History of Cartoon Network in Timeline
Cartoon Network is an American cable television channel launched on October 1, 1992. It is the flagship property of The Cartoon Network, Inc., a division of Warner Bros. Discovery Networks under Warner Bros. Discovery. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Cartoon Network primarily broadcasts animated programming, becoming a prominent and influential force in the animation industry and children's entertainment.
1943: Coal Black and de Sebben Dwarfs Omitted
In 1943, Coal Black and de Sebben Dwarfs, a politically incorrect short, was notably omitted entirely from Cartoon Network's broadcast.
1950: The Scarlet Pumpernickel Edited
In 1950, The Scarlet Pumpernickel had its finale heavily edited due to violence on Cartoon Network's broadcast.
1952: Feed the Kitty Edited
In 1952, Feed the Kitty had its finale heavily edited due to violence on Cartoon Network's broadcast.
August 9, 1986: Turner Broadcasting Acquired MGM/UA
On August 9, 1986, Turner Broadcasting System acquired Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/United Artists (MGM/UA).
October 8, 1988: TNT Launched
On October 8, 1988, Turner Network Television (TNT) was launched and gained an audience with its film library.
February 18, 1992: Cartoon Network Launch Announced
On February 18, 1992, Turner Broadcasting announced plans to launch Cartoon Network as an outlet for its animation library.
March 12, 1992: The Cartoon Network, Inc. Founded
On March 12, 1992, The Cartoon Network, Inc., the namesake parent company of the channel, was founded.
October 1, 1992: Cartoon Network Launched
On October 1, 1992, Cartoon Network officially launched as the first 24-hour single-genre cable channel with animation as its main theme.
December 8, 1992: Boomerang Programming Block Aired
From December 8, 1992, Boomerang was originally a weekend programming block that aired on Cartoon Network
1992: Cartoon Network Launched with Classic Cartoons
Upon its launch in 1992, Cartoon Network aired various Looney Tunes, Merrie Melodies, and Tom and Jerry shorts in constant rotation.
December 5, 1993: Cartoon Network Productions Established
On December 5, 1993, Cartoon Network Productions was established as the network's global television production and distribution arm.
1994: Cartoon Network Studios Originated
In 1994, Cartoon Network Studios originated as a division of Hanna-Barbera to produce original programs for the network.
1995: What a Cartoon! Debuted
In 1995, What a Cartoon! debuted, offering original animated shorts from Cartoon Network Studios.
January 9, 1996: CartoonNetwork.com Registered
On January 9, 1996, Cartoon Network registered its official website, CartoonNetwork.com.
March 17, 1997: Toonami Block Launched on Cartoon Network
On March 17, 1997, the original Toonami program block launched on Cartoon Network in the United States.
1997: Sam Register Became Senior Vice President and Creative Director
In 1997, Sam Register served as Cartoon Network Online's senior vice president and creative director.
1997: Toonami Block Launched
In 1997, the Toonami block originally ran carrying action-oriented series aimed towards older youth and teen audiences, including imported anime series.
July 27, 1998: CartoonNetwork.com Launched
CartoonNetwork.com officially launched on July 27, 1998.
January 1999: "MGM Golden Age Collection" Showcased
In January 1999, the Department of Cartoons showcased the "MGM Golden Age Collection", most of which had not been published or even seen in more than 50 years.
1999: Cartoon Cartoon Fridays Launched
In 1999, Cartoon Cartoon Fridays launched as Cartoon Network's flagship block, featuring premieres of Cartoon Network original series.
1999: Cartoon Network Studios Became Its Own Entity
In 1999, Cartoon Network Studios eventually became its own entity, separate from Hanna-Barbera.
April 1, 2000: Boomerang Spun off into its Own Channel
On April 1, 2000, Boomerang received a new look and was spun off into its own cable channel.
October 2000: Cartoon Orbit Launched
In October 2000, Cartoon Network launched Cartoon Orbit, an online gaming network characterized by digital trading cards called "cToons".
October 2000: CartoonNetwork.com Outdid Nick.com
In October 2000, CartoonNetwork.com outdid its rival Nickelodeon's website in terms of unique users, scoring 2.12 million compared to Nick.com's 1.95 million.
2000: Cartoon Network Games Established
Since 2000, Cartoon Network Games (formerly Cartoon Network Interactive) is the video game developer and publisher of video games based on Cartoon Network shows.
June 2001: Media Attention on Omissions from Broadcast
In June 2001, there was media attention over Cartoon Network's decision concerning further omissions from broadcast during the June Bugs marathon.
2001: Cartoon Network Enterprises Established
In 2001, Cartoon Network Enterprises was established as the network's global licensing and merchandising arm.
2001: Controversial Shorts Aired Past Midnight
In 2001, Cartoon Network intended to include controversial shorts with ethnic stereotypes in its June Bugs marathon, broadcasting them past midnight with introductions about their historic value.
2001: Likely Book Tie-ins
In 2001, Kevin Sandler viewed book tie-ins through Warner Books as likely, since it was the only area of marketing not covered yet.
2001: Rob Sorcher Became Executive Vice President and Head of Cartoon Network Online
In 2001, Rob Sorcher served as executive vice president and head of Cartoon Network Online.
2002: The Powerpuff Girls Movie Released
Warner Bros., the film studio subsidiary, released The Powerpuff Girls Movie in 2002.
2003: Cartoon Cartoons Branding Phased Out
By 2003, Cartoon Network began to phase out the Cartoon Cartoons branding, which was used for original animated series.
2003: Fridays Block Renamed
From 2003 to 2007, the Cartoon Cartoon Fridays block was renamed "Fridays" after Cartoon Network began to phase out the Cartoon Cartoons branding.
2003: Nestlé Wonder Ball Tie-in
In 2003, Nestlé was granted a licensing agreement that resulted in a Wonder Ball chocolate candy tie-in with Cartoon Network characters and logos.
October 3, 2004: Boomerang Programming Block Ended
Boomerang was originally a weekend programming block that aired on Cartoon Network from December 8, 1992, until October 3, 2004.
2004: New Wonder Ball Promotion
A new Wonder Ball promotion began in 2004 with characters from Ed, Edd n Eddy and exclusive Wonderball prizes and cToons on the Cartoon Orbit website.
2004: Cartoon Network Latin America Original Productions Founded
In 2004, Cartoon Network Latin America Original Productions (CN LA) was founded as the production arm of the network's Latin American station.
2004: CartoonNetwork.com Set Record
In 2004, CartoonNetwork.com set a record of 71 minutes spent on the site.
2004: Rhino Entertainment Spun Off
In 2004, Rhino Entertainment, the former record label subsidiary of the corporate parent, was spun off from Time Warner.
October 16, 2006: Cartoon Orbit Game Ended
The online gaming network Cartoon Orbit officially ended on October 16, 2006.
July 2007: CartoonNetwork.com Ranked 26th
In July 2007, Nielsen ratings data showed visitors spent an average of 77 minutes on CartoonNetwork.com, surpassing the previous record of 71 minutes set in 2004, and the site ranked 26th in terms of time spent for all US domains.
2007: Fridays Block Continued
From 2003 to 2007, the Cartoon Cartoon Fridays block was renamed "Fridays" after Cartoon Network began to phase out the Cartoon Cartoons branding.
May 24, 2008: Kids' WB Discontinued
Kids' WB was discontinued on May 24, 2008.
September 20, 2008: Original Toonami Block Ended
On September 20, 2008, Toonami ended its original run on Cartoon Network.
2008: Cartoon Cartoons Name Discontinued
In 2008, Cartoon Network discontinued the name Cartoon Cartoons, which had been used for its original animated series.
2008: Toonami Block Ended
In 2008, the Toonami block ended its original run on Cartoon Network.
January 14, 2009: FusionFall Release
On January 14, 2009, Cartoon Network released FusionFall, a massive multiplayer online game featuring characters from various Cartoon Network franchises.
2009: CN Real Block Introduced
In 2009, Cartoon Network introduced CN Real, a block that featured live-action reality television series.
2009: Time Warner Cable Spun Off
In 2009, Time Warner Cable was spun off from Time Warner.
2011: Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion Release
In 2011, Cartoon Network characters were featured in Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion for the Nintendo 3DS, a four-player mascot brawler fighting game similar to Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. video game series.
2011: DC Nation Block Introduced
In 2011, Cartoon Network introduced DC Nation, a block focused on series adapted from DC Comics properties.
May 26, 2012: Toonami Block Revived on Adult Swim
On May 26, 2012, Toonami was revived on Adult Swim as a relaunch of its Saturday night anime block.
December 2012: Toonami Launched in Asia
In December 2012, the Toonami brand was also used internationally for a dedicated network in Asia.
2012: Cartoon Network Development Studio Europe Renamed
In 2012, Cartoon Network Development Studio Europe was renamed Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe, located in London, England.
2012: Toonami Block Relaunched
In 2012, the Toonami block was relaunched under the auspices of Adult Swim.
August 29, 2013: FusionFall Shutdown
On August 29, 2013, Cartoon Network shut down FusionFall, a massive multiplayer online game that was released on January 14, 2009.
March 2014: Adult Swim Start Time Moved to 8 p.m.
In March 2014, Adult Swim's start time on Cartoon Network was moved to 8 p.m.
June 9, 2014: Time Inc. Spun Off
Time Inc. was spun off from Time Warner on June 9, 2014.
February 2015: Toonami Launched in India
In February 2015, the Toonami brand was also used internationally for a dedicated network in India.
2015: Cartoon Network Books Established
In 2015, Cartoon Network Books was established as the book licensor for various Cartoon Network franchises.
February 2016: Toonami Launched in France
In February 2016, the Toonami brand was also used internationally for a dedicated network in France.
2017: Boomerang Video-on-Demand Service Launched
In 2017, an online Boomerang video-on-demand service was launched, which includes classic series along with new episodes of original series.
September 13, 2021: Cartoonito Launched in the U.S.
On September 13, 2021, Cartoonito made its U.S. debut as a block on Cartoon Network.
September 2021: ACME Night Introduced for Family Audiences
In September 2021, ACME Night was introduced as part of Cartoon Network's pivot toward family audiences, showcasing movies every Sunday.
September 2021: Cartoonito and ACME Night Introduced
In September 2021, Cartoon Network introduced Cartoonito, a preschool block, and ACME Night, a Sunday-evening block for family films and library content.
2021: Cartoon Network Studios Europe Renamed
In 2021, Cartoon Network Studios Europe was renamed Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe, located in London, England.
2021: Cartoon Cartoons Resurrected for Shorts Program
In 2021, Cartoon Network resurrected the Cartoon Cartoons name for a new animated shorts program.
May 1, 2023: Adult Swim Sign-On Moved to 7 p.m. ET/PT
On May 1, 2023, Adult Swim's sign-on was moved to 7 p.m. ET/PT on weekdays and Saturdays, expanding its broadcast time on Cartoon Network.
September 3, 2023: ACME Night Moved to Adult Swim
On September 3, 2023, ACME Night moved to Adult Swim as part of Adult Swim moving its daily sign-on time to 5 p.m. ET/PT.
September 2023: Adult Swim Broadcasts Expanded
As of September 2023, Adult Swim broadcasts daily from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. ET/PT on Cartoon Network.
August 8, 2024: CartoonNetwork.com Shut Down
On August 8, 2024, CartoonNetwork.com officially shut down and now redirects to the Cartoon Network channel hub of the streaming service Max.
