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Hidive (stylized in all caps) is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service.

Hidive
Logo used since 2017
Type of businessDivision
Type of site
OTT streaming platform
Available in1 languages
List of languages
  • English
Predecessor(s)Anime Network Online
Headquarters,
U.S.
Area servedNorth America, United Kingdom, Ireland, and Oceania
OwnerAMC Networks
IndustryEntertainment
Products
Services
  • Film distribution
  • television distribution
ParentHidive, LLC
URLhidive.com
CommercialYes
RegistrationRequired
Users300,000 (2020)[1]
LaunchedJune 20, 2017; 7 years ago (2017-06-20)[2]
Current statusActive

The service was launched in June 2017 after the dissolution of The Anime Network's online service, which survived after the liquidation of the former A.D. Vision's assets in 2009.

History

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Early years

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Hidive, LLC, a new company not affiliated with Anime Network, was formed in 2017 and shortly after, it acquired Anime Network Online's assets and spun them off into the new streaming service following Anime Network Online's discontinuation.[3][2] Former subscriptions from Anime Network Online were later moved to Hidive.[4]

It exclusively streams select licensed titles from Sentai and Section23, as well as a handful that was formerly held by A.D. Vision, including a small number of titles that were previously exclusive to the defunct streaming channel Anime Strike.[5][6]

On July 21, 2017, Hidive announced the service would start to offer selected anime titles with Spanish and Portuguese subtitles and began offering "Dubcasts" later in March 2018.[7][8] Similar to SimulDubs, it competes against FUNimation's SimulDub program.[9] This allows Hidive to stream dubs of simulcast titles approximately two to three weeks after the initial Japanese broadcast.

On October 18, 2018, VRV announced that Hidive would be launching its channel on its service, which replaced FUNimation Now, which left the service on November 9, 2018.[10]

Sony announced its acquisition of VRV's parent company Crunchyroll from AT&T on August 9, 2021, via its FUNimation subsidiary. After the acquisition took effect, Hidive left the service on September 30 of that year.[11]

AMC acquisition

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Hidive was part of AMC Networks' acquisition of Sentai in January 2022.[12]

In November 2023, the service announced that it will end service in certain areas outside North America, which went into effect later in December.[13]

In March 2024, Hidive's website was updated with a new user interface.[14] New features were also added, such as offline viewing, updated history queues, and the ability to create multiple customized watchlists.[15][16] It later brought back the schedule and customized profiles features in August,[17] both of which were features that were previously available prior to the major update of the site.

Programming

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At launch, Hidive featured much of the same content as Anime Network Online, which in-itself featured notable titles licensed by A.D. Vision and its successor, Sentai Filmworks.

In April 2022, AMC announced the development of a Hidive-branded Free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel called "ANIME x HIDIVE", which would feature content licensed by Sentai and seen on the Hidive streaming service.[18] The channel would launch on Plex in March 2023.[19]

In September 2022, Hidive would briefly expand into original programing when it co-premiered the AMC+ original series Pantheon.[20][21]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Houston based Japanese animation co. receives funding to grow streaming service, increase employment". Houston Business Journal. Archived from the original on March 11, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "New Anime Streaming Service, HIDIVE, Launches as Beta with Dubs, Live-Chat, and More". HIDIVE. News. Archived from the original on January 5, 2018. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
  3. ^ "HIDIVE Anime Streaming Service Launches With Legend of the Galactic Heroes (Update 3)". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on December 28, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  4. ^ "Anime Network Streaming Website Switches to Cable, Video on Demand Only (Updated)". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 22, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  5. ^ "HIDIVE Streams 4 Former Anime Strike-Exclusive Titles". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on January 10, 2018. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
  6. ^ "HIDIVE Adds Armed Girl's Machiavellism Anime". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on January 10, 2018. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
  7. ^ "HIDIVE News". HIDIVE. Archived from the original on April 13, 2020. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
  8. ^ "Anime Streaming News | HIDIVE". news.hidive.com. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  9. ^ "HIDIVE Reveals 'DUBCAST' & First Wave of Spring 2018 Simulcasts". Anime UK News. March 23, 2018. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
  10. ^ "Funimation, Crunchyroll End Content Sharing Partnership". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on October 18, 2018. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  11. ^ "WHAT DOES HIDIVE'S VRV EXIT MEAN FOR YOU? START WITH OUR FAQ". HIDIVE.com. September 8, 2021. Archived from the original on September 8, 2021. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  12. ^ "AMC Gets Serious About Anime by Acquiring Sentai Filmworks and Hidive". January 6, 2022. Archived from the original on September 28, 2022. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  13. ^ "HIDIVE to End Service in Certain Areas Outside N. America on December 14 (Updated)". Anime News Network. June 21, 2024. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  14. ^ "The Next Evolution of HIDIVE Is Here". March 7, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  15. ^ "Anime Streaming News | HIDIVE". news.hidive.com. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  16. ^ "HIDIVE Launches Updated Website/Apps With Offline Viewing, New User Interface". Anime News Network. April 16, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  17. ^ "Anime Streaming News | HIDIVE". news.hidive.com. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  18. ^ "AMC NETWORKS DEVELOPING SIX NEW FAST CHANNELS, BUILDING ON SUCCESSFUL BASE OF UNIQUE AND COMPELLING CHANNELS DISTRIBUTED ACROSS AN EXPANDING ARRAY OF PLATFORMS". April 6, 2022. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  19. ^ "Plex Streaming Service Adds 24/7 HIDIVE Anime Channel". Anime News Network. June 21, 2024. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  20. ^ Zahed, Ramin (August 26, 2022). "Sci-Fi Epic Pantheon Updates AMC+ as a Cool New Animation Destination". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on January 11, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  21. ^ "Pantheon: Don't Miss the Sci-Fi Drama on HIDIVE in September". HIDIVE. Archived from the original on January 11, 2023. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
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