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.

Drafted: What To Expect On Warner Bros. Discovery Across Africa In November 2023?

Discovery Channel:

Gold Divers

Castaways

Wheeler Dealers

TLC:

90 Day Fiance

Say Yes To The Dress With Tan France

Megan Thee Stallion Vs. Tory Lanez: Five Shots

TNT:

Pulp Fiction

Alien Menace

Unusual Suspicion

Real Time:

Forbidden: Dying For Love

Investigation Discovery:

Special Report: The Long Island Serial Killer

How To Create A Sex Scandal

Murder Tapes

A Body In The Basement

Food Network:

Holiday Wars

Zoe Bakes

Holiday Baking Championship

Christmas Cookie Challenge

Beat Bobby Flay

Holiday Baking Championship: Gingerbread Showdown

Magnolia Table With Joanna Gaines

HGTV:

Ugliest House In America: Summer Road Trip

Building Roots

Travel Channel:

The Visitors

The Curse Of Lizzie Borden

Scream: The True Story

Ghost Hunters Taps Return

Expedition Bigfoot

Michigan Hell House

Cartoon Network:

Summer Camp Island

Pokemon The Movie: I Choose You!

Mr. Magoo

Cartoonito:

Batwheels

Bugs Bunny Builders

Singalong with Masha And The Bear, Lu And The Bally Bunch and CoComelon

Africa: Join The Bug Boogie Dance Party With Cartoonito’s Brand-New Show, Lu & The Bally Bunch

Created by Oscar®-nominated director Nicky Phelan, Lu & the Bally Bunch is about a little ladybird named Lu who has just started preschool with her new friends. Together, they explore their brand-new social lives through play, music, big feelings, and even bigger fun.

As an only child, Lu is used to being the centre of her universe. Having just started preschool, she’s learning that sharing space with five other centres of the universe has its challenges. Exploring the everyday dramas of life in school, Lu & the Bally Bunch is a funny and affectionate look at Lu and her friends - Barnaby, Biba, Declan, Elodie and Gus - as they learn how to get along with each other in their new social setting.

Inspired by Nicky Phelan's memories of helping his mum in her own preschool, Lu & the Bally Bunch celebrates the joy, drama and humour of young schoolers learning to share space. There's nothing as funny as seeing a bunch of three-year-olds fail to navigate each other and nothing as heart-warming as seeing them learn to get along.

Set in Ballybug, a small village home to a community of bugs, Lu and her friends attend Shella Kabooky's Shell School. Shella, a snail, is the wise and kind teacher of the preschool housed in her shell. Inspired by the teachings of Montessori, Shella guides the bugs through games, play and learning with a gentle, kid-led approach. Under Shella's watchful eye, Lu and her friends learn to laugh and play together.

Lu & the Bally Bunch highlights the high-stakes drama of navigating first friendships with real children’s voices, heartfelt humour, and dramatic stories that play out in real-time. The series features real-life and authentic scenarios that young kids deal with as they go to school for the first time, with lessons in social-emotional learning and conflict resolution.

Produced by 9 Story’s award-winning studio, Brown Bag Films, with the participation of Warner Bros. Discovery and CBC Kids, Lu & the Bally Bunch was created by Brown Bag Films’ director, Nicky Phelan (Vampirina, Bing, Octonauts), Oscar®-nominated for his short film Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty. Phelan also directed the series.

Join Lu & the Bally Bunch on their journey with music, laughter, and fun, premiering exclusively on Cartoonito Africa, weekdays at 17:10 CAT, from Monday, 9 October.

What To Expect On Cartoon Network And Cartoonito Across Africa In October 2023?

CARTOON NETWORK

POKEMON SUN & MOON

Ash in Aloha

What starts as a summer vacation in the tropical Alola region becomes the next exciting chapter in Ash Ketchum’s quest to become a Pokémon Master! There’s plenty for Ash and Pikachu to explore, exciting new Pokémon to discover and interesting people to learn from along the way—including the cool Professor Kukui and the fun-loving Samson Oak. 

More new faces will help guide Ash’s Alolan adventure, in skilled Trainers Kiawe, Lana, Mallow, and Sophocles—and a mysterious research assistant called Lillie. It’s not all set to go Ash Ketchum’s way, though – familiar foes, Team Rocket, have also made their way to Alola and are joined by new challenges, Team Skull.

📺 Premiere: Monday, 9 October @ 17:30 CAT

⏰ Tune in: Mondays - Fridays @ 17:30 CAT

Also available on DStv Catch Up

THE HEROIC QUEST OF THE VALIANT PRINCE IVANDOE

Prince in Peril

Accompanied by his loyal squire Bert, Prince Ivandoe sets off on a quest to Eagle Mountain through The Five Kingdoms to claim the legendary Golden Feather. So far, Prince Ivandoe has travelled from his home, the Kingdom of the Mighty Stag, through Svanland – the idyllic Land of the Swans, the rogue state of The Forest of the Outlaws, the Red Squirrel Kingdom – set high in the trees – and the Underground Kingdom of the Ogres, where King Ironhorn rules from a crumbling and this month, his journey takes him into the Underground castle. 

These new episodes bring a lot of wacky adventures along, Prince Ivandoe’s unfortunate hiccups have an interesting twist on a wish granted by a Wishpillar. His squire Bert is thrust into the limelight when he pulls a mysterious sword from a stone, and and Prince Ivandoe and Bert are going to form a unlikely bond with a Sassy Gnome while trying to get him reunited with his brothers!

📺 Premiere: Monday, 2 October @ 16:35 CAT

⏰ Tune in: Mondays - Fridays @ 16:35 CAT

Also available on DStv Catch Up

WE BABY BEARS

Star-Seekers

Hop in the box for a We Baby Bears journey where The Baby Bears’ wish upon a star turns their box into a magical means of transportation to many worlds, from a village of talking vegetables to a land where snow sculptures come to life.

This month – join Baby Grizz, Baby Panda, and Baby Ice Bear in a two-part special entitled ‘The Little Fallen Star’ where the Baby Bears travel to the far reaches of space to discover the origin of their magic box. 

📺 Premiere: Saturday, 21 October from 08:45 CAT

HALLO-FREAK HALLO-WEEK

Creepy Creatures

Cartoon Network celebrates Halloween this month with a daily block of spooky episodes of Teen Titans Go!; We Bare Bears; Craig of the Creek; The Amazing World of Gumball; and many more.

From 28 – 31 October, catch the freakiest, craziest, oddest episodes of your favourite shows in a special not-so-scary, a-bit-more-hairy block, only on Cartoon Network Africa!

📺 Tune-in: Saturday, 28 October – Tuesday, 31 October from 14:55 CAT

CN MOVIES HOLIDAYS

Film Fun

Settle in for a CN Movie every day of the spring holidays. In Teen Titans Go! vs Teen Titans (2 October), The comedic Teen Titans take on their serious counterparts when villains from each of their worlds team up to pit the two Titan teams against each other. On 3 October, Best Bros Grizzly, Panda and Ice Bear go on a wild, hilarious and dangerous adventure to escape a foe that threatens to tear them apart in We Bare Bears: The Movie and on 4 October, DC Super Hero Girls: Legends of Atlantis sees Wonder Woman, Batgirl, Supergirl, Bumblebee and the rest of the Super Crew must journey through the depths of the ocean to Atlantis. On 5 October, Ben 10 vs The Universe: The Movie sees Ben go interstellar to save the day when Vilgax returns to do double the damage on Team Tennyson and planet Earth. To round things off on 6 October, two slacker groundskeepers must go back in time and battle an evil volleyball coach in order to save the universe after accidentally creating a Timenado in Regular Show: The Movie.

📺 Tune-in: Monday, 2 October – Friday, 6 October @ 11:30 CAT

CARTOONITO

LU & THE BALLY BUNCH

Ladybird Lu

Lu is a ladybird who has started school at Ms Shella’s Shell School with her new friends in the village of Ballybug. Lu and her ‘Bally Bunch’ of five insect classmates learn how to laugh, play, and navigate their new social lives together at school, dealing with the ups and downs of getting along and sharing a new space with other children and learning about one of life’s most important skills – how to be a friend. 

Inspired by creator Nicky Phelan's memories of helping his mum in her own preschool, there’s nothing as funny as seeing a bunch of three-year-olds fail to navigate each other and nothing as heart-warming as seeing them learn to get along.

📺 Premiere: Monday, 9 October @ 17:40 CAT

⏰ Tune in: Mondays - Fridays @ 17:40 CAT

Also available on DStv Catch Up

THOMAS & FRIENDS: ALL ENGINES GO!

Tracking down Adventures

Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go! is back on track with big adventures fueled by friendships. Thomas and his friends will embrace unexpected surprises and discover more about each other as they get into new shenanigans on the Island of Sodor.

When Carly doesn’t return from saving Emily from an accidental derailing, a worried Sandy recruits the help of a bored Diesel to find her best gal pal. As their friends organise a special party, Sandy and Kana try to create a surprise of their own - but when it goes wrong, they learn that togetherness is more important than any surprise. In a bid to make their job of prepping hay bales for a huge hay delivery more fun, Terence and Carly set out to create the tallest hay tower ever!

📺 Premiere: Monday, 23 October @ 08:25 CAT

⏰ Tune in: Mondays - Fridays @ 08:25 CAT

Also available on DStv Catch Up

LOONEY TUNES AND FRIENDS CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN

Get Ghostly!

A special new episode of Looney Tunes Cartoons marks the spookiest day of the year – Halloween – with a bunch of our Cartoonito friends putting their own spin on the ghostly celebration. We kick off with some spooky episodes of Masha and the Bear, Cocomelon, Mr Bean and many more at 15:10 CAT. Then to cap off the Halloween fun, catch the 30-minute special Bugs Bunny's Howl-o-Skreem Spooktacula Graveyard Goofs where Daffy Duck and Porky Pig take center stage – but will things go as planned?

⏰ Tune in: Bugs Bunny's Howl-o-Skreem Spooktacula Graveyard Goofs – Tuesday, 31 October @ 17:35 CAT

Halloween special block – Tuesday, 31 October from 15:15 CAT

MOVIE STARS HOLIDAYS

Daily Dose of Adventure

Whether it’s Hibernation Rabbid heading for Mars on a misinformed adventure, Robin Hood needing a helping hand from Tom & Jerry to save himself and rescue Maid Marion or Scooby-Doo and the gang setting out to clear their names after being accused of plotting a practical joke, there’s something for everyone with some of the biggest stars on Cartoonito this spring school holiday!

⏰ Tune in: Monday, 2 October – Monday, 9 October @ 09:40 CAT

2 October: Rabbids Invasion: Mission to Mars

3 October: Tom and Jerry: Robin Hood and his Merry Mouse

4 October: Scooby-Doo! and the Samurai Sword

5 October: Tom & Jerry: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory 

6 October: Looney Tunes Rabbits Run

7 October: Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins (Live action)

8 October: Scooby-Doo! Curse of the Lake Monster (Live action)

9 October: Kangaroo Jack: G'Day USA

Cartoon Network And Rebranded Cartoonito Remain SA’s Kids’ Channel Leaders

Warner Bros. Discovery’s children’s segment channels, Cartoon Network and Cartoonito, continue to top viewership ratings and maintain their status as the #1 and #2 ranked kids’ channels amongst DStv households across South Africa.

After undergoing a rebranding from Boomerang in March this year, July 2023 saw Cartoonito going beyond the kids’ cluster as the most-watched international channel across all genres amongst DStv households and the 5th most-watched channel overall¹ on the DStv platform. Cartoonito strengthened its visibility, increasing its viewership² by over 225 000 to reach nearly 10 million viewers every month.  

While the growth in the Cartoonito audience is significant, reinforcing its status as the #2 kids’ channel in South Africa since 2018, Cartoon Network continues to maintain its position as the overall #1 children’s channel in South Africa⁴ – a position it’s held since 2010 – reaching almost 16 million viewers5 monthly. “Cartoon Network Africa and Cartoonito Africa are reaching respectively almost 16 million viewers and 10 million viewers monthly in South Africa alone, making them the top two kid’s channels,” says Ana Gonzalez, Editorial Lead: Southern Europe and Africa, Kids Brands, Warner Bros. Discovery. “They’re loyal, engaged, and excited viewers who enjoy linear television, providing them with entertainment that keeps them coming back for more.”

King of Content

Warner Bros. Discovery content from its kids multiplex dominates the Top 20 shows across all kids’ channels6. On Cartoonito, more than 105 000 kids watch Cocomelon7, and its new show, Interstellar Ella, launched in June this year, occupies the 7th position7 with almost 90 000 viewers on average. Cartoonito’s brand-new shows, Batwheels and Bugs Bunny Builders, also contribute to the positive performance of the channel as the 5th and 6th most-watched shows, alongside fan-favourites like Mr Bean, Masha & The Bear and Zig & Sharko7.

On Cartoon Network and alongside the hits Dragon Ball Super, We Baby Bears, and Teen Titans Go!, the first Cartoon Network Original African-produced animated series Garbage Boy and Trash Can ranks 9th with almost 85 000 viewers on average. The new season of the great Cartoon Network Original show, The Heroic Quest of The Valiant Prince Ivandoe, takes 11th place with an average of nearly 80 000 viewers.

“Our international content continues to perform very well, alongside local African-produced content like Garbage Boy and Trash Can,” says Gonzalez. “It demonstrates the power of our kids’ brands to tell relatable stories, with recognisable characters, for African audiences.”

Garbage Boy and Trash Can, launched in July 2023, is the first Cartoon Network Africa animated original. Cartoon Network produced the show in a collaboration between Nigerian animator Ridwan Mos hood – winner of the Cartoon Network Africa Creative Lab initiative - Mike de Seve, head of US award-winning studio Baboon Animation and Nick Wilson, founder of African Animation Network (AAN).

Demographic Breadth

Cartoon Network’s viewership is driven by boys (60% of its profile)8, whilst viewership is well balanced on Cartoonito, with boys aged 4-14 only just making up the majority at 51%8.  Kids 7-11 are the core audience of Cartoon Network (54% of its profile), and since its rebranding, Cartoonito has increased its influence amongst kids aged 4-6, increasing by three points to 31%8.

Overall, Warner Bros. Discovery’s content can reach 350 000 kids on specific days, with an audience share of 21%9.

Cartoon Network and Cartoonito are committed to delivering new and innovative content that will continue to captivate their audiences and maintain their positions as the top children's channels in South Africa, with plenty more fresh, exciting programming still to come.

What To Expect On Warner Bros. Discovery Channels Across Africa In September 2023?

Discovery Channel:

• Shed & Buried

TLC:

• Flipping El Moussas

TNT:

• Myths & Legends

• Beyond The Illusion

• Celebrate Heritage

• Djimon Hounsou Fan Day

Investigation Discovery:

• People Magazine Investigation

• The Curious Case Of Natalia Grace

• Disappeared

• Disappeared: The Bradley Sisters

HGTV:

• Renovation Wild

• Why The Heck Did I Buy This House?

Travel Channel:

• Haunted Towns

Cartoon Network:

• Teen Titans GO!

• Junior

• Teen Titans GO! Vs. Teen Titans

• Lego Super Heroes: The Flash

• Barman Day

Cartoonito:

• Interstellar Ella

• CoComelon

• Beantastic

• Moley

• Rabbids Invasion: Mission To Mars

• Batman Day

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.

What To Expect On Warner Bros. Discovery Africa In August 2023?

* The following have new episodes in the coming month

Discovery Channel:

Texas Metal's Loud And Lifted: While Bill Carlton is still the reigning champion in Texas' custom truck world, some up-and-coming shops on the Northside of Houston are trying to make their name with a new generation of jaw-dropping monster machines.

This Is Mark Rober: Mark features some of his biggest, craziest and most visual experiments ever, and highlights his relationship with a young man who motivated his second world record attempt.

Naked And Afraid: Last One Standing: Follows a group of survivalists as they compete in a multiphase challenge and have their skills tested to win $100,000.

Gold Rush Mine Rescue With Freddy And Juan: Using his knowledge and experience as a weapon, gold mining expert Fred Dodge sets out to lend a helping hand to struggling miners on the verge of giving up.

TLC:

Doubling Down With Derricos: The day-to-day adventures of an energetic and loving young family with 14 children comprising quintuplets, triplets and two sets of twins.

90 Day Fiance: The Other Way: Several people from different walks of life set out on a journey across the globe to marry their soulmates. However, they must overcome a number of challenges in order to achieve success.

Real Time:

Beat Bobby Flay: Two contestants face off in a cooking competition to determine who will face Chef Bobby Flay in a contest to prepare a signature dish.

Shattered: Anchored by three different but interconnected POVs, Shattered explores how crime forever impacts the lives of its victims. 

Beach Hunter: It takes viewers to some of the most exquisite beach destinations around as buyers search for their dream homes on the sand.

Chaos In Court: Intense trials trigger dramatic and unexpected explosions of emotion and violence in the courtrooms of America. A panel of experts watch and analyse the shocking footage of when trials turn angry.

House Crashers: A team of home developers surprise unsuspecting customers by reconstructing, remodelling and redecorating their houses to give them a spectacular transformation.

Investigation Discovery:

Operation Lost Boy: When 15-year-old Martin calls the Bergen police, a worldwide investigation begins that would uncover a global paedophile network.

The Dead Files: The program features physical medium Amy Allan and former NYPD homicide detective Steve DiSchiavi, who investigate allegedly haunted locations at the request of their clients in an effort to provide proof of paranormal activity. Each partner is depicted exploring the case independently of the other, so as not to influence their portion of the investigation.

Evil Lives Here: Through personal interviews, various people share their terrifying stories of having shared a home and life with a loved one who became a killer.

American Monster: The filmmaker sheds light on the lives of America's most infamous serial killers by reconstructing their crimes and interviewing the police officers and the victims' kin.

Portals To Hell: Jack Osbourne and paranormal researcher Katrina Weidman search for ghosts.

The Murder Of Gabby Petito: A Faking It Special: Aspiring influencer Gabby Petito sets out on a cross-country road trip with her fiancé, but she soon disappears, and the ensuing mystery goes viral.

Jussie Smollett: A Faking It Special: When actor Jussie Smollett said he was attacked because of his sexuality and race, the world was outraged. Investigating the hate crime hoax as experts reveal the tell-tale signs.

The Murder Of Caroline Crouch: A Faking It Special: True crime documentary examining the shocking story of Caroline Crouch, a young British mother murdered in her home in a suburb of Athens, Greece and of the unexpected revelation of who had murdered her.

Prince Andrew, Maxwell And Andrew: Faking It Specials: Experts examine the behaviours of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and Prince Andrew. 

Food Network:

Chopped: Four chefs compete against each other in a three-round contest using random ingredients provided to them, to make delicious and presentable dishes.

The Great Food Truck Race: Seven teams of mobile chefs are put through a gruelling test where they travel to cities and sell their food items from their truck. The team that sells the most food items wins the competition.

Stab That Cake: Two teams of cake fans armed with knives are let loose in a grocery store, where they must determine what is real and what is actually a hyper-realistic cake hiding in plain sight; hosts John Henson and Jocelyn Delk Adams.

Guy's Ranch Kitchen: Guy Fieri challenges his friends in a cooking showdown to prepare some of the most healthy dishes that are packed with flavour.

HGTV:

Windy City Rehab: Interior designer Alison Victoria combines upscale design with a passion for her hometown as she buys and restores old homes in Chicago.

What The Heck Did I Buy The House?: Kim Wolfe reimagines their chaotic and cramped quarters into a home where a happy family can grow, just like the urban orchard they fell in love with.

Home In A Heartbeat With Galey Alix: Galey Alix is a Wall Street executive by day, but on the weekends, she's a DIY designer who creates dream home renovations. 

Vacation House Rules: Scott McGillivray shows homeowners how to unlock a vacation property's full rental potential.

Battle On The Beach: Mentored by experts, three teams of talented individuals compete to renovate and redesign seaside homes in order to win.

Cartoon Network:

Mr. Magoo (New Show): The adventures of Mr Magoo, a kind but accident-prone man who is always happy to help others, but who causes constant disasters due to his lack of glasses.

Garbage Boy And Trash Can: Garbage Boy, a self-proclaimed superhero, believes he has superpowers and fights for justice with his sidekick, Trash Can.

Prince Ivandoe: Ivandoe is the Prince of the forest is sent on a quest for the magical Golden Feather.

DC Superhero Girls Intergalactic Games (Movie Premiere): Supergirl, Bumblebee and Batgirl gear up for the Intergalactic Games. However, things take a turn as Lena Luthor comes up with an evil plan.

DC Superhero Girls Hero High (New Show): Follows a group of students at a boarding school for gifted kids. The teens are just trying to navigate the pressures of high school, but none of them realize they will one day become superheroes.

DC Superhero Girls Hero Of The Year: Seven female students of Super Hero High discover their superpowers and fight the evil Dark Opal, who intends to develop a lethal weapon.

Cartoonito:

Batwheels: Superpowered vehicles Bam, Bibi, Red, Jett and Buff join forces to fight crimes and protect citizens trapped in dangerous situations in Gotham City.

The Adventure Of Little Penguin: Follows the hectic and exciting adventures of Oscar, a young penguin who is setting out to explore the world.

Looney Tunes Cartoons: Cartoon shorts featuring cherished characters including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Sylvester, Tweety, Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote, Elmer Fudd, Yosemite Sam, Taz, Marvin the Martian, and Beaky Buzzard.

Women's Day: Consists of shows like Interstellar Ella, Zig & Sharko, CoComelon and Masha And The Bear.

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: 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.

Drafted Version: What To Expect On Warner Bros. Discovery Africa In July 2023?

Discovery Channel:

Expedition Unknown: An archaeologist travels across the world in search of lost artefacts and investigates unsolved mysteries like the creation of the Nazca lines.
Outback Opal Hunters: Six teams of opal miners from Australia embark on a risky mission to hunt for the most fascinating gemstone in harsh and remote landscapes.

TLC:

Me Or The Menu: Four couples put their relationship to the test as they try to overcome the difficulties of opening their first restaurant together.
Outdaughtered: American married couple Adam and Danielle, parents to a set of all-female quintuplets, share details about the joys and struggles of taking care of multiple children.
90 Day Fiance: Before The 90 Days: The series about couples who unite in America under a special U.S. visa -- tells of how the couples first became acquainted.

Discovery Family:

Street Outlaws Fastest In America: Eight of the fastest teams in the U.S. descend on Memphis to compete for the biggest street race yet, for a prize of $100,000. Handpicked by JJ Da Boss, street racing bosses from South Carolina, St. Louis, Kentucky, Mississippi, Detroit, NOLA, Texas and the Northeast, each claiming to be king of the streets, have assembled their teams in Memphis for the chance to prove their racing chops.

Real Time:

Spring Baking Championship: America's finest pastry chefs and professional bakers battle it out in a series of challenges based on springtime treats that test their culinary skills.
Still A Mystery: Reexaminations of cases in which unanswered questions still remain; includes interviews with law enforcement personnel, family members and private investigators as well as news footage and social media posts.
NASA's Unexplained Files: Various theories offer insight into the work NASA does and has been doing.
Buddy's Big Bakedown: Amateur and professional bakers from the USA create and bake different cakes and compete against each other to emerge victorious.
The Demon Files: Ralph Sarchie and his team help people under attack from demons and Satan.
Secret Space Escapes: Astronauts and scientists recall their terrifying and near-death experiences during space missions.
Lakefront Bargain Hunt: The spotlight is on water lovers who dream of weekends or summers living by the dock of the bay.

Investigation Discovery:

Homicide Hunter: The Man With No Face: 1988: In Colorado Springs, Mary Lynn Vialpando, age 24, was raped and murdered. 30 years later, detectives link the crime scene DNA to James Papol. In May 2021, now age 48, Papol pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 60 years in prison.
Aaron Hernandez: An ID Murder Mystery: Football, fame and murder. In this special, we examine the rise and fall of football star, Aaron Hernandez.
Susan Powell: An ID Murder Mystery: After 28-year-old Susan Powell disappears from her home in West Valley City, Utah, her husband, Josh, unsettles police with his odd behavior, leading them to suspect he knows what really happened to his wife and the mother of his two young sons.
Pamela Smart: An American Mystery: This three part special explores the story of Gregg Smart, whose wife Pamela Smart plotted his murder at the hands of four teenage boys in 1990.

Food Network:

Guy's Ranch Kitchen: Guy Fieri challenges his friends in a cooking showdown to prepare some of the most healthy dishes that are packed with flavour.
Supermarket Stakeout: The host invites aspiring chefs from different parts of the country to purchase ingredients from grocery shoppers and compete in a series of culinary rounds to win.

HGTV:

100 Day Dream Home: A custom home designer couple takes up assignments wherein they build a perfect house from scratch in less than 100 days.
Holmes Family Rescue: Contractor Mike Holmes teams up with his kids, Michael Holmes Jr. and Sherry Holmes, to rescue clients who have nowhere else to turn after living through botched construction jobs.
Holmes Of

Travel Channel:

The Haunted Museum: Paranormal investigator and host of Ghost Adventures Zak Bagans joins forces with filmmaker Eli Roth, the modern master of horror, to present a terrifying film anthology inspired by pieces found in Zak’s personal collection of haunted artifacts.
Kindred Spirits: Paranormal investigators, Amy Bruni and Adam Berry, help families troubled by supernatural activities in their homes and help them find peace.

Cartoon Network:

Craig Of The Creek: Following the adventures of Craig Williams and his two friends, Kelsey Pokoly and John Paul `JP' Mercer, as they explore the untamed wilderness of the Creek, which is dominated by tribes of children.
Jellystone: Yogi Bear, Cindy Bear, Huckleberry Hound, and other residents of Jellystone cross paths in fun and ridiculous ways, turning everyday activities into hilarious pandemonium.
Justice League Vs. Buzzard League: It's up to the Justice League to team up with their bizarre counterparts to stop Darkseid and save the galaxy!
Garbage Boy And Trash Can (New Show): About a boy who believes he has superpowers and fights for justice with his sidekick, Trash Can.
Justice League Gotham City Breakout: about a boy who believes he has superpowers and fights for justice with his sidekick, Trash Can.

Cartoonito:

The Adventures Of Bernie (New Show): After failing to help Zig, Bernie is lost at the bottom of the ocean. In this hostile environment, this handyman will do everything he can to get back to his island and find Zig, but his clumsy new neighbours won't make his task any easier.
Bugs Bunny Builders: Bugs Bunny and Lola Bunny manage an inept crew of builders at ACME Construction Company. Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Tweety, and others use their tools and wild vehicles to pull off some loony construction jobs.
Toads And Friends: The series celebrates the countryside and children’s simple joy of being outdoors as they follow their favorite characters on brand new humorous adventures in which they discover moral courage, respect and the value of friendship.
Silly Sundays (New Show): Everything centers around Sonia, Hugo, Mel, Mom, Dad and Granny as they create unforgettable memories together during their weekend gatherings.

Boing:

My Little Pony: Pony Life (New Show): The series explores comedic, slice of life stories that Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity and Fluttershy experience, primarily while hanging out at Sugarcube Corner.

Cartoon Network And Max EMEA Commission New CG-Animated Preschool Series Karters From MediaWan

Mediawan Kids & Family’s new 2D production house, Somewhere Animation, is teaming up with video game adaptation specialist Marla Studios to turn creature-collection game Temtem into a comedy-adventure series for kids.

The partners are developing the massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) from Spanish developer Crema into a 26 x 22-minute series for kids ages six and up. Josh Hamilton—best known for his work as a writer on Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Airbender—will write and direct the new series as showrunner.

Temtem was released in 2020 on PCs and consoles after a successful Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign. By September 2022, it had reached one million total users across all platforms, according to its Kickstarter updates.

Set in a fantastical island world, the game lets players collect and tame mystical creatures called Temtem, which can be used for battling, trading with friends and breeding to create offspring with new powers.

The game differs from other MMORPGs by putting a greater emphasis on teamwork and offering more humorous storylines, according to a release.

Based in Paris, Somewhere Animation opened its doors in April 2022 and is led by Totally Spies! producer Arthur Colignon. The studio is one of Mediawan’s eight subsidiary companies. LA’s Marla Studios specializes in adapting video games for film and TV. Though its credits include adult-skewing IPs such as Duke Nukem and Brothers in Arms, Marla’s founder—Assassin’s Creed producer Jean Julien Baronnet—also produced Netflix’s animated series adaptation of Ubisoft’s popular kids and family game Raving Rabbids.

This Temtem collaboration joins a growing number of fantasy games that are being adapted as TV series for kids and families. Other such projects currently in the works include Final Fantasy IX from Cyber Group Studios and Aurion from French prodco Chouette and African video game studio Kiro’o Games.

In other Mediawan news, the company revealed at a press conference yesterday in Annecy that Warner Bros. Discovery EMEA has signed on as a co-production and broadcast partner for sister studio Method Animation’s new CG-animated series Karters (52 x 11 minutes). Cartoonito EMEA will exclusively air the show in a first window, though a premiere date has yet to be announced. Aimed at four- to eight-year-olds, Karters tracks a group of heroic kids who race mini-cars in fantastical environments while trying to help legendary creatures known as Unipets.

Method is also adapting a picture book series called Taïtikis by PJ Masks creator Romuald Racioppo as a CG-animated preschool series (52 x 11 minutes). And the studio has joined on as a co-pro partner for action-adventure kids series Anansi from South African prodco Diprente.

Finally, Spanish prodco DeAPlaneta Entertainment has struck a deal to be the exclusive licensing and merchandising agent in most territories except China for upcoming Mediawan Kids & Family animated series Karters, The Three and Witch Detectives. DeAPlaneta will also manage digital, interactive, gaming and web3 rights for these brands. Other Mediawan properties included in this master licensing deal will be announced at later dates.

Reminder: Cartoonito USA, Latin America And Africa To Broadcast Cartoon Salon's Silly Sundays By Late 2023 To Early 2024

WarnerMedia Kids & Family has greenlit Silly Sundays from Cartoon Saloon for its new Cartoonito preschool block on HBO Max and Cartooon Network. Created by Oscar®-nominated producer Nuria González Blanco (Late Afternoon), the endearing animated series follows cousins Sonia, Hugo and Mel on fun, unexpected adventures at their family get-togethers. Silly Sundays will debut in 2023 before making its international debut in LATAM and EMEA.

The world of Silly Sundays brings us back to our family days together, when school and work are out for the week and there is nothing scheduled except spending time with family and friends. A feel-good comedy series, full of heart and deeply rooted in familial themes, everything centers around Sonia, Hugo, Mel, Mom, Dad and Granny as they create unforgettable memories together during their weekend gatherings. The stories focus on their ups, their downs and mostly their fun times as they embrace every little moment together.

From Paul Young, Cartoon Saloon co-founder and producer: “I would like to thank WarnerMedia Kids & Family for choosing to partner with us on Silly Sundays! We are so delighted to be reunited with their talented team again for this new show that is going to be very funny and sunny, just like it’s creator Nuria Blanco. I’d like to send our very special thanks to Amy Friedman, Adina Pitt and Zia Bales for all their support and for being such believers in our work.”

Adina Pitt, Vice President, Partnerships, Acquisitions and Co-Productions for the Americas, WarnerMedia Kids and Family added: “Cartoon Saloon is an esteemed studio that masterfully approaches storytelling with love and humanity, and Silly Sundays is another great example of how the beloved studio perfectly captures the essence of family bonding.”

Nuria will direct alongside Fabian Erlinghäuser (Dorg Van Dango, Wolfwalkers, The Breadwinner). The show is developed and produced with assistance from Fís Éirean/Screen Ireland and Creative Europe.

Cartoon Saloon Brand Development will handle ancillary and merchandising and once again Cartoon Saloon will partner with Superights (Puffin Rock) for sales outside the WarnerMedia regions.

The series is currently in production at Cartoon Saloon’ studio in Kilkenny, Ireland. In addition to airing on Cartoonito across U.S., LATAM and EMEA, RTE will also broadcast Silly Sundays in Ireland.

Drafted Version: What To Expect On Warner Bros. Discovery Africa In June 2023?

Discovery Channel (DStv channel 121):

Hoffman Family Gold
Gold Rush: Parker's Trail
Naked And Afraid: Alone
Salvage Hunters
Alaskan Bush People

TLC (DStv channel 135):

Generation Drag - New Show
Love In Paradise
1000lb Best Friends
Awake Surgery - New Show
The Book Of Queer - New Show
Love Of The Grid - New Show
Our2Moms - New Show

Discovery Family (DStv channel 136):

Street Outlaws: Fastest In America
Alaskan Bush People

TNT (DStv channel 137):

Dating & New York - TNT Original Movie
Monsterpieces stunt featuring Godzilla
Forever Young stunt

Real Time (DStv channel 155):

Still A Mystery
I'd Kill For You

Investigation Discovery (DStv channel 171):

Undercover Underage
Murder In The Heartland
Body Cam

Food Network (DStv channel 175):

Spring Baking Championship
Kitchen Crash
Alex Vs. America
Guy's Ultimate Game Night - New Show

HGTV (DStv channel 177):

Fix My Flip
The Nate & Jeremiah: Home Project
Rock The Block
Hometown Takeover

Travel Channel (DStv channel 179):

Conjuring Kesha - New Show
Ghosts Of Devil's Perch - New Show
Mountain Monsters

Cartoon Network (DStv channel 301):

Ninjago: Dragon's Riding - New Show
Jade Armor
Lego & DC Justice League
Lego & DC's Shazam: Magic And Monsters

Cartoonito (DStv channel 302):

Interstellar Ella - New Show
Masha And The Bear
Cheese Day stunt featuring Tom And Jerry

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.

New Series Alert: Barney's World Coming In 2024 To Cartoonito And Max

Warner Bros Discovery announced that it has picked up the new CG-animated series Barney’s World for Cartoonito on Cartoon Network and streaming on Max. The series, announced earlier this year as part of Mattel’s Barney franchise relaunch, will aptly be titled “Barney’s World” and will revamp the iconic character for modern audiences. Co-produced by Mattel Television and Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana, “Barney’s World” will debut globally in 2024.

With all the heart and comfort of the original iconic dinosaur, “Barney’s World” is modernized with dynamic characters and music-filled storylines that highlight themes of love, community, and encouragement. Set in a local playground, Barney is joined by dinos Billy and Baby Bop and their three kid best friends. Throughout silly and imaginative adventures together, Barney helps kids explore big preschool emotions and shows them how to love themselves and other.

“Barney’s World perfectly exemplifies our ‘best in animation’ approach. It strikes the right nostalgia chord for today’s parents and introduces this iconic dinosaur to a new generation of preschoolers,” said Michael Ouweleen, president, Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, Discovery Family, and Boomerang.

“Having grown up watching the original series, many of today’s parents have fond memories of laughing, singing and learning with Barney and his friends,” said Fred Soulie, senior vice president and general manager, Mattel Television. “We are proud to partner with Warner Bros Discovery to reimagine this famed brand and bring a fresh and modern version of Barney to a global audience of families.”

The show will be executive produced by Fred Soulie and Christopher Keenan for Mattel Television and by Colin Bohm, Doug Murphy and Pam Westman for Nelvana.

What To Expect On Warner Bros. Discovery's Africa Bouquet Of Channels In May 2023?

Discovery Channel (DStv 121):

* Deadliest Catch: Fishermen experience deadly dangers, uncertainty and discomfiture in the Bering Sea aboard fishing vessels during the Alaskan king crab, snow crab and bairdi crab fishing seasons.
* Salvage Hunters: Treasure hunter Drew Pritchard travels the length and breadth of the country in search of elusive gems and other magnificent objects.

TLC (DStv 135):

* 7 Little Johnsons: The Johnstons are an average of seven American families pursuing the American dream. Papa Trent and Mama Amber have five children under the age of 16, all with achondroplasia dwarfism.
* Dr. Pimple Popper: Sandra Siew Pin Lee Rebish, also known as Dr. Pimple Popper, is an American dermatologist and YouTuber based in Upland, California. She is known for her online videos and her TV series Dr. Pimple Popper.
* Introducing Selma Blair: A deeply intimate and raw portrait of Selma Blair after she is diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and tries to slow the progression of her disease.
* You, Me And My Ex: Matt's ex moves in, upsetting his current girlfriend. Alex's ex wants to be godfather to Alex and Caroline's baby. De'Andre plans a trip with his ex, Rowan.
* Seeking Brother Husband: Documenting the ups, downs and everything in between as polyandrous relationships navigate boundaries and life-changing decisions while working to add additional husbands to their families.

Discovery Family (DStv 136):

* Street Racing Fastest In America: Eight of the fastest teams in America fight for a winner-takes-all purse of $100,000 – the highest payout in street racing history.

Real Time (DStv 155):

* The Great Food Truck Race: Seven teams of mobile chefs are put through a gruelling test where they travel to cities and sell their food items from their truck. The team that sells the most food items wins the competition.

Investigation Discovery (DStv 171):

* Uprooted: Follows Sherri, as she tries to find the truth behind the unsolved death of his brother Keith Warren in 1986.
* The Real Death In Paradise: British residents love to escape Britain's miserable weather for sunny skies and sandy beaches. However, occasionally these trips to paradise turn into a murderous bloody nightmare.
* The Tetris Murders: A look at the unsolved murders of Vladimir Pokhilko, who was involved in the development of the puzzle-based video game Tetris, and his wife and their young son in their Palo Alto, California home on September 22, 1998.

Food Network (DStv 175):

* Outchef'd: Confident home cooks who think they are arriving for an audition get the surprise of their lives when they find out they're actually about to begin a head-to-head competition against a world-class chef.
* Grudge Match: Tournament of Champions sideline commentators Chef Justin Warner and Chef Simon Majumdar are going head-to-head in this second grudge match.
* Pioneer Woman: Ree Drummond prepares delicious down-home dishes that can be cooked by beginners and shares shortcut tips for saving time while cooking.
* Restaurant Impossible: Chef Robert Irvine sets out to salvage restaurants on the verge of shutting down with just USD 10,000 and two days to help the owners get back into business.
* Girl Meets Farm: Food blogger Molly Yeh shares her love for cooking by preparing a variety of delicious dishes. Simultaneously, she shares insights into her life in the countryside.
* Beat Bobby Flay: A talented chef hosts a cooking showdown wherein culinary experts battle it out to win the ultimate culinary duel. The winner gets a chance to compete with Bobby Flay.

HGTV (DStv 177):

* Build It Forward: Improvements With Impact. This five-part series introduces HGTV viewers to individuals across the US — five local heroes who were part of special projects in their communities — and who were selected for a surprise home renovation of their dreams.
* Houses With History: A trio of Massachusetts natives comb Plymouth County and the surrounding wooded areas south of Boston to transform 18th and 19th-century homes into brand new ones, all while preserving their history.
* Home Town: Ben and Erin Napier work with each other to change old homes into dream homes.
* Extreme RVs: Extreme RVs features rolling mansions with incredible amenities and designs that put most homes to shame.
* The Flipping El Moussas: Follows couple Tarek El Moussa and Heather Rae El Moussa during their personal and professional journey of newlyweds and real estate experts.
* Married To Real Estate: Real estate broker and designer Egypt Sherrod, alongside her husband, builder Mike Jackson, juggle their busy professional and personal lives while helping clients land their perfect home in a dream neighbourhood.
* Rico To The Rescue: Rico León steps in to help Denver homeowners salvage renovations that have gone off the rails; driven by his parents' past experience with a crooked contractor, Rico advocates for families who need an expert to fix their stressful situations.

Travel Channel (DStv 179):

* Beyond The Unknown: Take strange occurrences, weird events, and unexplained happenings and put them all together. That is what you get with Beyond the Unknown. Each episode shows you something different.
* Ghost Brothers Lights Out: Three brothers with different personalities visit various haunted locations across the United States to debunk supernatural lore and phenomena.
* Kindred Spirits: Paranormal investigators, Amy Bruni and Adam Berry, help families troubled by supernatural activities in their homes and help them find peace.

Cartoon Network (DStv 301):

* Ivandoe (New Show): The series follows the adventures of Ivandoe, the young prince of the forest whose father, The Mighty Stag, sends him on a quest for the magical Golden Feather of the fearsome Eagle King.
* Teen Titans GO!: The superheroes Robin, Cyborg, Starfire, Raven and Beast Boy love saving the world. But after they decide to stop fighting crime, things do not go as planned.
* Ben Gen 10: When Ben meets a young Generator Rex on the run from a hostile Providence, he must work through a series of misunderstandings, and defeat the dark wizard Hex in order to save the world.
* Ben 10 AlienXtinction: After the Tennysons are attacked by a villainous, dimension-hopping Omni-alien known only as Alien X, they meet a parallel universe version of Max, who opens the door to hosting multiple Bens and Gwens, forming an army to combat this threat.

Cartoonito (DStv 302):

* Toads And Friends (New Show): The story of two friends, a frog and a toad, based on the popular children's books by Arnold Lobel.
* Looney Tunes Cartoons: Cartoon shorts featuring cherished characters including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Sylvester, Tweety, Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote, Elmer Fudd, Yosemite Sam, Taz, Marvin the Martian, and Beaky Buzzard.
* The Adventures Of Little Penguin: Follows the hectic and exciting adventures of Oscar, a young penguin who is setting out to explore the world.
* Sing With Cartoonito: learn about rhyming and numbers with CoComelon, Dino Ranch, Masha And The Bear and Thomas And Friends.

Could Cartoonito Channel Rollout In The United States Before 2025 Perhaps As A Replacement To Discovery Family?

In 2022, WarnerMedia and Discovery Inc. formalised their formation into Warner Bros. Discovery which led to a lot of outrage from consumers following the cutback of staff and content and 2023 is where they look to start a new chapter.

We have shows like Tiny Toons Looniversity and Gremlins: The Secret Of Mowgai on Cartoon Network with My Adventures With Superman and Unicorn Warriors Eternal on Adult Swim all of which will be available to the revamped Max streaming service.

With questions surrounding the future of Cartoonito USA after garnering popularity internationally and on HBO Max. It was reported that some of Warner Bros. content such as Baby Looney Tunes and Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries would be made available to Discovery Family.

Although, this doesn't mean much at this point there's a lot of speculation amongst consumers that Discovery Family would unfold on Cartoonito as Hasbro is looking to sell their stake on the channel with the latter expected to continue until March 2025.

Now the idea of Cartoonito replacing Discovery Family doesn't seem like a completely bad idea as seen with Boomerang in the affected region as the content kind of aligns itself to the current demographic being preschoolers or as seen in the EMEA region, family.

Following this merger, I presume Discovery would want to work on factual and lifestyle oriented programming which is what Discovery Family lacks in the United States leaving the door open for a potential takeover for Cartoonito as Warner handles the kids offering.