Crunchyroll to Halt Ad-Supported Streaming by December 31

Crunchyroll to Cease Ad-Supported Streaming

Announcement Highlights
Crunchyroll has officially stated that it will discontinue its ad-supported streaming service on December 31. This decision affects only the free viewing option; subscription tiers and associated ad-supported selections remain unchanged.

Affected Titles

Previously, several popular titles were accessible through the free ad-supported model, including:

• Cowboy Bebop
• Chainsaw Man
• My Hero Academia
• One Piece
• Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

The ad-supported model allowed viewers to enjoy select episodes without a subscription, but these options will soon be eliminated.

Background on the Change

This move follows Crunchyroll's earlier announcement in March 2022, which indicated a shift away from unlimited free viewing, instead requiring subscriptions for new and ongoing shows. As part of this transition, free access was initially limited to the first three episodes of a series for a week following each premiere.

Expansion of Services

In recent years, Crunchyroll has broadened its reach by launching various channel partnerships, including a 24/7 channel on Samsung TV Plus, and collaborations to provide content through platforms like Amazon and YouTube Primetime Channels.

As Crunchyroll evolves, anime fans will need to prepare for adjustments to their viewing habits.

Source: Anime News Network