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Variety: AT&T Plans Streaming Bundle That Includes Crunchyroll
posted on by Rafael Antonio Pineda
Entertainment news magazine Variety reported on Tuesday that Crunchyroll's parent company Ellation is developing a subscription-based content service called "VRV" that will bundle other streaming services together, including Crunchyroll. According to Variety, AT&T and The Chernin Group plan to release the service, which will target "viewers interested in anime, video games, niche action sports, and other fare off the beaten path."
AT&T and The Chernin Group formed the Otter Media joint venture in 2014, and Ellation is part of Otter Media. The Chernin Group, a company run by former News Corporation executive Peter Chernin, acquired a majority stake in Crunchyroll in December 2013. Crunchyroll's "About" page currently lists Otter Media as one of its investors. Otter Media invested another US$22 million in Crunchyroll's parent company Ellation in November.
Variety stated that "VRV" will combine Crunchyroll with content channels from other partners, with the service either sold as a bundle, or a custom package according to users. Variety further reported that Ellation may announce this new service this month, with a launch targeted for later this year.
Variety's report also noted that Crunchyroll has at least 800,000 paying subscribers. The website also added that an Ellation spokesperson and an AT&T spokesperson declined to comment on "VRV."
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