Cartoon Network

Cartoon Network launched on October 1, 1992, as a 24-hour cable channel devoted exclusively to animation. Ted Turner founded it, betting that the vast library of classic shorts his company owned, hundreds of Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies acquired with the MGM/UA film library in 1986, could anchor a whole network. The early schedule was minimal, relying on those vintage cartoons, but the channel soon began creating its own shows. The first original series, The Moxy Show, aired in 1993. Then came Space Ghost Coast to Coast in 1994, a talk show that repurposed old animation for an adult audience. That was a hint of what was to come.

The late 1990s and early 2000s marked a golden age. Dexter's Laboratory (1996), Johnny Bravo (1997), The Powerpuff Girls (1998), Ed, Edd n Eddy (1999), Courage the Cowardly Dog (1999), and Samurai Jack (2001) all premiered in rapid succession. These shows defined a generation of kids' entertainment. In 2001, the network launched Adult Swim, a late-night block targeting teenagers and young adults. It became a massive cultural force, known for surreal comedies like Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Rick and Morty later on.

Ownership has shifted over the years. Turner Broadcasting merged with Time Warner in 1996, and in 2022, WarnerMedia merged with Discovery to form Warner Bros. Discovery. Today, the network operates under Kathleen Finch, Chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery's US Networks Group, with Michael Ouweleen as President of Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, and Boomerang. The network's headquarters remain in Atlanta, Georgia, with major offices in New York City and Burbank, California.

Cartoon Network's reach extends to over 190 countries. International feeds launched quickly: Europe and Latin America in 1993, Asia in 1994, Australia in 1995. The channel produces original content for specific regions, like the UK-made The Amazing World of Gumball. Its brand identity has evolved from the red-and-white checkerboard logo of the 1990s to the sleek black-and-white CN mark used today. The tagline has changed too, from "The Best Place for Cartoons" to "Check It" and now "Redraw Your World."

Recent years have brought challenges. The Warner Bros. Discovery merger led to layoffs and the closure of Cartoon Network Studios, folded into Warner Bros. Animation in 2022. Linear ratings have declined as viewers shift to streaming. Yet the brand persists. New seasons of Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake and The Amazing World of Gumball premiere on Max. The video game MultiVersus, released in 2024, pits Cartoon Network characters against DC and Warner Bros. icons. The network still operates its website, cartoonnetwork.com, offering games and clips.[edit]