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Cartoon Network

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This article is about the United States channel. For other uses, see Cartoon Network (disambiguation).
Cartoon Network
CountryTemplate:TVUS
HeadquartersAtlanta, Georgia (General)
Los Angeles, California (West Coast)
Programming
Language(s)English
Ownership
OwnerTurner Broadcasting System
(a Time Warner company)

Cartoon Network (abbreviated CN, corporately known as The Cartoon Network, Inc.) is an American cable television network created by Turner Broadcasting which primarily shows animated programming.

It was originally served as a 24-hour outlet for classic animation properties from the Turner Broadcasting libraries and is mainly youth-oriented, but shares channel space with a late-night adult oriented channel programming block called Adult Swim. It also broadcasts many shows, ranging from action to cartoon comedy. Since 2003, it began airing a small amount of live-action programming, specifically movies from Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema, both of which are also owned by Time Warner. Despite the network's name, it currently airs several live-action shows in its lineup.

History

Early developments and launch

The original Cartoon Network logo used from October 1, 1992 to June 13, 2004. It is still in legal use at the end of original programs and on the teeth in the Adult Swim skull logo. A variation has been used in some promotional bumpers.

In 1986, Ted Turner's cable-TV conglomerate acquired most of the pre-May 1986 MGM film and television library[1] (which also included Gilligan's Island and its animated spin-offs, the U.S. rights to a majority of the RKO Radio Pictures library, and the a.a.p. catalog which includes the pre-1950 Warner Bros. film library, the Harman and Ising Merrie Melodies except Lady, Play Your Mandolin!, the pre-August 1948 color Warner Bros. cartoons, and the Fleischer Studios and Famous Studios Popeye cartoons originally released by Paramount Pictures). In 1988, its cable channel Turner Network Television was launched and had gained an audience with its film library.[2] In 1991, it purchased animation studio Hanna-Barbera Productions and acquired its large library as well as most of the Ruby-Spears library.[3]

The promotional logo the network used from 1991 to 1992 before it began broadcasting had a cartoon character in a circle outline with the words "CARTOON" above and "NETWORK" below. It was intended to be the first logo, but was cancelled.[citation needed] By October 1, 1992, Cartoon Network was created as an outlet for Turner's considerable library of animation, and the initial programming on the channel consisted exclusively of reruns of classic Warner Bros. cartoons (the pre-August 1948 Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies), the 1933-1957 Popeye cartoons, MGM cartoons, and Hanna-Barbera cartoons.[citation needed] Initially, the channel would broadcast cartoons 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. The network's first theme was the Checkerboard theme with bumpers involving the Cartoon Network's first logo, used from 1992 to 2004. Most of the short cartoons were aired in half-hour or hour-long packages, usually separated by character or studio—Down Wit' Droopy D aired old Droopy Dog shorts, The Tom and Jerry Show presented the classic cat-and-mouse team, and Bugs and Daffy Tonight provided classic Looney Tunes shorts. Late Night Black and White showed early black-and-white cartoons (mostly from the Fleischer Studios and Walter Lantz cartoons from 1930s), and ToonHeads, which would show three shorts with a similar theme and provide trivia about the cartoons.[citation needed] There was also an afternoon cartoon block called High Noon Toons which was hosted by cowboy hand puppets (an example of the simplicity and imagination the network had in the early years). The majority of the classic animation that was shown on Cartoon Network no longer airs on a regular basis, with the exception of Tom and Jerry and, as of March 14th 2011, Looney Tunes.[citation needed]

The original series and the Time Warner acquisition

The network's first original show was The Moxy Show and was first aired in 1993.[citation needed] In 1994, Hanna-Barbera's new division Cartoon Network Studios was founded and started production on The What-A-Cartoon! Show (also known as World-Premiere Toons and "What-A-Cartoon"), a series of creator-driven short cartoons that premiered on Cartoon Network in 1995. It was the network's third original series (the second was Space Ghost Coast to Coast). The project was spearheaded by several Cartoon Network executives, plus The Ren & Stimpy Show creator John Kricfalusi (who was an advisor to the network at the time) and Fred Seibert (who was formerly one of the driving forces behind the Nicktoons, and would go on to produce the similar animation anthology series Oh, Yeah! Cartoons and Random Cartoons).[4]

The chief purpose of The What A Cartoon Show was to help Cartoon Network expand its library of exclusive programming and it introduced a number of new cartoon ideas. Six of them were spun off into their own series runs. These six series, Dexter's Laboratory (1996), Johnny Bravo, Cow and Chicken (1997), The Powerpuff Girls (1998), Mike, Lu & Og, and Courage the Cowardly Dog (1999) became the origins of the network's original cartoons, collectively known as Cartoon Cartoons.[citation needed] I Am Weasel (1997) and Ed, Edd n Eddy (1999) were the first two Cartoon Cartoons not to be introduced in a What A Cartoon short.[citation needed]

In 1996, Turner merged with Time Warner.[5] This consolidated ownership of all the Warner Bros. cartoons, so now post-July 1948 and the former Sunset-owned black-and-white cartoons (which Warner Brothers had reacquired in the 1960s) releases were being shown on the network. Although most of the post-July 1948 cartoons were still contracted to be shown on Nickelodeon, the network wouldn't air them until September 1999. Newer animated productions by Warner Bros. also started appearing on the network—mostly reruns of shows that had aired on Kids' WB, plus certain new programs such as Justice League.[citation needed]

Cartoon Network's programming would not be available in Canada until 1997, when a Canadian specialty network Teletoon (and its French language counterpart) was launched.[citation needed]

Cartoon Network underwent its makeover in 1997, launching the Powerhouse era until June 13, 2004.[citation needed] The channel used bumpers involving characters from most of the cartoons it aired with the Powerhouse music, or just objects and places with the Cartoon Network's logo at that time. The Checkerboard bumpers were still used at the time between 1997 until 1998. By 1998, the Powerhouse era became the sole identification of Cartoon Network. The Powerhouse music was no longer used starting in the second quarter of 2003.[citation needed]

2000s

File:Cartoon Network 2004-2010 logo.svg
The second Cartoon Network logo used in various forms from June 14, 2004 to May 28, 2010. It is still used in other countries.

On June 14, 2004, Cartoon Network debuted its second logo and its slogan, “This is Cartoon Network!”[6] This is the first Cartoon Network era with a female voice announcing for the network. The bumpers now featured 2D cartoon characters from their shows interacting in a CGI city composed of sets from their shows. By now, nearly all of Cartoon Network's classic cartoon programming had been relocated to its sister network Boomerang to make way for new programming.

On January 1, 2006, the network relegated more shows from the 1990s (Dexter's Laboratory, The Powerpuff Girls, etc.), into a 30 minute block called The Cartoon Cartoon Show and dropped the CGI City look. They were still seen from time to time and were finally abandoned for good right after the network scrapped the CGI city look on April 20, 2006. Some 1990s -2000s shows Time Squad (2001), Mike, Lu & Og (1999), Cow and Chicken, I Am Weasel (1997), Looney Tunes (1930, first aired on the network in 1992), and Sheep in the Big City (2000) were taken off the network completely.[citation needed]

From 2006, Cartoon Network's slogan was a simplistic “Cartoon Network — Yes!,” as spoken by Fred Fredburger, a character on The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy. They used a reprise of the 2004 CGI City look, using flat, dark colors, however the city bumpers were still used.[citation needed]

Jim Samples, president of the Cartoon Network for 13 years, resigned on February 9, 2007 due to the 2007 Boston bomb scare.[7][8][8] Following Samples's resignation, Stuart Snyder was named his successor.[9] Through 2007, Cartoon Network retained the image campaign that began in 2006, albeit a slightly refreshed version.[citation needed] On September 1, 2007, the network look was revamped, and bumpers and station identification were themed to The Hives song "Fall is Just Something That Grown-Ups Invented.". On October 15, the channel began broadcasting in 1080i high definition.[10] Every October since 2007, Cartoon Network would air 40 episodes of the former Fox Kids program Goosebumps, though Cartoon Network lost the rights to the show on October 31, 2009 and stopped airing the program.[citation needed]

On March 30, 2008, Cartoon Network began airing a sign-off bumper before Adult Swim, involving a painting the screen black before popping down after hearing an indistinct shout. Previous sign-offs include a kid's typical day from sunrise to sunset with the Cartoon Network logo in the sky and the message, "Good Night, See You Tomorrow.", as well as a clock reading "10:00 PM", the message "Check Ya Later!", and the Cartoon Network logo. The current sign-off has the clock reading "9:00pm", due to Adult Swim starting an hour earlier.[citation needed]

Cartoon Network announced at its 2008 Upfront that it was working on a new project called Cartoonstitute, which was headed by animators Craig McCracken as executive producer and Rob Renzetti as supervising producer. Both reported to Rob Scorcher, who created the idea. It would have worked similar to What A Cartoon!, by creating at least 150 pieces of animation within 20 months.[11] Cartoonstitute was eventually cancelled, and out of all the shorts, two Regular Show and Secret Mountain Fort Awesome were selected.[12][13] Cartoon Network has also began to air some imported Canadian programs from Teletoon such as George of the Jungle, 6teen, Total Drama Island and its successors Total Drama Action and Total Drama World Tour, Chaotic and Bakugan Battle Brawlers.[citation needed] Beginning May 25, 2008, Cartoon Network has been airing animated shorts, called Wedgies, to fill in spots between two programs. On July 14, 2008, the network took on a newer look created by Tristan Eaton and Kidrobot. The bumpers of that era had white, faceless characters called Noods, based on the DIY toy, Munny.[14] The standard network logo was then completely white, adopting different colors based on the occasion in the same style.[citation needed] On June 12, 2009, the screen bug then turned all black with white letters. In June 2009, a block of live-action reality shows began airing in a programming block promoted as CN Real.[15] The network has also aired some limited sports programming, including Slamball games, during the commercials.[citation needed]

2010s

A new logo was introduced on May 29, 2010 along with a new theme and new bumpers. The network's current branding, designed by Brand New School,[16] makes heavy use of the black and white checkerboard which made up the network's first logo. Since December 27, 2010, Adult Swim began starting 1 hour earlier at 9 PM. In February, Cartoon Network aired their first sports award show, called Hall of Game Awards. At its 2011 upfront, Cartoon Network has announced 13 new series, including The Problem Solverz, formerly known as Neon Knome, The Looney Tunes Show, Secret Mountain Fort Awesome, Level Up, a scripted live-action comedy series which will have a 90-minute starting film, Green Lantern, How to Train Your Dragon, the series based on the Dreamworks film, The Amazing World of Gumball, Total Drama: Revenge of the Island, the sequel of Total Drama World Tour; and Thundercats. The network also has a new Ben 10 series planned. The network announced a new block planned to air called "DC Nation"; this block will focus on the titular heroes, the first being Green Lantern.[17] 9 Story's Almost Naked Animals, an animated comedy about a group of shaved animals in their underwear running a hotel called the Banana Cabana, was also picked up by the network and will make its US debut sometime around this summer[18]. In summer 2011, Cartoon Network started using newer bumpers featuring minimalistic doodles and characters onto a black backdrop by the graphic design team, Awesome Incorporated. [19] Several bumpers also include scenes from a program on CN, in the style of the European CN bumpers from the early 2000s, and end with the two C and N blocks (portrayed by BriTANicK) saying "YEEEAUHHHH!". The classic "CHECK it" bumpers are often intact after a commercial break.

Programming

Main article: List of programs broadcast by Cartoon Network

A Spanish language audio track is accessible via SAP, some cable and satellite companies offer the Spanish feed as a separate channel.[citation needed]

Programming blocks

Main article: List of Cartoon Network programing blocks

Boomerang

Main article: Boomerang (TV channel)
File:Boomerang US logo.svg
The logo for Boomerang.

Boomerang was originally a programming block on Cartoon Network (since the network's launch in '92) aimed towards The Baby Boom Generation. The block's start time jumped frequently but was always aired in the weekends. On April 1, 2000, Boomerang received both a new look and a cable spin off channel.[20] The block lasted until October 2004.[citation needed]

Get Animated

Get Animated is a campaign of the channel, encouraging children to get active, more importantly in outdoor areas. Original promos involved many different cartoon characters, and real kids.[citation needed] Current promos still show cartoon characters playing alongside kids, though occasional sports celebrities (such as Freddy Adu) make appearances. Other promos show real kids who make great physically related achievements, or cartoon characters explaining ways of getting active.[citation needed]

Cartoon Network Universe: FusionFall

Main article: Cartoon Network Universe: FusionFall

High definition channels and service

On October 15, 2007, Cartoon Network began to provide content in high definition.[citation needed] Presently, only the East Coast feed of Cartoon Network HD ever provides content in high definition formats and the West Coast feed only provides content in standard definition (4:3) format.[citation needed]

A Cartoon Network HD channel is available from many cable and all satellite service providers. Actual high definition content however, remains limited to a few newer programs. Older 4:3 content is stretched to fill a 16:9 aspect ratio. This process results in a warped picture, which is especially apparent during horizontal panning. All programs produced in HD are aired in letterbox on the SD feed.[citation needed]

See also

Template:Wikipedia-Books

References

  1. ^ Delugach, Al (March 4, 1986). "Way Cleared for Turner's MGM Deal". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 30, 2010.
  2. ^ Hall, Jane (January 23, 1990). "Ted Turner's TNT Exploding Onto the Cable Scene". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 30, 2010.
  3. ^ Lippman, John (October 30, 1991). "Turner Is Buying Hanna-Barbera Film Library". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 30, 2010.
  4. ^ Strike, Joe (July 15, 2003). "The Fred Seibert Interview — Part 1". Animation World Network. Retrieved August 30, 2010.
  5. ^ Lander, Mark (September 23, 1995). "Turner To Merge Into Time Warner; A $7.5 Billion Deal". The New York Times. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
  6. ^ "Cartoon Network Launches New On-Air Re-face and Supplemental Logo to Kick Off Summer". Time Warner. June 28, 2004. Retrieved August 12, 2010.
  7. ^ "Two held after ad campaign triggers Boston bomb scare". CNN. February 1, 2007. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
  8. ^ a b "Cartoon Network Boss Quits Over Bomb Scare". CNN. February 9, 2007. Retrieved May 5, 2009.
  9. ^ Romano, Allison (October 21, 2007). "Stuart Snyder: The Perfect Combination". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved August 13, 2010.
  10. ^ Hibberd, James (January 7, 2007). "NBCU, Turner, CNN to Launch HD Networks". TV Week. Retrieved August 13, 2010.
  11. ^ Liu, Ed (April 3, 2008). "PR: Cartoon Network Creates The Cartoonstitute". Toon Zone. Time Warner. Retrieved April 5, 2008.
  12. ^ "Cartoon Network Announces Comedy Animation Greenlights". Turner Broadcasting. August 13, 2009. Retrieved July 31, 2010.
  13. ^ "Cartoonstitute's Cancellation". deviantArt. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
  14. ^ "TRISTAN EATON for KIDROBOT & CARTOON NETWORK". Thunderblog. Thunderdog. July 21, 2008. Archived from the original on August 22, 2008. Retrieved August 26, 2008.
  15. ^ Lloyd, Robert (June 17, 2009). "Cartoon Network's new reality shows, kid style". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
  16. ^ "Cartoon Network". Brand New School. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
  17. ^ "Cartoon Network unveils 13 new shows".
  18. ^ http://www.awn.com/news/television/9-story-s-almost-naked-animals-set-us-exposure-cartoon-network
  19. ^ http://www.awesomeincorporated.com/#1215334/Cartoon-Network-Funny
  20. ^ King, Susan (April 1, 2000). "Hanna-Barbera Cartoons Return on New Boomerang". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
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