Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network is an American animation cable channel launched by Ted Turner on October 1, 1992, and based in Atlanta; it has aired Space Ghost Coast to Coast, the Toonami block and the adult animation block Adult SwimAdult SwimAdult Swim is the adult-oriented programming block and brand of the U.S. cable channel Cartoon Network; it premiered on September 2, 2001, is known for adult animation such as Aqua Teen Hunger Force and for the Toonami block, and by 2026 aired 13 hours a day on Cartoon Network.Open the full entry, belonged successively to WarnerMedia and Warner Bros. Discovery, and became part of Skydance with the latter in October 2026.
Contents13 sections
Key facts
October 1, 1992Launch
Ted Turner launched Cartoon Network on October 1, 1992.[1]
1994First Original Series
Cartoon Network’s first original series, Space Ghost Coast to Coast, premiered on April 15, 1994, and ended on December 17, 1999, paving the way for the later adult animation block Adult Swim.[2]
1997–2008Toonami
Toonami began in 1997 as a weekday afternoon block largely airing Japanese animation and ended on September 20, 2008, after 11 years, with Naruto as the only anime left on its schedule.[3]
July 2014Christina Miller Named President
In July 2014, Turner Broadcasting System president David Levy named Christina Miller president and general manager of Cartoon Network, Adult Swim and Boomerang.[4]
2019Moved Under Warner Bros.; Miller Departs
In March 2019, WarnerMedia reorganized and added a new Global Kids & Young Adults business at Warner Bros., including Cartoon Network, Adult Swim and Boomerang, under Kevin Tsujihara.[5]
In November 2019, Christina Miller announced she would leave WarnerMedia at year-end, with Michael Ouweleen, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Cartoon Network, Adult Swim and Boomerang, serving as interim president.[6]
2021New Leadership and ACME Night
As of February 2021, Tom Ascheim had been WarnerMedia’s president of global kids, young adults and classics for less than a year; he brought in Amy Friedman to run the Cartoon Network channel; Sam Register took over Cartoon Network Studios while continuing to lead Warner Bros. Animation.[7]
After expanding into preschool programming with the Cartoonito block, Cartoon Network launched ACME Night, a Sunday family movie block, on September 19, 2021, opening with Shazam.[8]
April 2022Warner Bros. Discovery Formed
In April 2022, Discovery completed its roughly $43 billion acquisition of WarnerMedia from AT&TAT&TAT&T (AT&T Inc.) is a telecommunications company headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Its predecessor was SBC Communications, a regional holding company created in the 1984 breakup of the Bell System; SBC merged with the original AT&T Corp. in 2005 and adopted its name, and it has since operated a nationwide wireless network and fiber broadband, at one time also owning DIRECTV and WarnerMedia.Open the full entry, forming the new company Warner Bros. Discovery under David Zaslav.[9]
October 2022Studio Consolidation and 30th Anniversary
In October 2022, Warner Bros. Discovery merged the development and main production teams of Cartoon Network Studios and Warner Bros. Animation, keeping both brands, under Sam Register.[10]
Amid rumors that the channel was closing, Cartoon Network said in a statement that it was not shutting down, posting on social media: “Y’all we’re not dead, we’re just turning 30.”[1]
August 2024Website Shut Down
In August 2024, Warner Bros. Discovery wiped the Cartoon Network website of its clips, full episodes and games and directed visitors to sign up for the streaming service Max.[11]
October 2026Becomes Part of Skydance with Warner Bros. Discovery
On October 6, 2026, Paramount completed its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery; the combined company, named Skydance, lists Cartoon Network among its brands.[12]
As of October 2026: International Reach
The company’s pressroom says Cartoon Network is seen in 192 countries and over 400 million homes internationally, and is a companion brand to Boomerang and POGO in Asia Pacific.[13]
Related Organizations, Websites, and Public Accounts
Adult Swim: Official website: https://www.adultswim.com/ (opens in a new window)[14]
Skydance: Official website: https://www.skydance.com/ (opens in a new window)[12]
Sources
- Cartoon Network dismisses rumours of its closure (opens in a new window)
- How Space Ghost Coast to Coast Changed Cartoon Network Forever (opens in a new window)
- Cartoon Network to End Toonami on September 20 (Updated) (opens in a new window)
- Christina Miller Tapped to Head Cartoon Network, Adult Swim & Boomerang (opens in a new window)
- Layoffs expected as WarnerMedia reorganizes its leadership team after AT&T acquisition (opens in a new window)
- Christina Miller, President of Cartoon Network, to Leave WarnerMedia (opens in a new window)
- WarnerMedia's roadmap for world domination (opens in a new window)
- WarnerMedia Kids & Family Launches Weekly ‘ACME Night’ Programming Block For Families On Cartoon Network (opens in a new window)
- Discovery Closes Acquisition of AT&T’s WarnerMedia (opens in a new window)
- Warner Bros. and Cartoon Network Merge (opens in a new window)
- Warner Bros. Scrubs Cartoon Network Website, Erasing Years of History (opens in a new window)
- Paramount Completes Acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, Creating Skydance (opens in a new window)
- Cartoon Network | Pressroom (opens in a new window)
- Adult Swim (opens in a new window)