ADV's Anime Network is announcing a deal at NATPE today for distribution of programming by Akimbo, a video-on-demand service that delivers content via the Internet.  Akimbo is not a hardware company, although it sells a set-top box; it's 'a service provider and content aggregator,' according to CEO Josh Goldman, who we interviewed on Monday.  'Akimbo aims to be the world's largest video on demand service for consumer TV,' Goldman said, 'and by most objective measures we're reaching that point.'  The company currently offers just under 8000 titles from 160 vendors.  

 

Akimbo will offer 100 hours of programming at a time, overlapping the 25 hours of programming available at any one time on Anime Network's VOD channels on cable systems (see 'More Anime in More Places'), with approximately 50 hours of programming on Akimbo being refreshed each month.  The maximum amount of time any Anime Network programming will be available via Akimbo will be 90 days, a limit imposed by Anime Network and not by any limits in the amount of content that can be made available on the service, as is the case with cable-delivered VOD services. 

 

Anime Network programs offered in the first month of Akimbo service, which will begin in February, include DN Angel, Full Metal Panic, Robotech, Samurai X, and a full season of recent hit ADV release Elfen Lied.  Akimbo will offer more subtitled Anime Network programming than the cable-delivered VOD services do. 

 

Akimbo already offers some anime programming from Central Park Media, Animeigo, and Image Entertainment; and despite the limited amount of programming available, the category already is the third most popular category on the service, after independent films and VLOGs. 

 

Standard def content on Akimbo is delivered in a 720 x 480 format, which 'looks every bit' like video from cable VOD systems, according to Goldman.  Akimbo can deliver programming either through the set-top box, or via Windows Media Center PCs. 

 

Anime was the most-requested content area by current Akimbo users, Goldman told us, which is why the company is proactively seeking out anime programming.  Current Akimbo customers fall into two groups -- early adopting, high-consuming video fans; and less technically proficient consumers who are attracted by specific content areas (e.g., Chinese language programming).  Anime actually bridges both groups, with a high proportion of tech-savvy early adopters, as well as fans who are simply attracted by the programming.

 

ADV spokesperson Chris Oarr told us that he expects the availability of content via Akimbo to stimulate DVD sales.  Programming made available on cable VOD before DVD release, such as The Fuccons and Chrono Crusade, has sold better on DVD than it otherwise would have, he said.  And security software encoded into the Anime Network programming on Akimbo will limit the time it can be kept, so programming downloaded from the service will not replace the permanence of DVDs.