Pan-Asian pay television channel, targeted at children
Television channel
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
.
History
[
edit
]
1990s
[
edit
]
In January 1994, it was announced that
TNT
and Cartoon Network will launch by the end of the year. It was supposedly launch as 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) taking 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 called
Dexter’s Laboratory
. By 31 December 1995, TNT & Cartoon Network Asia was broadcast around 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
in shows such as
Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!
,
The Flintstones
,
The Jetsons
,
SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron
,
The Mask: The 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
[
edit
]
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 shown segments of kids getting prizes during the holidays for a brief period, but were cancelled due to low audience. 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 1950's-1980's 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 entitled
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
[
edit
]
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 (ex.
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 to Dimensional on 18 October 2017, along with
Cinemax Asia
.
2020s
[
edit
]
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 and Crayola websites and social channels in the following weeks. "Redraw Your World" physical events are also taking place from February onwards in malls across the region, including Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines.
[5]
Availability
[
edit
]
Mainland China
[
edit
]
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 early 2000, when it was banned for, according to an official of the SARFT, violating "relevant Chinese rules". 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
[
edit
]
In
Hong Kong
, Cartoon Network Asia is available on
Now TV
. It is broadcast in
English
,
Standard Chinese
and
Cantonese
.
Taiwan
[
edit
]
In
Taiwan
, Cartoon Network Asia has a country-specific feed for
Taiwan
and it has been available on cable and satellite on October 6, 1994. It is broadcast in both
Taiwanese Mandarin
and
English
.
South Korea
[
edit
]
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 imply that channels operating outside of South Korea are forbidden to carry the Korean audio track or subtitles within South Korean territory. In 2006,
JoongAng Ilbo
and the Turner company established a joint venture to launch a separate Korean version of Cartoon Network and was launched in November of the same year.
[7]
Japan
[
edit
]
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.
Pakistan
[
edit
]
Cartoon Network Asia launched in
Pakistan
in 2004.
Thailand
[
edit
]
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
[
edit
]
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
[
edit
]
Cartoon Network Asia has a country-specific feed for the Philippines since 1995 and it has been available on cable and satellite on October 6, 1994. It is broadcast in
English
.
Vietnam
[
edit
]
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 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
[
edit
]
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
since 1996 on channel 616 (old channel number, had been changed in April 2020) in
Malaysia
, and in
Brunei
(
Kristal-Astro
) launched in 2000.
- The current channel number for Cartoon Network on Astro (from April 2020) is now 615 for the 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
[
edit
]
Cartoon Network Asia was available in Sri Lanka. In June 2019, the Asian channel got replaced with
Cartoon Network HD+ India
. Cartoon Network is available on Dialog television channel number 47. According to census, the most famous Cartoon Network shows in Sri Lanka are,
We Bare Bears
,
Teen Titans Go!
and
The Powerpuff Girls
.
Maldives
[
edit
]
In
Maldives
, Cartoon Network Asia is available on
MediaNet
in 2005. It is broadcast in
English
.
Programming
[
edit
]
Programming blocks
[
edit
]
Current
[
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]
Redraw Your Summer (Seasonal Summer)
[
edit
]
Redraw Your Summer (formerly Best Summer Ever) is a programming block dedicated for summer that airs Cartoon Network shows and some acquired content from May to June.
Shriektober (Seasonal Fall)
[
edit
]
Shriektober is a programming block dedicated for Halloween that airs Cartoon Network shows and some acquired content.
So Much Christmas (Seasonal Winter)
[
edit
]
So Much Christmas is a programming block dedicated for Christmas that airs Cartoon Network shows and some acquired content.
Former
[
edit
]
Cartoonito
[
edit
]
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
.
[9]
Cartoonito was replaced by
Boomerang
on January 1, 2015.
[10]
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”.
[11]
Boomerang
[
edit
]
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 was 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
[
edit
]
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.
Tiny TV
[
edit
]
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
[
edit
]
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
[
edit
]
FRIYAY was a programming block 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
[
edit
]
Cartoon Network Popcorn was a programming block that airs movies.
Cartoon Network Classic
[
edit
]
Cartoon Network Classic was a programming block that airs classic shows such as
Courage The Cowardly Dog
,
Chowder
,
Dexter's Laboratory
and others. This block was ended at the end of 2020.
Laughternoons
[
edit
]
Laughternoons was a programming block that airs some Cartoon Network shows.
Good Morning Scooby!
[
edit
]
Good Morning Scooby! was a programming block that airs some Scooby-Doo series including
What's New Scooby Doo
. The block was ended at the end of 2011.
Era Names
[
edit
]
- 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?2021: Dimensional Era
- 2018-2021: Mashup Era
- 2021?present: Redraw Your World Era
[12]
See also
[
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]
Notes
[
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]
References
[
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]
External links
[
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]
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Channels (U.S.)
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Programs &
blocks (U.S.)
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International
channels
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- Americas
- EMEA & Poland
- Asia-Pacific
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Boomerang
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- Americas
- EMEA & Poland
- Asia-Pacific
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Cartoonito
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- Americas
- EMEA & Poland
- Asia-Pacific
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Studios
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Streaming
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Albums
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Defunct
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See also
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Notes
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Pan-Asia
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East Asia
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South Asia
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Southeast Asia
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Australasia
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Online
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Defunct
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