Cartoon Network India is Indian television channel that telecasts various animated and live action shows, targeted mainly at kids and young adults. The channel was established by Turner Broadcasting, which is a unit of Time Warner. Cartoon Network India is the leading animation and kids channel in India. The most popular shows consist of Ben 10, The Secret Saturdays, Amar Chitra Katha, Generator Rex, Tom and Jerry, Richie Rich, Roll no.21 etc. various animated and live action movies are also premiered on Cartoon Network India in the weekends to increase the viewership.
History of Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network India started its broadcast on 1 May 1995 in India, and served as a dual-channel, Cartoon Network and TNT. But on 1st July 2001, Cartoon Network finally became a separate 24-hour channel. It was the only channel that broadcast the English version of Heidi in 2001. Cartoon Network has launched many other shows including Dexter`s Laboratory, The Powerpuff Girls, Ed, Edd, n` Eddy, and many other TV series. Cartoon Theatre is Cartoon Network`s film series, featuring animated theatrical films, animated television films, and films made for Cartoon Network. Initially it aired mostly Hanna-Barbara cartoons (The Flintstones, The Jetsons) but later it included Warner Bros animations (Looney Tunes) and MGM cartoons (Tom and Jerry).
In 1999, Cartoon Network introduced new programs like Dexter`s Laboratory, Johnny Bravo and Ed, Edd n` Eddy. These were followed by The Powerpuff Girls and Courage the Cowardly Dog in 2000. In 2001, more Cartoon Network originals were telecasted, like, Samurai Jack and Time Squad. All the Cartoon Network originals were clubbed under the name `Cartoon Cartoons.` The channel also introduced programming slots like Toonami, and Boomerang in 2001, followed by shows like Grim & Evil, and Codename: Kids Next Door in 2002. Justice League also featured successfully on Cartoon Network in 2002. In 2004, Foster`s Home for Imaginary Friends, another cartoon network original, was aired. In 2005 the Boomerang programming block was turned into a Television channel. However, the channel is not available in India. Boomerang shows timeless favourites such as Scooby Doo, Tom and Jerry, Looney Tunes and The Flintstones. The block is also defunct now. In 2006, several new Cartoon Network originals premiered, including Robot boy, Camp Lazlo, Squirrel Boy and Hi Hi Puffy Ami Yumi.
Development Cartoon Network
Today, India has emerged as the top market in the Asia-Pacific region for Cartoon Network, both in terms of revenue generation and viewership. From Bugs Bunny to Ramayana, Cartoon Network is the ultimate destination for animation in India. Cartoon Network has been ranked the No. 2 channel after Star Plus among all national channels. Languages are the key to Cartoon Network`s localization strategy and the language feed has gone beyond the existing English, Hindi and Tamil and Telugu feeds.
Programmes of Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network India has also started Hindi animated shows like, Samsher Sikandar Chuddie Buddie!, Billy Mandy Aur Life Mein Haddi, Chowder, Krish, Trish Aur Balti Boy, and the recent Roll no.21, based on the modern version of Lord Krishna. But lately the real draw for Cartoon Network has been the launch of the highly successful series Ben 10. It is an extremely popular show produced by Cartoon Network Studios and created by Man of Action. Mostly the productions are animated, but there has also been some live action ones as well. Two successful sequels have been launched since then, Ben 10: Alien Force and Ben 10: Ultimate Alien. They also aired the live-action film titled Ben 10: Race against Time, which was widely viewed. Another recent program, Generator Rex, again created by "Man of Action" was premiered on Cartoon Network in India on January 16, 2011. Generator Rex, also created by the group named Man of Action, has also been widely accepted by the audiences. Other popular programmes include The Secret Saturdays, Chhota Bheem, Amar Chitra Katha, The Tom and Jerry Show, Dragon Ball Z etc.
Events of Cartoon Network
The success of Cartoon Network India lies in its innovative marketing and promotional activities. It conducted various on-ground initiatives like Toon Cricket, with the characters Scooby Doo and Tom and Jerry, the Powerpuff Girls `School is Cool` programme, Save Dexter`s Brain and Toon Hunt, which were warmly accepted.
On October 1st, 2011, Cartoon Network India re-branded itself to begin the new "It`s a Fun Thing!" era. According to plans of the rebranding, the logo of the channel would be change for the 2nd time and will be modified into a neo-checkerboard logo.