EdgeCast Networks, the rich media content delivery network (CDN), and AnimeNewsNetwork.com, the world’s leading Japanese animation content website, publicly unveiled a new Anime video streaming service. The content is being delivered around the world exclusively via the EdgeCast content delivery network. The service will be ad supported and free for viewers.

AnimeNewsNetwork.com delivers 2.3 million unique visitors with over 19 million page views per month. Internet metrics firm Alexa puts AnimeNewsNetwork.com consistently in its top 1,500 websites worldwide.

EdgeCast Networks, utilizing their worldwide content delivery network, will power the streaming video services. The service will be among the first to leverage the new Adobe Flash Media Server 3 [FMS] platform to securely deliver near broadcast-quality h.264 video to end users on Windows, Mac and Linux environments. EdgeCast has implemented FMS security features such as RTMPe delivery, SWF verification, and token authentication throughout its global content delivery network, making this service possible while minimizing security risks such as piracy and stream ripping.

“I couldn’t be happier with the level of service we’ve received from EdgeCast Networks,” said Justin Sevakis, AnimeNewsNetwork.com director of new media. “This service would not be possible if it weren’t for the reliable delivery and support for the newest technologies that EdgeCast provides.”

The English speaking Japanese animation (“anime”) market has struggled in recent years despite a robust and growing audience, a fact largely attributed to Internet piracy. An estimated 69% of Americans between the ages of 16 and 29 watch anime regularly, according to a 2007 poll. AnimeNewsNetwork.com’s video player provides anime fans the speed and ease of Internet delivery, while giving content owners the security and quality they require.

“Many of our prospects and customers have legitimate concerns about streaming license-protected media globally, due to perceived risks about piracy or other types of misuse,” said James Segil, co-founder and president of EdgeCast Networks. “But our robust security features give content owners and distributors full control over who sees what and when, eliminating the chances of licensing violations that threaten the integrity of the service. We’re very excited to enable companies like ANN to stream licensed content with the peace of mind that everyone’s rights are protected.”

Initially the service will include nearly three hundred trailers for various anime programs, as well as editorial video produced by AnimeNewsNetwork.com such as interviews, reviews and virtual tours of the anime industry’s leading production studios.