Crunchyroll, an anime subscription streaming service run by Ellation, is making its first jump onto linear television in Brazil this weekend.
Crunchyroll is programming a one-hour programming block on Rede Brasil (RBTV) featuring two subtitled shows, “Black Clover” and “Re:Zero.” The hour will also include around 8 minutes of local programming from Crunchyroll’s Brazilian community managers, Malu and Bia Purin.
The programming block for Crunchyroll will air on Saturdays beginning April 21.
"This is our first programming expansion into linear TV internationally, and we’re excited to bring anime fans in Brazil another avenue to connect through the content they love," said Joellen Ferrer, vice president of communications at Ellation. "We hope this new, expanded programming can both engage existing fans further and introduce new fans to this passionate culture."
In terms of similar linear TV deals in the U.S., a Crunchyroll spokesperson said that the SVOD hasn't been expanding programming in the same way in the U.S., but that it’s always looking for better ways to serve its community.
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Crunchyroll has 40 million registered users and more than 1 million subscribers. Last year when Crunchyroll first hit the 1 million subscriber mark, former COO Colin Decker said it was because anime had begun to reach a wider audience.
“Our subscriber number isn’t that surprising to us. It’s a bigger indication that anime is really spilling over into the mainstream, as indicated by the size of those numbers and how they match against some pretty significant mass market players who aggregate and don’t focus on a niche,” Decker said.
Crunchyroll is part of Ellation which is a part of Otter Media, a joint venture between AT&T and the Chernin Group.