Cartoon Network is forming Cartoon Network Studios, an independent
production facility to develop and produce original animated programming
for the 24-hour, all-cartoon cable channel. The new, Los Angeles-based
facility, due to begin operation by the end of the year, will give Cartoon
Network more control over series development, production, and
administration procedures. Among the series that the new studio will
produce are the currently airing THE POWERPUFF GIRLS, JOHNNY BRAVO, and
DEXTER'S LABORATORY. Staff and talent currently associated with these shows
will retain their positions at Cartoon Network Studios. Before this news
was officially announced, there were rumors that the Hanna-Barbera studio
had been renamed Cartoon Network Studios. This is not true. According to a
Cartoon Network spokesperson, "Cartoon Network Studios is a separate entity
created for production of Cartoon Network originals. Hanna-Barbera still
exists under the Warner Bros. domain and will continue to create 'classic'
material such as Scooby-Doo specials." This move appears to be the final
chapter in the reorganization of Time-Warner's animation divisions since
the merger with Turner Broadcasting in late 1996. Now Warner's Feature
Animation and TV Animation production divisions, as well as Hanna-Barbera,
are united under President Jean MacCurdy, while Cartoon Network is forming
a separate studio to feed their competing network.