Cartoon Network (Japanese: カートゥーン ネットワーク, Hepburn: Kātūn Nettowāku) is a Japanese cable and satellite television channel operated by Discovery Japan, a division of the Warner Bros. Discovery Asia-Pacific subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. The channel is aimed at all ages, and mostly airs animated television series. As a Japanese version of the eponymous television channel in the United States. Cartoon Network broadcasts original series from its U.S. counterpart, as well as several Japanese animated series and films, and other non-Japanese programs.

History

Turner Broadcasting System and its Japanese partner Itochu announced in June 1997 that they would launch a Japanese version of Cartoon Network on September 1st of that same year. The channel was going to be the first country-specific feed in Asia-Pacific and was set to hire local management and staff.[2] It was also seen as a measure to counter Tokuma Shoten's investment in DirecTV Japan, as the channel was not carried on the platform.[3]

By 2001, it had claimed more than two million subscribers.[4]

In 2006, Cartoon Network Japan by means of its parent company Japan Entertainment Network had plans to develop television series specifically for the US market.[5]

On October 1, 2011, Cartoon Network in Japan, along with other versions of Cartoon Network operated by Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific, adopted its current branding. On April 1, 2017, the channel started using graphics from Cartoon Network USA's Dimensional brand package. On January 1, 2022, the channel started using graphics from Cartoon Network USA's Redraw Your World brand package. On March 1, 2022, the Cartoonito block was launched for daily mornings.[6][7]

Discovery Japan closed the channel's standalone website on September 10, 2024.[8] On September 19, 2024, it was announced that U-Next would include the CN catalog as part of its HBO Max deal from September 25.[9]

References

  1. ↑ "企業情報 | Discovery Japan ディスカバリージャパン/ディスカバリーチャンネル". Discovery Japan. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  2. ↑ "TBS, TW, Itochu bring Cartoon Net to Japan". Variety. 12 June 1997. Archived from the original on 11 July 2024. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  3. ↑ DirecTV Japan, Tokuma Shoten Form Alliance. (1997, Jun 12). Asian Wall Street Journal
  4. ↑ "Territory Report: Japan". Variety. 30 September 2001. Archived from the original on 11 July 2024. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  5. ↑ "Tooning Japanese". Variety. 18 June 2006. Archived from the original on 11 July 2024. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  6. ↑ "カートゥニート | 番組詳細 | カートゥーン ネットワーク - 海外アニメと無料ゲームや動画なら Cartoon Network".
  7. ↑ "Preschool Brand 'Cartoonito' Launches on Cartoon Network in Asia". Google Docs. Retrieved 2022-03-28.
  8. ↑ "「カートゥーン ネットワーク」ホームページ変更のご案内" (PDF). Discovery Japan Co., Ltd./Cartoon Network. 27 August 2024. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 August 2024. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  9. ↑ "全世界1億人超の会員を有するワーナー・ブラザース・ディスカバリー。主力の動画サービス「Max」が日本上陸、U-NEXT内に登場。日本コンテンツの海外配信においても協業し、U-NEXTから日本IPを世界に発信". U-NEXT. U-NEXT Co., Ltd. September 19, 2024. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cartoon_Network_(Japanese_TV_channel)