Blog Post 2: An intersting presentation from the creation of Cartoon Network
Sometime last year while browsing through a cartoon forum I found a link to this video. Apparently someone has managed to get ahold of a presentation reel from 1991 made to convince cable providers as to why they should add cartoon network to their list of available channels. Since the presentation provides a good look into the state of the television animation industry at the time I thought it would be a relevant to this course to do a blog post on it.
One aspect I noticed about this presentation was exactly how many old cartoons Ted Turner had managed to aquire the rights to. With the rights to the theatrical shorts of Warner Brothers, MGM and Paramount; Turner managed to gain a significant portion of the more popular cartoons of that era Popeye, Tom and Jerry and Looney Toons. The aquisition of Hanna Barbera studios also gave Turner a large portion of made for televsion cartoons of the past as well. Considering the large percentage of old cartoons Mr. Turner managed to aquire it makes quite a bit of sense that he would want to put this library to good use by making an all cartoon television network.
Another aspect of the presentation I found to be of interest was how it emphasized cartoons were not just for children but adults as well. The figures showing who watches cartoons (if to be believed) was quite interesting with it’s statement that 44% of the people watching cartoons are adults. I believe such demographics is a large influence on how many television cartoons of the 90′s were a little more adult oriented than those of the past. Many childrens cartoons in the 90′s seemed to contain jokes that would fly right over children’s heads and if the 44% statistic is to be believed one can see one of the reasons for such a change.
I personally found this video to be a very interesting look into how television networks viewed animation in the early 90′s. In particular I could easily find a connection between the attitudes expressed in this video and the direction television animation would take throughout the rest of the decade. (thesis)
This week I commented on David G. Ginnison and Chuck K. Soo-Hoo’s Blog posts.
First of all, I have to say that I’m really glad you brought up a topic I don’t know all that much about. Like you, I was also very surprised to find out that Ted Turner acquired ownership to all those big corp. such as MGM, Warner Bros, and Hanna Barbera. I mean, you are totally right, with all those cartoons it only made sense to have a whole network dedicated to them! In fact, this 1991 reel production presented a pretty sincere and direct research which made sense in some sort of economically-driven way – time slots 8 -10 pm are most popular among children 2 to 11 years old; Cartoon Network ratings are higher than Nickelodeon’s; and a 45% of the adult population are now watching cartoons (can you imagine what would the percentage be 19 years later? Way higher than 45%, I’m sure! So, the cable companies understood the demand and liked the idea of an animation channel playing cartoons 24/7 thus, CARTOON NETWORK was created the very next year. Cartoon Network was great up until its “Cartoon Cartoon” series of late 1990s, which I enjoyed a lot. Everything after that (excluding “Adult Swim”) became just too superficial, as newer cartoons grew out of touch with our “good old” bunny – and even though I enjoy some of Adult Swim’s shows, I feel that due to the increasing adult audience who demand more techie and politically involved cartoons, Cartoon Network has changed tremendously over the last 2 decades, airing alienated cartoons that people back in 1992 would have a hard time understanding.
I must admit, I didn’t now Ted Turner had ownership of corporation, like MGM and Warner Bro. I think the reason behind the creation of Cartoon Network was to give people (especially adults) back the cartoons they fell in love with as a child, Scooby Doo, Bugs Bunny and Tom and Jerry. Over the years, Cartoon Network, has changed–but I think it has now a more diversity to it. I have noticed, in the mornings–the channel airs shows for little childern, then in the afternoon its for older kids and then at night the channel airs programs that are more adult oriented. This I believe is to please all types of ages and not just one group.
I enjoy reading about cartoon history, and had not seen this presentation, so thanks.
Actually Turner bought the MGM/UA assets (studios, feature films and cartoon assets) in 1988. It put him in serious debt so he sold the lots to Lorimar. The pre-1950 Warners library was already owned by UA television. Turner used the feature films to launch TNT in 1988, the cartoons to launch Cartoon network in 1992 and then when there had been time to organize and do restorations, Turner Classic Movies in 1994.
(I worked on restorations, with Turner as one of our clients, for 14 years. I write an arts and philosophy blog.)
This video reminded me of an important aspect of cartoons frequently overlook: their ability to grow in importance through nostalgia. Something we watch as children could just be okay, but as time goes on, the memory of that cartoon can grow fonder and fonder. Days ago some friends and I watched “We’re Back! A Dinosaur’s Story” and although it may not be the greatest movie, it was fun to re-watch a favorite from youth. Cartoon Network clearly has always had a good sense for how their older audience operates – they love to watch old cartoons they watched as kids, as well as new, edgier cartoons to stay “young at heart.” (p.s. – great find!)