Cartoon Network rolls out new slate

[Zoneboy]

Upfront presentation includes 13 new series

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Cartoon Network led its upfront presentation by announcing a programming rollout including 13 new series and four original films.
The net is diversifying into live-action, as well: Chief Content Officer Rob Sorcher and Turner Animation prexy Stu Snyder unveiled a 6-skein reality show slate.

In addition to the reality shows, CN is beginning a partnership (announced last week) with the NBA, repped by a short-form entry into the network's slate: "My Dad's a Pro," starring Jalen House, son of Celtics player Eddie House.

"If I were a buyer, I would buy," joked NBA commish David Stern to the aud of potential advertisers.

The move is likely a response to Disney XD's much-publicized partnership with ESPN. That net is seeking to wrest the 6-11 boys demo from CN, but it has an uphill battle ahead. CN's focus on boys over the past year has earned them further dominance over their target aud, traditionally the most lucrative kid demographic for advertisers. The presentation was filled with thinly-veiled refs to "the kind of sanitized shows you see from the competition," as more than one exec put it.

Many of the net's live-action series appear to be tween-friendly versions of adult reality fare, like "Head Rush," a "Cash Cab"-style game show set on a roller coaster; "Survive This," an outdoors adventure show that focuses on teamwork instead of backstabbing; and "Dude, What Would Happen," a "Mythbusters"-esque series of answers to oddball questions like, "What would happen if you attached 350 helium balloons to a sumo wrestler?"

The other two upcoming live series are "Bobb'e Says," starring "30 Rock" thesp Bobb'e J. Thompson, and demoltion-themed "Destroy Build Destroy."

Further offerings from the net include a new series by the creators of breakout "Total Drama Island" and a "Total Drama" spinoff. That series became a surprise hit with boys after the net launched their Thursday comedy block around "Chowder" and "The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack" last year. Also in the lineup: "Sym-Bionic Titan," a new show by "Samurai Jack" creator Genndy Tartakovsky, and a new Scooby Doo series.

In a surprising move, CN has picked up Pendleton Ward's "Adventure Time" and developed it into a full series. The short aired as part of Fred Seibert's "Random Cartoons" variety show on CN competitor Nickelodeon. Seibert, who developed several CN shows out of a similar program ("What-A-Cartoon") he produced for the Turner net, will exec produce the show with Derek Drymon.

That series will also support a live-action Scooby Doo prequel movie -- one of the four original movies slated for next year. The other three are "Firebreather," a graphic novel-based CGI pic helmed by "Aeon Flux" creator Peter Chung, another live-action "Ben 10" movie (based on the net's popular original characters), and a live-action adaptation of YA novel "Tiger's Apprentice," directed by Joy Luck Club helmer Wayne Wang.

[waichingliu81]

another reason why cartoon network has jumped the shark. like MTV, it is going down the drain.

[tanquant]

What a shame. The only thing worth watching on cartoon network is Tom and Jerry when that goes the network will be worthless

[TVFactFan]

Seems like more and more networks are taking that REALITY ROUTE like TV Land/ESPN CLASSIC/MTV

LOL

[MrCleveland]

We must make a petition to Save Our Stations.

Every year we see our stations change. Sure, change is good, but change for the audience is not always good. CN should NOT be called Cartoon Network because 25% of the shows now are Live Action. Disney Channel is beyond Disney, they have Billy Ray's daughter stealing the station and Disney XD, c'mon! Nickelodeon's Nicktoons Station has left the old toons behind and TVLand lost many of their older shows. MTV is made for videos, not whatever the hell they have on now!

They should make stations for the classic shows, there's STILL an audience for them!

[peachysquirt21]

Cartoon Network is not what it use to be. Really too bad cause I use to love this channel. At least now I have Boomerang but that looks to be slowly going downhill as well.

[robyrob]

i think that networks that abandon their core focus should have their FCC license revoked - the airwaves are a public utility and they belong to us all; they should be granted the right to broadcast on those airwaves based on their ability to provide a useful service to the public, and it should be up to them to find a way to do so profitably.

[TJL]

That's great, Cartoon Network, but what about the Adult Swim shows?

Is Lucy Daughter Of The Devil ever coming back?

[waichingliu81]

Originally Posted by robyrob

i think that networks that abandon their core focus should have their FCC license revoked - the airwaves are a public utility and they belong to us all; they should be granted the right to broadcast on those airwaves based on their ability to provide a useful service to the public, and it should be up to them to find a way to do so profitably.

touche! cartoon network is supposed to be a channel dedicated to cartoons- although frankly most of today's shows are nowhere as good as the classics- and so WTF should cartoon network abandon its original premise which is to show animated shows in favour to cater to the reality tv folks? CN is for cartoons just like ESPN for sports. the trash known as reality tv really has to die a permanent death, sooner rather than later.