The reason behind the Cartoon Network madness ?

[P.C. Unfunny]

Interesting commentary from a former CN artist had this to say about there absurd programming changes.

I would like to start by thanking you for your dogged coverage of Cartoon Network's baffling new programming slate. This issue demands the exposure you are giving it. Bravo.

I've worked on and off for Cartoon Network for many years in Atlanta, New York, and LA, and I keep in touch with many friends at the Williams Street compound in Atlanta. Friends who have a front row seat of this swindling of the viewership. The troubling thing to me, at this point, is that I have not yet read the real logic fueling this hackneyed shift in programming.


It's about money.


Cartoon Network is showing properties that they buy CHEAP and then broadcast sandwiched between original programming. Then they charge the same advertising rates. Buying cheap and selling at a premium is something that started on the Toonami program years ago. DragonBall Z and the other anime series they slotted were all purchased for next to nothing and yet still pulled in the highest ratings of their entire schedule when shown during the afterschool slot.


I do not know what residuals are due to the creators of shows from their past that are not being shown (Courage The Cowardly Dog, Cow & Chicken, Johnny Bravo, etc), but the price of broadcasting Saved By The Bell repeats is less of a bill for them.


When everyone seems to be completely flummoxed at these changes at the network, I feel compelled to impart what I am quite sure is the real inspiration behind this programming boondoggle: Cartoon Network is simply not bringing in any real money at their channel. There is no merchandise on the market for their shows, there are no fast food toy promos, and there is not any national advertising. (Cartoon Network advertises in LA and NYC only with hopes that the advertising traffic agencies located in those two cities will assume it is nationwide.)


I don't think it is mere conjecture to state that this newest move by the network is a grim sign of the state of affairs there. Expect a major shake up in the near future. They have been reeling since Betty Cohen stepped down.

This was from Cartoon Brew.

[starlac]

Strange that a channel that you would think should have access to the largest library of animation in the world (Warner Bros., Turner, MGM, Hanna-Barbera, etc) would be having schedule problems. Or merchandise troubles.

No national advertising? How does a cable channel survive without it? It's not as if they're the BBC or another public-funded channel. It's a wonder they still broadcasting, the UK cartoon Network still has adverts, why not the USA; oh I forget, ratings equal advertiser’s interest.

And does the channel's controllers really think those companies in NYC and LA don't know anything outside their cities.

[P.C. Unfunny]

A nartist who currently works at Cartoon Network had this to say after reading the other artist's comments at Cartoon Brew.

The motivation is definitely money, but not for the reasons your previous source has stated. They've always licensed Cartoon shows and now they're doing live-action, as an "introduction" to more live-action content. They are aggressively seeking original live-action content and have some in development. They are trying to compete with Disney and Nick, who own ratings with shows like Raven and Lizzie McGuire. But they don't wish to copy the same type of shows, they are looking for something different.

As far as merchandising goes, Warners was in control of it and did little or nothing for the shows as far as toys go. Batman was more important. And now licensing has just recently gone back to Cartoon Network. They are making big strides with top licensing companies and had a good showing at the Licensing Show this year. Also there will be Burger King promos for Foster's coming soon. I'm not defending their decisions, just trying to clarify what their motivation is, as someone who still works here and has heard it first hand.

I see now,they want to compete with Disney and Nick. Gee, That whould make sense BUT CARTOON NETWORK IS MEANT TO BE ONLY FOR CARTOONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ugh, god I hate them. If this was the case, just make another damn network and get rid of Boomerang and put the classic cartoons back on CN.