Tokyo-based anime distributor Remow announced today the launch of its “It’s Anime” free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel on Vizio’s WatchFree+ app in the United States. This expansion marks another step in Remow’s mission to broaden the global reach of Japanese entertainment content through readily accessible platforms.
Expanding Anime’s Reach on FAST Platforms
The “It’s Anime” channel will provide Vizio WatchFree+ users with a dedicated stream of Japanese animation. Initial titles highlighted for the channel include popular series such as Tougen Anki, Your Forma, and Hell Teacher anime. This new offering follows Remow’s earlier launch of the “It’s Anime” channel on Samsung TV Plus in the United States and Canada in July, with plans for further platform expansion throughout 2025 and 2026.
Remow, founded in 2021, aims to bridge Japanese content with a global audience, addressing challenges in distributing video content to international streaming services and combating piracy by increasing legal accessibility. The company has been actively building a distribution network, expanding into 140 countries and over 40 streaming platforms in just over two years, including the launch of 24/7 FAST channels across North America, Latin America, and Asia.
Vizio WatchFree+: A Growing Hub for Free Content
Vizio’s WatchFree+ is a prominent free streaming service integrated directly into Vizio smart televisions, offering hundreds of live channels and a robust library of on-demand content without requiring subscriptions or logins. The platform has become the second most-watched ad-supported application on the Vizio ecosystem, underscoring the rising consumer demand for free streaming options. Beyond televisions, WatchFree+ has also expanded its availability to the Vizio mobile app for iOS and Android devices, allowing users to access its diverse content on the go.
The addition of “It’s Anime” further diversifies WatchFree+’s content library, which already spans genres like news, sports, entertainment, and kids’ programming. Vizio’s commitment to enhancing the user experience on WatchFree+ includes recent updates such as an upgraded design, an improved electronic program guide (EPG) with 30-minute intervals, and personalization features like “My Watchlist.”
The Rise of Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV (FAST)
The launch of “It’s Anime” on WatchFree+ is indicative of a broader trend in the streaming industry: the significant growth of Free Ad-supported Streaming TV (FAST) channels. These services offer viewers a lean-back, linear TV experience combined with the accessibility and variety of streaming, all supported by advertising.
Other major players in the anime streaming space have also embraced the FAST model. Crunchyroll, a leading anime subscription video-on-demand service, launched its own free 24/7 anime channel on platforms including Amazon Freevee, The Roku Channel, LG Channels, and Vizio WatchFree+ in October. This competitive landscape highlights the increasing value of anime content within the FAST market and its potential to reach a wider, ad-tolerant audience.
Remow’s strategic move to partner with platforms like Vizio positions “It’s Anime” to capitalize on this growing market, delivering a curated selection of Japanese animation to a dedicated and expanding fanbase. The company’s “creator first” approach aims to empower studios and creators, ensuring their work is widely distributed and effectively monetized globally.
