Classic All-Stars Move to Boomerang Starting in September
[via press release]
Cartoon Network Classic All-Stars Move to Boomerang Starting September
Fresh Programming Line-up Celebrates Reaching 10 Million Subscriber Threshold
The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Tom and Jerry, Looney Tunes and Scooby-Doo Among New Boomerang Cast
Having doubled its distribution over the last twelve months to nearly 10 million homes, Boomerang, Cartoon Network’s 24-hour commercial-free classic animation cable/satellite network, brings a new line-up of cartoon all-stars to be showcased within its weekday schedule starting this September, it was announced today by Boomerang General Manager Mark Norman. Among the animated greats now joining Boomerang’s stable of stars are Tom and Jerry, Scooby-Doo and the immortal Looney Tunes, including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, Sylvester & Tweety, The Roadrunner, Yosemite Sam and Foghorn Leghorn. Two additional A-list properties will become exclusive centerpieces to the Boomerang schedule—The Flintstones and The Jetsons—leaving Cartoon Network altogether in order to make way for more of the service’s original programming. All told, 44 percent of Boomerang’s regular weekday programming schedule will change to reflect this new cast of classic cartoon characters.
“This dramatic change in Boomerang’s schedule reflects Cartoon Network’s firm belief in the value of a vibrant commercial-free service designed specifically for a preschool audience and their parents,” says Norman. “Furthermore, with the world’s largest animation library, one that continues to grow year by year, we have more than 14,000 series and shorts to choose from. That gives us an incredible amount of flexibility to program both of our networks with the best-loved cartoons that are most appropriate for the target audience.”
“Affiliate partners looking to expand their business with newer networks such as Boomerang will be especially pleased to see this remarkable line-up of all-time cartoon favorites,” adds Coleman Breland, senior vice president of marketing and sales for Turner Network Sales (TNS). “This move truly demonstrates Boomerang’s commitment to present the very best from the golden age of motion picture and television animation, properties that have withstood the test of time.”
Following is the Monday-Thursday Boomerang programming line-up that will take effect Sept. 1, 2003. (Note: Each day’s 8-hour schedule is repeated twice during the 24-hour period.) All times ET, PT.
- 8 a.m.: The Smurfs
- 8:30 a.m.: The Snorks
- 9 a.m.: Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?
- 9:30 a.m.: Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo
- 10 a.m.: Top Cat
- 10:30 a.m.: The Perils of Penelope Pitstop
- 11 a.m.: The Flintstones
- 11:30 a.m.: Pebbles & Bamm Bamm
- 12 p.m.: Hanna-Barbera’s Cartoon Corral
- 12:30 p.m.: Casper, the Friendly Ghost
- 1 p.m.: The Jetsons
- 1:30 p.m. Mr. Magoo
- 2 p.m. The Looney Tunes
- 2:30 p.m. Tom and Jerry
- 3 p.m. Rocky & Bullwinkle
- 3:30 p.m Underdog
In addition to these changes, Boomerang also announces that Fridays in September will be reserved for a full 24-hour salute to the immortal Popeye The Sailor, as created into theatrical shorts by Paramount Cartoon Studios in the 1940s and ‘50s. Every month, Fridays will continue to spotlight a particular character or series with a day-long marathon of favorite episodes. Saturdays will remain a recreation of the Saturday morning cartoon-watching experience baby boomers grew up with. Each Saturday will be devoted to half-hour cartoons that were created or aired on network television in a particular year. Sunday’s schedule will continue to showcase classic action-adventure cartoons, featuring 10 half-hour telecasts and two one-hour telecasts, followed by a two-hour block of a single action-adventure character.
BOOMERANG is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s (TBS, Inc.) 24-hour cable/satellite network offering the best in classic animated entertainment. Drawing from the world’s largest cartoon library, BOOMERANG showcases classic Hanna-Barbera characters, including Yogi Bear, Huckleberry Hound, Quick Draw McGraw and Top Cat, with a stylized sensibility tailored to the their notable standing in television’s pop culture. BOOMERANG’s official Web site is located at http://Boomerang.CartoonNetwork.com.