The Cartoon Network, Inc.
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | 1992 |
| Founder | Ted Turner |
| Fate | Became division of Warner Bros. Discovery |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, Georgia , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Discovery Family, Cartoonito, Adult Swim, Toonami |
| Owner | Warner Bros. Discovery |
| Parent | Warner Bros. Discovery |
The Cartoon Network, Inc. (TCN) is a global entertainment corporation based in the United States and functions as a division of Warner Bros. Discovery. Established by Ted Turner in 1992 with its headquarters located in Atlanta, Georgia, the company manages prominent brands such as Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Discovery Family, along with programming segments including Cartoonito, Adult Swim, and Toonami.
History
In 1986, Turner Broadcasting System purchased Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/United Artists but later that same year divested MGM, while retaining the film and television catalog produced before May 1986 to establish Turner Entertainment Co.. Utilizing this vast content library, Turner introduced the cable channel Turner Network Television in 1988. The acquisition of the animation studio Hanna-Barbera’s catalog in 1991 represented a key step toward broadening its content holdings.
Founder Ted Turner selected Betty Cohen, then Senior Vice President at TNT, to spearhead the creation of a specialized animation channel. On February 18, 1992, Turner Broadcasting revealed its intention to launch Cartoon Network as a dedicated outlet for its animation archives. The channel debuted on October 1, 1992, marking the first cable network devoted exclusively to animated programming around the clock.
By 1994, the company had launched Cartoon Network Studios to develop original programming, introducing What a Cartoon! in 1995—a collection of animated shorts that led to multiple successful series and helped define the network’s unique brand. In 1996, the company further diversified by entering preschool programming with shows like Big Bag and Small World, aiming at younger viewers.
The 1995 merger between Turner Broadcasting and Time Warner significantly enriched the content portfolio by reacquiring previously sold animated shorts, which supported increased production of original material.
Furthermore, TCN operates Adult Swim, a late-night programming block launched in 2001 that has become an important revenue-generating asset within its portfolio.
Acquisition by AT&T
On October 22, 2016, AT&T put forward a $108.7 billion proposal to merge with Time Warner, including the assumption of debt. This deal combined Time Warner’s media properties—such as The Cartoon Network—with AT&T’s telecommunications operations like DirecTV and AT&T U-verse. The merger received approval from Time Warner shareholders on February 15, 2017.
In November 2017, the U.S. Department of Justice initiated an antitrust lawsuit aiming to block this merger; however, after regulatory clearance was granted in Europe, Mexico, Chile, and Brazil, a U.S. District Court ruled in favor of AT&T on June 12, 2018. The transaction was finalized on June 14, 2018, resulting in Time Warner becoming a wholly owned subsidiary renamed WarnerMedia. This decision was upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals in February 2019.
This acquisition strategically enhanced AT&T’s market position by integrating premium media content with its distribution infrastructure, thereby strengthening its competitive stance within both media and telecommunications sectors.
WarnerMedia-Discovery Merger
On May 17, 2021, AT&T and Discovery, Inc. reached an agreement involving a Reverse Morris Trust transaction, whereby WarnerMedia was spun off as an independent entity that would acquire Discovery's assets for $43 billion through a combination of cash, securities, and stock, while assuming certain liabilities. This deal, completed by the second quarter of 2022, merged WarnerMedia's holdings—including The Cartoon Network, Inc.—with Discovery's assets. Ownership was divided with AT&T shareholders holding 71% and Discovery shareholders 29%, each group appointing members to the board. David Zaslav, serving as Discovery’s President and CEO, was appointed to lead the combined company, succeeding WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar.
The new company was officially named Warner Bros. Discovery on June 1, 2021; Zaslav emphasized the fusion of Warner Bros.’ century-long storytelling heritage with Discovery’s worldwide reputation for trustworthiness and innovation. The merger was finalized on April 8, 2022, with The Cartoon Network, Inc. managing Discovery Family and its Spanish-language version Discovery Familia.
Global Expansion
Cartoon Network Europe introduced a pan-European English-language feed in 1993, followed by the addition of audio tracks in Spanish, Swedish, Danish, French, Italian, and Norwegian in 1994. The Dutch feed launched in 1997, succeeded by a combined feed for France, Italy, and Spain in 1998. Shortly after the French channel's debut, the Italian feed became independent; the Spanish and French feeds separated in 1999. A Polish feed also began broadcasting in 1998.
By September 1993, Cartoon Network Europe reached select Russian cities via Astra satellite with English audio. From July 1996 onward, coverage expanded to Southern Russia, Ukraine, and former USSR Asian republics through Panamsat 4. In 1997, CIS operations were taken over by distributor Chello Zone who introduced partial Russian dubbing. By 1998, transmission extended to Belarus, Ukraine, the Baltic states, and Northwest Russia via Astra 1G satellite for sixteen hours daily; Turner Classic Movies aired during overnight hours. In November 1999, the channel became available on NTV Plus and other cable providers via Sirius 2 satellite.
In 1999, the British feed separated from the pan-European version due to transponder adjustments and the launch of TNT UK. A Nordic feed was launched in 2000 featuring Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, and English audio tracks that also served Iceland and Finland. The Dutch feed ceased operations in 2001 and was replaced by the pan-European feed with a Dutch audio option; Greek subtitles were introduced that same year. In 2002, the Polish feed branched into Romanian and Hungarian versions. German and Turkish feeds were introduced in 2006 and 2008 respectively.
By April 2005, Cartoon Network Europe had been fully dubbed into Russian. On October 1, 2008, a distinct feed for Hungary and Romania was established; this feed also served the Czech Republic and Slovakia but with muted English audio tracks. A dedicated Russian feed launched on October 1, 2009 targeting CIS countries and Southeastern Europe.
The Arabic-language feed began broadcasting in 2010 as a free-to-air satellite channel alongside the pan-European pay-TV version; it later separated into a dedicated MENA feed in July 2016. The Dutch feed was relaunched on November 17, 2010 as a full-time channel broadcasting exclusively in Dutch. The Spanish pay-TV channel closed in 2013 to concentrate on the free-to-air Boing channel. Portuguese-language channels were introduced in Angola and Mozambique in October 2013 before expanding into Portugal by December.
By 2015, the former pan-European feed continued to be available in Greek Cyprus and was one of four distinct feeds serving Middle East and Africa (alongside Arabic, French, and Portuguese feeds), broadcasting primarily in English with Greek subtitles. Other European markets were served by localized or regional feeds.
On September 1, 2017, Czech audio was added to the Central and Eastern European feed for audiences in the Czech Republic and Slovakia as a replacement for muted English audio tracks.
Production Divisions
- Cartoon Network Productions
- CN LA Original Productions
- Williams Street
- Cartoon Network Studios
- Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe
U.S. Television Networks
- Cartoon Network
- Adult Swim (programming block)
- Toonami (programming block)
- Adult Swim (programming block)
- Boomerang
- Discovery Family (60% ownership with Hasbro)
- Discovery Familia
Discontinued Blocks
- Cartoonito (ceased May 23, 2025)
- Checkered Past (ended June 27, 2025)
Cartoon Network
... [table continues with similar structure for other regions] ... }Adult Swim
| Region(s) | Launch Date | Closure Date | Languages | Notes on Coverage and Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arab World | (standalone feed; free-to-air) | Arabic | Broadcasting from Dubai, United Arab Emirates | |
| (Hindi feed; subscription service) | Hindi | |||
| Asia Pacific | English, Indonesian, Thai, Malay, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Tamil | Transmission based in Singapore and Jakarta | ||
| (Taiwan) | Based in Taipei, Taiwan | |||
| Australia and New Zealand | (Australia only) | English | Broadcasting from Sydney, Australia | |
| Canada | (Teletoon's sister channel) | (replaced by Boomerang) | Operated by Corus Entertainment, based in Toronto, Ontario | |
| (replaced Teletoon) | ||||
| Central and Eastern Europe | (integrated with Cartoon Network Poland) | September 18, 2024 | Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Hungarian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovene, English | Broadcast from Prague, Czech Republic |
| (standalone feed) | ||||
| (part of Cartoon Network CECP) | ||||
| France | (included in Cartoon Network Europe) | September 25, 2024 | French and English | From Paris, France |
| (standalone feed) | ||||
| (part of Cartoon Network WE) |
| Channel Name | Launch Date | End Date | Availability and Coverage Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia & New Zealand | December 2005 (initial launch) | December 31, 2007 (initial closure) | Broadcast as a programming block on Cartoon Network Australia. |
| January 9, 2016 (relaunch) | November 2019 (relaunch closure) | ||
| Canada | July 4, 2012 (block on Cartoon Network) | March 3, 2019 (block on Cartoon Network/Boomerang ended) | Licensed Canadian block managed by Corus Entertainment |
| April 1, 2019 (channel launch replacing Action) | Canadian round-the-clock channel operated by Corus Entertainment; successor to the former Teletoon at Night under the prior Showcase brand. | ||
| France | March 4, 2011 (block on Cartoon Network Switzerland) | 2015 (block ended on Cartoon Network Switzerland) | Available as a programming block and SVOD via Warner TV Next; selected shows featured on Max. |
| July 24, 2019 (block on Toonami) | |||
| Germany | January 28, 2009 (block on TNT Serie) | 2017 (block ended on TNT Serie) | Broadcast as a block on WarnerTV Comedy. |
| 2016 (block on WarnerTV Comedy) | |||
| Latin America | October 7, 2005 (block on Cartoon Network) | 2008 (block ended on Cartoon Network) | |
| November 19, 2007 (block on I.Sat) | April 16, 2020 (block ended on I.Sat) | ||
| November 3, 2014 (block on TBS Novelas Latinoamérica via TNT) | Ended in 2020 on TBS | ||
| May 2, 2020 (block launched on Warner TV) | November 8, 2021 (block ended on Warner TV) | ||
| October 31, 2023 (TV channel launch) | |||
| Russia | April 1, 2007 | Ended in 2021 | Block aired in Russia through channel 2x2. |
| Spain | May 5, 2007 (block on TNT) | July 2012(block ended on TNT) | |
| January 22, 2020 (included in HBO Europe; now available on Max streaming platform) | |||
| December 3, 2020 (premium pack with Toonami via Orange TV subscription) | |||
| UK & Ireland | July 8, 2006(block aired on Bravo channel) | July 7, 2008(block ended on Bravo) | Currently broadcast as a block on the channel E4. |
| June 5, 2010(block aired on FX/Fox channels) | September 1, 2017(block ended on FX/Fox channels) | ||
| January 4, 2012(block aired on TCM Movies channel) | August 2013(block ended) | ||
November 2016(block aired on TruTV UK/Ireland channels)
December 2016(block ended) | |||
Boomerang
... [table continues with similar format for other regions] ... }Cartoonito
| Region(s) | Launch date | End date | Language(s) | Coverage and availability notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | (program block on Cartoon Network Australia and New Zealand) | 2005 (program block on Cartoon Network Australia and New Zealand) | English | Broadcast from Sydney, Australia |
| (dedicated Australian channel) | (dedicated Australian channel) | |||
| Canada | (transition from the original Cartoon Network to Boomerang) | Operated from Toronto, Ontario. Owned by Corus Entertainment. | ||
| Central and Eastern Europe | (as a segment within Boomerang Europe) | (Russia) and (CEE); subsequently replaced by Cartoonito | English, Polish, Romanian, Hungarian, Russian, Bulgarian, Dutch, Czech, German | Transmission based in Munich, Germany |
| (later separated into an independent feed) | ||||
| France | Languages: French and English | Originating from Paris, France | ||
| Germany | (discontinued; succeeded by Boomerang CEE) | German and English | Based in Munich, Germany | |
| India (South Asia) | (program block on Cartoon Network India) | English and Hindi | Broadcast from Mumbai, India | |
| Italy | Italian and English | Operating out of Rome, Italy | ||
| Japan | Japanese | From Tokyo, Japan | ||
| Latin America | (full channel service) | ; replaced by Cartoonito | Spanish, English, Portuguese | Coverage includes Buenos Aires; Santiago; São Paulo; Mexico City |
Toonami
| Region(s) | Launch date | End date | Language(s) | Type | Coverage and availability notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arab World | (initial programming block) | (initial programming block ended) | Arabic | Segment on Cartoon Network | Broadcast from Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| (reformatted block) | (reformatted block ended) | ||||
| (reintroduced block) | |||||
| Asia Pacific | (original channel launch) | (original channel closed) | English and Chinese | Channel operation between 2012–2015 | From Singapore and Jakarta; replaced Boomerang Asia feed |
| (block on Cartoon Network) | (block ended on Cartoon Network) | A segment on Cartoon Network during 2012–2015 and resumed in 2022 | |||
| (block on Boomerang) | (block ended on Boomerang) | A programming block on Boomerang during 2022–2023 | |||
| (channel relaunch) |
Channel active since 2023 to present | ||||
| Australia & New Zealand |
English |
Program block on Cartoon Network |
Broadcast from Sydney, Australia | ||
| Central and Eastern Europe |
(original programming block) |
(original programming block ended) |
rowspan="3" | English, German, Polish, Romanian, Serbian, Croatian, Slovene, Hungarian, Russian, Dutch, Bulgarian |
Block aired on Boomerang CEE between 2011 and 2014 |
rowspan="3" | Transmission based in Munich, Germany; replaced Boomerang CEE feed |
|
(relaunched programming block) |
(relaunched programming block ended) |
||||
|
(channel launch) |
(channel currently active) |
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| Region(s) | Launch date | End date | Language(s) | Type | Coverage and availability notes | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Africa |
|
English | Channel | Broadcast from Paris | |||||||
| Asia Pacific |
|
|
English, Thai, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Malay | Channel | Based in Singapore | ||||||
| Australia and New Zealand |
|
|
English | Programming block on Cartoon Network | Initially aired on weekend evenings; later expanded to weekday afternoons. | ||||||
| Central Europe |
|
|
Polish, Hungarian, Romanian | Programming block | Scheduled for weeknights and weekend mornings. | ||||||
| France |
|
|
French | Channel | Operating from Paris, France | ||||||
| India (South Asia) | 2005 (block) |
|
English and Hindi | Channel | Debuted in 2015; transitioned from action-animation/anime to classic cartoons in 2017; discontinued in 2018. | ||||||
| |||||||||||
| Latin America |
|
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Spanish and Portuguese | Programming block on Cartoon Network and Adult Swim | Relaunched as "Toonami Powered by Crunchyroll" during 2020–2022; underwent a second relaunch in 2023. |
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| English | Channel | Replaced CNX; broadcast from London, England
Other channels
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| | Available in Central and Eastern Europe; a sister station to Boomerang.
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| rowspan="3" | | United Kingdom; timeshift channel with a one-hour delay of Boomerang.
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| Italy; one-hour delayed broadcast of Boomerang.
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| France; one-hour timeshift of Boomerang.
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| United Kingdom; one-hour delayed feed of Cartoon Network. The original channel was replaced by Cartoon Network Too, followed by Cartoonito and TCM Movies, before being relaunched.
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| | Italy; one-hour timeshift version of Cartoon Network.
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| | India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh; HD-exclusive channel featuring recent series.
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| Template:Dts 2014 4 1
| United Kingdom; sister channel to Cartoon Network that merged with Toonami; its slot was replaced by Cartoonito then Cartoon Network +1.
| Template:Dts 2002 10 14
| Template:Dts 2003 9 8
| United Kingdom; general entertainment channel featuring action cartoons, later replaced by Toonami.
| Template:Dts 2008 12 1
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| Latin America; sister network broadcasting classic animated shows.
Note: In both Italy and the UK, "+1" timeshift channels frequently undergo temporary rebranding for approximately a month to highlight a single franchise, such as Looney Tunes, Tom and Jerry, or Ben 10.
See also
External links
Categories:
- Articles with short description
- Redirects from moves
- Redirects from modifications
- Cartoon Network
- Adult Swim
- Boomerang (TV network)
- Cartoonito
- Cartoon Network-related lists
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- Mass media companies established in 1992
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