Just ten days after DVD Dojo, the ADV video podcast that gives information and clips of upcoming DVD releases from the anime giant, was released onto iTunes, it has cracked the top 20 most downloaded podcasts. The free podcast was launched on iTunes on January 14th. Proving that American’s aren’t the only ones who like anime, the cast has also broken the top 50 in Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain. The full press release has a list of all the countries and notable rankings and enough links to access their stuff in iTunes that you might cry apple flavored tears.
There’s a full press release after the jump, and how about let’s all ignore how completely untimely my posting of their podcast launch was. I’m only one man! What do you people want?!
ANIME NETWORK ROCKETS TO THE TOP OF THE PODCAST CHARTS
DVD Dojo Cracks Top 20 ‘Most Subscribed’ in Just 10 Days
HOUSTON, January 25, 2006—Anime Network, the first cable channel in North America dedicated to anime, announced today that its popular program DVD Dojo cracked the top 20 on the Apple iTunes Music Store’s U.S. Top Subscribed Podcast list. The video podcast is a hit overseas as well, having achieved top 50 rankings in the iTunes Music Stores of Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain. The free DVD Dojo podcast launched on iTunes January 14.
DVD Dojo is an original series broadcast every month on Anime Network. The half hour program gives anime fans the rundown on the latest upcoming titles from ADV Films, along with upcoming convention information and other anime-related items. Every episode reviews three new anime programs and provides an extended clip from each. With rich content and high production values unlike anything else, DVD Dojo became the most-subscribed anime-related podcast from the Apple iTunes Music Store in less than two weeks online. To access DVD Dojo on iTunes, click here.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with our success with iTunes,” said Anime Network President and ADV Films co-founder and CEO John Ledford. “We know that anime fans are a tech-savvy bunch, and DVD Dojo is extremely popular with Anime Network viewers. But we were all surprised by just how quickly the podcast version took off.”
“The success of Anime Network online just goes to show how strong demand continues for anime content,” Ledford added. “Consumers – particularly the 18-34 year old demo – are hungry for what we have to offer, whether it’s at the video store, on cable, satellite or over the Internet.”
A second podcast, ADV Films Anime Trailers, is also available for subscription via the Apple iTunes Music Store. Like DVD Dojo, these extended anime trailers are free to the consumer, and podcast subscribers receive automatic downloads as new content is made available. To access ADV Trailers on iTunes, click here.
“Podcasting” derives from a blend of “broadcasting” and “iPod,” referring to Apple’s popular digital music player. However the term has come to encompass all video and audio broadcasts available over the Internet. Users can download and listen to podcasts directly from their computer utilizing a variety of software, including that available from the Apple iTunes Music Store. Once downloaded, podcasts like DVD Dojo can be easily transferred to iPods and other portable devices, including an increasing number of mobile phones.
Below is a list of DVD Dojo podcast positions on some of Apple’s iTunes Music Stores as of Tuesday, January 24.
Austria #1 on the New & Notable Features
Belgium #60 Top Subscribed Podcast; #1 on the New & Notable Features
Canada #28 Top Subscribed Podcast; #1 on the New & Notable Features
Denmark #47 Top Subscribed Podcast; #1 on the New & Notable Features
Finland #1 on the New & Notable Features
France #1 on the New & Notable Features
Germany #75 Top Subscribed Podcast; #1 on the New & Notable Features
Greece #1 on the New & Notable Features
Ireland #88 Top Subscribed Podcast; #1 on the New & Notable Features
Italy #36 Top Subscribed Podcast; #1 on the New & Notable Features
Luxembourg #1 on the New & Notable Features
Netherlands #40 Top Subscribed Podcast; #1 on the New & Notable Features
Norway #1 on the New & Notable Features
Portugal #1 on the New & Notable Features
Spain #24 Top Subscribed Podcast; #1 on the New & Notable Features
Sweden #1 on the New & Notable Features
Switzerland #69 Top Subscribed Podcast; #1 on the New & Notable Features
United Kingdom #61 Top Subscribed Podcast; #1 on the New & Notable Features
United States #20 Top Subscribed Podcast; #1 on the New & Notable Features
About Anime Network
Anime Network, a subsidiary of A.D. Vision Inc. (parent company to ADV Films and Newtype USA), is the first cable channel in North America dedicated to anime, with access to thousands of hours of exciting, eye-catching serialized programming. Anime Network launched in North America in late 2002 with extensive availability initially through digital cable video-on-demand technology and has become one of the nation’s top video-on-demand offerings. The network also became available on a 24/7 basis in select U.S. markets beginning July 2004 and continues broadening its initial roster of multi-system operator agreements to provide its programming nationwide, helping to bring the elusive 18 – 34, tech-savvy male demographic back to television and drive demand for additional digital services offered by MSOs. Additional information on Anime Network is available at http://www.theanimenetwork.com/.
About ADV Films:
In the 14 years since its inception, ADV Films has become the #1 producer-distributor of Japanese animation (“anime”) for the North American market and has also developed a leadership position in the UK. With best-selling titles such as Neon Genesis Evangelion, RahXephon, Robotech, Full Metal Panic, Hello Kitty and Azumanga Daioh, ADV Films’ extensive catalog is fueling the popularity of anime around the globe. Always on the forefront, ADV is introducing North America to bold new anime franchises such as Gantz, Elfen Lied, Chrono Crusade, Peacemaker and DNAngel. ADV Films’ library also includes popular live-action science fiction programs such as The Jim Henson Company’s Farscape, the nationally syndicated Gene Roddenberry’s Andromeda and the Saturn Award-nominated Mutant X. In 2005 ADV Films was voted “Best Anime Company” in the SPJA awards, presented at Anime Expo, North America’s largest anime convention. The readers of Anime News Network designated ADV Films “Overall Favorite Anime Company” in both 2004 and 2005.
Parent company, A.D. Vision, Inc., encompasses a multitude of complementary media divisions, spanning publishing, television, licensing and merchandising and continues to expand into new areas. Its Anime Network™ is America’s first and only television network dedicated to bringing anime and anime-related programming to consumers nationwide via digital cable 24 hours a day. The company has two publishing arms: Newtype USA, the premier anime and manga monthly magazine, and ADV Manga™, dedicated to publishing graphic novels. Headquartered in Houston, the company has offices in Europe and Japan. For more information, visit http://www.advfilms.com.