History of Cartoon Network
Hanna-Barbera was also still actively producing new animated content, giving Turner the advantage of not relying on programming licenses like other kids' networks, while also having an established brand to build upon.
Ted Turner selected Betty Cohen, then Senior Vice President of TNT, to develop a new network to showcase these animated programs.
[6][7][8][9][10][5] At first, cable providers in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbus, Ohio, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Dallas, and Detroit carried the channel.
Initially, the channel aired a continuous schedule of classic cartoons, organized into themed blocks such as Down Wit' Droopy D (Droopy Dog shorts), The Tom and Jerry Show, Bugs and Daffy Tonight (Looney Tunes classics), Late Night Black and White (1930s black-and-white cartoons), and ToonHeads (similar-themed shorts with trivia).
Between 1997 and 1999, more series debuted, including Johnny Bravo, Cow and Chicken, I Am Weasel (later spun off), The Powerpuff Girls, Courage the Cowardly Dog, and Mike, Lu & Og.
However, as time progressed, anime such as Sailor Moon, Tenchi Muyo!, Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, and Dragon Ball Z would come to dominate the block.
On June 18, 2001, Betty Cohen, who had served as Cartoon Network's president since its founding, left due to creative disagreements with Jamie Kellner, then-head of Turner Broadcasting.
Cartoon Network decided to create an entirely adult-focused block after the benefit of latter attempts on producing content appropriate for adult audiences from Williams Street.
Adult Swim debuted on September 2, 2001, with an episode of Home Movies; the block initially aired on Sunday nights, with a repeat telecast on Thursdays.
Toonami would later move to Saturday evenings permanently, after programs under the block started to contain more material deemed less appropriate for Cartoon Network's core audience.
Alongside The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, Ed, Edd n Eddy, and Codename: Kids Next Door, it set a high standard for future programming aimed at young audiences.
As comedy programs thrived, action-oriented shows or those ascend the TV-Y7 rating were increasingly moved to Toonami or canceled, though popular ones remained if they performed well in key demographics.
On August 22, 2005, Cartoon Network launched a block aimed at the preschool demographic known as Tickle-U, which was largely unsuccessful and was discontinued on January 13, 2006.
[26] In October 2005, Cartoon Network launched Sunday Pants, a short-lived anthology series showcasing a mix of animated shorts from various creators and countries, created by on-air creatives Stuart Hill, and Craig Sven-Gordon.
It featured 1–3 minute shorts in different styles like hand-drawn, Flash, and CGI, and contained more mature material than most series under the Cartoon Network brand.
Under Jim Samples’ leadership, the network emphasized comedy and kid-focused content while experimenting with live-action shows, to create a broader multi-platform entertainment brand.
[27] However, Samples resigned from his post on February 9, 2007, following a bomb scare in Boston caused by packages left around the city that were part of an outdoor marketing campaign promoting the Adult Swim series Aqua Teen Hunger Force.
In April 2008, Cartoon Network introduced a new brand expansion strategy to broaden its appeal, with a particular focus on tweens aged 9-14—primarily boys.
In July 2008, a refreshed branding style featuring "Noods"—faceless characters representing Cartoon Network shows—was introduced, as a collaboration with Kidrobot's Tristan Eaton.
Although scripted programming resumed the following year with the premieres of Tower Prep and Unnatural History, the move to live-action faced criticism from audiences who felt it diverged too far from the network's cartoon-centric identity.
[37] In March 2012, Cartoon Network aired its first documentary, Speak Up, to coincide with an anti-bullying campaign, featuring a special appearance by President Barack Obama.
[41] On March 6, 2014, Stuart Snyder was removed as president and COO of Turner's Animation, Young Adults & Kids Media division after a restructure.
Christina Miller's leadership at Cartoon Network focused on creating a digital-first, cross-platform strategy to adapt to the evolving media landscape.
Miller also promoted a multiplatform approach, with shows like Mighty Magiswords transitioning from brief clips on the Cartoon Network Anything app to longer episodes.
Known as "Dimensional", the branding was developed by Bent Design Lab and featured various Cartoon Network characters rendered in 3D CGI, stop-motion, and 2D animation.
[49][50] The company is working with Palace Entertainment to "offer fun and unexpected ways to experience the animated worlds of Cartoon Network from the moment of arrival," according to current president Christina Miller.
[65][66] In August 2022, a number of Cartoon Network-originated programs were removed from HBO Max and a few were abruptly cancelled by WBD as part of cost-cutting measures and write-offs of underperforming content, leading to criticism from fans and the animation industry (although they are still available on digital platforms).
ET starting on May 1; in justification of the block's expansion, Ouweleen cited ratings data showing that 68% of Cartoon Network's audience between 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. were over the age of 18.
ET in September;[79] in June, it was announced that the new hour would be occupied on weekdays by the sub-block "Checkered Past", which would feature airings of classic Cartoon Network original series.
[82] That month, Adult Swim also announced that Checkered Past would be replaced on Fridays by "Toonami Rewind" beginning May 31, which would feature classic action and anime series.
