Global kids brand Cartoon Network has announced a well-plotted slate of content for the 2017-18 upfront season designed to offer fans something new every day across a variety of platforms. With a bent for delivering even better content experiences that drive engagement across all screens, CN’s lineup includes six new series and seven returning hits, as well as 20-plus mobile and console games.
Further, the brand’s Emmy-winning flagship app will get an expansion to Chromecast later this year, and add at least nine new games to its slate, plus two integrated game consoles.
Cartoon Network is currently the No. 1 VOD choice across all of TV and is home to five out of the top 10 animated series for kids. The Turner brand has also amassed a robust digital/mobile portfolio with 44 apps racking up nearly 150 million downloads worldwide. Its roster of more than 400 free-to-play online games with the Game Creator franchise has generated more than 2 billion global game plays to-date.
“As kids’ viewing habits have evolved, Cartoon Network has always been there with them,” said Christina Miller, President, Cartoon Network-Adult Swim-Boomerang. “From their first experience with a kids’ network website and video app; to their first series VR game; and most recently, their first app to use ACR, we are keeping our sole focus on them as they inspire us to reimagine television.”
Cartoon Network TV & Games 2017-18:
NEW SERIES
Apple & Onion – Being new and naïve to the ways of the “big city of sophisticated food” doesn’t stop the wide-eyed enthusiasm of the lovable buddies Apple and Onion who are destined to find their way and make lots of friends on their incredible adventure of life. The friendship comedy is created by George Gendi (The Amazing World of Gumball).
Craig of the Creek – At the Creek, the rules of the outside world don’t apply in this kid utopia of untamed wilderness where Craig and his two best friends have ventured and tribes of children reign over tree forts and dirt bike ramps. The adventure series is created by Matt Burnett and Ben Levin, formerly from Steven Universe.
Summer Camp Island – Having completed a momentous and critically acclaimed run at this year’s most notable festivals, including the Sundance Film Festival and SXSW, this wildly imaginative animated series, based on the original Cartoon Network short, will continue unfolding the mysteries that Oscar and his best friend Hedgehog encounter at a magical summer camp. The series hails from creator Julia Pott (Adventure Time). More info.
OK K.O.! Let’s Be Heroes – Cartoon Network powers up a world of original heroes across the TV and gaming landscape together with the greenlight of this action-packed comedy followed by the console and PC game jointly developed with indie video game studio Capybara games. The knockout series is inspired by creator Ian Jones-Quartey’s childhood and follows the heroic feats of K.O., an endlessly optimistic boy attempting to level up to be the best he can be in a dynamic universe of heroes, friends and challenging foes. More info.
Ben 10 – The newest show coming out of the highly successful franchise has launched multiple animated series, and numerous animated and live-action movies. Playmates Toys serves as the worldwide master toy partner for the new Ben 10 with a full line of toys based on the show that will include a range of figures, playsets, and role-play items set to launch at retail globally this fall. The wild adventures begin debuting Monday, April 10 and will introduce fun loving, 10-year-old, Ben Tennyson, his cousin Gwen, and Grandpa Max, as they traverse the country during summer vacation. Once Ben finds the Omnitrix, a mysterious watch that transforms him into 10 different heroic aliens, a world of extraterrestrial superpowers opens to him, which kids of all ages will admire. Ben 10 is created by and executive produced by Man of Action Entertainment. More info & clip.
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs – The mouth-watering animated comedy series premiered earlier this month and is based on Sony Pictures Animation’s highly successful 2009 global feature Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and its sequel. The TV series is produced in association with DHX Media, Sony Pictures Animation and Corus Entertainment. More info.
RETURNING SERIES
We Bare Bears – The BAFTA-winning stacks up a third season in which Grizzly (Eric Edelstein), Panda (Bobby Moynihan) and Ice Bear (Demetri Martin) meet up with friends and frenemies voiced by Patton Oswalt, Charlyne Yi, Jason Lee, Ellie Kemper and Cameron Esposito. Festive holiday specials and new guest appearances by comedian Ron Funches and voice actor John DiMaggio round out the season. Created by Daniel Chong.
The Powerpuff Girls – The Emmy-nominated series kicks off a second season featuring all-new characters and specials. The reimagined series is executive produced by Nick Jennings and co-executive produced by Bob Boyle, and will continue to further Cartoon Network’s commitment to STEAM education with two more themed episodes this season. The hit Powerpuff Yourself avatar maker, which reached over 12 million fans at launch, has also been updated. The original series was created by Craig McCracken.
Mighty Magiswords – The recently ordered second season will expand on Prohyas and Vambre’s epic adventures on hilarious quests in pursuit of the latest and greatest Magiswords to add to their collections. Mighty Magiswords is comprised of more than 500 pieces of original content including interactive shorts, narrative vlogs and a multitude of immersive digital games and apps. Created by Kyle A. Carrozza.
Adventure Time – The Emmy- and Peabody-winning show is back with an eight-part miniseries later this year. Fans will be just as surprised as Finn to discover what happened to the kingdoms of Ooo while he was away at sea. This next miniseries comes fresh off the heels of Adventure Time: Islands, which reached almost four million people. Created by Pendleton Ward and executive produced by Adam Muto.
Steven Universe – Friendships are tested as the Emmy-nominated series continues. New adventurous story arcs and specials will introduce more Gems, spend time with the Diamonds and provide insight into the ever-mysterious Gem Homeworld while the series’ titular hero Steven Universe grows as a leader. Steven Universe is lauded for having a voice of inclusion, and was recently nominated for its first GLAAD Media Award in the Outstanding Comedy Series category. Created by Rebecca Sugar.
Teen Titans Go! – Season four of the hit series continues — and get ready for the show’s 200th episode as Robin, Starfire, Raven, Beast Boy and Cyborg prepare to save the world in a special, two-part adventure. Audiences are also in for an egg-ceptional treat in a spring special featuring the mythical Tooth Fairy who tries to take over the holiday from the Easter Bunny. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation.
The Amazing World of Gumball – This BAFTA- and Emmy-winning series from Cartoon Network Studios EMEA conjures up a new Halloween special and continues warm-hearted adventures including an episode with live-action puppets with the energetic and fearless blue cat—Gumball—and his idiosyncratic family, the Wattersons.
GAMES
The Powerpuff Girls LEGO DIMENSIONS – The LEGO toy and videogame hybrid is adding the Girls to its roster with a new Team Pack and Fun Pack. The Team Pack features Blossom and Bubbles minifigures, and the Fun Pack completes the team with Buttercup. Both packs give access to the Townsville Hub area where players can fly around Townsville and see sights like Pokey Oaks elementary, City Hall, Rainbow Land, the Pickle Museum and of course the girls’ home base complete with Professor Utonium’s lab.
Steven Universe: Save the Light – Developed with hit-maker Grumpyface Studios, this is a new console game with an original story crafted by Steven Universe series creator Rebecca Sugar. The RPG console game is a sequel to the 2015 hit mobile title, Attack the Light, and is expected to launch this summer.
OK K.O.! Let’s Be Heroes – This action brawler console and PC game with RPG elements is set in the outrageous world of the upcoming animated series OK K.O.! Let’s Be Heroes created by Ian Jones-Quartey. It is developed by award-winning Capybara Games and arrives later this fall.
Ben 10: Up to Speed – A runner that follows Ben Tennyson as he goes on the best summer vacation ever with his Grandpa Max and cousin Gwen. He discovers an alien artifact called the Omnitrix that allows him to transform into powerful alien heroes. Playing as Ben and his various alien alter egos, gamers will save the world by stopping evildoers, from giant robots to menacing mages.
Glitch Fixers – The Powerpuff Girls – Based on the popular episode “Viral Spiral,” Glitch Fixers is a turn-based puzzler that takes gamers on a wild digital ride. Using virtual command blocks, Bubbles is tasked with helping Blossom and Buttercup escape the internet and defeat the evil Amoeba Boys through the power of coding.
Surely You Quest – As part of a connected hub that includes the linear series Mighty Magsiwords, the newest mobile game links to another integrated app MagiMobile, to give fans access to their Magiswords and allow them to expand their collections. Gamers can use the swords they previously earned in MagiMobile for gameplay in Surely You Quest, and the more fans watch and engage with MagiMobile, the more options they will have for battles in the game.
