Cartoonito

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Cartoonito
Cartoonito logo.svg
The Cartoonito logo, used since 2006.
Cartoonito - Logo 2021.svg
A rebranded version of the Cartoonito logo, used since 2021 in the United States.
Product type
  • Television networks
  • Programming blocks
OwnerWarnerMedia International
CountryUnited Kingdom
Republic of Ireland
Italy
Middle East
Turkey
United States (as a programming block)
Southeast Asia (Former) (2012-2015) (Relaunch) (Upcoming) (2021)
Related brands

Cartoonito is a brand name used by AT&T's WarnerMedia for a collection of television networks and programming blocks that target preschool-age children.

As of 2019, Cartoonito channels exist in the United Kingdom (its flagship service) and Italy, while branded blocks are currently broadcast on localized feeds of Cartoon Network in the Middle East and Turkey.[1]

on September 13, 2021, the American programming block with the same name was launched, airing on Cartoon Network.

Background[]

Educational block (1996–2001)[]

In 1996, Cartoon Network decided to create a Sunday morning block of preschool programs. The series featured included Big Bag, a live-action/puppet television program created by the Children's Television Workshop (known for Sesame Street), Small World, a children's animated anthology show/variety show, and Cave Kids (a Hanna-Barbera cartoon produced spinoff starring Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm).[citation needed]

Small World aired in several countries (except Japan, China, and Korea) and syndicated many of their respective shows. Cave Kids only ran from September to November of that year. However, Big Bag ran until 1998, while Small World ran until c. 2002.[citation needed]

Early investments in preschool programming (2001–2005)[]

Creating original series[]

In 1997 (just the year after the merger of Turner Broadcasting System with Time Warner), Warner Bros. Animation announced Baby Looney Tunes, an original preschool series inspired by a line of pre-existing merchandise.[2][3] Production had finished by January 2001, and the pilot aired on June 3 of that year. Once the pilot proved a success, work on Baby Looney Tunes resumed, and it officially premiered on July 28, 2001. The series also ran on the Kids' WB block from 2002 to 2005[4] while continuing its original run on Cartoon Network until October 16, 2006.

Tiny TV (International branding)[]

In 2003, Cartoon Network's Indian counterpart introduced Tiny TV, a weekday morning block of acquired preschool cartoons such as Bob the Builder, Kipper, Noddy, and Oswald. By 2006, the block had expanded to Cartoon Network channels Australia and Southeast Asia, as well as on Boomerang in the latter region and Latin America (where it was known as Mini TV). Each block carried their own lineup of programs, with only a few shared between feeds.

Tiny TV was discontinued in 2007, but was temporarily revived on POGO (a sister channel to Cartoon Network India) in 2010.[5]

Tickle-U programming block (2005)[]

Tickle-U was Cartoon Network's first attempt at official weekday-morning preschool programming block, debuting on 22 August 2005 and airing from 9 to 11 a.m.[6] Programs on the lineup included only one original series Firehouse Tales, along with acquired fare such as Gordon the Garden Gnome, Little Robots, and Peppa Pig; the last three series were all of British origin, and were re-dubbed for American audiences. The block also featured two CGI characters as hosts: Pipoca (voiced by Ariel Winter) and Henderson (voiced by Tom Kenny).

However, Tickle-U came under fire by the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, which criticized Cartoon Network for advertising the block as a way to develop a child's sense of humor.[7][8] As a result, the block was axed in January 2006, though the shows continued to air on the channel until 2007.[citation needed]

History[]

On 4 September 2006, Cartoon Network Too debuted a new programming block called Cartoonito, running from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily. Series featured in Cartoonito were acquired from countries around the world, and were available in both English and French. The block was later given its own channel on 24 May 2007.[9]

In May 2011, Turner Broadcasting System Europe announced a rollout of the Cartoonito brand across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa; under the arrangement, programming blocks would launch on Cartoon Network or Boomerang channels in that region.[10] Additional 24-hour channels were launched in Italy and Spain, while a third (this time for Southeast Asia) launched the following year.

Versions and possible expansion[]

Central and Eastern Europe[]

In Central and Eastern Europe, Cartoonito was launched as a morning/afternoon block for the Central and Eastern European feed of Boomerang, broadcasting 7 days a week starting from 12 October 2011, at 6:00 am (CEST). It was cancelled on 1 January 2014.

France[]

Cartoonito was launched as a morning block on Boing on 5 September 2011. The block last aired on 5 July 2013.

India and Pakistan[]

In India and Pakistan, Cartoonito was launched as a morning block for the Indian version of Cartoon Network, broadcasting seven days a week starting from 7 August 2013.

Italy[]

The Italian version of Cartoonito was launched on 22 August 2011. Unlike other versions of the channel, which are directly controlled by Turner/Warner, the Italian version is operated by Boing S.p.A., a joint venture between RTI (part of Fininvest's Mediaset) and WarnerMedia Italy.

The channel is available on Italian digital terrestrial television on channel 46, as carried by Mediaset's Mediaset 2 DVB-T multiplex. It is also available on Tivùsat on channel 41.

Middle East[]

In the Middle East, Cartoonito was launched as a morning block for Cartoon Network Arabic, broadcasting seven days a week beginning on 4 September 2011. Simultaneously, Cartoonito was also available in English in the Middle East via another morning block on the pan-European feed of Boomerang. Both blocks ended on 1 January 2014 (Boomerang) and on 1 April 2014 (Cartoon Network), though the Arabic Cartoon Network would re-introduce Cartoonito on 24 March 2019, now airing Sunday through Thursdays at 9:30 KSA Local Time.

Africa[]

In Africa, Cartoonito was launched as a morning block for the pan-European feed of Boomerang, broadcasting for seven days a week beginning on 12 October 2011. The block ended on 1 January 2014.

Southeast Asia[]

On 1 December 2012, Cartoonito launched in Asia Pacific in conjunction with its localized website. A key market upon launch is the Philippines, which began transmission initially in SD on the country's largest cable provider, SkyCable. Cartoonito is available as part of its Metropack and on an a la carte basis via Skycable Select.[11] Cartoonito was replaced by Boomerang on 1 January 2015.[12] The brand reenters the market later in winter 2021. [13]

Spain[]

In Spain, Cartoonito was launched as a 24-hour channel on 1 September 2011, as part of Turner Broadcasting System EMEA plans to roll out the brand across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The move also increased Cartoonito's distribution to 125 million homes in 112 territories.[14] On 30 June 2013, the channel was shut down alongside the Spanish feed of Cartoon Network.

Turkey[]

During the summer of 2019, Cartoonito was launched as an afternoon block on the Turkish feed of Cartoon Network, airing every day from 12:00 to 3:30 PM local time.

United Kingdom and Ireland[]

Cartoonito originally began on 4 September 2006 as a programming block on Cartoon Network Too, which timeshare with Turner Classic Movies 2. On 24 May 2007, Cartoonito expanded its broadcast hours by taking the whole daytime slot formerly given to Cartoon Network Too; Cartoon Network Too became a full 24-hour channel by taking over Toonami UK's former channel space. From September 2009 to March 2010, a morning Cartoonito block aired on Boomerang, until its launch on Virgin Media.

Cartoonito became a 24-hour channel on 15 January 2018.[15]

United States[]

With the announcement of Batwheels on 6 October 2020, Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics president Tom Ascheim implied about plans for Cartoon Network to attract a preschool audience.

In a 5 February 2021 interview with Kidscreen, Ascheim revealed that Cartoon Network would be expanding its programming offerings to include series aimed at families, girls, and preschool children.[16] The interview coincided with the acquisition of broadcast rights to Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go!, a reboot of the original Thomas & Friends series.[17]

On 17 February, WarnerMedia announced that an official Cartoonito block would launch on Cartoon Network in the fall, with an additional streaming component for HBO Max.[18] Launch programming includes 20 new series, including Batwheels, Bugs Bunny Builders, Little Ellen and Tom and Jerry Junior from Warner Bros. Animation; Bea's Block and Mecha Builders from Sesame Workshop; Jessica's Big Little World, a spin-off of the Cartoon Network original series Craig of the Creek; and acquired series Ladybird Lu, Lucas the Spider, and Mush-Mush & The Mushables.

Latin America and other regions / International[]

As of recently, Cartoonito has not invested in certain regions. However, due to the merger of parent company, WarnerMedia and Discovery Inc., the brand could reach across Latin America, Asia-Pacific, other EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa) areas through Discovery Networks International. It is currently unknown how it will affect the Discovery Kids branded networks.

In May 2021, It was announced that WarnerMedia UK and EMEA is working on relaunching Cartoonito within their region.[19] Through a promo, it was confirmed that the brand will launch next year in Latin America.[20]

See also[]

  • Boomerang
  • Cartoon Network
  • Tickle-U - former block on Cartoon Network
  • Tiny TV - former international brand block for Turner Europe
  • HBO Kids - block an HBO Family
  • Discovery Kids - international brand for Discovery Family (which was formerly named “Discovery Kids” (later Hub Network)).

References[]

  1. ^ Whittock, Jesse (21 April 2011). "Cartoonito spreads across EMEA". C21Media. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  2. ^ "1996 Baby Looney Tunes Warner Bros Crib set, bumper comforter". Etsy. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  3. ^ "Vintage Baby Looney Tune Lamp 1997 Warner Bros". eBay. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  4. ^ June 2002, Simon Applebaum 12. "Cartoon Revives 'Looney Tunes' Franchise". Multichannel News. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  5. ^ https://plus.google.com/107324234873078450867 (30 June 2010). "Tiny TV back on Pogo from 5 July". Indian Television Dot Com. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  6. ^ "Cartoon Network Unveils 'Tickle U.'". Associated Press. 25 March 2015. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  7. ^ "Cartoon Network's "Tickle U" Is No Laughing Matter; CCFC Urges Families to Stay Away From New Preschool Programming | Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood". 8 July 2017. Archived from the original on 8 July 2017. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  8. ^ Tribune. "Network hopes to help develop preschoolers' sense of humor". East Valley Tribune. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  9. ^ "Turner Broadcasting axes Toonami". Variety. 3 May 2007. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  10. ^ McLean, Tom (21 April 2011). "Turner Expands Cartoonito to Europe, Mideast, Africa". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  11. ^ "Cartoonito Launches in the Philippines - Yahoo! Finance". archive.is. 9 February 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  12. ^ Franks, Nico (9 December 2014). "Turner throws Boomerang into Asia". C21Media. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  13. ^ @spongieupdates (28 July 2021). "Cartoonito updated their channel..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  14. ^ "Turner Broadcasting to launch Cartoonito across EMEA". AMEinfo. 21 April 2011. Archived from the original on 5 August 2011. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
  15. ^ "Cartoonito UK Now Available 24 Hours A Day". Regular Capital. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
  16. ^ "WarnerMedia's roadmap for world domination". Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  17. ^ "Cartoon Network, Netflix snap up new 2D Thomas". Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  18. ^ "WarnerMedia Expands Kids & Family Offerings on Cartoon Network and HBO Max Under New Tagline Redraw Your World" (Press release). WarnerMedia. 17 February 2021. Archived from the original on 17 February 2021. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  19. ^ https://www.c21media.net/news/warnermedia-eyes-preschool-originals?print
  20. ^ https://vimeo.com/555915756
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