Cartoonito
Logo used since 2022
CountryUnited Kingdom
Broadcast areaUnited Kingdom
Ireland
Malta
NetworkCartoon Network Too
(2006–2007)
Cartoon Network
(2022–present)
HeadquartersLondon, England, United Kingdom
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture format16:9 576i SDTV
Ownership
OwnerWarner Bros. Discovery EMEA
Sister channelsCartoon Network
Boomerang
CNN International
History
LaunchedBlock
4 September 2006 (original)
1 March 2022 (relaunch)
Channel
24 May 2007
ReplacedCartoon Network Too
(original version)
ClosedBlock
23 May 2007 (original)
Links
Websitewww.cartoonito.co.uk
Availability
Terrestrial
See separate section

Cartoonito is a British pay television channel which targets children between the ages of 3 and 6.[1] It is run by Warner Bros. Discovery under its International division.

History

Launch as a strand on Cartoon Network Too (2006–2007)

Former logo with purple eyes, used from 2006 to 2018

On August 14, 2006, Turner Broadcasting System Europe announced they would launch a new pre-school-oriented strand for Cartoon Network Too known as Cartoonito, which would launch on 4 September 2006, running from 6 AM to 3 PM.[2]

Relaunch as a full channel (2007–2016)

Former logo with black eyes, used from 2018 to 2022

On 2 May 2007, Turner announced that they would expand Cartoonito to a full-time network on 24 May 2007. This allowed for Cartoon Network Too to merge and replace Toonami, allowing the full Cartoonito channel to launch in the ex-Cartoon Network Too slot.[3]

On 24 May 2007, at 3 AM, Cartoonito launched as a standalone channel on Sky channel 619, just after the old version of Cartoon Network Too closed at 7 PM the previous day. The channel ran between 3 AM and 7 PM and originally timeshared with Turner Classic Movies 2 (later became Turner Classic Movies +1 after 13 August 2013).[4]

On August 28, 2009, it was announced that a Cartoonito block would air on Boomerang from 9:00am-10:30am on school-term weekdays beginning in September. The aim of the block was to introduce the Cartoonito brand to viewers who had never seen the programmes the channel offered.[5]

On 25 March 2010, Cartoonito was added to Virgin Media.[6] For the launch, the channel's runtime was changed, now running from 4 AM to 8 PM. On 26 October 2013, Cartoonito was launched on BT TV, and Cartoonito launched on Plusnet in May 2015. On 15 December 2016, Cartoonito was added to TalkTalk.[7] Unlike Cartoon Network and Boomerang, which has a +1 and HD simulcasts, Cartoonito didn't have a +1 or HD simulcasts in the UK.[8]

Introduction of 24-hour service (2017–2022)

Cartoonito shifted its aspect ratio to 16:9 widescreen on 1 November 2017. The channel moved to a full 24-hour schedule on 15 January 2018.[9] On 2 March 2018, the channel was announced for a rebrand with an updated website. The logo remained the same, with the only difference being that the eyes were changed from purple to black.[10]

Rebrand and strand relaunch on Cartoon Network (2022–present)

On 1 February 2022, the channel rebranded with the new 2021 logo and bumpers.[11] Following the rebrand, a Cartoonito strand launched on its sister channel Cartoon Network, airing weekdays from 9 to 10 AM (was briefly extend to end at 11 AM from Spring until the Summer of 2022).[12]

Availability

Cable

Online

Satellite

Terrestrial

Programming

Main article: List of programmes broadcast by Cartoonito (UK & Ireland)

See also

References

  1. ^ DeMott, Rick (21 April 2011). "Turner Broadcasting To Launch Cartoonito Across EMEA". Archived from the original on 8 August 2019. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
  2. ^ "Cartoon Network Too unveils preschool block - UK Broadcast News | 14/08/2006".
  3. ^ "Turner Promotes Preschool Programming with Channel Changes in U.K."
  4. ^ TCM 2 final closedown (RECREATION) - 13th August 2013, retrieved 15 July 2023
  5. ^ "C21 Media, 28 Aug 2009 Channel profile - Boomerang".
  6. ^ "Virgin Media Expands Kids' Line-up with Cartoonito". Virgin Media. 1 March 2010.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ "Cartoonito UK Now Available On TalkTalk TV". Regular Capital. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  8. ^ "TV Guide". Sky. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
  9. ^ RegularCapital. "Cartoonito UK Now Available 24 Hours A Day". Archived from the original on 26 January 2018. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
  10. ^ RegularCapital (5 March 2018). "Cartoonito UK Rebranded 2nd March 2018". RegularCapital. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  11. ^ "WarnerMediaKidsUKFebruary2022Highlights.pdf". Google Docs. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  12. ^ "WarnerMediaKidsUKMarch2022Highlights.pdf". Google Docs. Retrieved 26 January 2022.