Crunchyroll has announced its first-ever streaming bundle, a collaboration with Starz that will be accessible through Prime Video. This new offering combines Crunchyroll's extensive anime library with Starz's premium cable programming, including shows like "Outlander" and "Power Book III: Raising Kanan."
The bundle is available to new customers for $16.99 per month. Alison Hoffman, president of Starz Networks, stated that the partnership aims to "broaden our reach and introduce the STARZ slate of premium programming to new viewers" by bringing together two services with "distinctive programming."
While many major streaming platforms have expanded their anime content, Starz has not historically focused on the genre. The bundle's combination of "Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle" and "Outlander" represents an unconventional pairing for audiences. This move by Crunchyroll could signal future bundling opportunities with other streaming services, similar to how Prime Video already hosts channels for Paramount Plus, Peacock, and AMC Plus.
This development comes as Crunchyroll has seen price increases across its subscription tiers in recent years. In February, monthly costs for the Fan, Mega, and Ultimate plans rose by $2. Furthermore, access to Crunchyroll's merchandise store is now restricted to subscribers of the Mega and Ultimate tiers. Despite these changes and the current bundle's unique composition, Crunchyroll maintains the largest anime library among streaming services.