Cartoon Network
For over three decades, Cartoon Network has been a global powerhouse in animation, shaping generations with its vibrant characters and groundbreaking storytelling. It wasn't just a channel; it was a cultural phenomenon that transformed how we watch cartoons, evolving from a repository of classics into a home for innovative originals. But how did this animated empire truly begin, and what surprising transformations has it undergone? Cartoon Network was born from Ted Turner's vast animation library, leveraging classic cartoons to establish a 24-hour animated empire. The network pioneered original, creator-driven animation through 'Cartoon Cartoons,' establishing a unique identity beyond syndicated content. Its successful strategy includes distinct programming blocks like Adult Swim and Toonami, catering to diverse age groups and expanding its cultural footprint.
AI Summary
For over three decades, Cartoon Network has been a global powerhouse in animation, shaping generations with its vibrant characters and groundbreaking storytelling. It wasn't just a channel; it was a cultural phenomenon that transformed how we watch cartoons, evolving from a repository of classics into a home for innovative originals. But how did this animated empire truly begin, and what surprising transformations has it undergone?
- Cartoon Network was born from Ted Turner's vast animation library, leveraging classic cartoons to establish a 24-hour animated empire.
- The network pioneered original, creator-driven animation through 'Cartoon Cartoons,' establishing a unique identity beyond syndicated content.
- Its successful strategy includes distinct programming blocks like Adult Swim and Toonami, catering to diverse age groups and expanding its cultural footprint.
The Dawn of a Cartoon Empire
On October 1, 1992, a new cable television channel burst onto the scene: Cartoon Network. This wasn't just another channel; it was the flagship property of The Cartoon Network, Inc., a division of the mighty Warner Bros. Discovery Networks. Its mission? To bring animation, 24 hours a day, to eager audiences.
Conceived by the visionary Betty Cohen, Cartoon Network primarily broadcasted animated series, largely targeting children aged 6 to 12 with a mix of action and comedy. Yet, its programming quickly diversified, with early morning blocks like Cartoonito reaching preschoolers, and the famously distinct Adult Swim block captivating young adults aged 18 to 34.
From its ambitious debut, Cartoon Network soared to immense popularity, reaching a peak of 100 million U.S. households by 2011. While the media landscape has since shifted, it continues to reach millions, a testament to its enduring appeal and its pivotal role in animated entertainment.
Building a Library, Building a Dream
The seeds for Cartoon Network were planted years before its launch, rooted in the ambitious acquisitions of media mogul Ted Turner. In 1986, Turner Broadcasting System acquired Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and United Artists. Though MGM was later sold, Turner shrewdly retained its extensive film and television library, forming Turner Entertainment Co.
This burgeoning library expanded further in 1991 when Turner purchased the legendary animation studio Hanna-Barbera. Suddenly, Turner possessed an unparalleled vault of animated treasures—from Looney Tunes to The Flintstones. It was this vast collection that inspired Ted Turner to tap Betty Cohen to devise a new network solely dedicated to these beloved cartoons.
On February 18, 1992, the plan was officially announced: Cartoon Network would be the first 24-hour single-genre cable channel dedicated entirely to animation. The stage was set for a channel that would not only showcase classic cartoons but eventually become a groundbreaking force in producing original content.
From Classics to Originals
By 1994, the network was ready to foster its own creativity. Hanna-Barbera's new division, Cartoon Network Studios, was founded to produce original programming, leading to the debut of 'What a Cartoon!' in 1995. This innovative series showcased original animated shorts, serving as a proving ground for future hits.
The channel also began to experiment with diverse programming, including preschool content like 'Big Bag' and 'Small World' by 1996. That same year, a momentous merger occurred: Turner Broadcasting System joined forces with Time Warner, consolidating ownership of all the iconic Warner Bros. cartoons under one roof—and granting Cartoon Network an even richer wellspring of content for original productions.
In its early years, Cartoon Network truly benefited from this massive animation stockpile. Viewers could enjoy continuous rotations of Looney Tunes, Merrie Melodies, Tom and Jerry, and Hanna-Barbera classics like Scooby-Doo and The Flintstones. This incredible access gave Cartoon Network a significant advantage over its rivals, who lacked such an extensive, in-house animation studio.
The 'Cartoon Cartoons' Era
While its library was vast, Cartoon Network's true legacy was forged through its original programming. The network's in-house studio, Cartoon Network Studios, became a launchpad for a generation of iconic shows under the 'Cartoon Cartoons' banner. These included groundbreaking series like 'Dexter's Laboratory,' 'Johnny Bravo,' and 'The Powerpuff Girls.'
Beyond its internal productions, the network also partnered with other studios to bring more animated magic to the screen. Beloved shows such as 'Ed, Edd n Eddy,' 'Courage the Cowardly Dog,' and 'Codename: Kids Next Door' were produced externally, further diversifying the channel's unique voice.
Pioneering Programming Blocks
Cartoon Network masterfully used programming blocks to carve out distinct viewing experiences. From 1999 to 2003, 'Cartoon Cartoon Fridays' served as the channel's flagship block, premiering new original series and becoming a must-watch event for young fans.
Perhaps one of its most influential creations was 'Toonami,' a block dedicated to action-oriented series, including a significant amount of imported Japanese anime. Launching in 1997, Toonami captivated an older youth and teen audience, becoming a cultural touchstone that introduced anime to many American viewers.
The network continued to innovate with blocks like 'CN Real' in 2009, an experiment with live-action reality TV for youth, and 'DC Nation' in 2011, which focused on adaptations of DC Comics properties. These blocks demonstrated Cartoon Network's willingness to diversify and respond to evolving audience interests.
More recently, Cartoon Network introduced 'Cartoonito' in 2021, a preschool-oriented block, and 'ACME Night' for family films and library content. These initiatives, spearheaded by new leadership, aimed to broaden the network's demographic reach even further, although ACME Night eventually found its new home on Adult Swim.
The Nuances of Classic Content
Broadcasting decades of animated history came with its own set of challenges, particularly regarding content editing. Cartoon Network frequently aired classic Warner Bros. shorts from the 1920s to the 1960s, but often edited out scenes depicting violence, tobacco use, alcohol, and content now considered politically incorrect.
This editing drew media attention, especially in 2001, concerning its annual 'June Bugs' marathon. The network had planned to include 12 controversial shorts, some from the infamous 'Censored Eleven' list, broadcasting them after midnight with contextual introductions to explain their historical, albeit problematic, value as products of their time.
Beyond the Channel: Related Brands and Units
Adult Swim: Late Night, No Limits
One of Cartoon Network's most successful—and perhaps surprising—ventures is Adult Swim. Launched as an adult-oriented programming block, it quickly became a cultural phenomenon, catering to mature audiences with minimal or no editing for content. Nielsen even treats Adult Swim as a separate channel due to its distinct demographics, highlighting its unique identity.
Initially airing in the late-night hours, Adult Swim's popularity led to its gradual expansion into prime time, moving its start time from 10 p.m. to as early as 8 p.m. by 2014. This expansion mirrored a shift in viewership, as teenagers and young adults increasingly tuned in during the evening.
The most recent and significant expansion occurred in 2023, with Adult Swim moving its sign-on time to 5 p.m. ET/PT daily. This bold move included new programming blocks like 'Checkered Past,' featuring Cartoon Network classics from the 90s and 2000s, and 'Toonami Rewind' for classic action programming, capitalizing on a growing nostalgia among its expanded audience.
Toonami: The Action Wave
A portmanteau of 'cartoon' and 'tsunami,' Toonami launched on Cartoon Network in 1997 as a dedicated block for action-oriented programming, embracing both American cartoons and groundbreaking Japanese anime. It quickly became renowned for its distinct branding, featuring an animated robot host named TOM, voiced by the iconic Steve Blum.
After an initial run until 2008, Toonami was revived in 2012 as a Saturday night anime block under the Adult Swim umbrella, continuing its legacy of introducing countless viewers to the world of anime. The Toonami brand also expanded globally, with dedicated networks launching in the UK, Asia, India, and France, spreading its tidal wave of action across the world.
Boomerang: A Treasure Trove of Classics
Boomerang emerged as Cartoon Network's dedicated brand for classic and theatrical cartoons. It began as a weekend programming block on Cartoon Network in 1992 before spinning off into its own cable channel in 2000. It served as the perfect home for the vast archive of beloved animation that formed Cartoon Network's foundation.
In 2017, Boomerang evolved further with the launch of an online video-on-demand service. This platform not only offers classic series but also new episodes of original content like 'Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?' and 'The Tom and Jerry Show,' ensuring that the legacy of these iconic characters continues for new generations.
The Creative Engines
At the heart of Cartoon Network's content lies Cartoon Network Studios. Originating as a Hanna-Barbera division in 1994, it became its own entity in 1999, responsible for many of the network's most celebrated original series. It also produces content for Adult Swim, Max, and Cartoonito, showcasing its versatile creative output.
Meanwhile, Williams Street Productions, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is the irreverent creative force behind Adult Swim. Beyond producing original animated and live-action programs, it's also responsible for programming Toonami and other past Cartoon Network blocks, proving its vital role in the network's adult programming.
Cartoon Network's global reach is supported by various international production arms, including Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe in London and Cartoon Network Latin America Original Productions. These studios ensure that the network's animated magic resonates with diverse audiences worldwide, adapting and creating content tailored for local tastes.
Beyond the Screen: Media, Marketing & Global Footprint
Digital Worlds and Interactive Experiences
Cartoon Network wasn't just on TV; it ventured into the digital realm early on. Cartoon Network Games, established in 2000, became the developer and publisher for video games based on its popular shows, from mascot brawlers like 'Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion' to online multiplayer experiences like 'FusionFall'.
The network also embraced mobile technology with its own app, offering full episodes, live streams, and games. In the literary world, Cartoon Network Books, founded in 2015, licensed books based on various franchises, ensuring characters extended their reach into different forms of media.
For years, CartoonNetwork.com was a bustling online hub, launched in 1998, offering exclusive 'Web Premiere Toons,' behind-the-scenes content, and innovative online games like 'Cartoon Orbit.' It even surpassed rival Nickelodeon's website in unique users at its peak, demonstrating the immense digital engagement of its audience.
Article
Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network (CN) is an American cable television channel operated by the Global Linear Networks division of Warner Bros. Discovery. Launched on October 1, 1992, it primarily broadcasts animated television series, mostly children's programming, ranging from action to animated comedy. It currently runs from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET/PT daily. The flagship property of The Cartoon Network, Inc., it primarily targets children aged 6 to 12, though some early morning programming, formerly of the Cartoonito block, is aimed at preschool-aged children, while evening block Adult Swim targets young adults.
As of November 2023, Cartoon Network is available to approximately 66 million pay television households in the United States — down from its peak of 100 million households in 2011.
History
Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network logo used from 1992 to 2004
On August 9, 1986, Turner Broadcasting System acquired Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/United Artists (MGM/UA). On October 18, Turner forcibly sold back MGM. However, Turner kept much of the film and television library made before May 1986 (including some of the UA library) and formed Turner Entertainment Co. On October 8, 1988, its cable channel Turner Network Television (TNT) was launched and gained an audience with its extensive film library. In 1991, Turner also purchased the library of animation studio Hanna-Barbera. Ted Turner selected Betty Cohen (then-Senior Vice President of TNT) to devise a network to house these programs. On February 18, 1992, Turner Broadcasting announced its plans to launch Cartoon Network as an outlet for an animation library. On March 12, 1992, its namesake parent company was founded one month after Turner's plan was announced. On October 1, 1992, the network officially launched as the first 24-hour single-genre cable channel with animation as its main theme. Betty Cohen was appointed as its first president.
Logo used from 2004 to 2010
In 1994, Hanna-Barbera's new division Cartoon Network Studios was founded and started production on What a Cartoon!. This show debuted in 1995, offering original animated shorts. In 1996, Cartoon Network aired two preschool programs: Big Bag, a live-action/puppet television program with animated short series produced by Children's Television Workshop, and Small World, which featured animated series aimed at preschoolers imported from foreign countries. Turner Broadcasting System merged with Time Warner, which consolidated/reverted ownership of all the Warner Bros. cartoons. The network could then continue more original productions.
Programming
Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network's current original programming includes such shows as The Amazing World of Gumball and We Baby Bears. The network's original programming is produced at Cartoon Network Studios, while other shows have either been co-produced with or acquired from other studios, including the affiliated Warner Bros. Animation. In the past, Cartoon Network has also produced and aired live-action and animated hybrid programming.
Over the years, Cartoon Network has aired various Looney Tunes, Merrie Melodies, Tom and Jerry, and Droopy shorts in constant rotation, dating back to the network's launch in 1992 until 2017. In its early days, Cartoon Network benefited from having access to a large collection of animated programming, including the libraries of Warner Bros. (Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (Tom and Jerry), Hanna-Barbera (The Flintstones, Scooby-Doo, Snorks), and DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Justice League and Teen Titans). Turner's ownership of Hanna-Barbera gave the network access to an established animation studio, something its rivals didn't have. Most of these series were removed by 1999 and moved to Boomerang in 2000.
Original series
Much of Cartoon Network's original programming originates from the network's in-house studio, Cartoon Network Studios. Beginning as a division of Hanna-Barbera, this studio would produce some of the network's earliest original series, including Dexter's Laboratory, Cow and Chicken, I Am Weasel, Johnny Bravo, and The Powerpuff Girls. Cartoon Cartoons was once the branding for Cartoon Network's original animated television series, but it was retired by the network in 2004 after the CN City rebrand on June 14. The name was eventually discontinued in 2008. Additionally, several of the Cartoon Network's original series have been produced by studios other than the network's own in-house studio. Notable examples are Ed, Edd n Eddy, Courage the Cowardly Dog, and Codename: Kids Next Door. The name was resurrected by the network in 2021 for a new animated shorts program.
Programming blocks
From 1999 to 2003, Cartoon Cartoon Fridays served as the channel's flagship block, featuring premieres of Cartoon Network original series that fell under the Cartoon Cartoons branding; from 2003 to 2007, the block was renamed "Fridays" after Cartoon Network began to phase out the Cartoon Cartoons branding. The Toonami block, which originally ran from 1997 to 2008, primarily carried action-oriented series aimed towards an older youth and teen audience, including imported anime series; it was later re-launched under the auspices of Adult Swim in 2012. 2009 saw the introduction of CN Real, a block that featured live-action reality television series aimed towards a youth audience. In 2011, the channel introduced DC Nation, a block that would be focused on series adapted from DC Comics properties.
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–which primarily carries family films and library content, as well as other original series, specials, and television films from Warner Bros. Animation, as well as some programming from Adult Swim. They were introduced as part of an effort by new head Tom Ascheim to broaden Cartoon Network's demographic reach. ACME Night moved to Adult Swim on September 3, 2023, due to Adult Swim moving its daily sign-on time to 5 p.m. ET/PT.
Editing of theatrical cartoon shorts
Cartoon Network has, during its history, broadcast most of the Warner Bros. animated shorts originally created between the 1920s and the 1960s, but the network edited out scenes depicting discharge of gunfire, alcohol ingestion, cowboys and Indians gags, tobacco, and politically incorrect humor. The unedited versions were kept from both broadcasting and wide release on the video market. Coal Black and de Sebben Dwarfs (1943), a politically incorrect but critically well-regarded short, was notably omitted entirely, while The Scarlet Pumpernickel (1950) and Feed the Kitty (1952), both well-regarded, had their finales heavily edited due to violence.
There was media attention in June 2001 over a network decision concerning further omissions from broadcast. Cartoon Network formerly scheduled a 49-hour-long marathon annually known as June Bugs, promising to broadcast every Bugs Bunny animated short in chronological order.
The network originally intended to include 12 shorts for its 2001 airing of the marathon (one of them part of the Censored Eleven list of Merrie Melodies and Looney Tunes cartoons effectively shelved from distribution) that had become controversial for using ethnic and national stereotypes, albeit broadcasting them past midnight to ensure few children were watching, with introductions concerning their historic value as representatives of another time.
Related brands and units
Cartoonito
Cartoonito is a Warner Bros.–owned preschool brand that first launched in 2006 for the United Kingdom before expanding to other international markets. In February 2021, it was announced that Cartoonito would make its U.S. debut as a programming block on Cartoon Network and content brand on HBO Max; the block launched on September 13, 2021.
Adult Swim
Adult Swim (often stylized as [adult swim] or [as]) is the adult-oriented programming brand of Cartoon Network. The programs featured on Adult Swim are geared toward a mature audience, in contrast to the all-ages, preteen daytime programming of Cartoon Network. As a result, Adult Swim is treated by Nielsen as a separate channel in its ratings reports (similar to Nickelodeon's Nick at Nite block) and marketed as such because of its differing target demographics. The block broadcasts both animated and live-action shows (including original programming, reruns of animated sitcoms, and other action and anime series) generally with minimal or no editing for content.
As of September 2023, Adult Swim broadcasts daily from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. ET/PT. Initially airing in the late-night hours, it has since expanded into prime time, moving its start time to 10 p.m. in 2009, 9 p.m. in 2010, and 8 p.m. in March 2014. The 8 p.m. hour has frequently been returned to Cartoon Network for special programming events and premieres, typically during the fall-to-early-winter period.
Due to Cartoon Network's viewership shifting almost exclusively towards teenagers and young adults in the evening hours, Adult Swim's sign-on was moved to 7 p.m. ET/PT on weekdays and Saturdays on May 1, 2023. This expansion led to an increase in the 18-34 demographic, making Cartoon Network 6th place in ad-supported networks during prime time during the month after. Due to the immediate ratings boost, the network announced a second expansion on June 7 with the block sign-on initially scheduled for 6 p.m. ET/PT on August 28 (later expanded further to 5 p.m. as confirmed on August 8).
The 5 and 6 p.m. weekday hours feature vault programming from both Cartoon Network and Adult Swim: Checkered Past is showcased Monday through Thursday, consisting of Cartoon Network original series from the 1990s and 2000s, while Fridays showcase classic Toonami programming as part of "Toonami Rewind". Additionally, movies were aired every Sunday under the ACME Night banner, which was first introduced in September 2021 during Cartoon Network's pivot toward family audiences.
Toonami
Toonami (a portmanteau of "cartoon" and "tsunami", suggesting a "tidal wave" of animated cartoons) is a brand used for action-oriented programming blocks and television channels worldwide. The original program block launched on Cartoon Network in the United States on March 17, 1997, and primarily aired both American cartoons and Japanese anime. The block ended its original run on September 20, 2008, before being revived on May 26, 2012, as a relaunch of Adult Swim's Saturday night anime block. Toonami's current incarnation is similar to that of "Midnight Run", a special version of the block that originally ran on Saturday nights and was the forerunner for Adult Swim. The block is best known for its branding and aesthetic, including its animated host, a robot named TOM, that was later voiced by Steve Blum.
The Toonami brand was also used internationally for dedicated networks in the United Kingdom (replacing CNX), Asia (in December 2012), India (in February 2015), and France (in February 2016).
Boomerang
Boomerang is a brand dedicated to classic and theatrical cartoons aimed towards children and families. It was originally a weekend programming block that aired on Cartoon Network from December 8, 1992, until October 3, 2004. On April 1, 2000, Boomerang received a new look and was spun off into its own cable channel. 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.
Other services
<table><thead><tr><th>Description</th><th>Service</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Cartoon Network HD</td><td>Cartoon Network HD is the high-definition simulcast of Cartoon Network that is available on nearly all providers, which launched on October 15, 2007. The high definition feed broadcasts in 1080i high-definition. Like all Warner Bros. Discovery networks, 4:3 sourced content was stretched on the high definition feed to fill the 16:9 aspect ratio, but it changed to cropping unrestored 4:3 sourced content to 14:9 from September 25 to October 17, 2023, before pillarboxing all 4:3 sourced content from October 18 onward. Starting September 26, 2009, all original shows were unstretched on the high definition feed in which were presented in their original 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio of 1.78:1. The network's HD content airs with letterboxing on the standard definition channel, and since May 2013, many subscription providers carry the high definition feed and downscale it for the standard definition feed, broadcasting in 16:9 letterboxed to fit the 4:3 ratio.</td></tr><tr><td>Spanish-language feed</td><td>Cartoon Network offers an alternate Spanish-language audio feed, either via a separate channel with the English audio track removed as part of a package of Spanish-language television networks sold by subscription providers, or a separate audio track accessible through the SAP option, depending on the provider.</td></tr><tr><td>Cartoon Network on Demand</td><td>Cartoon Network on Demand is a video on demand service on cable and satellite providers which launched in 2002.</td></tr><tr><td>Move It Movement</td><td>Move It Movement (formerly Get Animated until 2010) was an initiative that encouraged children to get active, and more importantly, in outdoor areas. The program was designed "to provide support and encouragement in the ongoing battle against childhood obesity." The Get Animated campaign was launched on February 28, 2005. As of 2014, Move It Movement is currently inactive and has since been replaced by the Stop Bullying Speak Up initiative.</td></tr><tr><td>HBO Max</td><td>HBO Max, formerly Max from 2023 to 2025, is Warner Bros. Discovery's official subscription video-on-demand service. Cartoon Network content initially constituted a significant amount of the service's catalog, though much of it has been pulled starting in August 2022.</td></tr></tbody></table>
Cartoon Network Studios
Cartoon Network Studios originated as a division of Hanna-Barbera in 1994 to produce original programs for the network; it eventually became its own entity in 1999. While the studio has produced many Cartoon Network series, shows such as Big Bag, Ed, Edd n Eddy, Mike, Lu & Og, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Sheep in the Big City, Codename: Kids Next Door, The Secret Saturdays, and Sunday Pants were all produced without its involvement. Cartoon Network Studios has also produced shows for Adult Swim (alongside sister company Williams Street), HBO Max, and Cartoonito. Live-action programming, initially for Cartoon Network but now exclusively for Adult Swim, is produced under the pseudonyms Alive and Kicking, Inc.; Rent Now Productions; and Factual Productions.
Williams Street
Williams Street Productions (formerly Ghost Planet Industries) serves as the headquarters and production arm for Adult Swim, located at 1065 Williams Street NW in Atlanta, Georgia. It produces original animated and live-action programs, and is also responsible for programming Toonami as well as former Cartoon Network blocks such as Cartoon Planet, Miguzi, and the Saturday Video Entertainment System. Prior to Adult Swim, the company produced Space Ghost Coast to Coast.
Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe
Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe (formerly Cartoon Network Development Studio Europe until 2012 and Cartoon Network Studios Europe until 2021) is the network's European production arm located in London, England.
Cartoon Network Latin America Original Productions
Cartoon Network Latin America Original Productions (abbreviated as CN LA), formerly known as Cartoon Network Producciones, is the production arm of the network's Latin American station, founded in 2004.
Media
Cartoon Network Games
Cartoon Network Games (formerly Cartoon Network Interactive) is the video game developer and publisher of video games based on Cartoon Network shows since 2000.
Video games
In 2011, Cartoon Network characters were featured in a four-player mascot brawler fighting game similar to Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. video game series called Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion for the Nintendo 3DS. The game was later released for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and the Wii as Cartoon Network Punch Time Explosion XL. Several video games based on the cartoon series Ben 10 were released by Cartoon Network as well. The Cartoon Network website also featured various browser games incorporating characters from various Cartoon Network franchises. One such game was FusionFall, a massive multiplayer game released on January 14, 2009, and shut down on August 29, 2013.
Cartoon Network Enterprises
Cartoon Network Enterprises is the network's global licensing and merchandising arm established in 2005, taking over from Warner Bros. Entertainment. It distributes merchandises of various Cartoon Network brands.
Mobile app
Cartoon Network has a mobile app that provides the latest full episodes, a live stream from the East and West coast, games, and the network's schedule.
Book licensing
Cartoon Network Books is the book licensor established in 2015. It licenses books based on various Cartoon Network franchises.
Movies
Cartoon Network has produced various films, most of them being television films; the only films from Cartoon Network that had a theatrical release are The Powerpuff Girls Movie (Cartoon Network Studios), Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters (Williams Street), Regular Show: The Movie (Cartoon Network Studios) and Teen Titans Go! To The Movies (Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment).
Online
Cartoon Network registered its official website, CartoonNetwork.com, on January 9, 1996. It officially launched on July 27, 1998. Sam Register served as Cartoon Network Online's senior vice president and creative director from 1997 to 2001, and Rob Sorcher served as executive vice president and head of Cartoon Network Online. In its early years, small studios partnered with the network to produce exclusive "Web Premiere Toons", short cartoons made specifically for CartoonNetwork.com. More about animation was included in the "Department of Cartoons", which featured storyboards, episode guides, backgrounds, sound and video files, model sheets, production notes, and other information about shows on the network. 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. Cartoon Network launched Cartoon Orbit, an online gaming network characterized by digital trading cards called "cToons", in October 2000. The game officially ended on October 16, 2006.
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. In July 2007, Nielsen ratings data showed visitors spent an average of 77 minutes on the site, surpassing the previous record of 71 minutes set in 2004, and the site ranked 26th in terms of time spent for all US domains.
On August 8, 2024, CartoonNetwork.com was closed down and was redirected to the Cartoon Network channel hub of the streaming service Max. Regarding the closure of the network's website, a Cartoon Network spokesperson stated "we are focusing on the Cartoon Network shows and social media where we find consumers are the most engaged and there is a meaningful potential for growth". Gizmodo reported that this shutdown not only removes "an archive of clips" and "free access to series" but also the website "hosted years of beloved flash games relating to its shows. While many have been erased over the years through various site redesigns–and archived elsewhere for nostalgic fans–at least some of the current archives are still accessible via international versions of the Cartoon Network website in regions where Max is currently unavailable".
Marketing
Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network shows with established fan followings, such as Dexter's Laboratory, allowed the network to pursue licensing agreements with companies interested in selling series-related merchandise. For example, agreements with Kraft Foods led to widespread in-store advertising for Cartoon Network-related products. The network also worked on cross-promotion campaigns with both Kraft and Tower Records. In product development and marketing, the network has benefited from its relation to corporate parent Time Warner (later WarnerMedia, now Warner Bros. Discovery), allowing for mutually beneficial relationships with various subsidiary companies.
Time Warner Cable, the former cable television subsidiary of the corporate parent (which was spun off from Time Warner in 2009), distributes Cartoon Network as part of its packages. Turner Broadcasting System, the subsidiary overseeing various Warner Bros. Discovery-owned networks, helped cross-promote Cartoon Network shows and at times arranged for swapping certain shows between the networks. For example, Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, one of CN's original shows, was at times seen at Kids' WB (which was discontinued on May 24, 2008), while Xiaolin Showdown and ¡Mucha Lucha!, two of Kids' WB's original shows, were seen at Cartoon Network. In each case, the swap intended to cultivate a shared audience for the two networks. Time Inc., the former subsidiary overseeing the magazines of the corporate parent, ensured favorable coverage of Cartoon Network and advertising space across its publications. Printed advertisements for CN shows could appear in magazines such as Time, Entertainment Weekly and Sports Illustrated Kids until Time Inc. was spun off from Time Warner on June 9, 2014. AOL, a now-former sibling company to Time Warner covering Internet services, helped promote Cartoon Network shows online by offering exclusive content for certain animated series, online sweepstakes and display advertising for CN.
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, the home video subsidiary, distributes VHS tapes, DVDs and Blu-ray discs featuring Cartoon Network shows. Select Warner Bros. Family Entertainment VHS releases came with bonus cartoons from Cartoon Network. Rhino Entertainment, the former record label subsidiary of the corporate parent (which was spun off from Time Warner in 2004), distributed cassette tapes and CDs with Cartoon Network-related music. These products were also available through the Warner Bros. Studio Store. DC Comics, the comic book subsidiary, published a series featuring the Powerpuff Girls, indicating it could handle other CN-related characters. Warner Bros., the film studio subsidiary, released The Powerpuff Girls Movie in 2002. Kevin Sandler considered it likely that this film would find its way to HBO or Cinemax, two television network subsidiaries which regularly broadcast feature films. Sandler also viewed book tie-ins through Warner Books as likely, since it was the only area of marketing not covered yet by 2001.
Cartoon Network also licensed its original series out for food promotions. Nestlé was granted a licensing agreement that resulted in a Wonder Ball chocolate candy tie-in with Cartoon Network characters and logos beginning in 2003. 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.
International
Cartoon Network
Since its inception, Cartoon Network and its sister channels have set up various national and regional feeds. Since the early 1990s and 2000s, the network has expanded to countries including Canada, Mexico, Latin America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Africa, and several Asia-Pacific regions.