The Ameobazation of Cartoon Network

Create a Nick Killer Without Killing Cartoon Network

Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon are as different as soda and wine, and yet, both Time Warner and Viacom see them as direct competitors. Unfortunately, so does Wall Street, ad executives, and the general public at large.

But the thing is Nickelodeon, fragmented into three different blocks (Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, and Nick at Nite), has animation, educational programming, original sitcoms, fan interactive programs, specials, and off-network sitcom reruns. Cartoon Network has comedic animation, action animation, preschool animation, and teen/adult-oriented animation.

Big difference. BIG DIFFERENCE!

Cartoon Network is a direct competitor for attracting kids to the network, that's true, but Cartoon Network should be considered a "genre" network in the vein of Food Network, the Sci-Fi Channel, USA Network, A&E Network, and countless others, not a kids network. Time Warner only has one network that's officially dedicated to kids and family programming 24-7, and that's the HBO Family premium network. They have no real kids and family outlet, so they tend to tack that heavy role on Cartoon Network's shoulders. Instead of putting that role on CN, perhaps Time Warner should actually launch a true competitor to Nickelodeon.

They have the talent, the library, the studios, and a strong track record in programming. Currently, they could create a very popular network out of family-friendly Warner Bros. television shows like Head of the Class, Growing Pains, Perfect Strangers, Taz Mania, Pinky and the Brain, Freakazoid, Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, and F-Troop, a stable of family movies from the Warner Bros. and Turner library, and educational programming like Crashbox, Happily Ever After, Big Bag, Small World, and Histeria. They have broadcast rights to shows like Saved by the Bell, Cosby, and others through their other networks. They could very well launch a brand new network aimed just for kids and family without sacrificing Cartoon Network. In fact, Turner Broadcasting could manage it independently from Cartoon Network not unlike TBS and TNT and use the template of their Indian digital channel Pogo as the basis of the network.

Cartoon Network can't really compete with Nickelodeon since Nickelodeon is a completely different network. Give them a new network with the same exact demographics with the Time Warner machine behind it, and they might actually have something to worry about. And let the ones currently in charge of Cartoon Network right now take over that network. Let the guys I mentioned on the previous page take full reigns on the network in their absence to make it a true Cartoon Network.

Now, let's recap what I've talked about in this article with a list of things that need to occur to make Cartoon Network less of a Nickelodeon clone and more of a true Cartoon Network.