The FUNimation Channel Thread

[Monte]

EDIT: Ack, can a mod fix the title. Put a V instead of an F by mistake.

Provided this post is accurate, we may see FUNimation Channel on one less service soon.

Here's the email that apparently was sent out regarding this:



This is... a bit concerning, if this is really happening, and honestly, this is a big dent for FUNimation if the channel really is getting removed. This will potentially remove a huge number of homes that people can get this channel in as a result. Really not sure what we as fans can do about this...

Well there is a petition going around, and people can spam verizon's forums and twitter, but these things will require A LOT more attention for them to do anything

 

[Butterstar]

FUNimation Channel just posted a fan video posted to the FiOS Facebook page, going down the thousands of posts telling them not to drop FUNimation Channel. It's pretty brilliant, but it has some naughty language, so just go to their page and scroll down a few posts.

Let's see what other "low viewership" channels we've got here:

Nick 2 (really, we don't need two Nick channels. We haven't needed a second channel for anything since the DVR came out.)

Smile of a Child (smells like low viewership to me, they actually let people stream their channel on their website for free)

The "Family" category (excluding TV Land, those other two are complete B-channels no one watches. Not even the senior citizens or the overprotective soccer moms.)

 

[Sketch]

Hopefully the message gets through to them.

 

[jlaking]

The FUNimation Channel will begin airing .hack//Quantum (OVA) and Princess Jellyfish back-to-back tomorrow starting at 9 pm.

Source

 

[FTPC]

I keep asking Direct tv to carry the funimation channel,but no luck as of yet..

 

[jlaking]

From FUNimation Channel's Facebook page:

All FiOSTV Customers: The following is the latest update we received from Verizon's legal folks -- "FUNimation Channel will no longer be available on Channel 262 as early as March 12. Coming soon, you will be informed how to receive FUNimation Channel programming from FiOS On Demand."
So there you have it. Let Verizon FiOS know what you think.
We will be announcing expansions on other video provider systems soon. Our HD linear feed on AT&T U-verse is part of the HD Premium Tier.

 

[Sketch]

This is why fans always feel so powerless to stop companies from getting rid of the things they cherish because usually even a sizable outcry isn't enough to make them change their minds.

They'll lose some subscribers for this but probably not enough for them to consider it a loss.

 

[Media Man]

In Loving Memory

RIP Funimation Channel

Although I only knew you for three years, you provided me with a one stop shop for Anime programming that wasn’t present in the cable TV universe. As a business professional, I did not have time to comb through video stores or the Internet looking for the next big title or series. I was glad that all I had to do was turn on your channel and there it was.

I feel that the removal of your channel from the FiOS TV lineup is just another reminder that Anime is dead here in America. If AT & T Uverse drops your channel next, I will conclude that this point is a fact.

In closing I know many have slammed Verizon FiOS about the pending replacement of this channel for Disney Jr, but to you Verizon FIOS I offer this warning:

Be very very careful when eliminating unique niche channels from your TV lineup in order to make your programming match that of the competition- because the competition is cheaper.

 

[jlaking]

According to the schedule posted on Zap2it, Burst Angel will be returning to the FUNimation Channel this Monday at 9 pm.

 

[Viper]

It truly IS a shame that FIOS dropped the Funimation channel from it's channel line-up. I thought Disney Jr. was supposed to replace SOAPNet.

I REALLY hope DirecTV gets Funimation in the near future. That's what I've been watching TV on since I moved to California.

 

[jlaking]

FUNimation Channel VOD returns to FiOS in April.

From the FUNimation Channel's Facebook page:

ATTN Verizon FiOS TV customers: We appreciate the support and all the incredible efforts at making Verizon FiOS TV aware of your feedback and comments. We want to let you know that we will return to FiOS TV via their On Demand service in April where we will offer up to 40 hrs of titles ranging from the newest releases to fan favorite classics - from Black Butler 2 to Vandread. Some titles will also be available for free. Continue to let Verizon FiOS TV know that you still want the channel. We will announce expansion on other video systems in the coming months.
We will post more information as it becomes available.

Black Butler II will debuting April 24th at 9 pm according to the slider on the FUNimation Channel's website.

 

[jlaking]

According to its schedule, the FUNimation Channel will begin airing Heroic Age on April 9th at 10 pm.

 

[jlaking]

According to its schedule, Trinity Blood will be making its FUNimation Channel on Monday at 10:30 pm.

 

[jlaking]

According to its schedule, Sekirei: Pure Engagement will be making its FUNimation Channel on Friday at 1:00 am.

 

[jlaking]

This past week the FUNimation Channel began airing 'Okami-san' on Monday at 9:30 pm and 'The Legend of the Legendary Heroes' on Tuesday at 10:30 pm.

Source

 

[VSigma100]

I just thought. What happens if FUNimation Channel completely dies out? Like no company ever carries the channel anymore? Because TBH I could see it happening in the near future. Like would they sell the rights to the shows to other networks? The network most likely being [adult swim] for Toonami? I don't know I just see something of the sort happening soon, because at this rate they're most likely just loosing money from the channel, and not really making any. I just feel like in the end it would be a waste of time for them to keep it on.

Just my two cents.

 

[jlaking]

What happens if FUNimation Channel completely dies out? Like no company ever carries the channel anymore?

Here is a full list of the companies that carry the (linear) FUNimation Channel:

AT&T U-Verse
Frontier
Groton Utilities
SureWest
Sjoberg Inc.
Wavevision
iFiber

 

[Media Man]

Companies that carry the (linear) FUNimation Channel

Quote:
Here is a full list of the companies that carry the (linear) FUNimation Channel:

AT&T U-Verse
Frontier
Groton Utilities
SureWest
Sjoberg Inc.
Wavevision
iFiber

The only REAL MSO (multi-system operator) on this list is AT&T U-verse they have 4 million subscribers. The rest of these providers are small, small, small MSOs that have limited coverage and do not have any where near the number of subscribers AT&T does.

If AT&T drops it. Then the Funimation Channel is done.

It is in my opinion the channel has a distribution problem. It has been around for 7 years and in all that time they could not convince any of the big big big MSOs to carry the linear channel? Only FiOS and AT&T? There is something seriously wrong here. Like lack of demand.

If Funimation instantly wants Comcast, Time Warner, Cox, DirecTV and Dish Network to carry their channel, the only way this is going to happen is if they buy out an existing cable channel and move their programming there. G4 would be a good candidate- buy them out move the anime programming to that channel and bam! You have instant coverage across the country.

 

[NikoPowers]

Man, i really wish that my cable service had this channel. I have xfinity from comcast and there are absolutely NO anime channels. I mean, sure this channel is available on demand, but that's really about it. I did get this channel back when verizon FiOS was my cable service, though. My favorite show on there was Galaxy Railways. I wonder what's on that channel now...

 

[firecrouch]

Quote:

If Funimation instantly wants Comcast, Time Warner, Cox, DirecTV and Dish Network to carry their channel, the only way this is going to happen is if they buy out an existing cable channel and move their programming there. G4 would be a good candidate- buy them out move the anime programming to that channel and bam! You have instant coverage across the country.

That's completely unrealistic. Do you really think an anime channel has the capital to buy out another channel? I mean what kind of channel would they purchase anyway, and who would agree to it?

Also at the FUNimation panel at Anime Expo they had a representative from FUNimation Channel speaking. She said they're still talking to EVERYONE, and that if you don't hear any announcement in the near future it's because they can't seal the deal yet. Also she said there will be announcements in the fall, and hinted at a big carrier.