.dstv.com. Retrieved August 13, 2012.[permanent dead link]
61. ^ "Five more channels for DSTV". MyBroadband. October 17, 2007. Archived from the original on October 19, 2007. Retrieved October 20, 2007.
62. ^ a b c Benji Pienaar (January 4, 2009). "Anime Kingdom". The Times. Archived from the original on August 29, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2009.
63. ^ "Animax South Africa". Archived from the original on June 15, 2008. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
64. ^ "Comic Fiesta 2008". The Star. December 21, 2008. Archived from the original on December 21, 2008. Retrieved January 13, 2009.
65. ^ "Anime on the small screen". January 3, 2009. Archived from the original on January 7, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2009.
66. ^ "Animax Mobile spreads festive cheer in Malaysia and Singapore". December 1, 2008. Archived from the original on February 19, 2009. Retrieved January 13, 2009.
67. ^ "Arkadium Inks Deal With Sony Pictures Television International to Roll Out Game Arenas Across Europe, Latin America and Asia". MSNBC. January 7, 2009. Archived from the original on January 22, 2009. Retrieved January 13, 2009.
68. ^ "Arkadium Inks Deal With Sony Pictures Television International to Roll Out Game Arenas Across Europe, Latin America and Asia". International Business Times. January 7, 2009. Archived from the original on February 18, 2009. Retrieved January 13, 2009.

## External links[edit]

Official sites

* Animax (in Japanese)
* Animax International

Asia

* Animax Asia
* Animax Korea (in Korean)
* Animax Taiwan (in Chinese)

Europe

* Animax Germany (in German)

* v
* t
* e

Sony Pictures

Key personnel|

* Tony Vinciquerra
* Tom Rothman

Motion
Picture Group|

* Columbia Pictures
* Ghost Corps
* TriStar Pictures
* TriStar Productions
* Screen Gems
* Classics
* Imageworks
* Animation
* Worldwide Acquisitions
* Destination Films
* Stage 6 Films
* Affirm Films
* Great American Pure Flix
* Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
* Sony Pictures Kids Zone

Television|

| U.S. production|

* Embassy Row
* Great American Pure Flix

|

International production|

* 2waytraffic
* Bad Wolf
* Eleven
* Left Bank Pictures
* Playmaker Media
* Sony Pictures Television Kids
* Sony Pictures Television Nonfiction
* The Intellectual Property Corporation
* 19 Entertainment
* Sharp Entertainment
* Stellify Media
* Stolen Picture
* Teleset

* v
* t
* e

Sony Pictures TV channels

Sony Channel|

* United States
* Sony Movies
* Cine Sony
* Latin America

AXN|

* Brazil
* Latin America
* Portugal
* AXN White
* AXN Movies
* AXN Now
* Spain
* AXN Movies
* AXN Now

Others|

* Game Show Network
* Get

Former|

| Sony Channel|

* Baltics
* Sony Sci-Fi
* Sony Turbo
* Germany
* Sony AXN
* Russia
* Sony Sci-Fi
* Sony Turbo
* Turkey
* Sony Çocuk
* Sony Max (Hungary)
* Sony Movie Channel (Hungary)
* Sony One

|

Others|

* Animax
* Japan
* Middle East
* Southeast Asia
* Taiwan
* AXN
* Adria
* Hungary
* Southeast Asia
* Taiwan
* AXN Black
* CEE
* AXN White
* CEE
* AXN Now
* Hungary
* AXN Spin
* Crackle
* Film1
* Film1 Action
* Film1 Drama
* Film1 Family
* Film1 Premiere
* Gem
* Hollywood Suite
* Kids Station
* Planet Mutfak
* Planet Türk
* Viasat Hungary
* Viasat 3
* Viasat 6

Defunct|

* 3net
* Animax
* CEE
* Germany
* Latin America
* Portugal
* South Africa
* Spain
* AXN
* Israel
* Italy
* AXN Beyond
* AXN Black
* Portugal
* AXN Crime
* AXN Sci-Fi
* CEE
* Italy
* Cine Sony
* Italy
* BeTV
* Fearnet
* Film1 Festival
* Film1 Sundance
* Hooq
* Locomotion
* Pop (Italy)
* Sony Channel
* South Africa
* Southeast Asia
* Sony Max
* South Africa
* Sony Spin

* v
* t
* e

Sony Pictures Networks

Hindi|

* Sony Entertainment Television
* Sony Max
* Sony Max 2
* Sony Pal
* Sony Sab
* Sony Wah

English|

* Sony Pix

Bengali|

* Sony Aath

Marathi|

* Sony Marathi

Sports|

* Sony Sports Ten
* 1
* 2
* 3
* 4
* 5

Children's|

* Sony Yay

Factual|

* Sony BBC Earth (50%; Joint venture with BBC Studios)

Online VOD|

* Sony LIV

International channels|

* Sony Kal

Former|

* Animax
* AXN
* Sony ESPN (50%; joint venture with ESPN Inc.)
* Sony Le Plex HD
* Sony Mix
* Sony Rox HD
* TEN Cricket International

* v
* t
* e

Television channels in the United Kingdom and Ireland operated by Sony Pictures Television

Currently broadcasting but sold to another company|

Narrative Capital Partners LLC

Great! TV
Great! Movies
Great! Action
Great! Romance
Pop
Pop Max

Former|

Bliss
Flava
More Than Movies
Movies4Men
Movies4Men 2
Pop Girl
Scuzz
Sony Crime Channel
True Crime
True Drama
True Entertainment
True Movies
True Movies 2
TruTV

Sold and later closed|

Starz TV
Trace Hits
Trace Latina
Trace Vault
Tiny Pop

Miscellaneous|

* Sony Pictures Television
* CSC Media Group
* animaxtv.co.uk (VOD, defunct)
* Funimation

Other|

* Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
* Crunchyroll LLC (with Sony Music Entertainment Japan's Aniplex)
* Crunchyroll
* Crunchyroll EMEA
* Crunchyroll SAS
* Crunchyroll SA
* Crunchyroll GmbH
* Crunchyroll Films
* Crunchyroll Games LLC
* Crunchyroll Studios
* Crunchyroll Store Australia
* Crunchyroll UK and Ireland
* Nozomi Entertainment
* Digital
* Mobile
* Entertainment Japan
* Studios
* Madison Gate Records

Defunct/Former|

* Adelaide Productions
* AnimeLab
* Anime on Demand
* Columbia Pictures Television
* Columbia TriStar Television
* Crackle
* The Minisode Network
* Culver Entertainment
* ELP Communications
* Funimation
* Jim Henson Pictures
* Kazé
* Merv Griffin Enterprises
* Right Stuf
* Sony Pictures Family Entertainment Group
* TriStar Television
* Triumph Films
* VRV
* Wakanim

* v
* t
* e

Animax

Networks|

* Asia (owned by KC Global Media)
* Japan (owned by Nojima)
* South Korea (owned by JJMediaWorks)

Former networks|

* Africa
* Eastern Europe
* Germany, Austria and Switzerland (on demand)
* India
* Latin America
* Portugal
* Spain
* UK (on demand)

Brands and awards|

* Animax Taishō
* Animax Anison Grand Prix

Original productions|

* Aishiteruze Baby
* Area 88 (Soundtracks)
* Astro Boy: Tetsuwan Atom
* Dotto! Koni-chan
* Ginga Densetsu Weed
* Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
* Hell Girl
* Hi-sCoool! SeHa Girls
* Hungry Heart: Wild Striker
* Initial D
* Jūsō Kikō Dancouga Nova
* Kaiketsu Zorori
* Kappa no Kaikata
* Kamisama Kazoku
* Keroro
* Kurozuka
* Marvel Anime
* Meine Liebe
* Ring ni Kakero 1
* Robot Girls NEO
* Shin Atashin'chi
* Tama & Friends: Sagase! Mahō no Punipuni Stone
* Tokyo Majin
* Ultra Maniac
* Ultraviolet: Code 044
* Viper's Creed
* Whistle!
* Yōkai Ningen Bem
* Zipang
* LaMB
* Other broadcast programs

People and companies|

* Sony
* Masao Takiyama
* Yoshirō Kataoka
* Bandai Namco Filmworks
* Toei Animation
* TMS Entertainment
* Nihon Ad Systems
* Nippon Animation
* Yukari Tamura
* Kōsuke Okano
* Sayuri Yahagi
* Natsuki Katō

Website: animax.co.jp
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template