Cartoon Network Builds on Brands, Launches DC Nation Block
Press Release from Cartoon Network
Springboarding off its 2010 ratings growth across key kids and boys demos, in which series/specials Adventure Time, Dude, What Would Happen, Generator Rex and Hall of Game helped propel the network to new heights, Cartoon Network described its plans for building new global franchises today as it unveiled a broad slate of new content for 2011 at its annual Advertising Upfront presentation. Thirteen new animated series, 19 returning shows, and the network’s newest live-action scripted comedy series, Level Up, which will launch with a 90-minute original movie, will debut over the next year. The morning’s announcements also spotlighted a new partnership between Warner Bros., DC Entertainment and Cartoon Network in which the three entertainment brands would unite their powerful assets in publishing, theatrical and television to create a multi-platform block of exclusive branded original content on the network named, DC Nation.
DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. (Nasdaq: DWA) CEO and Co-founder Jeffrey Katzenberg also appeared to reveal development plans for the new half-hour CG-animated series based on the Oscar-nominated and hugely popular 2010 motion picture adventure, How to Train Your Dragon. Coupled with new and returning acquisitions, these projects represent Cartoon Network’s largest episodic commitment to date for new content.
“Our commitment last year to build on the volume of broad content for our audience has paid off in solid ratings growth and renewed strength among our core 6-11 audience,” said Stuart Snyder, president and chief operating officer, Turner Broadcasting’s Animation, Young Adults and Kids Media (AYAKM). “We now have successful new shows that we can grow into the next big franchises. By partnering with premier entertainment companies like Warner Bros., DreamWorks Animation SKG and DC Entertainment, we are laying the groundwork for even further growth and expansion opportunities across the coming year.”
“As Cartoon Network continues to strategically align great new content with exciting franchises, our ad sales team is committed to developing innovative ideas for our partners that will extend the reach of their message and brands across our linear and digital platforms,” said John O’Hara, executive vice president and general sales manager, Cartoon Network Ad Sales & Marketing. “The recent success with Hall of Game is a key example of how we collaborated with our advertising partners to develop high-profile, custom opportunities, which live across multiple viewer experience levels and delivered measurable return on their investment.”
Exclusive first looks of new original animated comedy series revealed to advertisers at Jazz at Lincoln Center included: The Problem Solverz and Secret Mountain Fort Awesome, two new series from Cartoon Network Studios joining the network’s successful Monday night prime-time comedy block of quarter-hour programs Adventure Time, Regular Show and MAD which rank #1 in their timeslots across all television among kids and boys 2-11, 6-11 and 9-14; The Amazing World of Gumball, the U.S. premiere of a new international series from Cartoon Network’s U.K. production studio; and The Looney Tunes Show, an all-new series in the tradition of classic theatrical shorts from Warner Bros. Animation. Sneak peeks of new animated action-adventure series included a new version of the global hit franchise Ben 10; an all-new remake of the action series ThunderCats from Warner Bros.; and a CG-animated follow-up to this summer’s highly-anticipated action movie starring Ryan Reynolds, Green Lantern: The Animated Series.
Cartoon Network also debuted what will be its newest venture into live-action scripted comedy with the series Level Up, a fantastical comedy for the video game age. The show will launch as a 90-minute movie event in late fall and serve as a platform to promote the new half-hour series scheduled for spring 2012. Level Up is created and written by Derek Guiley and David Schneiderman (both credited for Chasing Liberty). The series will be executive produced by Peter Murrieta (Wizards of Waverly Place, Hope and Faith). The movie is directed and executive produced by Peter Lauer (Sons Of Tuscon, Chuck).
Springboarding off its 2010 ratings growth across key kids and boys demos, in which series/specials Adventure Time, Dude, What Would Happen, Generator Rex and Hall of Game helped propel the network to new heights, Cartoon Network described its plans for building new global franchises today as it unveiled a broad slate of new content for 2011 at its annual Advertising Upfront presentation. Thirteen new animated series, 19 returning shows, and the network’s newest live-action scripted comedy series, Level Up, which will launch with a 90-minute original movie, will debut over the next year. The morning’s announcements also spotlighted a new partnership between Warner Bros., DC Entertainment and Cartoon Network in which the three entertainment brands would unite their powerful assets in publishing, theatrical and television to create a multi-platform block of exclusive branded original content on the network named, DC Nation.
DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. (Nasdaq: DWA) CEO and Co-founder Jeffrey Katzenberg also appeared to reveal development plans for the new half-hour CG-animated series based on the Oscar-nominated and hugely popular 2010 motion picture adventure, How to Train Your Dragon. Coupled with new and returning acquisitions, these projects represent Cartoon Network’s largest episodic commitment to date for new content.
“Our commitment last year to build on the volume of broad content for our audience has paid off in solid ratings growth and renewed strength among our core 6-11 audience,” said Stuart Snyder, president and chief operating officer, Turner Broadcasting’s Animation, Young Adults and Kids Media (AYAKM). “We now have successful new shows that we can grow into the next big franchises. By partnering with premier entertainment companies like Warner Bros., DreamWorks Animation SKG and DC Entertainment, we are laying the groundwork for even further growth and expansion opportunities across the coming year.”
“As Cartoon Network continues to strategically align great new content with exciting franchises, our ad sales team is committed to developing innovative ideas for our partners that will extend the reach of their message and brands across our linear and digital platforms,” said John O’Hara, executive vice president and general sales manager, Cartoon Network Ad Sales & Marketing. “The recent success with Hall of Game is a key example of how we collaborated with our advertising partners to develop high-profile, custom opportunities, which live across multiple viewer experience levels and delivered measurable return on their investment.”
Exclusive first looks of new original animated comedy series revealed to advertisers at Jazz at Lincoln Center included: The Problem Solverz and Secret Mountain Fort Awesome, two new series from Cartoon Network Studios joining the network’s successful Monday night prime-time comedy block of quarter-hour programs Adventure Time, Regular Show and MAD which rank #1 in their timeslots across all television among kids and boys 2-11, 6-11 and 9-14; The Amazing World of Gumball, the U.S. premiere of a new international series from Cartoon Network’s U.K. production studio; and The Looney Tunes Show, an all-new series in the tradition of classic theatrical shorts from Warner Bros. Animation. Sneak peeks of new animated action-adventure series included a new version of the global hit franchise Ben 10; an all-new remake of the action series ThunderCats from Warner Bros.; and a CG-animated follow-up to this summer’s highly-anticipated action movie starring Ryan Reynolds, Green Lantern: The Animated Series.
Cartoon Network also debuted what will be its newest venture into live-action scripted comedy with the series Level Up, a fantastical comedy for the video game age. The show will launch as a 90-minute movie event in late fall and serve as a platform to promote the new half-hour series scheduled for spring 2012. Level Up is created and written by Derek Guiley and David Schneiderman (both credited for Chasing Liberty). The series will be executive produced by Peter Murrieta (Wizards of Waverly Place, Hope and Faith). The movie is directed and executive produced by Peter Lauer (Sons Of Tuscon, Chuck).
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