Kids entertainment company WildBrain has announced that the first 22 Seasons of the original Pokemon Anime will be coming to a new FAST channel across all major free streaming sources.
The new FAST channel (which stands for Free Ad Supported TV) will allow users to watch the Pokemon Anime with limited ad interruptions. Beginning with the Indigo League story arc, and ending with the Sun and Moon arc, this will be the first time a streaming service offered the original series in it's entirety at one time. Currently Netflix owns the rights to the newer seasons of the anime, as well as the new series Pokemon Horizons, so they will not be included in this new partnership.
For more information, here is the official announcement:
WildBrain, a global leader in kids’ and family entertainment, has struck an agreement with The Pokémon Company International to become the only distributor of the single-IP Pokémon FAST (free ad-supported television) channel, starting in the United States, followed by Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.
The partnership will see WildBrain secure and launch new single-IP FAST channels with leading platforms across these regions for 22 seasons of the iconic original animated Pokémon series, featuring Ash Ketchum and his partner Pokémon, Pikachu. Fans will be able to follow the duo’s adventures as they aim to achieve Ash’s goal of becoming the world’s top Pokémon Trainer across multiple story arcs, including The Beginning (112 x 22’), Gold and Silver (157 x 22’), Ruby and Sapphire (191 x 22’), Diamond and Pearl (189 x 22’), Black and White (142 x 22’), XY (141 x 22’), and Sun and Moon (145 x 22’). WildBrain will also be selling select direct advertising inventory for the Pokémon channels through its Media Solutions team.
Lara Ilie, VP AVOD and FAST at WildBrain, said, “We’re thrilled to be bringing Pokémon to FAST audiences as a single-IP channel for the first time ever. FAST is an important component of an omni-channel strategy to grow brands and reach fans everywhere they’re watching. As a leader in audience engagement for kids and families, we’re looking forward to leveraging our FAST expertise to reach the ever-growing Pokémon community.”
Melissa Pearce, senior director of media licensing at The Pokémon Company International, said, “We always strive to deliver the joy of Pokémon to more fans around the world, and WildBrain is the perfect partner to help us introduce a new generation of Trainers to the beloved Pokémon animation. FAST provides an ideal platform for the Pokémon brand to connect with wider audiences, offering accessible and curated content in a family-friendly environment.”
This partnership with Pokémon underscores WildBrain’s position as the frontrunner in FAST channels for kids. With more than 100 FAST channels for multiple brands now launched across major platforms worldwide, WildBrain is the world’s leading expert in harnessing FAST for kids’ content. Since launching its FAST strategy, WildBrain has driven growth on its channels to 7.5 billion minutes watched in 2023, up from 502 million in 2019.
Through direct partnerships with all major platforms, including Samsung, LG, Roku, Tubi, and Pluto and using the three biggest integrators, Wurl, Xumo, and Amagi, WildBrain operates FAST channels for more than 20 brands, including Teletubbies, Strawberry Shortcake, Caillou, Inspector Gadget, Degrassi, Slugterra, Sonic, Super Mario, and more. Additionally, WildBrain’s in-house Media Solutions team provides strategies for advertisers and brands to reach kids and family audiences across FAST, AVOD, and gaming. WildBrain offers partners the expertise, operational infrastructure, and insights needed to leverage and optimize the FAST and non-YouTube AVOD opportunity for their brands.
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