|
By Shirley Brady
The Anime Network listens to its fans, and it is giving them what they want: more original programming, high-definition content, a voice in what's on-air, and a new subtitled block of programming that premieres Feb. 12.
"Most of our viewers continue to voice a preference for dubbed anime, but we have also heard from a number of devoted subtitled fans, so we're going to start up a subtitled block and see what kind of response it gets from the viewers," the network's programming director Chris Nelson said in an online chat with fans last month.
Anime is working out technical issues involved with subtitling its programming for VOD. "Video on demand is tricky, because each cable operator has different limitations on the amount of content available," said Nelson. "But we will more than likely figure out a way to offer up some subtitled programming and see how it performs."
Anime is giving fans the opportunity to vote on what shows they want to see via a new "Fan Service" block that premiered Christmas Day. "We want to incorporate some of the fan culture into our programming," Nelson said.
HD programming also is in the works. Anime Network owner ADV Films recently announced its first three titles for HD DVD release--Noir, RahXephon and Full Metal Panic!--using Windows Media HD video and 5.1 DTS Surround Sound audio. "We were involved in some of the first anime in HD experiments on American television," Nelson noted. "We're going to continue our tradition of being aggressive when it comes to new technology, and as more anime is produced originally in HD, we'll definitely be taking a long look at the best way to bring that to American television viewers."
Back to this issue
|
