Source- news18.com
After 30 years of being one of the most popular TV networks of all time, Cartoon Network has decided to let go of its identity and merge with Warner Bros Entertainment Inc., which is an American film and entertainment studio.
Fans of Cartoon Network all around the globe are feeling nostalgic after hearing this news which was announced early in October 2022. TV shows like ‘The Flintstones, ‘The Jetsons’, ‘The Powerpuff Girls, ‘Dexter’s Laboratory, and ‘Scooby-Doo’, among others, were extremely popular on Cartoon Network for decades altogether. Not to mention, the world-famous ‘Tom and Jerry’ which children of the present generation are also fond of.
Establishment of Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network is an American cable network which is owned by Warner bros. Discovery was founded by Ted Turner who then appointed Betty Cohen as the first president of the network. The channel was formally launched on October 1, 1992, and primarily broadcasts animated television series, mostly programmes focused on child audiences, ranging from action to animated comedy.
It currently runs from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. ET/PT on weekdays and 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. ET/PT on weekends. Cartoon Network primarily targets children aged between 6–14, while its early morning Cartoonito block is aimed at preschoolers and kindergarteners aged 2–6.
The TV network broadcasts across almost all countries and age groups ranging from children to even teenagers binge-watch the cartoon shows with great admiration for their beloved characters.
Famous TV shows
1. Powerpuff Girls- This cherished Cartoon Network classic was most enjoyed by young girls, and was introduced in 1998. It revolved around three sisters who had superpowers and were made in a lab by their scientist father and spent their spare time-fighting crime in Townsville. Their biggest nemesis was Mojo Jojo, an evil talking monkey with a tragic backstory.
2. Johnny Bravo- aired in 1996, this series followed its namesake Johnny Bravo, an Elvis-inspired teen boy with big blonde hair and a daily uniform of black sunglasses, a tight-fitting black T-shirt who used to show off his muscles, and blue jeans. Each episode found Johnny trying his best to earn the affection of women he encountered, but failing to do so as kept getting sidetracked by his neighbor Suzy, who liked him.
3. Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated- This popular show which was further adapted into movies orbited around the talking dog Scooby and his five friends, who somehow always got involved in some crime or mystery of sorts.
4. The Looney Tunes Show- Aired on Cartoon Network in 2011, this series revisited Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, who were now out of the woods and living in a nice suburban rental unit. It put a satirical twist on the slapstick jokes we all remember fondly, this time preferring fully-aware, self-referential humour.
5. The Tom and Jerry show- It is probably one of the few shows that even grandparents are aware of in today’s world. It is a humorous series which involves Tom, a house cat, who embarks on his adventure of persistently pursuing his never-ending quest of laying his mighty hands on the notorious mouse Jerry. Their stupid fights and turn of events evoke great laughter among the audience.
Merger with Warner Bros.
According to media reports, the American television network Warner Bros. announced on 11 October 2022 that they were officially eliminating 125 jobs, or 26 per cent of their workforce, across scripted, non-scripted, and ongoing programmes.
On the other hand, Warner Bros. Television CEO Channing Dungey commented that the merger between Cartoon Network and Warner Bros. might have more effects than they initially expected.
Cartoon Network will most likely be destroyed and reduced to a shell of its former existence as a result of CEO David Zaslav's most recent organizational restructuring, in addition to making Warner Bros. Discovery a less diverse environment overall.
Netizens took to Twitter to share their heartbreak over this sad news and were crying over the end of Cartoon Network. However, officials of Cartoon Network stated over Twitter and reassured their fans that they are not going anywhere. The network has been and will always be their home for beloved, innovative cartoons. They also promised that the journey of Cartoon Network has not ended yet.
Conclusion
Though Cartoon Network is celebrating its 30 years, its future seems slippery since the announcement of its merger with Warner Bros. Fans over the decades have made joyful memories by sitting in front of the television for countless hours, just streaming their favourite cartoons so is this goodbye or only a new beginning? Only time will reveal.
Written by Chitra Gangwani
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