Cartoon Network (Latin American TV channel)

Cartoon Network

Country	Latin America,Brazil and Caribbean
Network	Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics
Headquarters	Marietta St NW, CNN Center, Atlanta, United States Local headquarters: Venezuela Mexico Argentina Colombia Chile Bolivia Paraguay Peru Jamaica Guyana (English and Spanish) Brazil (Portuguese) US Puerto Rico
Programming
Language(s)	Latin American Spanish Brazilian Portuguese English (available in SAP with translated continuity)
Ownership
Owner	Warner Bros. Latin America (WarnerMedia, a subsidiary of AT&T)

Cartoon Network is a satellite and cable television channel distributed by AT&T for the Latin American audience and the Caribbean. It is the Latin American version of original Cartoon Network television channel in the United States. It is divided into six feeds, all originating from its central headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, United States; five are in Spanish (Mexico, Argentina/Uruguay, Chile/Peru, Colombia/Venezuela/Puerto Rico), one is in Portuguese (Brazil), and another feed aimed at the Caribbean is only in English. The feeds have different schedules.

It primarily airs cartoons and animated programming, marketed towards children and teens. Operated in Argentina by Turner Broadcasting System Latin America, it began broadcasting on April 30, 1993 as the first children-oriented cable channel available in the region. Argentina and Mexico had previously launched children's cable channels (The Big Channel and Cablín in Argentina and ZAZ in Mexico, all of which are now defunct), but they were only available in their respective countries. On January 1, 2017, Cartoon Network Latin America and Cartoon Network Brazil started using graphics from Cartoon Network USA's Dimensional rebrand package.

History

Cartoon Network began broadcasting in Latin America on April 30, 1993, becoming the first 24-hour children's animation channel in the region. Although much is not known about its first broadcast in the region, its beginnings were similar to its U.S. counterpart, whose programming focused solely on the classic cartoons of the Turner Entertainment film library, made up of studios Hanna-Barbera, MGM, Warner Bros. and Fleischer Studios. Its programming and graphics used at that time were the same as the U.S. signal, with the difference that between 1993-1995, the Latin American signal was just a Spanish signal from the United States, which was transmitted exclusively to the region. It was not until 1996 that this signal became completely independent of the matrix signal, and this began to have its own programming with its own schedules, as well as new worldwide acquisitions for the channel.

In 1996, it began broadcasting its first original series, beginning with Space Ghost Coast to Coast, an original reinvention of Hanna-Barbera's superhero, which even gained the popularity of adult audiences. In addition, new original channel series were incorporated at that time, known as Cartoon Cartoons: Dexter's Laboratory, Johnny Bravo, Cow and Chicken, I Am Weasel, The Powerpuff Girls and Ed, Edd and Eddy, which became the channel's flagship series.

In 2001, Cartoon Network made the first edition of Copa Toon, a soccer special featuring the cast of Space Ghost, whose theme was to interview several personalities from the world of sports and soccer, in addition to presenting a fictional tournament between the teams of the channel series. In that same year, it launched its new sister signal Boomerang, at that time, a new channel that would be dedicated solely to the emission of the classic caricatures of Hanna-Barbera that no longer had space in the programming of the main channel due to the arrival of new series. This signal had already been launched in the year 2000 in the United States, and until then, it was also a block transmitted in the main channel that transmitted these series.

In January 2005, Cartoon Network introduced a new logo along with a new visual identity known as the "Era CN City", with a new slogan We know what you like. This change of image had already been applied first to the American signal in June 2004, and with this change of image, Cartoon Network introduced new programming conformed by new original series as Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, besides new acquisitions and thematic blocks. In October of the same year, the block Adult Swim was released in Latin America after 4 years of being released in the United States, focused on the adult audience of the channel with animations for over 18 years. The block debuted due to the popularity of the program Ghost of Space from coast to coast, one of the first programs of the channel aimed exclusively at this audience.

In March 2008, Cartoon Network presented its new locally produced content, a new campaign with a new image and a complete redesign of its websites. After these changes, the Adult Swim block was removed from the channel, supposedly because of criticism from parents, considering that this segment with adult content should not be broadcast on a children's channel. However, the block continued to be broadcast by I.Sat until December 2010; years later, the block returned to the same channel in April 2015 where it is still broadcasting.

In June and July 2010, the channel began to use small ads with the logo in white, in which Toonix (similar to the Noods of the United States) appear, originally promoting the 2010 Soccer World Cup. In August 2010, the Toonix era became official, using small ads and promotional campaigns similar to those used by the Noods era of Cartoon Network, from July 2008 to May 2010. On 6 July 2011, the Toonix era began transmissions in the 16:9 aspect ratio (panoramic) with the series Total Drama although it was only experimental.

On January 1, 2012, the channel launched a new logo and visual identity. In March 2012, its high-definition simulcast was launched. However, the launch of the new signal could not take place, as its distribution was still under negotiation with other cable operators in the region.

The network incorporated new age rating system notices, identifying the type of content and what type of viewers could watch. In April 2013, the channel began its 20th anniversary celebrations. Several Turner channels joined in the celebration, including Warner, TruTv, I-Sat, Boomerang, TNT, TCM and Tooncast. With this, the classic daytime programs were broadcast for that month. The celebration took place again in September, celebrating the 21st anniversary of the American signal, this time with the inclusion of Teen Titans Go!

On January 16, the Panregional and South Atlantic signals merged, causing the establishment of the Argentine schedule in the same signal being one of the two official times of the signal, along with the Colombian.

On August 4, 2014, the channel began the era "Check It 3.0" (known in Latin America as "Cartoon Network Renewed") and, also, the channel finally made the transition from the aspect ratio 4:3 to 16:9. The HD signal was launched in Mexico on November 21, 2014, being Axtel the first cable operator to acquire the signal.

On June 1, 2015, the South Atlantic and Panregional signals were separated, leading to the creation of new independent signals for the general public, including the North Atlantic signal (available for Colombia, Venezuela, Central America and the Caribbean) and the Pacific signal (available for Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia); this was done for the purpose of launching the new unified high-definition signal throughout the region. On 3 August, new bumpers were shown depicting children imitating their favorite characters; this event was named a subgraph of the Check it 3.0 era listed as 3.5. For this purpose, the application CN blah! was launched.

On January 4, 2016, the brand was reinforced with a new graphic identity, the era Check it 4.0.

On January 2, 2017, Cartoon Network began using the "Dimensional" era with new graphics in the promos of the blocks Ja, ja, ja/Há, Há, Há (Brazil), Héroes/Heróis(Brazil) and Cine Cartoon, with the premiere of new bumpers and the premiere of Mighty Magiswords and Justice League Action.

The channel celebrated its 25th anniversary on April 30, 2018, so a block was created to commemorate it. The block "Que No Pare La Fiesta"/"Que Não Pare a Festa" was broadcast in April and September to commemorate the channel's 25th anniversary.

Programming

Main article: List of programs broadcast by Cartoon Network (Latin America)

The channel primarily airs shows and animated series, both original to Cartoon Network and others which have been acquired from outside networks.

10 of the 15 most popular shows among children aged 6-to-10 years old were broadcast by Cartoon Network Latin America, including The Powerpuff Girls, Dexter's Laboratory, Cow and Chicken, Johnny Bravo, and I Am Weasel. Older franchises like Scooby-Doo, Tom and Jerry, and Looney Tunes were also broadcast, as well as popular global anime franchises like Pokémon and newest original series such as the Ben 10 franchise, Adventure Time, Regular Show, The Amazing World of Gumball, Steven Universe and The Powerpuff Girls reboot. Cartoon Network Latin America has also aired original productions and live-action series such as La CQ, the channel's first original Mexican live-action series which premiered in 2012. In 2014, the channel acquired Digimon Fusion and Power Rangers Megaforce in a partnership with Saban Brands, and both series premiered on the channel in May 2014.

Services

Since 2007, the channel has offered different services.

Cartoon Network Mobile

Cartoon Network Mobile is a paid service for mobile phones, offering videos, wallpapers, games, screensavers, speech tones, ringtones, among other products.

Feed structure

All six feeds are generated by central headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.

• Mexico, Puerto Rico and Spanish-speaking USA feed: Office is located Miami
• Cono Sur Feed: Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay feed. Office is located in Buenos Aires
• North Atlantic Feed: Colombia, Venezuela, Central America, Dominican Republic feed. Offices are located in Medellín,Colombia
• Pacific Feed: Chile, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia feed. Offices are located in Santiago de Chile.
• Caribbean feed which is only available in English. Offices are located in Jamaica.
• Brazilian feed: independent feed for Brazil. Offices are located in São Paulo.

Mexican feed

Cartoon Network Mexico is a feed derived from the channel available only in Mexico. This feed has the same programming that is being broadcast in all Latin America, but has a different schedule and shows distribution. It is currently the #1 pay-TV kids' channel.

The Mexican feed has held localized events such as "Copa Toon" (a children's soccer competition), "Carrera Cartoon", and the channel's 20th Anniversary Special broadcast in Mexico and the entire South American region, which was held in Mexico City. Its HD simulcast was launched in November 2014; it is only available on Axtel HD package.

Cono Sur feed

The channel is among the most watched cable channels in Argentina and marketing level signals have increased since its launch.

Cartoon Network took part in the animation of the film Patoruzito and its sequel Patoruzito 2. Both were co-produced with Red Lojo Telefe productions, along with the production of the mini-series Patoruzito. In 2006, Cartoon Network launched a content bonus card, together with a multimedia web service called Monthly Cartoon, which sponsored a competition to work at Cartoon Network Studios as well as scholarships at universities for the arts. In Alto Palermo, there is a Toon Cup held once every 4 years. Its HD simulcast started broadcasting on 20 August 2014.

Programming blocks

• Héroes/Heróis: A block consisting of shows focused on heroes, including Pokémon, Transformers: Robots in Disguise, and Sonic Boom.
• JA JA JA/HÁ HÁ HÁ: A block that airs several humorous shows, including Adventure Time, Regular Show, The Amazing World of Gumball, Steven Universe, Clarence, Teen Titans Go! and Uncle Grandpa.
• Cartoon Pop: A block that airs Cartoon Network's classics, such as Johnny Bravo and Dexter’s Laboratory. It airs every day at late evening. Formerly called "Cartoon Cartoons" until 2008.
• Cine Cartoon: A block that airs full-length movies, both animated and live-action. Airs every day at no specified time, with new movies premiering every Friday.
• Boomerang Club/Clube Boomerang: Airs some shows present on their sister channel, Boomerang, like Masha and the Bear, Wabbit, and Be Cool, Scooby-Doo!. Airs on weekday mornings.
• Cartoon Network +: A small segment that shows some shorts, as well as clips from several other shows, like MAD. It airs before commercials.
• Cartoon Offair: A night block where shorts are broadcast during commercial Breaks aimed at a more adult audience. this block resembles Adult Swim, it was launched first in Brazil.

Former blocks

Toonami

On 2 December 2002, Cartoon Network premiered Toonami block, replacing a similarly-themed block, Talisman. Toonami aired shows that were already on the lineup, these being Gundam Wing and Pokémon, and served as the home of Inuyasha and Dragon Ball GT. Over the years, Toonami added shows such as Saint Seiya and Yu Yu Hakusho , as well as the revamped version of Cyborg 009. However, the block had to move to the late-night slots on CN Latin America, due to protests of violent scenes on the block. CN moved the block in November 2004.

In 2005, Toonami had short-lived weekend schedules, which were later replaced by the premiere of Adult Swim in Latin America (7 October 2005).

In March 2006, Toonami revamped its lineup to include more adult-oriented series, such as Love Hina, taking advantage of the schedule and the refusal of anime on Adult Swim, as well as to compete against anime channel Animax for new anime series. In June 2006, Toonami premiered anime movies in two monthly variations: Dragon Ball Theatricals (which had 17 different Dragon Ball movies), and Toonami Movies (general animated action movies).

In 2007, Cartoon Network cut Toonami completely. The movies were no longer aired (with the exception of the Dragon Ball movies). After its cancellation in Latin America on 26 March 2007, the block's programming gradually vanished. In January 2010, the block Animaction was created, showing on Wednesday evenings. This block broadcast both action programming and anime programming before it was removed in April 2011.

Currently, the only anime which air on CN LA are Pokémon and Bakugan Battle Planet.

Logos

• 
  First logo, used from April 30, 1993 to December 31, 2004 (still in use as a patent)
• 
  Second logo, used from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2011
• 
  Third and current logo, used since January 1, 2012

See also

• Cartoon Network

External links

• Official website