WarnerMedia Looking To Sell Anime Service Crunchyroll For Reported

WarnerMedia is apparently putting Japanese anime hub Crunchyroll on the auction block -- with Sony emerging as an interested suitor.  The Hollywood Reporter reports that despite achieving relative success as a niche service -- to the tune of 3 million Crunchyroll subscribers -- WarnerMedia’s parent company AT&T is looking to further reduce its $200 billion debt load. Accordingly, newly-installed WarnerMedia chief Jason Kilar is looking to sell any assets -- including 14-year-old Crunchyroll -- that aren’t central to its entertainment business, which includes flagship streaming service HBO Max. (Crunchyroll touts a presence on HBO Max with curated programming -- in addition to its standalone service, with pricing starting at $8 per month).  If Sony were to go forward with the purchase, Crunchyroll would presumably amplify its existing anime service, Funimation, which dubs and distributes Japanese anime. That said, Sony reportedly offered less than WarnerMedia’s $1.5 billion asking price for Crunchyroll, per The Information, which first reported the talks.

crunchyroll Archives - Tubefilter

Sony to Buy Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll takes global rights to Nippon's debut anime 'Tsukimichi - Moonlit Fantasy' - TBI Vision

WarnerMedia Shopping Crunchyroll Sale – The Hollywood Reporter

Sony to Buy AT&T's Crunchyroll Service for More Than $1 Billion - WSJ

AT&T May Be Looking to Sell Anime Service Crunchyroll to Sony

Sony reportedly in talks to acquire Crunchyroll anime streaming service - CNET

Crunchyroll and VIZ Media Partner on Home Video and EST Distribution (Exclusive)

Funimation seals $1.175BN Crunchyroll acquisition, Major Businesses, Business, News

AT&T Acquires Crunchyroll New Media Purchase

Crunchyroll Crosses 3 Million Paid Subs - Media Play News

Funimation Archives - MARKETECH APAC

Crunchyroll gives its UK catalogue of anime a boost

AT&T to sell anime streamer Crunchyroll for about $1.2 billion

WarnerMedia Looking to Sell Crunchyroll Anime-Streaming Service for at Least $1 Billion