Toku (TV channel)

As Funimation Channel

Funimation Channel started as a syndicated block on Colours TV, one of Olympusat's affiliate networks.^[2] Programs during this era were Dragon Ball, Negima!, Kodocha, The Slayers, Blue Gender, Kiddy Grade, Fruits Basket, Case Closed and YuYu Hakusho. The block was later discontinued in favor of a more successful expansion on subscription television.

The Funimation Channel launched on September 29, 2005, as a joint venture between Funimation and Olympusat, it became the second 24-hour anime digital cable network in North America, following A.D. Vision's Anime Network.^[3][4] Olympusat was the exclusive distributor of the channel.^[4]

On May 1, 2008, Funimation Channel became a 24-hour English-dubbed anime subscription network; the second following Anime Network in North America.^[5] Olympusat was chosen as the exclusive distributor of Funimation Channel.^[6] The service was originally available to a few cities via digital terrestrial television and was initially a temporary channel as the channel was trying to gain a foothold in the pay television landscape.

In May 2009, Funimation Channel continued its expansion on subscription providers launching on Comcast's VOD platform ^[7] and offering two services, free on demand and PPV on demand. The PPV VOD offered viewers a chance to watch titles prior to their DVD release.^[8]

On September 27, 2010, Funimation launched an HD feed alongside its VOD services.^[9] On February 16, 2012, Verizon announced that it would remove Funimation Channel from its Verizon Fios service on March 15, due to "very low viewership".^[10] In response to reaction from its customers, Verizon returned Funimation Channel via VOD.^[11] Channel 262 remained on the FiOS system operated by Frontier Communications in some formerly distributed Verizon territories.^[12] With the launch of Cablevision's Optimum TV service in December 2012,^[13] Funimation Channel on Demand was included and launched in the New York metropolitan area, this increased Funimation Channel's coverage to over 40 million households nationwide.

Funimation Channel's programming came from Funimation, Aniplex of America, Viz Media, Sentai Filmworks, Right Stuf Inc., NIS America, Central Park Media and Enoki Films USA.

As Toku

On December 8, 2015, it was reported that the channel would relaunch as Toku on December 31, 2015, and would start broadcasting live-action, grindhouse and independent East Asian movies.^[14][15] It was subsequently announced, on December 15, 2015, that Funimation would end its partnership with Olympusat, and initially announced plans to relaunch Funimation Channel in 2016, but instead launched a steaming service at the same time.^[16]

On March 14, 2016, Olympusat announced a localized version of Toku in Latin America, named Toku Español.^[17] However, the channel never launched in the region.

On July 25, 2016, it was announced that Toku would be launched in the FlixFling streaming service in early 2017, but these plans were canceled.^[18] On June 8, 2017, Toku became available on Amazon Channels as a streaming service for members of Amazon Prime, offering channel content on demand for US$4.00 per month, after a seven-day free trial.^[19][20]

On August 23, 2017, Consolidated Communications added Toku on its channel line-up.^[21]

On May 22, 2018, Toku launched a beta version of its streaming service WatchTOKU.com for the United States and Canada, which includes channel content and future releases, as well as embedded forums. The service, powered by Vimeo, costs either US$4.00 per month or US$40.00 per year. This marked Toku's debut outside the United States, being available for the first time in Canada.^[22] The streaming service was discontinued in 2022.

Toku's programming comes from Media Blasters, Discotek Media, Tsuburaya Productions, MonoFilm Sales and other anime and movie licensors.

Anime series

Live-action drama series

Anime films

Live-action films

OVAs