Cartoon Network is a pan-Asian television channel that primarily broadcasts animated series. Operated by Warner Bros. Discovery under its International division, the channel is broadcast from its headquarters in Singapore and Jakarta, Indonesia to audiences in its country of location, as well as to Hong Kong and several areas in the Asian continent. It was launched on 6 October 1994 on the namesake television channel in the United States.
 | |
| Country | Singapore (Southeast Asia) China (East Asia) |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | East Asia South East Asia Pacific Islands Maldives Oceania South Asia |
| Headquarters | Singapore |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English Mandarin Cantonese Malay Indonesian Thai Vietnamese |
| Picture format | HDTV 1080i (downscaled to 480i/576i for the SDTV feed) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Warner Bros. Discovery Asia-Pacific |
| Sister channels | |
| History | |
| Launched | 6 October 1994 |
| Closed | 13 May 2023 (Indonesia, MNC Vision) |
| Availability | |
| Terrestrial | |
| Nexmedia Indonesia | Channel 106 |
History
1990s
In January 1994, it was announced that TNT and Cartoon Network would launch by the end of the year. They were supposedly launched as a 24-hour services on the Apstar 2 satellite service.[1]
On 6 October 1994, Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific launched Cartoon Network Asia on both Apstar 1 and Palapa-B2P. The channel was launched at 12:00 pm (SG/HK time).[2] It was broadcast for 14 hours between 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., while Turner Classic Movies (formerly TNT) took the remainder of the daily schedule and broadcast 10 hours of movie programming from Turner's libraries.[1][3] During that time, Cartoon Network Asia was originally a 24-hour cable and satellite TV channel devoted to animated cartoons and classic films called TNT & Cartoon Network Asia and the service only had 4 different audio tracks including English, Mandarin, Thai and Japanese. Originally devoted to classic animated cartoons from studios such as Warner Bros., MGM and Hanna-Barbera, Cartoon Network Asia has since expanded to include more contemporary programming as well as its original productions, starting with its first original series to air in Asia in 1997, Dexter’s Laboratory. By 31 December 1995, both TNT & Cartoon Network Asia were broadcast in 20 countries and territories across pan-Asia via satellite.[citation needed]
Sometime during the 1990s, Cartoon Network Asia launched a separate 24-hour feed of its service on the PAS-2 satellite along with TNT Asia.
On 4 January 1999, Cartoon Network Asia began to offer Hindi-dubbed versions of its shows in addition to English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Thai, Korean, Japanese, Filipino and Malay, with dubs of shows such as Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, The Flintstones, The Jetsons, SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron, The Mask: Animated Series, The Addams Family, The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest, Captain Planet and other select programs.[4]
On 22 August 1999, Cartoon Network Asia was rebranded, introducing new bumpers, new original productions and a new graphical package.
2000s
In 2000, other non-original shows were introduced. Also, throughout the early 2000s, Cartoon Network Asia began airing several more original productions.
In 2001, a programming block called Cartoon Cartoons was introduced. Cartoon Network Asia also introduced other programming blocks including Toonami, Acme Hour, Prime Time, the Boomerang block (now a TV channel), and Cartoon Network Night Shift.
On 1 July 2001, Cartoon Network Asia officially became a separate 24-hour channel along with its country-specific feeds for India, the Philippines, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand and TCM Asia.
In 2003 and 2004, more programming blocks were added. In early-2004, Boomerang was added to Foxtel with many of the older cartoons moved to the new channel. In addition, Cartoon Network showed segments of children receiving prizes during the holidays for a brief period, but these were cancelled due to low audience ratings. Up until mid-2004, Cartoon Network Asia had been tied with Disney Channel as the most popular family channel in Asian continent. The removal of the older 1950s-1980s Hanna-Barbera programming from the network during the period led to a fall in average audience share during 2004 as the fans of older cartoons moved to its new sister channel Boomerang Asia.
On 1 October 2005, the channel's 'bumpers' were replaced with 3-D animation promotions that were set in a fictional location called "CN City". A well-known scene from a show was sometimes the theme. The "Cartoon Cartoons" moniker was dropped in 2006. On 31 August 2008, the bumpers and ads were updated and "Cartoon Network Theatre" was renamed into "Cartoon Network Popcorn".
2010s
On 1 October 2011, during the premiere of The Amazing World of Gumball in Asia, the channel introduced a new branding and logo originally designed by Brand New School, with a slogan "It's A Fun Thing" as well as new shows (e.g. Oggy and the Cockroaches). In 2012, Cartoon Network started airing almost all shows (except for Courage the Cowardly Dog and several past shows) in HDTV 1080i format. In 2013, the American CN bumpers and the Asian bumpers were refreshed.
The channel was rebranded as Dimensional on 18 October 2017, along with Cinemax Asia.
2020s
On 8 January 2022, Cartoon Network Asia, Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan rebranded to Redraw Your World. The video series "Craft Your World" launched on Cartoon Network Asia, Crayola websites and social channels in the following weeks. "Redraw Your World" physical events also took place from February onwards in malls across the region, including Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines.[5]
Availability
Mainland China
In Mainland China, Cartoon Network Asia has been available on a satellite since October 6, 1994. Broadcasting from Singapore in Standard Chinese and Cantonese (for South China), Cartoon Network Asia became the number one rated foreign-owned children's channel in Mainland China. It was also available on various CATV systems across Mainland China from the channel's launch on October 6, 1994, until January 2000, when it was banned for, according to an official of the SARFT, violating "relevant Chinese rules". Turner officials hadn't received official information at the time of the decision.[6] At the time of banning, the channel had an estimated reach of 100,000 CATV subscribers. Just a few months before, the Chinese government blocked children's programming from being permitted to relay, and one media analyst said that the Cartoon Network ban was to favor local production.[6] Despite the ban, Cartoon Network Asia is still available on various CATV systems across Mainland China including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, Cartoon Network Asia is available on Now TV. It is broadcast in English, Standard Chinese and Cantonese.
Taiwan
In Taiwan, Cartoon Network Asia has a country-specific feed for Taiwan (Chinese: 卡通頻道; pinyin: Kǎtōng píndào) and it has been available on cable and satellite on October 6, 1994. It is broadcast in both Taiwanese Mandarin and English.
South Korea
In January 2003, Cartoon Network Asia was launched in South Korea after the discontinuation of a Cartoon Network block on Tooniverse, but only in English, as Korean laws at the time stated that channels operating outside of South Korea were forbidden to carry the Korean audio track or subtitles within South Korean territory. In 2006, JoongAng Ilbo and Turner established a joint venture to launch a separate Korean version of Cartoon Network and was launched in November of the same year.[7]
Japan
In 1995, Cartoon Network Asia was launched on various CATV systems across Japan along with TNT Asia, STAR TV and many other foreign-owned satellite TV channels across Asia.
On September 1, 1997, Cartoon Network Asia has launched a separate country-specific feed for Japan called Cartoon Network Japan. Broadcasting from Tokyo in both Japanese and English, Cartoon Network Japan became the No. 1 foreign-owned children's channel in Japan. During that time, Cartoon Network Japan had signed an exclusive contract with Sky PerfecTV! (formerly PerfecTV!), but it was expired when the channel was launched on the now-defunct DirecTV Japan in December 1997.
Thailand
In Thailand, Cartoon Network Asia is available as a part of the TrueVisions cable and satellite services; TrueVisions includes the pan-Asian Cartoon Network in both its Gold and Platinum packages.
On October 6, 1994, TNT & Cartoon Network Asia was launched on various CATV systems across Thailand along with TNT Asia.
Starting in 2009, a Thai audio track for promos and adverts was introduced alongside an official Thai website.
In February 2018, Cartoon Network Asia along with CNN International Asia Pacific is made available on AIS Play.[citation needed]
Indonesia
In Indonesia, Cartoon Network Asia is available on First Media Gold and Platinum packages, TransVision Platinum Packages (used to be TelkomVision). and IndiKids add-on package on IndiHome.[citation needed]
Philippines
Cartoon Network Asia has a country-specific feed for the Philippines since 1995 and it has been available on cable and satellite since October 6, 1994. It is broadcast in English.
Vietnam
In Vietnam where it was first introduced around 1995, Cartoon Network Asia used to be available in English, but in April 2014, a localized feed was launched. The line-up is identical to the pan-Asian version, but the promos are entirely in Vietnamese[8] (In addition, the original programming is either dubbed or has a Vietnamese voice-over), and the local titles of the cartoons are shown on screen, right next to Cartoon Network's logo. The Vietnamese feed is available on VTC Digital, SCTV, Viettel, Hanoi Radio-Television (HCATV), Vietnam Television (VTVcab) and FPT Play. Starting in December 2016, a Vietnamese audio track for promos and adverts was introduced.[citation needed]
A Vietnamese ad or other channel's promos (like Warner TV) may appear when promos are playing.
Malaysia and Brunei
The first Malaysian broadcasting company to air Cartoon Network Asia was Astro subsidiaries of Measat Broadcasting Systems Sdn Bhd. Cartoon Network was launched on Astro in 1996 on channel 616 (the old channel number was changed in April 2020) in Malaysia, and in 2000 in Brunei (Kristal-Astro).
- The current channel number for Cartoon Network on Astro (from April 2020) is now 615 for HD.
Before Astro launched the channel in 1996, Cartoon Network Asia was first launched on Mega TV in 1995.[citation needed] Originally, when Cartoon Network was launched on the service, it was time shared with the Variety Channel.
On 1 August 2023, Cartoon Network was launched on Unifi TV along with HGTV.
Sri Lanka
Cartoon Network Asia was available in Sri Lanka.[9] In June 2019, the Asian channel got replaced with Cartoon Network HD+ India. According to a census, the most famous Cartoon Network shows in Sri Lanka are, We Bare Bears, Teen Titans Go! and The Powerpuff Girls.[citation needed]
Cartoon Network is available in Sri Lanka on Dialog, Peo TV and Freesat. Cartoon Network was also the first international channel to reach over 10 million total of views in Sri Lanka.
Maldives
In Maldives, Cartoon Network Asia is available on MediaNet in 2005. It is broadcast in English.
Programming
Programming blocks
Current
Redraw Your Summer (Seasonal Summer)
Redraw Your Summer (formerly Best Summer Ever) is a Summer-themed programming block that airs Cartoon Network shows and some acquired content from May to June.
Shriektober (Seasonal Fall)
Shriektober is a Halloween-themed programming block that airs Cartoon Network shows and some acquired content.
So Much Christmas (Seasonal Winter)
So Much Christmas is a Christmas-themed programming block that airs Cartoon Network shows and some acquired content.
Former
Cartoonito
Cartoonito originally launched on 1 December 2012, Cartoonito launched in Asia in conjunction with its localized website. Cartoonito's original programming block was aired on Cartoon Network from 6 to 8 AM including Baby Looney Tunes and ABC Monsters.[10] Cartoonito was replaced by Boomerang on January 1, 2015.[11]
The brand, relaunched as a morning programming block on Cartoon Network in Japan on March 1, 2022, and in Southeast Asia and Korea on March 28 of the same year. It offers a modern approach to preschool programming, built to support each child's unique potential with its educational framework called “Humancentric Learning”.[12]
Boomerang
Boomerang was first shown as a programming block on Cartoon Network Asia from October 6, 1994, to March 14, 2004. A separate TV channel was available all across Asia and Oceania on 14 March 2004. On 1 December 2012, it went defunct and was replaced with Toonami; Toonami is also operated and distributed by Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific. However, since 1 January 2015, Boomerang has replaced Cartoonito.
Triple Jam
Triple Jam was a programming block broadcast three Cartoon Network shows in one-hour timeslots including Teen Titans Go!, We Bare Bears and The Amazing World of Gumball on weekdays. On September 2nd 2024, Triple Jam returned every weekday morning at 10am (Singapore/Malaysia) or 9am (Indonesia/Thailand). but by this time, Teen Titans Go! had been replaced with Mr. Bean: The Animated Series
Tiny TV
Tiny TV was first shown in Asia and Oceania in June 2002 and it showed cartoons that were targeted at very young children including The Flintstone Kids, Baby Looney Tunes, Krypto the Superdog, Tom & Jerry Kids and A Pup Named Scooby-Doo.
Cartoon Network Mornings
Cartoon Network Mornings was a morning programming block that broadcast shows from Warner Bros. Animation and some shows which aired on Cartoonito in the US and its sister channel, Boomerang, including Mush-Mush and the Mushables, Alice and Lewis, Talking Tom and Friends, Grizzly and the Lemmings and Mr. Bean: The Animated Series on weekdays.
FRIYAY
FRIYAY is a programming block that airs every Friday. It airs shows such as The Amazing World of Gumball, Craig of the Creek, Teen Titans Go! and We Bare Bears.
Cartoon Network Popcorn
Cartoon Network Popcorn was a programming block that aired movies.
Cartoon Network Classic
Cartoon Network Classic was a programming block that aired classic shows such as Courage The Cowardly Dog, Chowder, Dexter's Laboratory and others. This block ended at the end of 2020.
Laughternoons
Laughternoons was a programming block that aired some Cartoon Network shows.
Good Morning Scooby!
Good Morning Scooby! was a programming block that aired some Scooby-Doo series including What's New Scooby Doo. The block ended at the end of 2011.
Era Names
- 6 October 1994 – 22 August 1999: Checkerboard Era
- 1998–2005: Powerhouse Era
- 2005–2008: City Era
- 2008–2011: New Wave Era
- 2011-2016: CHECK It Era
- 2017–2022: Dimensional Era
- 2018–2022: Mashup Era
- 2022–present: Redraw Your World Era[13]
See also
References
External links
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