Anime streaming service HIDIVE has just announced that it will be shutting down service in most parts of the world. As one of the bigger and newer anime streaming services, HIDIVE has been acquiring streaming rights for popular anime, making it a company to watch out for. After being bought by AMC, the streaming site went on an aggressive campaign to become the go-to website for anime fans, and it was beginning to look like a real competitor for Crunchyroll.
HIDIVE managed to obtain exclusive streaming rights to popular anime such as Oshi No Ko and The Eminence In Shadow, which led to a surge in popularity and new subscribers. That’s why it has come as a shock that starting on December 14, 2023, HIDIVE will no longer be available except in a few select countries.
HIDIVE has been a rising platform in the anime industry that targeted niche anime to develop a steady foundation, and then went on to acquire licenses for bigger anime. For a while, it seemed that they could be Crunchyroll’s new competitor, but this news completely shattered that notion.
HIDIVE’s Troubles Show The Harsh Reality Of The Anime Market
A decrease in competition could lead to a monopoly and its risks.
There are a few reasons that could’ve led to this decision by HIDIVE. The most sensible one would be the harsh competition they are facing from giants such as Crunchyroll and Hulu, and new entries in the anime scene such as Netflix and Disney+, all of whom have incredible resources to negotiate bringing more anime to their platforms. A smaller player like HIDIVE wouldn’t have as much leverage and not only would they be charged more by licensors, but they’re also less likely to gain exclusive streaming rights as they are seen as risky due to their fewer subscribers.
Another major reason for the down-scaling of operations could be user feedback. Despite all this progress, users were complaining about issues with the interface, dubbing, subtitles, the mobile app, and, most worryingly, the sudden removal of anime from the site without prior notice. The lack of transparency has led to many users unsubscribing and subsequently deterring any potential users when voicing their frustrations. Many users have reported that the series would be removed even while they were watching, and when they contacted support, they were often redirected or given vague reasons for the occurrence.
HIDIVE limiting access to their service is very concerning as it shows just how tough and cut-throat the industry is. Although the reason has not been confirmed, this news is a major blow to users outside the mentioned regions as the platform has always offered niche content, building a loyal user base. Having fewer competitors has never been good for any market, as monopolies usually lead to increases in prices. Although a single platform having most anime is better from a viewer’s perspective, the shrinking of the offer could also lead to increased piracy, which will hurt the creators. Now that HIDIVE operates in fewer countries, it is hopeful that this decrease in burden will lead to an improvement in the quality of the platform.
