Free Aussie streamer adds pay tier

A free streaming service from Australian distributor Madman Entertainment offering Japanese content has added a subscription tier as usage figures continue to rise.

Chris Mander

Madman launched AnimeLab 12 months ago, streaming sci-fi, horror, drama and other content simulcast from Japan in HD.

More than 70,000 hours of content are being streamed per week and the average time per-visit is 60 minutes.

Subscribers can now access premium content in HD for A$6.95 (US$5.40) per month or A$69.95 per year, with no advertising.

Madman is offering a 30-day free trial to AnimeLab Premium, which includes the full back catalogue and dubbed and subtitled shows.

The free service will continue but with pre-roll advertising and in standard definition, with a one-week delay in simulcasts and limited access to back catalogue.

Chris Mander, director of creative and digital at Madman Entertainment, told C21: “We’ve seen some exciting continued growth. AnimeLab’s viewer numbers have increased fourfold in the past six months.”