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Boomerang (TV network)

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Boomerang
CountryUnited States
NetworkCartoon Network (1992–99)
Headquarters
Programming
Language(s)
  • English
  • Spanish (with SAP; a Spanish language simulcast of the channel is also available)
Ownership
OwnerTurner Broadcasting System

Boomerang is an American digital and satellite television channel that is owned by Time Warner through the Turner Broadcasting System subsidiary. It specializes in classic and contemporary animated programming from Time Warner's archival history, including Looney Tunes, Tom and Jerry, and Scooby-Doo, along with repeats of in-production series on its sister and another Turner-owned channel, Cartoon Network including Sonic Boom, Pokémon, and Teen Titans Go!.

Launched in 1992 globally and in 2000 for the United States, Boomerang originated as a programming block and spinoff of Cartoon Network. It eventually grew into its own separate channel and identity, and similarly shares the same brand and likeness as Cartoon Network. It has a fluid and improvisational schedule of on-off programming blocks and television shows, on a continuous schedule usually without advertising or commercialism.

As of February 2015, approximately 43.6 million households (37.5% of those with television) access the channel.[1]

History

Much of the programming that made up the core of Boomerang's lineup was originally part of TBS's Disaster Area, a block of children's programming that aired on that network from 1997 to 1999. Boomerang had originated a programming block airing on Cartoon Network that debuted on December 8, 1992. It was aimed towards the generation of baby boomers and was similar to the Vault Disney nostalgia block that would debut five years later on the Disney Channel. It originally aired for four hours every weekend, but the block's start time had changed frequently. The Saturday block moved to Saturday afternoons, then back to the early morning, and the Sunday block moved to Sunday evenings. Eventually, Boomerang was shortened by an hour, reducing it from four hours to three each weekend. Turner Broadcasting System eventually converted Boomerang into a standalone cable channel that debuted on April 1, 2000.[2]

On February 4, 2014, as part of the company's 2014 upfronts, Turner Broadcasting announced that Boomerang would become advertising-supported, and seek additional international distribution.[3][4]

On January 19, 2015, the U.S. version of Boomerang was relaunched as part of a global rebranding effort and will offer original programming for the first time; the relaunched channel will continue to emphasize its archival programming but with a greatly increased emphasis on the archive's most popular brands and an explicitly family-friendly approach, in the hopes that Boomerang can become a "second flagship" on par with the main Cartoon Network channel.[5]

On October 22, 2016, AT&T reached a deal to buy Time Warner for $108.7 billion. If approved by federal regulators, the merger would bring Time Warner's properties, including Boomerang, under the same umbrella as AT&T's telecommunication holdings, including satellite provider DirecTV.[6][7] On February 15, 2017, Time Warner shareholders approved the merger,[8] which is still pending regulatory approval. On February 28, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai announced that his agency will not review the deal, leaving the review to the US Department of Justice.[9] On March 15, 2017, the merger, which is still pending approval from U.S. regulators, was approved by the European Commission.[10]

Cable and satellite availability

Boomerang is carried on most cable and telco providers, along with both satellite services; tiering of the channel varies by service, with some services offering it as a basic service or as a higher-tier offering. A few providers do not carry the linear channel, instead only offering the network's video on demand service bundled with Cartoon Network. The network is offered exclusively in standard definition, with no current plans for a high definition simulcast.

Programming

Main article: List of programs broadcast by Boomerang

Historically, Boomerang avoided overt channel drift and, despite adding newer content to its library, continued to air programming from the breadth of its archives. As of spring 2014, however, most of its archival programming has been relegated to graveyard slots while the daytime schedule has increasingly been dominated by programming from the 1990s and later. Tom and Jerry, Looney Tunes, Scooby-Doo, and The Garfield Show have permanent places on the schedule as of August 2015; a few shows, such as The Flintstones, Pokémon, Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Chowder, and The Smurfs are usually on the schedule but are periodically taken off the schedule for brief periods, or have their slots on the schedule shuffled around. Most other programs aired by Boomerang stay on the schedule for several weeks, then are rotated out and replaced by other programs.

Not all of the Time Warner animation library is currently available to Boomerang. A portion of the library that includes the WB/Amblin Entertainment-produced animated series from the 1990s that were produced in collaboration with Steven Spielberg (including Tiny Toon Adventures and most of Animaniacs), and most properties involving Batman and Superman (including the DC Animated Universe), is put out for license to other networks; those properties most recently aired on the Hub Network from late 2012 until that network's demise in October 2014. Boomerang also occasionally licenses programming from other distributors, such as The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, which rejoined the lineup for a short run in August and September 2013. The Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoon shorts, which were dropped by Boomerang since 2007, returned to the schedule on October 5, 2013.

Although Boomerang's programming philosophy was originally intended to showcase classic cartoons, it started to add some newer shows in recent years. On January 1, 2012, the channel began airing episodes of Puppy in My Pocket: Adventures in Pocketville, which ended in February 2013. On November 17 and 24, 2012, Boomerang aired new episodes of Ben 10: Omniverse, before their telecast on sister channel Cartoon Network. Boomerang reintroduced the "Wedgies" series of animated shorts (which air in-between shows) in 2013. Boomerang also began airing Teen Titans Go! and The Amazing World of Gumball on December 1, 2014, alongside their airings on Cartoon Network. Numb Chucks was picked up by Boomerang for first-run broadcast in the United States on January 10, 2015, after initially having been announced for Cartoon Network.[11] On June 28, 2015, it was announced that Boomerang would receive original programs such as Wabbit, Be Cool, Scooby-Doo!, and an animated adaptation of Bunnicula.[12]

Some of the programs that no longer air on the Boomerang linear channel are available on the subscription over-the-top service bearing the Boomerang name.

Programming blocks

Main article: List of programs broadcast by Boomerang § Current programming blocks

Because of Boomerang's fluid schedule, programming blocks will air for a few months, then be removed from the schedule, only to be added again a few months later.

Current

  • Boomerang Theater – Boomerang's movie showcase block.
  • Happy Birthday Snoopy – A weekend block airing a marathon of Peanuts

Seasonal programming blocks

Former blocks

Main article: List of programs broadcast by Boomerang § Former programming blocks

Other services

Boomerang On Demand

Boomerang On Demand is the channel's video-on-demand service, offering select episodes of the channel's archived programming, along with select archived Cartoon Network original programs. Launched in 2005, it is available on select digital cable, satellite and IPTV providers. In April 2013, Boomerang On Demand began to separate program content by "theme" (for example, in observance of Mother's Day, the service featured episodes of The Flintstones and Dexter's Laboratory featuring the characters of Dexter's mom and Wilma Flintstone).

Mobile app/subscription service

On March 7, 2017, Boomerang announced that it will launch an app that will feature programming from the 5000+ titles from its sister companies Hanna-Barbera and Warner Bros, as well as exclusive original programming.[17] The app launched on April 11, 2017, and is available either for $4.99 per month or $39.99 annually. New episodes and content are planned to be added weekly. Currently, the Boomerang App is only available for subscription in the United States.[18]

International

Boomerang, originally established as a cable channel in the United States, has expanded worldwide. Each of these networks will be aligned globally in 2015 under one unified branding to reflect a family co-viewing network.[19]

Australia

Main article: Boomerang (Australia and New Zealand)

An Australian version of Boomerang was launched in March 2004 as part of the launch of Foxtel's digital service, with a lineup very similar to that of the U.K. version. It began as a four-hour block of programs in 2001, when the Australian version of Cartoon Network began broadcasting on a 24-hour schedule. It previously used the logo and break format of the flagship American service. However, in November 2007, the channel revamped both its logo and promotions as well as its website, boomerangtvshow.com. However, it uses the same bumpers for as the U.S. channel. On December 1, 2012, the channel introduced a new on-air look with the same logo and appearance as the European channels. On November 3, 2014, the channel changed its logo to the current logo.[20]

Africa/HQ

Main article: Boomerang (Middle East and Africa)

Boomerang HQ (pan-European feed) was launched on June 5, 2005, originally broadcasting in Eastern Europe, the Benelux, Portugal, the Middle East and Africa (in English), Poland (in Polish), Greece and Cyprus (in Greek) and Hungary (only selected shows in Hungarian); it featured mainly former Cartoon Network and Hanna-Barbera programs. The feed also had subtitles in Dutch for Benelux viewers.

In 2008, Boomerang HQ added an Arabic audio track for select shows in the Middle East and North Africa.

In October 2010, the channel started to broadcast select shows in Romanian. On October 12, 2011, the Central and Eastern Europe feed (Poland, Hungary and Romania) was separated from the HQ feed; as a result, the CEE feed now maintains its own schedule, as well as featuring promos and bumpers in Hungarian, Romanian, Polish and English, as well as the preschool-targeted block Cartoonito, which was added to both feeds around the same time.

However, the Netherlands (and the Flanders region in Belgium), Portugal, Arab world, Africa, Greece and Cyprus (including some operators in the Czech Republic) continued to carry Boomerang HQ.

The channel was available in Portugal until December 31, 2013, when it was removed due to the launch of the Portuguese feed of Cartoon Network.

On November 1, 2014, all TV operators in the Benelux and the Czech Republic began airing the CEE version of the channel instead, leaving Greece and Cyprus as the only European countries where the channel was broadcast; from that day onward, Boomerang in the Benelux has been broadcasting in Dutch. In the Benelux, however, this was only a temporary measure, since a fully localized version of the channel would be launched soon.

The channel rebranded on January 14, 2015.[21]

On July 1, 2016, the HQ/Africa feed was replaced with Boomerang MENA in the Middle East and North, with the MENA version available on beIN and various Gulf IPTV providers with an Arabic audio track for most programs with spoken dialogue. The MENA version has also replaced the Africa version on TV operators in Greece and Cyprus, and continues to broadcast in Greek. The MENA version has a separate schedule and programming lineup.

Central and Eastern Europe

Main article: Boomerang (CEE)

Prior to the launch of Boomerang CEE, the HQ version was broadcast since 2005 in Hungarian and Polish.

In October 2010, the channel started to broadcast select shows in Romanian. On October 12, 2011, the Central and Eastern Europe feed (Poland, Hungary and Romania) was separated from the HQ feed; as a result, the former maintains its own schedule, as well as featuring promos and bumpers in Hungarian, Romanian, Polish and English, as well as the preschool-targeted block Cartoonito, which was added to both feeds around the same time.

In February 2012, the channel began accepting commercial advertising outside of Poland, whose feed also accepts traditional advertising. From March 2012, Boomerang got a new look. In July 2013, the channel started to air select shows in Russian, in preparation for a possible launch of a separate feed for Russia.[22]

In October 2013, a Russian subfeed was also added to the channel, thus making it now broadcast in five languages; Hungarian, Romanian, Polish, English and Russian. In January 2014, the Cartoonito brand name was gone from the both CEE and EMEA channels, thus making those shows identifiable as Boomerang shows and the Boomerang next bumpers were rebranded. Starting from July 2014, Russia banned commercials, making the Russian subfeed ad-free on all platforms.

On November 1, 2014, all TV operators in the Benelux and the Czech Republic began airing the CEE version of the channel instead, leaving Greece and Cyprus as the only European countries where the channel was broadcast; a Dutch track was then added to Boomerang CEE, making it now broadcast in six languages. In the Benelux however, this was only a temporary measure, since a fully localized version of the channel would be launched soon.

The channel adopted the 2015 look on February 2, 2015.[23][24]

France

Main article: Boomerang (France)

The network rebranded on January 3, 2015.[25]

Germany

Main article: Boomerang (Germany)

Boomerang launched in Germany in June 2006; it is available on Kabel Deutschland, Kabel BW, and Unity Media. The network adopted the new branding on February 16, 2015.[26]

Italy

Main article: Boomerang (Italy)

The channel adopted a new look on February 2, 2015.[27]

Latin America and Brazil

Main article: Boomerang (Latin America)

Boomerang was launched in July 2, 2001, with a schedule comprising classic animated series. This lasted from 2001 until 2006, when it changed its target for a general audience started to air and mixed cartoons with live-action series and movies on its library. In 2008[28] all the remaining cartoons were removed from the schedule, changing the main focus of the channel to teen-oriented programming, which consisted of live-action shows, movies and music video clips. Nevertheless, on April 1, 2014, Boomerang suddenly changed again its teen-oriented programming to a cartoon-oriented one with newer animated series as well as older cartoons from Cartoon Network, with live-action series airing after midnight. On September 28, 2014, it got rebranded, becoming the first Boomerang network in the world to adopt the new look.[29][30]

Middle East and North Africa

Main article: Boomerang (Middle East and Africa)

Boomerang HQ was launched on June 5, 2005; in the Middle East and North Africa, it originally broadcast in English only, and was offered on Orbit and Showtime, and later OSN, the merger of the aforementioned companies which was created in 2009, until a licensing agreement between Turner Broadcasting System Europe and beIN Media Group in December 2015 removed the channel from OSN; the HQ feed, along with CN HQ, CNN International (which itself continues to be available as a free-to-air satellite channel), and the newly-created TCM MENA feed was then added to beIN on January 1, 2016, and removed from OSN on January 16, 2016.

In 2008, Boomerang HQ added an Arabic audio track for select shows in the Middle East and North Africa.

On July 1, 2016, Boomerang MENA was launched in the Middle East and North Africa region. Broadcasting in HD, the bilingual feed has promos, bumpers and shows in English and Arabic. Boomerang MENA is also offered in Greece and Cyprus as well, broadcasting its shows in Greek.

Netherlands and Flanders

Main article: Boomerang (Netherlands)

Originally, in the Netherlands and Flanders, the HQ version of Boomerang was broadcast in English with Dutch subtitles, and was launched in 2005. In November 2014 however, the HQ version was replaced with the CEE version, broadcasting bilingually in English and Dutch. A Dutch feed and a new logo launched on February 2, 2015.[31]

Others

Since 2005, Boomerang is also available via digital cable and satellite in the Netherlands and Belgium. In the Middle East and North Africa, Boomerang H. In Sub-Saharan Africa, Boomerang is available on MultiChoice's DStv. The channel rebranded on January 14, 2015.[32]

Portugal

Main article: Boomerang (Portugal)

Boomerang is a Portuguese digital cable and satellite television channel launched on April 21, 2015[33] and owned by Turner Broadcasting System Europe (a semi-autonomous unit of Time Warner). Currently, is only available in Angola and Mozambique and is expected to launch in Portugal soon.

Scandinavia

Main article: Boomerang (Nordic)

In late 2005, Turner Broadcasting announced its intention to launch several new channels in the Nordic region (to join its then-current channels Turner Classic Movies, Cartoon Network and CNN International). One of the planned new channels was Boomerang, for which Turner applied for a broadcast license to operate on Swedish digital terrestrial television in the fall of 2005.

Southeast Asia

Main article: Boomerang (Southeast Asia)

The Southeast Asian version of Boomerang was launched on September 1, 2005. It began as a 90-minute block of programs in 2001, when Cartoon Network Asia began broadcasting on a 24-hour schedule. It previously used the American logo and style of commercial breaks. It previously used the logo and break format of the flagship American service. However, in November 2007, the channel revamped both its logo and promotions. In December 2012, the channel was replaced by Toonami. Boomerang, however, returned to Asia on January 1, 2015,[34] replacing Cartoonito.

This channel is available in Hong Kong, the selected ASEAN member neighbor countries and Sri Lanka. The 24-hour channel in India was only available on Dish TV exclusively along with Turner Classic Movies until March 2, 2009. It is currently only available on IN Digital Cable from the Hinduja Group in Mumbai and the National Capital Region. In Pakistan, it ran as a two-hour block but was replaced with Pogo due to poor ratings. In Indonesia, it is available on Indovision, Aora TV, and TelkomVision.

Spain

Main article: Boomerang (Spain)

Boomerang launched a Spanish version of the channel in 2004. It was available on the Digital+ digital platform and on the Auna cable platform. It was introduced as a part of Cartoon Network's schedule on weekend afternoons.

The channel's programming strongly resembled that of the UK version. It relied heavily in older Warner Bros., MGM, and Hanna-Barbera cartoons, but it also included fairly recent programmes featuring older characters, like Baby Looney Tunes and Duck Dodgers. It also featured other classic cartoons, like the Japanese Heidi and the Spanish La vuelta al mundo de Willy Fog (Around the World with Willy Fog).

On September 1, 2011, it was replaced by Cartoonito, which itself ceased operations on June 30, 2013, along with the Spanish version of Cartoon Network.

Thailand

The Thailand version of Boomerang was launched on August 14, 2013.

Turkey

The Turkey version of Boomerang was launching on April 23, 2016, at D-Smart and Tivibu

United Kingdom & Ireland

Main article: Boomerang (UK & Ireland)

Boomerang launched in the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom on May 27, 2000. It broadcasts 24 hours a day on Sky, Virgin Media, TalkTalk TV and Chorus Digital. This version of the channel also features other animated series such as Mr. Bean and Gadget Boy. In late July 2007, Boomerang UK started carrying live-action programs, including those exclusive to the channel such as My Spy Family. The network rebranded on February 16, 2015.[35]

See also

References

  1. ^ Seidman, Robert (February 22, 2015). "List of how many homes each cable network is in as of February 2015". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  2. ^ KING, SUSAN (April 1, 2000). "Hanna-Barbera Cartoons Return on New Boomerang". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  3. ^ Theilman, Sam (February 4, 2014). "Adult Swim Adds a Prime-Time Hour Edgy net will start at 8 p.m. instead of 9". AdWeek. Retrieved February 4, 2014. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ "Turner expanding Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Boomerang offerings - SaportaReport". SaportaReport. February 4, 2014. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  5. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (October 14, 2014). "Turner Sets Global Relaunch of Boomerang to Focus on Family Viewing". Variety. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
  6. ^ Yu, Roger (October 22, 2016). "AT&T agrees to buy Time Warner for more than $80B". USA Today. Retrieved October 22, 2016.
  7. ^ Gryta, Thomas; Hagey, Keach; Cimmiluca, Dana (October 22, 2016). "AT&T Reaches Deal to Buy Time Warner for $86 Billion". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved October 22, 2016.
  8. ^ Kludt, Tom (February 15, 2017). "Time Warner shareholders vote to approve AT&T merger". CNNMoney.
  9. ^ "FCC chief: AT&T-Time Warner deal won't face agency's scrutiny". USA TODAY.
  10. ^ "European Commission Approves AT&T Acquisition of Time Warner". The Hollywood Reporter.
  11. ^ http://tvschedule.zap2it.com/tvlistings/ZCSGrid.do?fromTimeInMillis=1420520400000&stnNum=21883&channel=175&sgt=grid&aid=tvschedule
  12. ^ Petski, Denise (June 29, 2015). "Turner Broadcasting & Warner Bros Ink Global Multi-Series Deal For Boomerang". Deadline. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  13. ^ "Boomerang TV Schedule - LocateTV". LocateTV. Archived from the original on September 24, 2011. Retrieved May 20, 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ "Boomerang TV Schedule - LocateTV". LocateTV. Archived from the original on September 24, 2011. Retrieved July 15, 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ "Boomerang Schedule, December 2002 (Archive)". Cartoon Network. Archived from the original on December 1, 2002. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ "Wally Gator Open (Boomerang Zoo Europe)". YouTube. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  17. ^ Spangler, Todd (March 7, 2017). "Turner, Warner Bros. to Launch Boomerang Cartoon Streaming-Subscription Service for $5 Monthly". Variety. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  18. ^ "When is Boomerang coming to other countries?". Boomerang Support. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  19. ^ "Turner Rebrands Boomerang Globally". Turner. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  20. ^ "TURNER REBRANDS BOOMERANG GLOBALLY". Turner Broadcasting System (Press release). Hong Kong. October 14, 2014. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  21. ^ "Turner Broadcasting announces rebranding of Boomerang". Media Update. January 15, 2015. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  22. ^ http://boomerangeurope.blogspot.ro/2013/07/boomerang-cee-starts-broadcasting-in_30.html
  23. ^ "Boomerang przechodzi globalny rebranding". Astanet (in Polish). Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  24. ^ "Turner relansează Boomerang începând cu 2 februarie (VIDEO)". Animation Magazine (in Romanian). January 31, 2015. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  25. ^ Boomerang (December 16, 2014). Découvrez le nouveau Boomerang à partir du 3 janvier 2015! (in French). Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  26. ^ "TOM UND JERRY, BUGS BUNNY & CO.: STARS UND DIE GRÖSSTEN CARTOON-HELDEN VON BOOMERANG UND CARTOON NETWORK IN MÜNCHE". Turner Deutschland (in German). Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 16, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ "BOOMERANG, DAL 2 FEBBRAIO IL REBRANDING CON NUOVI IMMAGINE E CONTENUTI". Pubblicità (in Italian). January 30, 2015. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  28. ^ "Boomerang extingue os clássicos de seu sinal latino só agora?". ANMTV (in Portuguese). May 30, 2008. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
  29. ^ Rosales, Johel (September 27, 2014). "Recordatorio: Boomerang estrena especial para la llegada de su rebrand". ANMTV (in Spanish). Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  30. ^ Sousa, Matheus (September 27, 2014). "Boomerang lança sua nova identidade visual". ANMTV (in Portuguese). UOL. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  31. ^ "Nieuw logo voor Boomerang". Broadcast Magazine (in Dutch). February 1, 2015. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  32. ^ "Turner Broadcasting announces rebranding of Boomerang". Media Update. January 15, 2015. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  33. ^ "The Latest on New Shows, Channel Launches and More | DStv | Boomerang chega à DStv!". dstv.com. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  34. ^ Franks, Nico (December 9, 2014). "Turner throws Boomerang into Asia". C21Media. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  35. ^ Cartoon Network UK (January 15, 2015). "Hi, yes, this is 16th February :)". Twitter. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
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