Cartoonito

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Cartoonito
Cartoonito 2018.png
Original United Kingdom & EMEA logo
Cartoonito - Logo 2021.svg
Current United States & International logo
Product type
  • Television networks
  • Programming blocks
OwnerWarnerMedia International
CountryUnited Kingdom
Republic of Ireland
Italy
Nordic countries (block)
France (block)
(2011–13; TBA)
Spain
(2011–13; TBA)

Portugal (block)
Turkey

Middle East
Africa (2011–14; upcoming block April 2022)
Japan (block)
Southeast Asia (block)
United States (block)
Latin America
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 2022, Cartoonito-branded channels exist in the United Kingdom (its original flagship service), Italy, and Latin America, while branded blocks are currently broadcast on Cartoon Network in the Middle East, Turkey, the United States, and Japan,[1] with a scheduled return to Southeast Asia by March 28, 2022.[2]

Background[]

Precursors (1996–2006)[]

Educational block (1996–2002)[]

In 1996, Cartoon Network decided to create a Sunday morning block of preschool programs. The series featured Big Bag, a live-action/puppet television program made 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-produced cartoon spin-off 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]

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 and had finished production by January 2001 with its pilot aired on June 3 of that year. Once the pilot proved a success, work on Baby Looney Tunes resumed, and it premiered on the Kids' WB block July 28, 2001.[3][4] However, the series officially ran on Cartoon Network from 2002 to 2005, while continuing its original run international until October 16, 2006.[5]

Tiny TV (2003–2006)[]

Main article: Tiny TV

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, it had expanded to Cartoon Network (and Boomerang) channels in Australia and Southeast Asia (Boomerang Latin America (aired had it as known as Mini TV). Each block carried its lineup of programs, with only a few shared between feeds. Tiny TV was discontinued internationally in 2007 (most feeds ended by 2006) but was temporarily revived on POGO (a sister channel to Cartoon Network India) in 2010.[6]

Tickle-U (2005–2006)[]

Main article: Tickle-U

On August 22, 2005, Cartoon Network USA debuted Tickle-U, the network's first official attempt at weekday-morning preschool programming. The block aired from 9 to 11 a.m EST. Programs on the lineup included Firehouse Tales (the only original series), Gerald McBoing-Boing, Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs (both from Teletoon/Treehouse TV), and British series such as Gordon the Garden Gnome, Little Robots, and Peppa Pig and Yoko! Jakamoko! Toto!. Which some were re-dubbed for American audiences. The block came under fire by the CCFC, which criticized its marketing strategies.[7][8]

History[]

Main article: Cartoonito (British and Irish TV channel)

Launch (2006–2011)[]

The first variant of the original logo was used from 2006 to 2018. The eye dots were originally purple.

On September 4, 2006, Cartoon Network Too debuted a new programming block called Cartoonito, running from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily. The series featured in Cartoonito was acquired from countries worldwide and was available in both English and French. The block was later spun off into a separate channel on May 24, 2007, as Cartoonito expanded its broadcast hours by taking the whole daytime slot formerly given to Cartoon Network Too. In turn, Cartoon Network Too became a 24-hour channel replacing 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.[citation needed]

Brand rollout (2011–2021)[]

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.[9]

Cartoonito launched as a morning block on Cartoon Network Arabic in the Middle East on September 4, 2011, broadcasting seven days a week. 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 January 1, 2014 (Boomerang) and on April 1, 2014 (Cartoon Network), but the Arabic Cartoon Network would reintroduce Cartoonito on March 24, 2019, now airing Sunday through Thursdays at 9:30 KSA Local Time.

In Spain, Cartoonito was launched as a 24-hour channel on September 1, 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.[10] On June 30, 2013, the channel was shut down alongside the Spanish feed of Cartoon Network.

On December 1, 2012, Cartoonito launched in the Asia Pacific and the Philippines through 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 January 1, 2015.

On January 15, 2018, Cartoonito UK relaunched as a 24-hour channel.[12]

Global re-introduction (2021–present)[]

After the announcement of on October 6, 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 February 5, 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.[13]

Americas[]

United States[]
Main article: Cartoonito (American programming block)

On February 17, 2021, WarnerMedia announced the official launch of Cartoonito in the United States on Cartoon Network as a programming block and streaming service HBO Max.[14] Launch programming included 20 new series, with the help of Sesame Workshop producing some shows. Partnerships also encompassed acquired broadcasting rights to Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go, a reboot of the original Thomas & Friends series.[15] The block officially launched on September 13, 2021, and initially ran for 8 hours (6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET/PT) on weekdays and 2 hours (6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. ET/PT) on weekends.[16]

Latin America[]
Main article: Cartoonito (Latin American TV channel)

In October 2021, Sky Brasil announced that Cartoonito would be launching in Brazil on December 1, 2021, replacing Boomerang.[17] A few days later, the Argentine pay television service Telered announced the replacement of Boomerang to Cartoonito for the rest of Latin America on the same date.[18]

EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa)[]

In May 2021, WarnerMedia UK and EMEA announced plans to relaunch Cartoonito within their region.[19][20]

Rebrand in the UK & Ireland[]

On February 1, 2022, the British and Irish Cartoonito channel adopted the worldwide rebrand.[21] Additionally, starting on March 1, 2022, a weekday hour-long Cartoonito block aired from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on sister channel Cartoon Network.[22]

New European & Middle Eastern blocks[]

In the Nordics, Cartoonito launched as a programming block Boomerang on February 1, 2022.[23][24]

On February 6, 2022, Cartoonito MENA rebranded with a new look alongside. It's currently unconfirmed it this will expand across its sister service alongside Cartoon Network Africa.

Beginning on February 7, 2022, the Cartoonito blocks on Cartoon Network Arabic and Cartoon Network Turkey adopted the rebrand.[25][26]

In Portugal, a morning and afternoon Cartoonito block launched on Boomerang on February 21, 2022.[27][28]

Africa[]

In Africa, a morning Cartoonito block launch on Boomerang on April 2022.[29]

APAC (Asia-Pacific)[]

In Japan, the Cartoonito block was launched on March 1, 2022 on Cartoon Network for daily mornings.[30]

Cartoonito will return to Southeast Asia on March 28, 2022, using the worldwide rebrand.[2][31]

Mascots[]

Original (2006–2021; 2022)[]

From its initial launch, Cartoonito's original CGI mascots included Cuba (a red cube), Lolly (a purple cylinder), Ringo (a green ring), Spike (a blue pyramid), Ting (a pink star), and Bubble (a yellow sphere). Maria Darling voiced Cuba, Lolly, and Ringo in the UK, while Shelley Longworth did Spike, Ting, and Bubble until 2018.

Cartoonito's original CGI mascots are still used today in Italy.

Rebrand (2021–present)[]

As part of Cartoonito's global reintroduction, the original CGI mascots were retired in favor of four 2D-animated ones. The new mascots are Nito (a cyan square), Glob (a multi-colored glob-like figure), Wedge (a magenta triangle), and Itty (a pink circle).

These characters were exclusive to the US and Latin American feeds in 2021, until the British feed adopted them in 2022, thus making them official.

See also[]

  • Cartoon Network
  • Tickle-U - Former preschool block on Cartoon Network USA.
  • Boomerang
  • Tiny TV - Former international brand block for Turner Europe.
  • HBO Kids - Block on HBO Family.

References[]

  1. ^ Whittock, Jesse (21 April 2011). "Cartoonito spreads across EMEA". C21Media. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  2. ^ a b Soto, Milagros Vallejos (4 November 2021). "New children's channel Cartoonito will replace Boomerang in Latin America". NexTV News Latin America English. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  3. ^ "1996 Baby Looney Tunes Warner Bros Crib set, bumper comforter". Etsy. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  4. ^ "Vintage Baby Looney Tune Lamp 1997 Warner Bros". eBay. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  5. ^ June 2002, Simon Applebaum 12 (12 June 2002). "Cartoon Revives 'Looney Tunes' Franchise". Multichannel News. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  6. ^ Tiny TV back on Pogo from 5 July, Tiny TV back on Pogo from 5 July (30 June 2010). "Tiny TV back on Pogo from 5 July". Indian Television Dot Com. Retrieved 18 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. ^ McLean, Tom (21 April 2011). "Turner Expands Cartoonito to Europe, Mideast, Africa". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  10. ^ "Turner Broadcasting to launch Cartoonito across EMEA". AMEinfo. 21 April 2011. Archived from the original on 5 August 2011. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
  11. ^ "Cartoonito Launches in the Philippines - Yahoo! Finance". archive.is. 9 February 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  12. ^ "Cartoonito UK Now Available 24 Hours A Day". Regular Capital. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
  13. ^ "WarnerMedia's roadmap for world domination". Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  14. ^ "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.
  15. ^ "Cartoon Network, Netflix snap up new 2D Thomas". Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  16. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (16 August 2021). "Cartoonito Pre-K Block Debuts Sept. 13 on HBO Max & Cartoon Network". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  17. ^ ANMTV. "Boomerang passa a se chamar Cartoonito no Brasil". ANMTV (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  18. ^ "Boomerang tambien pasará a ser Cartoonito para el público hispanoamericano". www.anmtvla.com. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  19. ^ "C21Media » WarnerMedia eyes preschool originals » Print".
  20. ^ "WarnerMedia takes German preschool series Spookies for Cartoonito, HBO Max". C21media. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  21. ^ "WarnerMediaKidsUKFebruary2022Highlights.pdf". Google Docs. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  22. ^ "WarnerMediaKidsUKMarch2022Highlights.PDF".
  23. ^ "Cartoonito is coming to Boomerang Nordic!". RegularCapital. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  24. ^ "Boomerang International News and Discussion Thread 3.0". Markus Nelis. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  25. ^ إعلان 1 | 7 ايام - توماس والأصدقاء | كارتون نتورك بالعربية, retrieved 30 January 2022
  26. ^ "Cartoonito will be on Cartoon Network on February 7th with its brand new looks and shows!". Cartoon Network ve Boomerang Türkiye Fandom. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  27. ^ "Cartoonito is coming to Boomerang Portugal!". RegularCapital. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  28. ^ "BOOMERANG TV - DESTAQUES DE FEVEREIRO!". ITO. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  29. ^ "Hello, Cartoonito! Coming in April to Boomerang Africa!". BoomerangAfrica. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  30. ^ "カートゥニート | 番組詳細 | カートゥーン ネットワーク - 海外アニメと無料ゲームや動画なら Cartoon Network".
  31. ^ "Cartoonito is coming to Cartoon Network in Asia on 28th March!". RegularCapital. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
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