Turner Broadcasting Announces Strategic Changes/Expansions to its Portfolio of Animation, Kids and Young Adult Networks

ATLANTA, Feb. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to overwhelming demand for branded and original entertainment both on-air and on its digital platforms, Turner Broadcasting's Animation, Young Adults and Kids Media (AYAKM) has announced key expansions and strategic changes that will affect each of its three entertainment networks, it was announced today by Stuart Snyder, president and COO of AYAKM. As a result, Adult Swim will expand its programming hours to 8 p.m. Monday-Sunday starting March 31. Cartoon Network will introduce a new portfolio of original content online at CartoonNetwork.com and its other digital branded platforms. Additionally, the all-cartoon-classics Boomerang will be aligned worldwide as a family co-viewing network and will be introduced officially this year for ad sales and promotional opportunities in the United States.

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Adult Swim, basic cable's #1 network for young adults 18-34, currently airs nightly from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., and just recorded its most-watched year in its history, ranked #1 among young adults and men for the ninth year in a row. At the same time, Cartoon Network, known for its strength with boys, will offer its core audience of kids 2-14 a brand new portfolio of original content, designed to augment its on-air programming. Finally, Boomerang, voted the most beloved network by parents in the 2013 Harris Poll, will be programmed and marketed globally to present a line-up of classic and contemporary cartoons for consistent programming appeal to family co-viewing across all of its 13 international feeds.

"As Adult Swim continues to succeed with record ratings and connects with its audiences more than ever, it is imperative that we find a way to grow this part of the business that keeps the essence of what has made it successful and competitive," said Snyder. "Our original content also continues to expand, particularly in primetime, with creative and innovative shows such as Rick and Morty. An additional hour in primetime answers these needs and gives us the opportunity to develop more original content for primetime that will engage our audiences even further."

Snyder continued, "At the same time, we know more and more kids today are turning to digital options for entertainment content beyond their TV screen, so we're developing a new slate of original content that will premiere on CartoonNetwork.com and our other digital platforms to feed that ever-growing appetite. Cartoon Network will always be on when and wherever our audience wants to experience it. Meanwhile, as audience appeal for classic cartoon programming on Boomerang has grown to critical mass, we've determined now's the time to open the network to our partners as a new opportunity to reach family audiences, particularly parents with young children."

"As viewing habits continue to evolve, advertisers are looking for opportunities to engage and connect with audiences in a variety of ways that provide greater reach for their brands and messages," said Donna Speciale, president of Turner Entertainment, Kids and Young Adults Ad Sales. "These are distinct brands and this expansion will allow for additional opportunities for advertisers to reach a cross-section of demos across proven platforms."

Adult Swim will launch its new hour of programming with the 20th Century Fox Television hit animated comedy series, King of the Hill, to air at both 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. followed by The Cleveland Show at 9 p.m. This will lead audiences into a full line-up of original and acquired award-winning, branded content (i.e. the Emmy-winning Robot Chicken and Childrens Hospital, Rick and Morty, etc.).

Cartoon Network will continue to run its two-hour 'early prime' schedule of exclusive animated programming—which includes its Primetime Emmy-winning original series Regular Show and the pop-culture global hit Adventure Time—from 6-8 p.m., while presenting on-air messaging inviting kids and families to turn to Cartoon Network's digital platforms for a new and continually growing slate of exciting, original content. Scheduling of this digital content—to include shorts, interstitials, short-form and traditional series plus, free gaming opportunities—will be announced prior to launch on March 31, and as new projects are introduced throughout the year. This new digital content will join an expanded slate of network series programming available both through a streaming environment at CartoonNetwork.com, on tablets, phones and On Demand.

Launched in the U.S. on April 1, 2000, Boomerang debuted as a 24-hour, commercial-free network dedicated to showcasing classic cartoons from the Hanna-Barbera, MGM and Warner Bros. animation libraries. As it was rolled out to international territories, the network programming and promotion was made strategically flexible to appeal to the different local territories, often resulting in a cross section of target audiences.

Based on the success of the U.S. network, coupled with overwhelming feedback from the 2013 Harris Poll and impressive results from Turner beginning to officially review its Nielsen Media ratings, AYAKM determined to reposition Boomerang globally as a network for kids and parents to enjoy together. Armed with the strength of characters from beloved series like The Powerpuff Girls, Looney Tunes, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?, Dexter's Laboratory and Tom and Jerry, Boomerang will be singular in its ability to be appealing for two generations; as kids who grew up on these time-tested shows, parents will be able to share their childhood favorites with their own kids.

ABOUT ADULT SWIM:
Adult Swim is basic cable's #1 network among persons 18-34 and 18-49, and is seen in 99 million U.S. homes. It debuted in Sept. 2001 with just three hours of programming airing two nights a week. In January 2003, fueled by popularity and impressive ratings gains, Adult Swim's schedule increased to five nights per week, Sunday–Thursday, 11 p.m. – 2 a.m. (ET/PT). By March 2005, the late-night block more than doubled its air time, jumping from 15 hours to 42 hours a week, airing Monday–Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, 11 p.m. – 6 a.m. (ET/PT). Subsequently, Adult Swim launched in second quarter 2005 as an individually-rated network by Nielsen Media Research. In July of 2007, the fledgling network expanded to seven nights per week, airing Monday–Saturday, 11 p.m. – 6 a.m. (ET/ PT) and Sundays at 10 p.m. – 6 a.m. (ET/PT). Continuing to grow in popularity, Adult Swim expanded again in January 2009 to begin its programming at 10 p.m. seven nights per week.

ABOUT CARTOON NETWORK:
Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com), launched in 1992 as the world's first 24-hour all-animation network, is regularly the #1 U.S. television network in prime among boys 6-11 & 9-14. Currently seen in 99 million U.S. homes and 194 countries around the world, Cartoon Network is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s ad-supported cable service now available in HD offering the best in original, acquired and classic entertainment for kids and families. In addition to Emmy-winning original programming and industry-leading digital apps and online games, Cartoon Network embraces key social issues affecting families with solution-oriented initiatives such as Stop Bullying: Speak Up and the Move It Movement.

ABOUT BOOMERANG:
Boomerang is TBS, Inc.'s 24-hour cable/satellite network offering the best in classic animated entertainment. In partnership with Cartoon Network, the service boasts 75 percent unduplicated programming and is available to cable/satellite operators and their customers in Spanish. Boomerang's official Web site is located at http://Boomerang.CartoonNetwork.com.

ABOUT TURNER BROADCASTING:
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world. 

Adult Swim PR – follow us on Twitter @AdultSwimPR
CARTOON NETWORK PR – follow us on Twitter @CartoonNetPR

SOURCE Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.