Broadcasting and Cable Magazine is reporting that Cablevision's Independent Film Channel, which is available free on many cable and satellite systems, plans to add three popular anime titles from FUNimation 'with staggered premieres' during 2008.  Witchblade, Speed Grapher and Hell Girl will join the roster of anime shown by the IFC, which has previously aired other FUNimation series, Samurai Seven, Basilisk, and Gunslinger Girl during 2007.

IFC's General Manager Evan Shapiro told B&C: 'We consider ourselves the voice of independent culture, and we've taken that on as our mission.  People who come to IFC want different, new things and new cultures, and anime represents the epitome of that kind of world culture.'  IFC has purchased the digital rights to the three series and plans to promote them vigorously online and, according to B&C, 'is working on an innovative online and video-on-demand component to their linear series for 2008 that will change the television landscape.'

The 24-episode Witchblade anime, which was produced by Gonzo and based on the Top Cow comic book property, will be the first of the new series to debut on the IFC in January of 2008.  FUNimation's first Witchblade DVD enjoyed the bestselling anime TV series debut of any series debuting in 2008 (see 'Witchblade Is Top '07 Anime Series Debut').

Speed Grapher, a 24-episode series about a photographer who investigates corruption and decadence among the oligarchic elite in a near-future Tokyo, joins the IFC lineup in March, while Hell Girl, a supernatural thriller about a Website where ordinary people (with the help of the title character) can get revenge against those who wronged them (but at the cost of going to hell when they die), will debut later in the year.

The IFC announcement is the latest example of the spread of anime on select cable and satellite venues.  According to B&C, NBC Universal's Sci Fi Channel is looking to add more anime after its late night Animonday block (see 'Sci Fi Channel Adds Anime Block') brought it a 70% increase in the coveted 18-34 male demographic over previous programming.