KCGM taps Amagi to launch Animax to OTT platforms

KC Global Media Asia (KCGM) has tapped cloud-based SaaS technology for broadcast and connected TV provider Amagi to provide its flagship SaaS offerings to distribute its premium anime channel, Animax, across multiple OTT platforms in India.

The announcement comes after KCGM, created by former Sony executives Andy Kaplan and George Chien, launched Animax on Indian streaming service provider JioTV. The launch has enabled KCGM to venture further into the Southeast Asian market, making its currently distributed premium content more accessible to viewers and advertisers.

KCGM plans to deploy more channels in the region, moving its portfolio of premium content across its networks.

Currently, KCGM is using Amagi Cloudport for cloud-based channel playout and Amagi Thunderstorm for dynamic server-side ad insertion. The combination of technologies has helped KCGM migrate its channels onto the cloud, manage the channels end-to-end using cloud-built platforms, and grow ad-based revenues, according to the pair. Amagi is also providing KCGM with asset segmentation and scheduling through its managed services function.

Avani Bhanchawat, VP and head of revenue at KC Global Media, said: “We are excited to work with Amagi through their tech solutions to bring anime to a wider audience in India. Through this partnership, anime fans in India now have access to premium, ad-supported content through our recently launched Animax channel.”

Srinivasan KA, co-founder and chief revenue officer at Amagi, said: “Animax was Amagi’s first-ever large-scale project in Southeast Asia, where Asia’s leading premium anime channel has been delivered to a popular Indian OTT service provider. KCGM has demonstrated technology leadership with this move, and we’re hopeful that this will set a precedent for other media companies in Southeast Asia to follow suit.”