SB-06: Cartoon Network 2.0 | Step Six: Teletoon and Cartoon Network - United!

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On September 8, 1997, a group of Canadian entertainment companies launched Télétoon, the world's second all-animation channel almost five years since the launch of the world's first all-animation channel, Cartoon Network. On October 17, 1997, five years and 16 days after the launch of Cartoon Network, an English-language feed known as Teletoon debuted in Canada. In a way, Cartoon Network and Teletoon's destinies have always been intertwined. Both have young adult-oriented blocks ([adult swim] and Teletoon at Night). Both compete against strong children's networks, Nickelodeon (YTV) and Disney Channel (Family). Both have classic animation networks. And both largely are connected by their shared programming, almost like a foreign exchange program. Shows like Total Drama Island, 6Teen, and Stoked are Teletoon originals that have made a home on Cartoon Network. Heck, the North American version of Cartoon Network UK's Skatoony made its debut on Teletoon, not Cartoon Network US.

The show that really cements the relationship between Cartoon Network and Teletoon is Johnny Test. Johnny Test is owned by Warner Bros. Animation, but since season two, it has been a co-production of Warner Bros., Teletoon, and Cookie Jar Entertainment, who manages the property. It's considered a Teletoon original series now, but it is obvious the partnership between Teletoon and Cartoon Network has been fruitful. Johnny Test remains a marquee series for Cartoon Network and Teletoon. Total Drama Island was a smash hit, and the follow up shows are successful as well.

A joint venture between the two networks should be made official. Cartoon Network Entertainment should purchase a small stake in Teletoon. There is a prescient case of such a partnership. In 2001, ESPN bought a 20% stake in Canada's The Sports Network (Le Réseau des Sports). Viacom and Discovery made many deals to expand their brands up north. Time Warner only recently (2008) licenced the HBO brand to a pair of programmers, Astral Media and Corus Entertainment.

Not coincidently, both companies are also the owners of Teletoon. Both owns 50% of the network. Considering how the HBO licensing deal has been a decent one, perhaps an all-out deal with the two companies could bear more fruit. All Cartoon Network Entertainment would need is 5% of the company from each of the two partners making the total ownership stake in Teletoon like this:

Astral Media 45%/Corus Entertainment 45%/Cartoon Network Entertainment 10%

It's still 90% owned by Canadian companies, which is 10% more than TSN.

Such an ownership shift is not a one-sided arrangement for either party. For Cartoon Network, they get a strong programming partner and content provider utilizing the power of Canada's animation legacy and Teletoon's eye for finding and airing cutting edge animation. For Teletoon, they get a strong programming partner and content provider utilizing the talented voices at Warner Bros. and Turner as well as Cartoon Network's eye for finding and airing the best in animation in the US and their outlets around the globe. As a small yet powerful partner in Teletoon, Cartoon Network has a vested stake in the success of the channel. They'll also get first look at any new in-house productions on the network outside of Canada to air in the US and round the globe as well as serve as a producer on new and returning shows. Cartoon Network would manage the distribution rights of the Teletoon originals library in the United States, not including the non-Teletoon programs made by Nelvana/Corus (though Corus could easily work out a separate deal with Cartoon Network as well). Teletoon gets an American financial partner, a provider of original and library content as well as first look at any new in-house productions at Cartoon Network as well as online distribution rights to the Cartoon Network originals and much of the Warner Bros. Animation titles in Canadian market.

This doesn't mean that American content would be all over Teletoon nor Canadian content will be all over Cartoon Network. This partnership would strengthen and even expand animation's role as an artform and valuable entertainment medium all over the planet. Combined, you have two great entertainment brands with the same core mission working together closer than they ever had and wanting success for both.

Cartoon Network and Teletoon - Combining their forces and creating a brave new animated world for all of us!

One final word about Cartoon Network Entertainment.