Warner Bros. Discovery Will Be Shutting Down The Boomerang Streaming Service By The End Of September

Warner Bros. Discovery announced today that the standalone video streaming app and website for its Boomerang service, which is dedicated to classic cartoon brands, will be shut down on September 30 of this year. Boomerang content will be added to WBD’s Max platform as the company moves to consolidate its streaming services.

Current Boomerang subscribers will see their accounts automatically converted into Max ad-free plans at their same payment rate. Existing login credentials will also be ported to Max.

Boomerang is the WBD branded home for well-known animated content from the Warner Bros. library, including Hanna-Barbera and Ruby-Spears favorites like Scooby-Doo, The Jetsons and Tom & Jerry as well as the iconic Looney Tunes banner.

The statement from WBD to Boomerang subscribers reads:

Hey folks,

We’re reaching out to let you know that Boomerang will be moving to Max, and as of September 30th, the Boomerang app and website will no longer be available. The exciting news is that your Boomerang subscription will automatically transfer to Max (Ad-Free) with no change to your subscription price until further notice!

Here’s what you need to know:

Logging In: Starting September 30th, you can log in to Max using your Boomerang email and password.

Kids Profile: We’ll have a Kids Profile set up in your account, allowing you to set parental controls and ratings restrictions.

Max Content: On Max, enjoy loads of Boomerang fan-favorites with Scooby, Bugs Bunny, Tom & Jerry and more! While some Boomerang content may not be available, you’ll have access to Max’s full catalog of iconic series, hit movies, fresh originals, breaking news, and family favorites including The Amazing World of Gumball, Teen Titans Go!, LEGO Batman and more.

Billing: Throughout September, Apple will be transitioning your billing from Boomerang to Max.

Cartoonito's International Expansion Continues As It Replaces Boomerang In South Korea

Cartoonito is an international channel operated by Warner Bros. Discovery dedicated to preschoolers and families. Since its launch in 2021, the channel had garnered traction globally for shows like Bugs Bunny Builders, Batwheels and Masha And The Bear. 

Since 2022, Cartoonito has replaced various Boomerang feeds in Latin America, Turkey, Europe and Africa. With the United States, Taiwan Oceania and South Korea serving as one of the few markets where content is allocated on Cartoon Network. 

Through a promo, it was revealed Boomerang would rebrand to Cartoonito in South Korea from July 1st with the region serving as a late entry.

It is currently unknown how much content from Boomerang would fold under Cartoonito when the rebrand occurs. However, Jessica's Big Little World will form part of the launch lineup alongside Lamput, Esme & Roy and Bugs Bunny Builders. 

Warner Bros. Discovery's decision for replacing Boomerang with Cartoonito in EMEA which might be contributing factor in South Korea:

"We are aligning with our international strategy as Cartoonito is now a global brand for the company and all Boomerang channels in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region will become Cartoonito." "Everything depends on a country-by-country basis since the pipeline of brands we have is not the same in every country, but overall that's the strategy."

Interesting Fact: Boomerang Would Have Become A Preschool Channel By 2005 Or 2006

Tickle U was Cartoon Network's first attempt at a rival offering with Nick Jr. and Disney Jr. It debuted as a programming block on August 22, 2005 to January 13, 2006 with shows like Peppa Pig, Gerald McBoing Boing, Firehouse Tales and Little Robots.

Very little was known at the time at what led to inevitable demise of various theories did come to mind. One was the rival offering viewed on the as mentioned Nick Jr. and Disney Jr. brands with the other likely dealing with the content in general. 

Tickle U aired lesser known shows and the fact that Warner Bros. Discovery didn't browse their archives at the time. They had A Pup Named Scooby-Doo, Krypto The Superdog and Baby Looney Tunes all of which never made it to the preschool block.

However people familiar with the matter had outlined that Warner Bros. Discovery had considered making Boomerang a preschool channel. This would be through Tickle U trademark and with the channel likely to be revolvant on its content.

Despite it not materializing, Boomerang did however did start airing more modernized shows in the later years like Krypto The Superdog and Gerald McBoing Boing. It wasn't long till Warner Bros. Discovery's next attempt at the preschool market, Cartoonito.

Cartoonito was a household trademark in the UK before expanding to other parts of Europe. It formed part of Boomerang's family lineup with shows like Baby Looney Tunes, Interstellar Ella and Lu Lu And The Bally Bunch before taking up the rest of the channel. 

Could Boomerang Also Be Shutting Down Soon In The UK?

Last year, Warner Bros. Discovery launched Cartoonito as a 24 hour service across Europe, Asia and Africa after launching as a programming block years prior. It was met with positive reception from consumers for the likes of Lucas The Spider and Thomas And Friends.

As some readers are aware, Boomerang still resides in the UK and Italy as a 24 hour channel outside of Cartoonito which is a channel of its own. One of which, the UK come with a separate offering as Boomerang revolves most of its content on Looney Tunes, Tom And Jerry and Scooby-Doo. 

During the month, it was reported that Bugs Bunny Builders and various other preschool content had been removed from Cartoonito in the Nordic market. Now there's word that Mr. Bean: The Animated Series and Grizzy And The Lemmings had been added to the channel's line-up in the UK.

Although this isn't a clear indicator of possible terminaton, Warner Bros. Discovery had been going through various restructuring in recent months. Discovery Science and Discovery Turbo Xtra exited various parts of Europe with Cartoonito leaving parts of Asia.

With the likes of streaming these days, it makes Boomerang feels obsolete I mean the channel lost purpose in other countries when Warner Bros. Discovery put more emphasis on Cartoonito. But the biggest downfall for the UK and remaining feeds was the failure to add new content.

After the UK feed of Cartoonito rebranded, Warner Bros. Discovery had attempted to sort of bolster Boomerang's line-up with Ninjago. Unlike most parts of Europe and Africa, linear consumption has experienced the most falls in the UK so the idea of closure wouldn't be surprising.

Prior to this, TCM resided in the market weirdly as TCM Movies and as seen in other parts of the world got the boot and Boomerang has been hovering around this circle for sometime now.

Recap To Last Year: Boomerang Continues To Assert Dominance Despite The Switch To Cartoonito Africa

After Cartoonito launched as a programming block in 2022, Warner Bros. Discovery expanded the offering with a 24 hour channel. It would offer shows like Thomas And Friends and Batwheels infused with several Boomerang favourites such as Zig And Sharko and Mr. Bean.

Despite the attempt at preschool content, Boomerang's family offering continues to dominate the 24 hour line-up by 70% mainly due to runs of Mr. Bean and Masha And The Bear. The remaining 30% is allocated to Cartoonito with shows like Batwheels and CoComelon.

Below is a weekday schedule where the former's remaining offering is highlighted in bold while Cartoonito despite holding 30% is much lower if you exclude shows like Grizzy And The Lemmings and Masha And The Bear.

00:00 Zig & Sharko (X3)

00:25 New Looney Tunes (X8)

01:55 Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! (X2)

02:40 Scooby-Doo And Guess Who? (X2)

03:25 The Tom And Jerry Show (X6)

04:10 Looney Tunes Cartoons (X4)

04:55 The Adventures of Little Penguin (X4)

05:15 Grizzy And The Lemmings (X3)

05:40 Masha And The Bear (X3)

06:00 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series (X2)

06:25 Lu&TheBallyBunch (X2)

06:40 CoComelonCompilations

M.07:00 Thomas&Friends (X2)

07:25 BugsBunnyBuilders

07:35 Zig & Sharko (X3)

08:00 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series (X3)

08:35 Lu&TheBallyBunch (X2)

08:50 Masha And The Bear (X3)

09:10 Masha And The Bear: Nursery Rhymes (X2)

09:15 Zig & Sharko (X3)

09:40 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series (X2)

10:05 Grizzy And The Lemmings (X4)

10:30 Pat TheDog (X2)

10:45 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series (X3)

11:30 CoComelonKaraoke

11:55 Thomas&Friends

12:10 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series (X2)

12:35 Zig & Sharko (X3)

12:55 Masha And The Bear (X3)

13:15 Lu&TheBallyBunch (X2)

13:30 BabyLooneyTunes

13:50 Batwheels (X2)

14:15 LegendsOf Spark 

14:30 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series (X3)

15:05 Grizzy And The Lemmings (X2)

15:20 Zig & Sharko (X4)

15:50 Batwheels

16:00 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series (X3)

16:35 Masha And The Bear (X3)

17:00 BugsBunnyBuilders (X2)

17:11 BugsBunnyBuilders: HardHat Time

17:25 CoComelonKaraoke

17:45 Lu&TheBallyBunch (X2)

18:00 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series (X3)

18:35 Zig & Sharko (X3)

19:00 BugsBunnyBuilders (X2)

19:25 Masha And The Bear (X3)

19:45 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series (X2)

20:05 Thomas&Friends

20:20 TomAnd JerryInNewYork

20:40 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series (X4)

21:25 Grizzy And The Lemmings (X13)

22:55 Zig & Sharko (X10)

Huiik

27 Cartoonito 37 Boomerang 53

Cartoonito

Formerly

Toads And Friends

Interstellar Ella

Lucas The Spider

Dino Ranch

Current

Thomas And Friends

CoComelon

Batwheels

Bugs Bunny Builders

This comes after Cartoonito had scrapped several preschool shows from parts of Europe including Big Bunny Builders and Masha And The Bear. Unlike most feeds, Warner Bros. Discovery had opted to retain the latter while attempting to build its offering as it took over Boomerang.

It is believed that Cartoonito is looking to retain existing IPs from Boomerang. Especially after Warner Bros. Discovery had cut down on its preschool offering with Jessica's Big Little World serving as the last shows to have been produced for the network.

Goblins Of Litter | Before Courage | Courage The Cowardly Dog | Cartoon Network

Before Courage was a scrapped prequel revival series to the Cartoon Network series, Courage the Cowardly Dog initially made for release on the Boomerang channel. Although development for the series' pilot began in late 2018, it was later shelved due to the management team at Cartoon Network prioritizing their focus to other properties.

In October 2018, Dilworth commented on a Facebook post that he was in negotiations with Boomerang for a prequel to the series. Later that month, Dilworth announced on Facebook that development on a "potential prequel" to Courage for Boomerang was expected to begin.[1] However, in May 2020, when asked about the project, Dilworth responded that it had been "transformed into another thing". Albeit not confirmed, it could be presumed that he may have referred to the Scooby Doo crossover, Straight Outta Nowhere: Scooby-Doo! Meets Courage the Cowardly Dog.

In June 2021, Dilworth revealed that the project was on turnaround as Cartoon Network's management is prioritizing their focus on other projects. In January 2022, Dilworth revealed that the project has already been dropped and fell through for the same reason.

In February 2024, Dilworth posted the animatic pilot for the series, titled "Goblins of Litter", onto his YouTube channel.

Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated Almost Got A Third Season

Scooby-Doo Mystery Incorporated is often regarded as the best iteration of Scooby-Doo and we all assumed based on how the show ended that it ended on the writer's terms but it turns out that wasn't exactly true.

According to an interview on ScoobyAddicts.Com, Mitch Watson who was the head developers of the season mentioned that they were working on a third season of Scooby-Doo Mystery Incorporated at one point. They did want to produce a third season seeing as it was a hit overseas before getting cancelled.

The third season would have revolved around the gang driving off to the Harland Alison College and solving other mysteries along the way. Various monsters from previous iterations of franchise would make a comeback and there was also going to be a new mystery surrounding the college.

Unfortunately, two seasons was it and they were going to do a third season at one point. Honestly speaking, it was probably for the best as they had this one plot that consumed over two seasons and wanted to prolong the show with the third season which might have not been well recieved.

There comes a point where network executives want to prolong the franchise that it ends up seeing a drop in quality. It would come to a point where fans would want it to end and that's where Scooby-Doo Mystery Incorporated would have probably ended up if a third season existed.

If anything, it would have probably been better to make the third season a separate show from Scooby-Doo Mystery Incorporated.

Recap To Last Year: How The Possible Merger Of Paramount Global And Warner Bros. Discovery Merge Nicktoons With Boing And Boomerang?

Boomerang was international children's channel operated by Warner Bros. Discovery that featured past content from Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network. Internationally, it served as a complimentary brand to Cartoon Network with a family based offering.

Some content to have been viewed on Boomerang before it's rebrand to Cartoonito included Grizzy And The Lemmings, Mr. Magoo, New Looney Tunes and Be Cool, Scooby-Doo. It's predecessor Cartoonito serves as a fresh outtake to the nostalgic brand.

Cartoonito seeks to maintain the Boomerang DNA with the latter but in retrospect. It's more like sister channel Cartoon Network which had grown distance from its older programming.

Last year, Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Global were said to be in early talks of a potential merger. This could see brands like Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network operate under the same umbrella but questions amounted to the future of their other kids brands.

Warner Bros. Discovery had been slowly scrapping Cartoon Network Studios and folding it under Warner Bros. Animation so it's less likely that Nickelodeon Animation Studios will be treated any different. Ideally, Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network's linear counterpart could remain intact.

If anything, a restructuring could be underway for this offering if the merger moves forward. Nickelodeon could revert into the TeenNick of children's TV as they've built stable hits like Drake And Josh, iCarly and Henry Danger with further animation under Cartoon Network.

With animation moving away from Nickelodeon, this would bring about the end of the Nicktoons trademark. Warner Bros. Discovery offering Boomerang and Boing could use these brands to supplement Nicktoons in other countries.

In parts of Europe and Africa, Boing is likely to lead the way as it served as a more modern outtake to Boomerang. It wasn't centred solely on past programming and Warner had often licenced content that wasn't viewed on either Cartoon Network and Cartoonito.

Development Alert: Mr. Bean: The Animated Returns For Fourth Season Season To Various Cartoonito And Boomerang Channels Worldwide

Banijay’s Tiger Aspect Kids & Family has commissioned the series in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery and ITVX, via deals agreed by Banijay Rights.

Executive produced and voiced by Rowan Atkinson, Season 4 will comprise 52 x 11’ episodes, bringing the total number of episodes across all series to 182 x 11-minutes. It will air on Cartoonito and HBO Max across Europe, the Middle East and Africa on Warner Bros. Discovery’s kids channels and streaming services across Southeast Asia and South Asia, and on ITVX Kids in the U.K. and Ireland from 2025, which marks the 35th anniversary of the first live-action episode.

The animation follows the antics of Mr. Bean and Teddy, as they embark on a series of adventures, making plenty of mischief along the way. Produced by Tiger Aspect Kids & Family, managing director Tom Beattie is also an executive producer. Dave Osborne will direct the series, Arnold Widdowson is producer and the head writers are Ciaran Murtagh and Andrew Barnett Jones.

A British icon, the original live-action “Mr Bean,” co-created by Atkinson and Richard Curtis, bowed in 1990. Atkinson voices the animated series, which was launched in 2002. It has been broadcast in 195 territories, with the series in continual distribution for over 30 years. The brand has some 140 million followers on Meta, 72 million subscribers and 19 billion lifetime views across official YouTube channels; 10 million followers on Instagram; and 14.2 million likes on TikTok.

Atkinson said: “I have always enjoyed this iteration of the Mr. Bean character and the particular freedoms he has in animated form. We can take him into space or down a tin mine, without me personally having to suffer the consequences. The animation process creatively is always fascinating and I’m looking forward to getting stuck into the new series very much.”

Beattie added: “It’s a real pleasure to have the opportunity to go back to such a special series. ‘Mr. Bean’ is an iconic comedy legend and it’s an honor to work with Rowan to create this physically funny series.”

Cathy Payne, CEO Banijay Rights, said: “One of the most loved characters in television comedy history, Mr. Bean’s amusing escapades are cherished by children and families across the world. So we’re thrilled to continue our long-standing partnership with Warner Bros Discovery and ITV on this wonderful animated series which captures Bean’s world so brilliantly.”

Zia Sands, lead content acquisitions, partnerships and co-productions, kids, EMEA, Warner Bros Discovery, said: “Mr. Bean’s comedy antics continue to resonate universally, and we are excited to bring our audiences more of what they love.”

The Fog Of Courage | Courage The Cowardly Dog | Cartoon Network

When Courage finds a mysterious amulet while digging through the yard, a Ghostly Fog covers the farm. Eustace, however, refuses to return the amulet that apparently belongs to the Fog Ghost's long lost love, Cariana. Now Courage must protect his family from the vengeful fog spirit.

Rude Removal | Dexter's Laboratory | Cartoon Network

 

"Rude Removal" is a cartoon episode originally produced in 1997 for the animated television series Dexter's Laboratory for Cartoon Network. It was intended to air as part of the second season, but was left unaired due to the characters swearing even though the swear words were censored. 

My Opinion Regarding The Demise Of Boomerang And Rise Of Cartoonito

During the year, Boomerang was folded under Cartoonito after it rolled out on the channel as a programming block in 2022. It featured various shows like CoComelon, Thomas And Friends and Dino Ranch and expanded to include Batwheels, Interstellar Ella and Bugs Bunny Builders.

As seen through my research on the Latin American market, Boomerang retains a stake in Cartoonito particularly for figures such as Scooby-Doo, Tom And Jerry and Looney Tunes. Of course, the Boomerang DNA has slowly subsided on the channel.

So yeah, I kind of get why parents and children across Africa would be very fearful about the future of Boomerang. This was a channel that was home to classical figures outside of Warner Bros. such as Garfield and The Addams Family and overtime evolved to include shows like Grizzy And The Lemmings and Zig and Sharko.

But this is a rebrand and as such various measures should be implemented, to me them keeping a small fraction of Boomerang was probably a way to phase off the channel to its entirety and also another way to keep existing viewers while as welcome newer audiences to Cartoonito.

I could be angry about this rebrand but hey similar to how some viewers say Cartoon Network died over the years the same could have been said about Boomerang. At one point, it was almost like Boing thereafter it got another identity therefore tarnishing the name.

Cartoonito as a whole kind of makes sense right now as it keeps the original DNA Boomerang intact and it's one better way to kind of align the brands. I know some are angry about Looney Tunes Cartoons but hey I noticed better treatment on the channel than Cartoon Network international.

In short, I don't think Cartoonito is that bad of a channel especially if there's still viewers out there willing to watch CoComelon and Thomas And Friends. It's productive and imaginative unlike some other kids channels I know of but won't mention right now.

Warner Bros. Discovery Unleashes Scooby-Doo Extravaganza Across EMEA!

Hold onto your magnifying glasses and prepare to join the year's grooviest celebration! Scoobtober is the annual month-long extravaganza and thrill ride through the world of Scooby-Doo, bringing fans a tidal wave of programming, products, and events across all of Warner Bros. Discovery.

Originally launched in the US, it is now a firm fixture in the seasonal calendar with an ever-growing list of activations that include spooky social clips and crossovers, 48-hour Watch Party live stream of content with links to exclusive Scooby products from best-in-class partners such as Playmobil, Plastoys and Funko. In line with the growth of seekers of a spooky thrill in Europe, Scoobtober is gaining momentum in the EMEA region, led in 2023 by the strongest-ever slate of Scooby-Doo content programming for the initiative in this market.

Kicking off the festivities, a Scooby-takeover will run all month (1st October – 5th November) exclusively on Boomerang UK, with Scooby-Doo & Guess Who, Be Cool Scooby-Doo, What’s New Scooby-Doo, Scooby-Doo Mystery Inc airing all day 6am – 9pm. Scooby-Doo movies will give a fright on weekends and across half-term at 9am and 2pm, plus fans won’t want to miss the Scoobtober Watch & Win competition, airing exclusively on Boomerang UK. For more Scooby-Doo antics, fans can tune into OnDemand for a treasure trove of Scooby-Doo episodes, movies and compilations of Scooby-Doo’s most iconic moments.

Also on Boomerang FR, prepare for an uninterrupted month-long Scooby-Doo extravaganza on the BOOMERANG CINESTARS SPECIAL -   featuring the all-new Scooby-Doo et la Mission d’Halloween.

The excitement continues as Cartoonito Africa joins the celebrations for Scooby-Doo’s favourite month with specially curated Scooby-Doo episodes taking centre stage on the MOVIE STARS programming block on weekends.

On Cartoon Network MENA, Scoobtober will be celebrated across the Middle East & North Africa region with a Scooby-Doo-filled programming block featuring What's New Scooby-Doo, Be Cool Scooby-Doo, Scooby-Doo and Guess Who and lots more Scooby-Doo treats and movies, weekdays 5pm - 8pm.  It is set for a spooktacular Halloween in Italy, with Scooby-Doo movies airing on 31st October from 2pm – 7pm on Cartoon Network MENA.

Fans can also trick or treat with Scooby-Doo on HBO Max, available in Andorra, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Herzegovina, Hungary, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.

From the evening of the 16th of October, fans can celebrate Scoobtober in the metaverse on the popular kid-centred gaming platform, Roblox.  For the first time ever, players can join Scooby-Doo and Shaggy on Cartoon Network Game On! in an immersive experience that transports them to a realm outside the bounds of reality.  With a brand-new spooky mission, kids can interact with Scooby-Doo and Shaggy to investigate some mysterious hauntings taking place in the game.  Cartoon Network Game On! allows players to experience the fully experiential virtual world of hit Cartoon Network series - and now, with the introduction of Scooby-Doo, for a limited time only, kids can immerse themselves in a ghostly game to unlock awesome Scoobtober prizes. 

Julian Moon, Head of Global Consumer Products EMEA & Asia Pacific, Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, says, “Scooby-Doo creates a world of spooky fun for playful spirits of all ages and instils an appetite for mystery that sparks curiosity. It is a brand that is synonymous with Halloween and an entry point into the world of mystery adventure and the classic whodunit.”

“The team are now looking to capitalise on the fantastic Scoobtober content programming and stunts seen across broadcast and WB Kids YouTube channels to provide licensing and retail partners with a long-term cross-divisionally supported opportunity to leverage the Halloween season, the popularity of which has grown exponentially across Europe.”

Following huge success in the US, Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products is now encouraging and recruiting new and existing Scooby EMEA partners to celebrate all things Scoobtober 2024. Inspiration can be found from the global consumer products rollout, which spans all categories and includes BlackMilk, BoxLunch, Funko, Random House and Coppel.

Boomerang To Close Down In Thailand By The End Of August

Last month, it was learnt by sources that Warner Bros. Discovery would be phasing out several Boomerang channels across the world for Cartoonito. Of course, this news comes as a shocker and also raises confusion particularly in some parts of Asia.

In Thailand, it was confirmed on Boomerang's official Facebook page that the channel would go dark by the end of August with consumers having to flee to YouTube and other social platforms such as Facebook to continue interacting with the brand.

Not long ago, Boomerang was rebranded to Cartoonito in the rest of Asia offering original shows such as Batwheels and Bugs Bunny Builders alongside other shows like Grizzy & Lemmings, Alice & Lewis and Baby Looney Tunes.

Not much is known about the channel's sudden departure, Warner Bros. Discovery was said to be streamlining and keeping some of their in studio content. Similar to what The Walt Disney Company had been doing for years with Disney+ which has led to the cutback of channels.

News Shorts: Tom And Jerry Time No Longer Moving Forward On Cartoonito And Max, A Rebroadcast Of Nurses Surfaces On Telemundo Africa And A Petition Is Going Around To Save 7de Laan On SABC 2

Tom And Jerry Time has been cancelled on Cartoon Network and Max

In 2021, Warner Bros. Animation announced that production had begun on a new preschool series based on Tom And Jerry that would debut on Cartoon Network and Max. Sam Register would serve as executive producer while Will Finn and Denise Downer would serve as showrunner and story editor.

But in a recent conversation with one of the crew members, it was confirmed that Warner Bros. Animation had halted further production of Tom And Jerry Time and this doesn't come as a surprise as Warner had axed several productions last year and part of this was produced to its entirety.

Another being Cartoonito as it struggling to garner much traction in the United States as Warner had since then commissioned further preschool shows such as Hop! and Barney's World under Cartoon Network and Max as the brand remains operational in other countries.

In other developments, Cartoon Network Asia had greenlit a set of new shorts based on Tom And Jerry. Sources mention that are plans underway to distribute them on various Cartoon Network, Cartoonito and Boomerang channels across the world.

Nurses returns ahead of its supposed September debut on Telemundo

In June, Telemundo halted further production of Nurses following changing legislations in Uganda and Cameroon which prohibit the distribution of homosexual content and this caused the NBCUniversal to go on a complete lockdown with primetime filtered with rebroadcasts.

During the month, it was learnt by NBCUniversal that the medical drama would be returning to the channel for new episodes by September 11 at 21:00. But further details are still pending on the nature of its comeback, will Telemundo be offering censorship we won't have to wait a month to find out.

Apparently, they'll rebroadcast a month's worth of Nurses from August 8 in the same timeslot followed by a new series in October which was initially slated to have been released by now but with this changing legislation the channel had to delay a bunch of content which we'll probably get an update on soon.

A petition is going around to save 7de Laan from extinction

During the month, it was learnt by the public broadcaster that they would be axing 7de Laan after 26 seasons with the last episode slated for 26 December 2023. Although, a replacement has yet to be announced, the public broadcaster is looking for long form series for SABC 1-3.

Following the cancellation, another petition has been drawn up for the show with the hashtag #Save7deLaan/#7de Laan on change.org and garnered 26 thousands signatures and we're not sure if it's gonna garner much of an impact as seen with the last petition which revolved on the show's airtime being reduced.

From what is understood SABC can't afford the budget for 7de Laan so the replacement will likely be low budget with fans calling on kykNET and e.tv to revive the show as they've seen success with their Afrikaans offering and 7de Laan would compliment that offering and likely boost the viewership on their brands.

Along with 7de Laan, it was learnt by the public broadcaster that they're looking to cancel more shows and it's good to know that my idea of them possibly axing Uzalo or Generations: The Legacy even Skeem Saam didn't seem far fetched as they're not only looking to cancel low rated shows but even ones as popular as 7de Laan.

‘Tom And Jerry’ To Spar In Singapore; First Ever Localized Version To Premiere On Cartoon Network & HBO GO

Warner Bros Discovery has announced the first ever localized version of the Tom And Jerry series, featuring the famous cat and mouse duo as they take their rivalry to Singapore.

Produced locally in Asia, in association with Warner Bros Animation, the new 7×3-minute series will premiere on Cartoon Network in Asia Pacific and HBO Go in Southeast Asia, Taiwan and Hong Kong later this year, before being rolled out internationally. 

A pilot episode giving a flavour of what’s to come will launch in August – further details will be announced soon. 

The project is produced by Warner Bros Discovery’s Carlene Tan, with Vivek Bolar serving as lead director. India’s Aum Animation Studios handled the animation, with stories and designs from Singapore-based Robot Playground Media and Chips and Toon Studios.

Christopher Ho, Warner Bros Discovery’s Head of Kids, Southeast Asia, said: “This series brings back the iconic music and classic animation style from the Hanna-Barbera 1950s era – but with a modern Singaporean twist. 

“With distinctive landmarks, backdrops and atmosphere, the Asian city-state is the ideal location to create a humorous addition to the Tom And Jerry canon. Working with homegrown creative talent in Singapore and across Asia, this project grows the much-loved franchise in the region and beyond.”

Vishnu Athreya, Senior Vice President of Series, Warner Bros Animation and Cartoon Network Studios, said: “Tom And Jerry are two of our most universally loved characters, proving that laughs can translate to any audience. The fans in Asia have long embraced these characters and it’s great to finally give them a version to call their own.”

Tom And Jerry is one of Warner Bros Discovery’s leading franchises with a global social reach of 50 million and almost 30 billion minutes watched on the Warner Bros Kids YouTube channel. There have been more than 500 episodes, 15 movies and seven Academy Awards so far in its 83-year history. 

Warner Bros Discovery also plans to launch additional Tom And Jerry-branded consumer products to complement the series launch later this year.

Boomerang Turkey To Become Cartoonito

Warner Bros Discovery-owned children’s channel Boomerang is rebranding as Cartoonito in Turkey later in the year with South-east Asia, Taiwan and Hong Kong from July 28.

The rebranded channel is focused on being more inclusive to preschool viewers, according to the recently merged US studio, and comes after a Cartoonito-branded block launched on Boomerang and sister channel Cartoon Network in the region in 2022.

Preschool shows that will air on the Cartoonito channel will include Batwheels and Bugs Bunny Builders, while Boomerang favourites like Tom & Jerry, Baby Looney Tunes, Masha And The Bear, Pat the Dog and Grizzy & the Lemmings will remain on the network. 

All Cartoonito shows follow a curriculum, designed by an early childhood education expert, to form the four pillars of creativity, caring, curiosity and courage, according to the company. The brand aims to inspire kids aged two to six to use their imagination, to learn from their mistakes and to treat others with empathy and respect.

Cartoonito already exists as a standalone channel in various countries across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, where it also rebranded from Boomerang. It also runs as a programme block on Cartoon Network in the UK, Middle East, US and some Asia Pacific countries, and as a block on Boomerang in the Nordics countries.

Development Alert: More Boomerang Coming Soon To Cartoon Network Africa With Mr. Magoo

Mr. Magoo follows the eponymous kind-hearted fellow who is always happy to lend a hand—but often causes disasters instead, as without his glasses he makes all kinds of chaotic mix-ups. Despite this, his only enemy is Fizz, a megalomaniacal hamster who is somehow always accidentally thwarted by Magoo. 

Produced by Xilam (Zig & Sharko), the first season was broadcast on Boomerang across EMEA in 2019. Since March 2023, the channel is known as Cartoonito in which Warner Bros. Discovery at the time mentioned that all Boomerang shows would be retained on the brand.

If anything, Warner Bros. Discovery blantly lied as Mr. Magoo is listed as a "channel premiere" for August. Weird is how shows like Looney Tunes Cartoons and Mr. Bean which some viewers may find inappropriate for preschool television be transmitted on Cartoonito.

Take to account, Cartoonito hasn't been around for that long so consumers probably won't realise it's a preschool brand especially the above-mentioned forming part of the lineup. Interesting to note, Mr. Magoo was phased out from Boomerang once it switched to Cartoonito.

Other shows also phased out at the time included Legend Of Spark, Lamput and Ninja Express. Curious on what led to the axing particularly with Mr. Magoo as Boomerang had used it for their Mr. Vs. Mr. stunt earlier in the year.

Looking at this development, could it be possible that more shows once seen on Boomerang will be added on Cartoon Network. For Looney Tunes and Mr. Beans case I honestly doubt it but for Ninja Express probably as the latter weren't really big on Boomerang.

Development Alert: Boomerang In The Middle East, North Africa And Asia To Become Cartoonito

Cartoonito is the leading destination owned by Warner Bros. Discovery which distributes a variety of preschool content in the form of programming blocks across various Cartoon Network and Boomerang channels alongside standalone services.

During the year, Warner Bros. Discovery had been phasing out several Boomerang feeds across the world. Of course, there was various feeds which have yet to switchover to Cartoonito with the latter continuing to supply select content such as Batwheels and Interstellar Ella.

In the recent weeks, it had confirmed by Warner Bros. Discovery within the regions particularly MENA and Asia particularly Hong Kong, Taiwan and Southeast Asia, the introduction of Cartoonito from September 4th and July 28th respectively.

According to WBD Asia, the move is “part of a big regional and global commitment by WBD to preschool content.” It follows Cartoonito rebrands and launches in other international territories including EMEA and LatAm.

Boomerang favourites including “Tom & Jerry,” “Baby Looney Tunes,” “Alice & Lewis,” “Pat the Dog” and “Grizzy and the Lemmings” will remain on the channel alongside other series like "Dino Ranch and recent additions Batwheels and Bugs Bunny Builders.

It's currently unknown if MENA will offer a similar lineup as seen in Asia but it's been speculated by various consumers that similar to EMEA. Cartoonito will likely keep Boomerang's remaining programming as WBD EMEA beside managing the brand in Africa also manage these regions.

Recap To The Year: Boomerang Africa Troubleshooting Switch To Cartoonito

Boomerang was folded under Cartoonito across Africa by the end of March offering shows like Toads And Friends, Batwheels and Bugs Bunny Builders alongside former Boomerang shows like Looney Tunes Cartoons, Masha And The Bear and Zig & Sharko.

The switch has been met mixed reviews from consumers outside the residing region for keeping something like Looney Tunes Cartoons aboard a brand acknowledged for the preschool market while others point toward the troubled switch out of Boomerang.

It's no secret that Cartoonito's rollout in the market was met with some technicalities while France took a few days to switch out of Boing. In Africa, it took Cartoonito several weeks to erase Boomerang from across their channel and months if you include Facebook.

As seen a few days ago, the last place Boomerang reside which was Facebook has officially switched to Cartoonito as seen with the 24 hour platform on DStv as well as YouTube.

Although consumers may not see it now, these changes will likely have an effect on the lineup. Take to account, Boomerang was another TCM which was very slow in updating their offering and Cartoonito appears to be another rendition of Cartoon Network.

Warner Bros. Discovery is currently working on a lot of content for Cartoonito including Jessica's Big Little World, Tom And Jerry Time, Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends and Barney's World. On top of that, the channel is taking on Disney Junior and CBeebies.