AMC Networks Acquires Leading Global Anime Distributor Sentai, Including Direct-To-Consumer Anime Platform HIDIVE
06 January 2022 - 8:30AM
AMC Networks Inc. (NASDAQ: AMCX) announced today it has completed
the acquisition of Houston-based Sentai Holdings, LLC (“Sentai”), a
leading global supplier of anime content and official anime
merchandise, with brands including the anime-focused HIDIVE
direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service. The acquisition
includes all of the member interests from Cool Japan Fund, Inc., a
public-private Japanese investment fund.
With strong industry relationships and access to
key content creators in Japan, Sentai distributes and curates one
of the anime industry’s most diverse libraries of top trending and
classic titles, with its content available on Crunchyroll, Hulu and
Amazon Prime, among others. Sentai’s HIDIVE streaming service
represents a strong new addition to AMC Networks’ portfolio of
fast-growing targeted offerings, which includes AMC+, Acorn TV,
Shudder, Sundance Now and ALLBLK. AMC Networks, the global leader
in targeted streaming, has forecast its targeted streaming
portfolio will have exceeded nine million paid subscribers by
year-end 2021, with 20-25 million paid subscribers by 2025.
Japanese anime is a rapidly growing entertainment
category, with a highly-engaged global fanbase propelled by its
unique aesthetics and evangelical fans, convention culture and
increased online accessibility.
“With a seasoned team, strong content and
direct-to-consumer offerings for fans around the world, Sentai is a
key global player in anime,” said AMC Networks Interim CEO Matt
Blank. “This acquisition builds on AMC Networks’ already strong IP
and franchises, and furthers our targeted streaming strategy of
super-serving passionate audiences with content depth, curation and
community. With the addition of Sentai, we see an even greater
opportunity to build on AMC Networks’ position as the global leader
in targeted streaming, as we continue to grow a sustainable and
long-term profitable streaming business that will be
transformational for our company.”
John Ledford, Sentai’s Founder stated, “We are
thrilled by AMC Networks’ acquisition and are excited to be a part
of their growth strategy. This acquisition will not change Sentai’s
mission to deliver the most exciting anime content to audiences
around the world — it will expand it greatly and will give our
content businesses more distribution, more partnerships, more scale
and more reach. I could not be more pleased.”
Sentai’s executive management team of Ledford,
Griffin Vance, and Paul Clinkscales, will continue on in senior
roles.
PwC Advisory LLC acted as financial advisor,
Arnold & Porter and Shiomizaka acted as legal counsel, KPMG FAS
Co., Ltd. acted as financial advisor, KPMG Tax Corporation acted as
tax advisor, and A.T. Kearney K.K. acted as Strategic advisory to
Cool Japan Fund, Inc. in connection with the transaction. Paul
Clinkscales led the transaction for Sentai. Hughes Hubbard &
Reed acted as legal counsel to AMC Networks.
About AMC Networks AMC Networks
is a global entertainment company known for its popular and
critically-acclaimed content. Its portfolio of brands includes
fast-growing targeted streaming services AMC+, Acorn TV, Shudder,
Sundance Now and ALLBLK, as well as AMC, BBC AMERICA (operated
through a joint venture with BBC Studios), IFC, SundanceTV, WE tv
and IFC Films. AMC Studios, the Company’s in-house studio,
production and distribution operation, is behind some of the
biggest titles and brands known to a global audience, including The
Walking Dead, the Anne Rice catalog and the Agatha Christie
library. The Company also operates AMC Networks International, its
international programming business, and 25/7 Media, its production
services business.
About Sentai: Sentai, a leading
global supplier of anime content and official merchandise, is
dedicated to bringing captivating stories and iconic characters
directly from Japan. Sentai’s brands include HIDIVE
(direct-to-consumer streaming), SentaiFilmworks.com (direct to
consumer E-Commerce), Anime Network (Cable SVOD) and Sentai Studios
(localization and studio services). Sentai’s diverse library
includes thousands of hours of hit titles and classic series
including MADE IN ABYSS, Akame ga Kill, Food Wars!, Clannad, Is it
Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?, High School of the
Dead, Girls & Panzer, No Game No Life, K-On!, Assassin’s Pride
and Parasyte -the maxim-.
About Cool Japan Fund: Cool Japan
Fund was founded in November 2013 as a public-private Japanese
investment fund with the aim of supporting and promoting the
development of demand overseas for excellent Japanese products and
services. Cool Japan Fund aims to commercialize the “Cool Japan”
and increase overseas demand by providing risk capital for
businesses across a variety of areas, including media &
content, food & services, fashion & lifestyle and inbound.
Further information is available at
https://www.cj-fund.co.jp/en/.
Contacts:
Georgia Juvelis |
Nicholas Seibert |
Corporate Communications |
Investor Relations |
AMC Networks |
AMC Networks |
646-420-5869 |
646-740-5749 |
Georgia.juvelis@amcnetworks.com |
Nicholas.seibert@amcnetworks.com |
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