Cartoonito

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

This article is about the brand as a whole. For the original British television channel, see Cartoonito (British and Irish TV channel).
Cartoonito
CountryIreland
United Kingdom
Turkey
Middle East
Italy
Ownership
OwnerWarnerMedia International (WarnerMedia/AT&T)
History
Launched4 September 2006

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]

History

Educational Block (1996–2001)

In 1996, Cartoon Network decided to air a few pre-school programs every Sunday morning as an educational block, similar to Sesame Street on PBS Kids. The shows created were Big Bag, a live-action/puppet television program, Small World, a children's animated anthology show/variety show, and Cave Kids (a Hanna-Barbera cartoon produced spinoff starring Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm). Cartoon Network worked with Children's Television Workshop (the same organization that made Sesame Street) to create Big Bag.  

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.

Creating Original Shows

In 1997 (just the year after the merger of Turner Broadcasting System with Time Warner), Warner Bros. Animation announced that Baby Looney Tunes was upcoming due to the success of merchandising.[2][3]The production had finished in January 2001, with the pilot aired on June 3 of that year. Once the pilot proved a success, the production restarted, and it began as a full series on July 28, 2001, on Cartoon Network. 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. Baby Looney Tunes is renowned for being the first preschool animated series from Warner Bros. Animation.

International Branding (Tiny TV)

The success of Baby Looney Tunes showcased that there was indeed marketing for preschool programming. In 2003, Turner Broadcasting System (which shared the same parent company, Time Warner) created an international brand name called "Tiny TV." It served as a programming block that targeted preschool-age children across Australia, India, and Southeast Asia. Tiny TV also ran on Boomerang Latin America (under the name Mini TV) and Southeast Asia, and POGO in India. The brand shut down in c. 2007, but was temporarily revived on 5 July 2010.[5]

Tickle-U Programing Block (2005–2007)

Tickle-U was Cartoon Network's first attempt at official weekday-morning preschool programming block.[6] The block featured domestic and foreign-imported series. Like its competitors Nick Jr. and Playhouse Disney (now Disney Junior), the block existed as Cartoon Network's primary audience of children and teenagers attending school hours. Tickle-U debuted on August 22, 2005, and consisted of hosts "Pipoca" and "Henderson" (voiced by Ariel Winter and Tom Kenny).

Most of Tickle-U's shows were from various networks, except for Firehouse Tales, which was produced by sister studio WB Animation. Cartoon Network, however, took the time to re-dubbed some of the British accents for American audiences, such as Peppa Pig (now airs on Nick Jr.), Gordon the Garden Gnome, and Little Robots. Classic Media and Cookie Jar Entertainment help produce the Gerald McBoing-Boing TV series for Teletoon and Cartoon Network's Tickle-U block. Baby Looney Tunes (from Warner Bros. Animation) occasionally aired on the block. Krypto the Superdog, another WB-produced show from CN's lineup, began to air after the block. Tickle-U also notably featured an innovative "Mommy Bar" with helpful information about programming and child care with a TV guide menu.[7]

However, due to complaints by the CCFC, Turner announced that Tickle-U had to shut down. One of the main criticisms of the program was the lack of educational value. It did not meet governmental regulations.[8] Cartoon Network closed Tickle-U on January 5, 2007.

Cartoonito (2006-present)

See also: Cartoonitio (TV channel)

Before officially shutting down Tickle-U, Cartoon Network Inc decided to create a new international brand in June 2006. This brand would serve all their pre-school shows and merchandise. Creating a brand rather than a channel/block helped eliminate competition between other channels. Cartoonito brand was launched as a programming block on Cartoon Network Too on 4 September 2006, running from 6 AM to 3 PM.[9] It later expanded into its channel on 24 May 2007. Virgin Media added it on 25 March 2010.[10] In early 2011, the channel's runtime was changed, now running from 4 AM to 8 PM. It was picked it up by TalkTalk[11] on 15 December 2016.

Cartoonito shifted its aspect ratio to 16:9 widescreen on 1 November 2017 and moved to a full 24-hour schedule on 15 January 2018.

Versions

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. It was canceled in 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 Turner Broadcasting System Italia.

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 Tivù Sat 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.[12] Cartoonito was replaced by Boomerang on 1 January 2015.[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
Main article: Cartoonito (British and Irish TV channel)

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]

Current programming

Original programming
Title Premiere date Current
series
Daisy & Ollie 1 November 2017 4
Fireman Sam 11 February 2008 11
MeteoHeroes 6 July 2020 (Italy only)[16] 1

Acquired programming
Title Premiere date
Bob the Builder 25 January 2016[17]
Curious George 6 August 2018[18]
Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood 16 March 2016[19]
Grizzy and the Lemmings 7 November 2016
Little People 11 April 2016[20]
Masha and the Bear 20 June 2016
Molang 29 September 2018[21]
Super Wings 6 February 2017[21]
Thomas & Friends 6 March 2017[22]

Former programming

Rebroadcast shows

Note: These are shows that originally premiered on Cartoon Network (including its defunct preschool block, Tickle-U).

Original Broadcast shows
  • Cartoonito Karaoke (2006)[23]
  • Cartoonito Tales (2011–2014)[24]
  • Hi-5 (3 November – 26 December 2008)
  • Jelly Jamm (5 September 2011 – 17 May 2013)
  • LazyTown (13 March 2013 – 13 October 2014)
  • The Happos Family (5 November 2016 – 25 March 2018)[25]

Acquired programming

See also

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 2020-12-16.
  3. "Vintage Baby Looney Tune Lamp 1997 Warner Bros". eBay. Retrieved 2020-12-16.
  4. June 2002, Simon Applebaum 12. "Cartoon Revives 'Looney Tunes' Franchise". Multichannel News. Retrieved 2020-12-16.
  5. https://plus.google.com/107324234873078450867 (2010-06-30). "Tiny TV back on Pogo from 5 July". Indian Television Dot Com. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
  6. "Cartoon Network Unveils 'Tickle U.'". Associated Press. 2015-03-25. Retrieved 2020-12-16.
  7. "File:TVG Aug14-202005 PG TickleU.jpg - The Lost Media Wiki". lostmediawiki.com. Retrieved 2020-12-17.
  8. Tribune. "Network hopes to help develop preschoolers' sense of humor". East Valley Tribune. Retrieved 2020-12-17.
  9. "Turner Broadcasting axes Toonami". Variety. 2007-05-03. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
  10. "Virgin Media Expands Kids' Line-up with Cartoonito". www.businesswire.com. 2010-03-01. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
  11. "Talk Talk takes on Cartoonito". C21media. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
  12. https://archive.is/20130209221557/http://finance.yahoo.com/news/cartoonito-launches-philippines-020000889.html. Archived from the original on 9 February 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2012. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  13. Franks, Nico (9 December 2014). "Turner throws Boomerang into Asia". C21Media. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  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. "METEOHEROES: FROM JULY 6TH ON CARTOONITO TV PREMIERE". Licensing Magazine. 2020-07-01. Retrieved 2020-10-22.
  17. RegularCapital (2015-12-16). "Boomerang UK And Cartoonito UK January 2016 Highlights". RegularCapital. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  18. RegularCapital (2018-07-29). "Cartoonito UK New Show Curious George Starts Monday 6th August". RegularCapital. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  19. RegularCapital (2016-01-27). "Boomerang UK And Cartoonito UK March 2016 Highlights". RegularCapital. Retrieved 2020-10-15.
  20. RegularCapital (2016-03-18). "Boomerang UK And Cartoonito UK April 2016 Highlights". RegularCapital. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  21. "Molang to make Tiny POP debut in the UK". Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  22. RegularCapital (2017-03-05). "Cartoonito UK Thomas And Friends New Show Premieres Tomorrow 6th March". RegularCapital. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  23. "PUSHCHAIR PREMIERE: WORLD'S FIRST 'BUGGY-IN'". ResponseSource Press Release Wire. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  24. Cartoonito Tales, Season 1, Vol. 1, retrieved 2020-11-29
  25. RegularCapital (2016-10-18). "Boomerang UK And Cartoonito UK November 2016 Highlights". RegularCapital. Retrieved 2020-11-16.
  26. "Blanche". TurnerInfo. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
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