Television
August 10, 2004
Cartoon Network And Warner Bros. Extend Animated Laughter To Preschoolers With New Original Programming Franchise To Launch In Spring 2005
(August 10, 2004 – Atlanta, GA and Burbank, CA) - Cartoon Network and the Warner Bros. Television Group jointly announced today a new weekday morning franchise of original and acquired television targeted for preschool children to premiere on Cartoon Network in spring 2005. Still to be officially named, this new joint venture between Warner Bros. Television Group and Cartoon Network will mark both companies’ first major production foray into the preschool market and will differentiate from other media properties by its primary emphasis on developing, nurturing and valuing a child’s sense of humor, an essential aspect of a happy, well-adjusted child. The franchise’s newly developed and acquired series also will be packaged within a distinctive, cohesive on-air environment. Alice Cahn, Cartoon Network Vice President of Development and Programming, will supervise the development and acquisition of programming, working closely with Warner Bros. Animation President, Sander Schwartz, who will also be a major supplier to the joint venture.
“On weekday mornings, we know that younger children comprise the majority of our viewers when older siblings head off to school,” says Cahn. “The significant resources and ingenuity of Warner Bros. Animation provides us a powerful partner to help build this new franchise into a joyful, meaningful experience for these young viewers.”
“We believe that preschoolers are underserved in the marketplace and we want to fill that void with high quality, fun-filled entertainment across all media and all platforms,” said Schwartz. “Our long-term relationship and experience with creating productions for Cartoon Network is simply fantastic. Our plan is to tap into the wonderful beloved characters within our unparalleled library, as well as create vibrant, exciting new franchises for the younger set of our audience.”
“Research showed us that the marketplace was filled with television services pushing traditional skill-based curriculum for youngsters, but nothing specifically addressed the importance of letting kids be kids and showcasing humor to facilitate friendship, learning and self-esteem —what I’m terming ‘smart fun’,” added Cahn.
The first announced series for the new preschool service will come from Warner Bros. Animation and DC Comics’ Superman. “Krypto” follows the adventures of Superman’s faithful canine companion when he lands in Metropolis after being jettisoned as a test-pilot puppy aboard a rocket ship made by Superman’s father, Jor-El. He immediately becomes friends with a lonely boy named Kevin Whitney. Armed with a wide array of superpowers, Krypto, along with Kevin, fight forces of evil that threaten the well-being of both people and animals in Metropolis.
All of the series will be developed in collaboration with a Child Development Advisory Board and from a curriculum framework based on the importance of humor to children’s healthy development. More details about the new franchise, including further programming announcements will be announced in the coming weeks.
Cartoon Network, currently seen in 86 million U.S. homes and 145 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s 24-hour, ad-supported cable service offering the best in animated entertainment. Drawing from the world’s largest cartoon library, Cartoon Network showcases unique original ventures such as “Codename: Kids Next Door,” “The Powerpuff Girls,” “Dexter’s Laboratory,” “Samurai Jack,” “Courage the Cowardly Dog,” “Ed, Edd n Eddy” and other Cartoon Cartoons. Cartoon Network also features “Adult Swim,” a late night block of animation for grown-ups. Since its launch in 1992, Cartoon Network has remained one of ad-supported cable’s highest-rated networks. Cartoon Network’s website is located at http://CartoonNetwork.com (AOL Keyword: Cartoon Network).
Warner Bros. Television Group, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is comprised of industry-leading television production and distribution companies (which together produce more than 50 original network, cable and syndicated series to all platforms worldwide) and the WB television network. Warner Bros. Animation has set the standard for innovative, quality animation and is highly respected for its creative and technical excellence, and for maintaining the Studio's rich cartoon heritage since producing its first cartoon in 1930. Providing programming for network, syndication and cable television, online, home video and feature films, Warner Bros. Animation has garnered five Academy Awards, 31 Emmys, the highly coveted George Foster Peabody Award and numerous other honors.
Both Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. are Time Warner companies.
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