One of the prime topics at the ADV panel at the San Diego Comic-Con International was the rapid expansion of the Anime Network, which will soon expand across the country from its two original east coast locations in Philadelphia and New York (see 'Cablevision Adds Anime Network in New York Area'). In spite of a difficult environment for adding cable channels, the Anime Network will soon be available in a number of new markets including: Boston, Baltimore, Los Angeles, San Diego, Richmond, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Charleston, Minneapolis, Houston, Green Bay, and Detroit.

In an effort to add even more locations, ADV ran a contest at Comic-Con with some major prizes (including a brand new Honda) in order to get fans to fill out cards requesting their local cable providers to add the Anime Network as a 'video-on-demand' channel.  Video-on-demand allows viewers to choose what they want from a monthly selection of 35-40 titles and watch it when they want for a cost that typically hovers around $6.99 per month.  All the anime titles are shown uncut and ADV is working to be able to bring fans the original Japanese soundtrack with English subtitles via the SAP option on their TVs.  As of now all the titles available are from ADV and the Right Stuf, though announcements of the participation of other anime companies are imminent.