History of Cartoon Network in Timeline
Cartoon Network is an American cable television channel that launched on October 1, 1992. It is the flagship property of The Cartoon Network, Inc., which is a sub-division of Warner Bros. Discovery Networks, itself a division of Warner Bros. Discovery. Cartoon Network primarily broadcasts animated programming, catering to a wide audience with content ranging from action-oriented shows to comedies.
1943: Coal Black and de Sebben Dwarfs Omitted
In 1943, Coal Black and de Sebben Dwarfs, a politically incorrect but critically well-regarded short, was notably omitted entirely from Cartoon Network broadcasts.
1950: The Scarlet Pumpernickel Edited
In 1950, The Scarlet Pumpernickel had its finale heavily edited due to violence before broadcasting on Cartoon Network.
1952: Feed the Kitty Edited
In 1952, Feed the Kitty had its finale heavily edited due to violence before broadcasting on Cartoon Network.
May 1986: Turner Keeps MGM/UA Library
In May 1986, Turner kept much of the film and television library made before that date from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/United Artists (MGM/UA) and formed Turner Entertainment Co.
August 9, 1986: Turner Acquires 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 by Turner Broadcasting, gaining audience with its film library.
1991: Turner Purchases Hanna-Barbera Library
In 1991, Turner purchased the library of animation studio Hanna-Barbera, leading to plans for a dedicated animation network.
February 18, 1992: Cartoon Network Launch Announced
On February 18, 1992, Turner Broadcasting announced its plans to launch Cartoon Network as an outlet for an animation library.
March 12, 1992: Cartoon Network, Inc. Founded
On March 12, 1992, Cartoon Network's namesake parent company, The Cartoon Network, Inc., was founded.
October 1, 1992: Cartoon Network Launches
On October 1, 1992, Cartoon Network (CN) officially launched as the first 24-hour single-genre cable channel with animation as its main theme.
December 8, 1992: Boomerang Programming Block
From December 8, 1992, Boomerang was a weekend programming block that aired on Cartoon Network.
1992: Animated Shorts Rotation
From 1992 onward, Cartoon Network aired various Looney Tunes, Merrie Melodies, Tom and Jerry, and Droopy 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! Debuts
In 1995, What a Cartoon! debuted, offering original animated shorts.
January 9, 1996: CartoonNetwork.com Registered
On January 9, 1996, Cartoon Network registered its official website, CartoonNetwork.com.
1996: Preschool Programs Aired
In 1996, Cartoon Network aired two preschool programs: Big Bag, and Small World.
March 17, 1997: Toonami Launched on Cartoon Network
On March 17, 1997, Toonami launched on Cartoon Network in the United States, airing both American cartoons and Japanese anime.
1997: Sam Register becomes Cartoon Network Online's Senior VP
In 1997, Sam Register became Cartoon Network Online's senior vice president and creative director, serving until 2001.
1997: Toonami Block Launched
In 1997, the Toonami block was launched, primarily carrying action-oriented series aimed towards an older youth and teen audience, including imported anime series.
July 27, 1998: CartoonNetwork.com Launched
On July 27, 1998, Cartoon Network officially launched its website, CartoonNetwork.com.
January 1999: "MGM Golden Age Collection" showcased
In January 1999, Cartoon Network's 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: Series Moved to Boomerang
By 1999, Most of the series including The Flintstones, Scooby-Doo, Snorks, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Justice League and Teen Titans were removed and moved to Boomerang in 2000
1999: Cartoon Network Studios became its own entity
In 1999 Cartoon Network Studios eventually became its own entity
1999: Cartoon Cartoon Fridays Launched
In 1999, Cartoon Cartoon Fridays was launched as the channel's flagship block, featuring premieres of Cartoon Network original series that fell under the Cartoon Cartoons branding.
April 1, 2000: Boomerang Spun Off
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 Surpasses Nick.com in Unique Users
In October 2000, CartoonNetwork.com surpassed its rival Nickelodeon's website in terms of unique users, scoring 2.12 million compared to Nick.com's 1.95 million.
2000: Series Moved to Boomerang
In 2000, Most of the series including The Flintstones, Scooby-Doo, Snorks, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Justice League and Teen Titans were removed and moved to Boomerang
2000: Cartoon Network Games Founded
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 over Omissions
In June 2001, there was media attention over a network decision concerning further omissions from broadcast during Cartoon Network's 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 Airing
In 2001, Cartoon Network intended to include 12 shorts for its airing of the marathon that had become controversial for using ethnic and national stereotypes, albeit broadcasting them past midnight to ensure few children were watching.
2001: Book tie-ins through Warner Books considered likely
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: Sam Register leaves Cartoon Network Online
In 2001, Sam Register left his role as Cartoon Network Online's senior vice president and creative director, a position he held since 1997.
2002: The Powerpuff Girls Movie Released
In 2002, Warner Bros., the film studio subsidiary, released The Powerpuff Girls Movie.
2003: Cartoon Cartoons Branding Seldom Used
By 2003, the Cartoon Cartoons branding for Cartoon Network's original animated television series was seldom used by the network.
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, resulting in a Wonder Ball chocolate candy tie-in with Cartoon Network characters and logos.
October 3, 2004: End of Boomerang Programming Block
Boomerang was a weekend programming block that aired on Cartoon Network from December 8, 1992, until October 3, 2004.
2004: Cartoon Network Latin America Original Productions Founded
In 2004, Cartoon Network Latin America Original Productions (CN LA), formerly known as Cartoon Network Producciones, was founded as the production arm of the network's Latin American station.
2004: CartoonNetwork.com Sets Time Spent Record
In 2004, CartoonNetwork.com set a record for time spent on the site, with visitors averaging 71 minutes.
2004: Rhino Entertainment Spun Off
In 2004, Rhino Entertainment, the record label subsidiary of the corporate parent of Cartoon Network, was spun off from Time Warner.
2004: New Wonder Ball Promotion
In 2004, a new Wonder Ball promotion began, featuring characters from Ed, Edd n Eddy and exclusive Wonderball prizes and cToons on the Cartoon Orbit website.
October 16, 2006: Cartoon Orbit Ended
On October 16, 2006, the online gaming network Cartoon Orbit, launched in October 2000, officially ended.
2006: Cartoonito Launched Internationally
In 2006, Cartoonito was first launched for use in international markets.
July 2007: CartoonNetwork.com Sets Record for Time Spent on Site
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. The site ranked 26th in terms of time spent for all US domains.
2007: Fridays Block End
In 2007, the "Fridays" block programming came to an end.
May 24, 2008: Kids' WB Discontinued
On May 24, 2008, Kids' WB, which at times swapped shows with Cartoon Network to cultivate a shared audience, was discontinued.
September 20, 2008: Toonami Original Run Ended
On September 20, 2008, Toonami's original run ended on Cartoon Network.
2008: Cartoon Cartoons Name Discontinued
In 2008, the name Cartoon Cartoons was discontinued by Cartoon Network.
2008: Toonami Block Ended
In 2008, the original run of the Toonami block ended.
January 14, 2009: FusionFall Game Release
On January 14, 2009, Cartoon Network released FusionFall, a massive multiplayer online game featuring characters from various Cartoon Network franchises, on the Cartoon Network website.
2009: Adult Swim Start Time Moved
In 2009, Adult Swim moved its start time to 10 p.m.
2009: CN Real Block Introduced
In 2009, CN Real was introduced, a block that featured live-action reality television series aimed towards a youth audience.
2009: Time Warner Cable Spun Off
In 2009, Time Warner Cable, the cable television subsidiary of the corporate parent of Cartoon Network, was spun off from Time Warner.
2010: Adult Swim Start Time Moved
In 2010, Adult Swim moved its start time to 9 p.m.
2011: Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion Released
In 2011, Cartoon Network characters were featured in the release of Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion, a four-player mascot brawler fighting game for the Nintendo 3DS, similar to Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. video game series. The game was later released for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and the Wii as Cartoon Network Punch Time Explosion XL.
2011: Peak Cartoon Network Households
In 2011, Cartoon Network reached its peak with 100 million households having access to it.
2011: DC Nation Block Introduced
In 2011, the channel introduced DC Nation, a block that would be focused on series adapted from DC Comics properties.
May 26, 2012: Toonami Revived on Adult Swim
On May 26, 2012, Toonami was revived on Adult Swim's Saturday night anime block.
December 2012: Toonami Launched in Asia
In December 2012, Toonami brand was also used internationally for dedicated networks in Asia.
2012: Cartoon Network Development Studio Europe name change
In 2012, Cartoon Network Development Studio Europe changed its name to Cartoon Network Studios Europe
2012: Toonami Block Re-launched
In 2012, Toonami was re-launched under the auspices of Adult Swim.
August 29, 2013: FusionFall Game Shut Down
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
In March 2014, Adult Swim moved its start time to 8 p.m.
June 9, 2014: Time Inc. Spun Off From Time Warner
On June 9, 2014, Time Inc., the magazine subsidiary of the corporate parent of Cartoon Network, was spun off from Time Warner.
February 2015: Toonami Launched in India
In February 2015, Toonami brand was also used internationally for dedicated networks in India.
2015: Cartoon Network Books Established
In 2015, Cartoon Network Books was established as the book licensor, responsible for licensing books based on various Cartoon Network franchises.
February 2016: Toonami Launched in France
In February 2016, Toonami brand was also used internationally for dedicated networks in France.
2017: End of Animated Shorts Rotation
By 2017, Cartoon Network stopped airing various Looney Tunes, Merrie Melodies, Tom and Jerry, and Droopy shorts in constant rotation.
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 like Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?, New Looney Tunes, and The Tom and Jerry Show.
February 2021: Cartoonito U.S. Debut Announced
In February 2021, it was announced that Cartoonito would make its U.S. debut as a block on Cartoon Network and as a content brand on HBO Max.
September 13, 2021: Cartoonito U.S. Debut
On September 13, 2021, Cartoonito made its U.S. debut as a block on Cartoon Network.
September 2021: ACME Night Introduction
In September 2021, ACME Night was first introduced during Cartoon Network's pivot toward family audiences, airing movies every Sunday.
September 2021: New Blocks Introduced
In September 2021, Cartoon Network introduced two new blocks oriented towards preschool and family viewing respectively, including the preschool block Cartoonito, and the new Sunday-evening block ACME Night.
2021: Cartoon Network Studios Europe name change
In 2021, Cartoon Network Studios Europe changed its name to Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe
2021: Cartoon Cartoons Name Resurrected
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 due to Cartoon Network's viewership shifting towards teenagers and young adults.
September 3, 2023: ACME Night Moved to Adult Swim
On September 3, 2023, ACME Night moved to Adult Swim due to Adult Swim moving its daily sign-on time to 5 p.m. ET/PT.
September 2023: Adult Swim Broadcasts Update
As of September 2023, Adult Swim broadcasts daily from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. ET/PT.
November 2023: Cartoon Network availability update
As of November 2023, Cartoon Network is available to approximately 66 million pay television households in the United States.
August 8, 2024: CartoonNetwork.com Shuts Down
On August 8, 2024, CartoonNetwork.com officially shut down and began redirecting to the Cartoon Network channel hub of the streaming service Max. This decision was influenced by a focus on Cartoon Network shows and social media engagement.
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