Owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, Animax India was a part of the Japanese media conglomerate Sony. The channel was operated and broadcast from Singapore by Animax Asia and distributed by Sony Pictures Networks India Pvt. Ltd. Launched almost 15 years ago with popular Indian cricketer, Irfan Pathan as its brand ambassador, Animax India was the first Indian channel to target the age demographic of 15 to 25 years young adults and simulcast anime in the same week and on the same day as Japan.
However on 18th April, 2017, this Japanese anime television channel ceased broadcasting in India on regular television and was replaced by Sony Yay. Currently, Sony Pictures Networks has made Animax Asia HD available as live channel on its Indian digital platform, Sony LIV.
History of Animax India
Back in 2004 on 4th July, when Animax India was first launched, it started with 12 hours Hindi feed that targeted young kids and teens between 7 to 14 years. The plan was to launch Hindi and English language audio tracks but from 2006 onwards, Animax entirely shut down its Hindi feed and kept its English one, since it changed its target audience to the ages of 15 to 25 years.
On December 2004, to introduce Animax to a larger audience, the channel branded a Hindi feed block called the "Animax Kool Kidz". This block was launched on Sony Entertainment Television and featured shows like Astro Boy, Cyborg 009, Daigunder, Fancy Lala, Princess Comet, Princess Sarah, Princess Tutu, Tales of Little Women and UFO Baby.
Between the span of 2007 and 2008, the channel went through few changes. The content became more diverse as it started to air live action content shows like Tech Max, Game Max, Animax Press Play, Imagination and Speak Out and movies like Spider-Man 2, Kung Fu Hustle and Hellboy. And in 2008, Animax South Asia merged with Animax Asia`s programming feed, including all of its exclusive premieres and rebranded its logo along with Singapore on 4 May 2010.
Programmes on Animax India
Currently, Animax India airs 5 brand new shows, "The Seven Deadly Sins: Imperial Wrath of God`s", "Highschool Prodigies have it easy even in another world!", "TWO Car Racing side car", "Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody" and "JoJo`s Bizarre Adventure Golden Wind". These along with some of the older Korean and Japanese shows are also aired on Animax India as well.
