The new anime network, GONG, dedicated to teens and adults, has launched as the first international on-demand, online Japanese animation channel in Europe and North America.
GONG is the only on-demand Anime channel, available anywhere, anytime, on any screen (TV, mobile, Internet, VOD), in 36 countries across Europe and North America, offering manga and anime fans top-rated and popular anime series and movies.
GONG main distribution includes: In France, Club Internet and TF1 Vision via its broadband VOD service and in the U.K., the Download-to-Own Service offer BT Vision Download Store. GONG Mobile channel is accessible 24/7 on Orange TV in the U.K. and Poland. In Europe and North America, GONG is available from the free revolutionary JOOST platform, Babelgum and soon on many additional Internet portals, VOD and Download-to-Own services.
Benoit Runel, former head of acquisitions at TF1 and evp of programming, acquisitions and co-productions at Fox Kids/Jetix Europe (a Walt Disney company) and André de Semlyen, former Turner Broadcasting System vp/channel manager for Cartoon Network, Boomerang and Turner Classic Movies (a Time Warner company), came up with this pioneering project.
They commented, "Traditional TV still works, but has lost touch with many target groups. TV consumption behavior has completely changed. Time has come for a new generation in the new media space. Manga fans and Japanese animation geeks have been waiting for it."
GONG's look, feel and content suggest a perfect match between the new media distribution technology and the core community of anime fans, offering quality, flexibility, mobility and accessibility.
The founders believe that GONG is going to transform the growing anime market from an established niche business into a mass-market proposition fuelled by the explosion of new media platforms. GONG's core demographic audience target is 15-30 males and females. The strategy is to develop the exposure and popularity of anime via broadband Internet and mobile distribution, the most favored entertainment space for this generation.
For more information on GONG (with offices in London and Paris) please go to: www.gonganime.com.
