Crunchyroll

History

2021: Sony bought Crunchyroll from AT&T for $1.175 billion

In early August 2021, Sony officially became the owner of AT&T's Crunchyroll. The company plans to use the Crunchyroll service to expand its already significant presence in the anime streaming market.

Sony's deal to acquire Crunchyroll was first announced in December 2020, as a result of which Crunchyroll will join Funimation, Sony's existing anime streaming company. The ultimate goal of combining the two anime companies is to create a single subscription to the anime by the end of 2021.

Sony acquired Crunchyroll from AT&T for $1.175 billion

The value of the transaction is $1.175 billion. AT&T, which sells the service for $1.5 billion, uses the funds received to pay off the main debt accumulated as a result of streaming costs. Having radically abandoned its streaming strategy, AT&T has since decided to free up its media assets and focus on its core communications business.

With the addition of Crunchyroll, we have an unprecedented opportunity to serve anime fans like never before and provide them with the opportunity to watch anime on any platform they choose: in theaters, events, home film studios, games, streaming, linear television - everywhere and in all the ways that fans want to watch their favorite anime, "said Sony Pictures Entertainment Chairman and CEO Tony Vinchira.

Crunchyroll has 5 million paid subscribers, and the audience continues to grow. The service serves 120 million registered users in more than 200 countries and territories, offering AVOD, mobile games, events, goods and distribution (by August 2021). The deal with Sony, as noted in a press release, provides an opportunity for Crunchyroll and Funimation to expand distribution for their content partners and expand offerings for consumers.^[1]

Notes