More Laughs, More Adventures And More Friends: First Official Poster And Launch Promo For Boomerang's Transition To Cartoonito Reveals Shows Expected For The New Channel

During the week, Warner Bros. Discovery held a virtual presentation for Cartoonito Channel. A new preschool destination set to combine the Boomerang DNA and make it something bigger to an array of fans with shows like Bugs Bunny Builders and Batwheels.

Amidst that worried DStv customers opted to cancel their subscription if children lose the Mr. Bean channel but through recent developments (as pictured above) it doesn't seem like anyone will be losing much for the time being when Boomerang goes dark.

Cartoonito is set to supply a lineup of programming from Boomerang but overtime that might as well change but that doesn't mean the content won't be fun to watch. I mean TNT was more TCM before anyone noticed the impact of the brand name.

It doesn't mean the same outcome won't just fall onto Cartoonito. The block was watchable compared to most preschool channels with shows like LazyTown, Banana In Pyjamas, Krypto The Superdog, Gerald McBoing Boing, Baby Looney Tunes and Ha Ha Hairies.

Important Notes

Boomerang's FINAL OFFERING:

New Looney Tunes
Zig & Sharko
Masha And The Bear
Mr. Bean: The Animated Series
Tom And Jerry Tales
Grizzy And The Lemmings
Looney Tunes Cartoons
Pat The Dog
Legend Of Spark
The Adventures Of Little Penguin
Mr. Magoo
The Tom And Jerry Show
Mighty Mike
Be Cool, Scooby-Doo!
Moka's Fabulous Adventures

Insidus Games:
- Transformers
- Pink Panther: Pinkadelic Pursuit
- Looney Tunes
- The Powerpuff Girls: Mojo Jojo A-Go-Go!

Cartoonito's current offering:

Thomas And Friends: All Engines Go!
CoComelon
Moley
Lucas The Spider
Kingdom Force (formerly on Boomerang)
Dino Ranch (formerly on Boomerang)
Grizzy And The Lemmings (as of February 2023)
Masha And The Bear (as of February 2023)

Content seen on the poster also expected for Cartoonito:

Interstellar Ella (upcoming)
Batwheels (upcoming)
Bugs Bunny Builders (upcoming)
Mr. Bean: The Animated Series
Tom And Jerry
Masha And The Bear
Grizzy And The Lemmings

Programs seen in the promo that are expected for Cartoonito:

Other shows expected for Cartoonito as seen in other countries and form part of Boomerang and also in the launch promo:

Batwheels (upcoming)
Bugs Bunny Builders (upcoming)
Mr. Bean: The Animated Series
Tom And Jerry
Masha And The Bear
Grizzy And The Lemmings
Zig & Sharko

Regular Nick:
- Boomerang to go dark on the DStv platform next month
- March on Cartoonito
- Lego Monkie Kid returns this April on Cartoon Network
- Cartoonito to get a dedicated channel in France
- Da Vinci Kids plans co-viewing future

Programs not seen on the promo despite the "all your friends will be on Cartoonito but will be seen":

Looney Tunes Cartoons
New Looney Tunes
Mr. Magoo
Pat The Dog
Moka's Fabulous Adventures
Be Cool, Scooby-Doo!

Some of you may be curious as to why a show like Mr. Bean is doing on Cartoonito. Warner Bros. Discovery is more entertaining than educational not really a bad thing in my books I mean there's finally something preschool I can actually watch for once lol.

Regular Nick Updates: Wonder Pets Revival Might Be In Development, Looney Tunes: Rabbits Run Set To Make Its Reentry On Cartoonito Africa And Peacock Kids Orders Two New Animated Series

Nickelodeon might be reviving more older properties

According to a recent United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) trademark filing made by Paramount Global, the parent company of the Nickelodeon brand, has applied to register Wonder Pets: In The City with the USPTO under several NICE classes, including NICE class "41 - Education, entertainment, sporting and cultural services", which is for Goods & Services pertaining to "entertainment services in the nature of continuing program series, featuring live action, comedy and drama provided through cable television, broadcast television, internet, video-on-demand, and through other forms of transmission media; providing online information in the field of entertainment concerning television programs".

Paramount has also applied to register the title under NICE classes 28 for "Games; toys; sports equipment" and 25 for "Clothing; footwear; headgear".

At the moment, not much information is available about Wonder Pets: In The City, however, Nickelodeon is in the midst of reviving iconic preschool properties, including last year's Face's Music Party and two upcoming Dora the Explorer projects for Paramount+.

Wonder Pets! chronicles the adventures of Linny the Guinea Pig, Ming-Ming Duckling, and Turtle Tuck, three classroom pets who in every episode are called upon to save an animal in trouble. Together the Wonder Pets travel in their “Flyboat” to a new location where they use teamwork to help the animal that needs saving.

Insidus Games:
- Transformers
- Pink Panther: Pinkadelic Pursuit
- Looney Tunes
- The Powerpuff Girls: Mojo Jojo A-Go-Go!

More Boomerang coming soon to Cartoonito

During the week, it was reported Warner Bros. Discovery is planning to launch the Cartoonito Channel across Europe combing the Boomerang DNA and turning it into a full fledged preschool and family destination offering creative, fun and entertaining content.

Some of the upcoming content lined up for Cartoonito in the coming month include the epic HBO Max's star attraction Batwheels from DC Comics alongside Bugs Bunny Builders which serves as the second preschool series behind Baby Looney Tunes.

As for Boomerang Movie Stars, that's dead or at least by name with the channel adapting to Cartoonito expect a revised movie block as seen next month we'll be treated to the premiere of Rabbids Invasion: Mission To Mars followed by a rebroadcast of Looney Tunes: On The Run.

Lola Bunny invents a perfume that also turns the person wearing it invisible. But soon, she finds herself on the run with Bugs, a cab driver, from FBI agents and a gang who are seeking her formula.

Regular Nick:
- Boomerang to go dark on the DStv platform next month
- March on Cartoonito
- Disney Junior and Disney+ to debut new Star Wars series in May
- Lego Monkie Kid returns this April on Cartoon Network
- Da Vinci Kids plans co-viewing future

The streamer has greenlit shows from M2 Animation and Yowza! Animation, as well as renewing M2's Team Mekbots for a second season

Peacock is commissioning two new animated series and renewing a third, continuing its commitment to originals that give its content offering for kids a unique feel.

The US streamer has ordered CG-animated series Tea Town Teddy Bears (26 x 11 minutes) from Thailand’s M2 Animation. Rob Hudnut, Mads Munk and Torsten Jakobsen are executive producers on this series for kids ages four to seven about three teddy bears who love throwing tea parties, playing games and singing with their friends.

Also newly greenlit is Superbuns from Toronto-based Yowza! Animation. This punchy new 2D-animated series based on Diane Kredensor’s same-name kids book is about a bunny whose superpower is unlimited kindness. Kredensor and Heather Walker will serve as executive producers on the 39 x seven-minute project, which is aimed at two- to five-year-olds.

And primed for a second season (39 x seven minutes) on the SVOD platform is M2 Animation’s Team Mekbots, about four kids who save the world by becoming robotic animals.

Video Entertainment:
- Rumour: SuperSport Schools to get a dedicated channel on the DStv platform
- Disney Junior and Disney+ to debut new Star Wars series in May
- Paramount+ set to merge with Showtime
- eVOD has yet to offer linear channels as promised in 2021

MultiChoice Updates: Canal+ Owns A Quarter Of The Pay-TV Platform, Power TV Extends Its Reach To More DStv Customers In Africa And Amidst Potential Channel Closures, MultiChoice Announces Price Increases For The Following Packages

Canal+ continues its supremacy in the African market

Canal+ Group has passed the 30% ownership threshold in the African pay-TV platform MultiChoice Group.

In a statement issued Friday, the Vivendi unit said it now held 30.27% of the capital of MultiChoice Group.

“This threshold crossing testifies to the confidence of the Canal+ Group and its shareholder Vivendi in the prospects of MultiChoice and the African continent, to which they are very attached,” Canal said in a statement.

MultiChoice operates in 50 countries in English-speaking and Portuguese-speaking Africa. As of September 2022 it had 22.1 million subscribers.

Zambia is getting more love in these regions

POWER TV, Zambia’s leading music, lifestyle and entertainment channel, has expanded its footprint in Southern Africa, a step that will bring its thrilling local content offering to audiences across the Southern African region.

The expansion means subscribers will now access Power TV in Zimbabwe, Namibia, Malawi and Botswana exclusively on DStv and GOtv platforms.

Speaking when she officiated at the launch to announce the expansion in Lusaka, Chushi Kasanda, Minister of Information and Media said: “the government is proud to see local channels such as Power TV, taking a step further using its exciting local content to not only market Zambia’s skills but also promoting tourism opportunities in the country”.

Powerhouse Media Group Executive President, Mr Kenny Tonga said: “We are excited about this milestone. We decided to go for an exclusive partnership because this will greatly benefit us by increasing our viewership and our reach not only in Zambia but Southern African region”.

DStv Flex:
- March on VIA
- One Gospel to host an Easter special
- Big Cat Sunday this February on National Geographic Wild
- CBS Reality acquired rights to Killer's Caught On Camera

Here's how much each DStv customer will be paying from April 2023

MultiChoice is once again increasing the subscription fees of South African DStv subscribers from 1 April - although by a smaller percentage than in previous years, dropping the price of its ADD Movies bolt-on package and keeping the price of its streaming-only services unchanged.

MultiChoice, in a statement, says that "the average 4.3% adjustment across all of DStv's offerings is far lower that the projected consumer price index (inflation) for 2023".

These nominal adjustments help DStv to ensure that South Africans continue to enjoy the best value, and unrivalled access to entertainment, anywhere, anytime, and at the most affordable price.

Prices from April 2023

DStv Premium - R839p/m to R879p/m (+4,47%)
DStv Compact+ - R549p/m to R579p/m (+5,46%)
DStv Compact - R429p/m to R449p/m (+4,46)
DStv Family - R309p/m to R319p/m (+3,24%)
DStv Access - R120p/m to R129p/m (+7,5%)
DStv Easyview - R29p/m (unchanged)
Access Fee - R110 to R115 (+4,5%)
ADDMOVIES - R99p/m to R79p/m (-20%)
Box Office - R40 (unchanged)

DStv:
- CBS Reality is the only brand to retain its identity in the UK from Paramount and AMC International
- Warner Bros. Discovery hinting at a possible rebrand to Boomerang as more preschool content fills the lineup
- MultiChoice shares crytpic message about eMedia's 4 channels
- BBC to close linear channels and move to an internet only digital future

More channel changes or closures coming soon

As seen last year, MultiChoice made an attempt to eliminate eMedia's 4 channels including eExtra, eToonz, eMovies and eMovies Extra from the DStv platform alongside eAfrica from the rest of the African continent as they failed to fit their 5 year content strategy with additions like Movie Room and DreamWorks.

With the latter in South Africa available on the DStv platform for 6 months or what was last heard some update regarding the future should have been announced by now but will likely be revealed before the end of the current financial year or within the next.

All in all, these channels aren't safe one is assuming since the channels haven't gone off air. The most likely reason could be they're renegotiating nothing is certain for now.

In other developments, Boomerang will be phased out by the end of March for a new preschool channel, Cartoonito and Supersport might be growing the number of linear channels with the launch of South Africa's first sports channel for children, SuperSport Schools.

My other guesses could also be TNT.

Recap To The Past Two Years: Warner Bros. Discovery Wants To Add As Much Variety On Cartoon Network As Possible

In 2021, it was reported by sources close to the channel that Warner Bros. Discovery was planning to build the family, girls and preschool offering on Cartoon Network as part of a short lived yet memorable and idealistic concept known as Redraw Your World.

It included a ton of live-action shows such as Tweety Mysteries and Family Mashup and more animation such as Jade Armor, Gremlins: Secret Of Mowgai, Aquaman: King Of Atlantis and Bugs Bunny Builders.

Last year, Warner Bros. Discovery in amidst the merger had cut back on several productions including the live-action kids and family slate leaving HBO and Discovery to handle those aspects thus bringing an end to what was known as Redraw Your World.

As far as plans from 2021 are concerned that is still in the pipeline, their preschool offering Cartoonito has been very popular amongst consumers with the likes of Lucas The Spider, Moley, CoComelon, Kingdom Force and Thomas And Friends: All Engines Go.

Insidus Games:
- Transformers
- Pink Panther: Pinkadelic Pursuit
- Looney Tunes
- The Powerpuff Girls: Mojo Jojo A-Go-Go!

Batwheels, an upcoming show for Cartoonito that debuted on HBO Max became Cartoon Network’s number one original preschool series with boys ages 2-5 and is the #1 original preschool show on the streaming service.

Now the show alongside Bugs Bunny Builders will be phasing out several Boomerang channels across Europe in the coming months as these shows serve as original offerings for the ever growing Cartoonito while the latter has no programming left.

It's also Warner Bros 100th anniversary so let's acknowledge that with a dedicated Cartoonito Channel and more surprises in store for the main channel, Cartoon Network.

Regular Nick:
- Boomerang to go dark on the DStv platform next month
- March on Cartoonito
- Lego Monkie Kid returns this April on Cartoon Network
- Cartoonito to get a dedicated channel in France
- Da Vinci Kids plans co-viewing future

Cartoon Network has been a boy skewed channel in several regions for almost a decade. Now Warner Bros. Discovery is looking to expand with family and girl based programming such as Totally Spies!, Goat Girl, Tiny Toons Looniversity and Gremlins: Secrets Of Mowgai.

As for whether Cartoon Network will stop being a Teen Titans GO! channel that has yet to be seen but with Boomerang's demise around the corner hopefully this means a reduction in the reckless crime fighters if it means selected shows head onto the channel.

Cartoon Network Or Boing??? Puffy Amiyumi Might Be Making A Comeback Thanks To Cartoonito Africa And DStv

During the week, it was reported Boomerang would go dark by end of March for Cartoonito. A fully fledged preschool destination offering fun, creative and engaging content for viewers and their families while as incorporating the Boomerang DNA.

Bringing the end to what was once known as the TCM of children's entertainment offering older programming formerly seen on Cartoon Network such as Time Squad, Looney Tunes, Wacky Races, Tiny Toons Adventures, The Jetsons, Yogi Bear and Scooby-Doo!, Where Are You?.

This format happens to be seen in some parts of Africa and the world through Boing. A channel also owned by Warner Bros. Discovery and has been branded as another Nicktoons for its existing or former Cartoon Network and Boomerang programming.

Insidus Games:
- Transformers
- Pink Panther: Pinkadelic Pursuit
- Looney Tunes
- The Powerpuff Girls: Mojo Jojo A-Go-Go!

To be frank, it's more productive than the actual Nicktoons by Paramount Global. I know most of them it's rebroadcasts but this is the best place to continue watching shows the two brands ditch over the years including The Jungle Bunch, Oswaldo and Angelo Rules.

In a recent development, sources close to Warner Bros. Discovery has been unveiling several attractions for their brands particularly those residing with MultiChoice and one thing that caught my eye was Hi Hi Puffy Amiyumi.

Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi follows the adventures of two pop stars and best friends: Yumi Yoshimura, a cynical, sarcastic, and grumpy tomboy and Ami Onuki, a peppy, optimistic, and cheerful girly girl. Both are based on the real Japanese pop duo Puffy AmiYumi, but with different appearances and exaggerated personalities.

They travel around the world on their customized tour bus along with their well-intentioned yet greedy manager Kaz Harada. From rocking out at a concert to hanging out in their hometown of Tokyo, the duo take the world by storm with their musical talent, trend-setting style, and humor, dishing out lessons in J-pop justice and establishing the international language of "cool" along the way.

Regular Nick:
- Boomerang to go dark on the DStv platform next month
- March on Cartoonito
- Lego Monkie Kid returns this April on Cartoon Network
- Cartoonito to get a dedicated channel in France
- Da Vinci Kids plans co-viewing future

This show was seen last on Cartoon Network in the early 2000s and since then no reruns have been available. From what I last saw, Boing was airing that show and again the channel is not accessible on any of MultiChoice's platforms which brings the question.

What is Puffy AmiYumi doing with Cartoonito?
Sources that unveiled several attractions for the preschool brand opted to place this series under Cartoonito but what caught my eye was that every other show like Batwheels and Bugs Bunny Builders all had Cartoonito's logos imprinted but not Puffy.

At first, I thought maybe Cartoon Network is planning to rebroadcast the show as they plan to add variety to their lineup with Totally Spies! and Tiny Toons Looniversity but the file other than tags had a nsme NL Boing which brings yet another question.

Could Boing be making way to the DStv platform soon?

MultiChoice already provides their most popular brands TNT, Cartoon Network and Boomerang (soon to be Cartoonito). The idea of them expanding the lineup of channels doesn't seem like a far fetched idea at this point.

Boomerang will be going dark soon and Cartoonito has a lot of Boomerang in its lineup but no one can be certain at this point in future if that's what we'll be seeing from the brand overtime henceforth it's replacement, Boing.

On top of that, aren't consumers on the Easyview package scheduled to lose eToonz in the coming months. Boing would make a fine replacement not sure if MultiChoice would want other customers to view it on the platform after seeing BBC UKTV and Moja 9.9.

But there's always chances this could be a program intended to rebroadcast on Cartoon Network I mean wasn't WBD at some point about togetherness and girl power. At the same, there's chances this could have been just an error on their side.