Cartoon Network's Missing Channel

The Journey of Cartoonito

Beginnings (1992–1996)

After Turner Broadcasting System's Cartoon Network launched in 1992, it inherited several libraries through Turner Entertainment Unit. As a result, the network began broadcasting several programs (e. g. Warner Bros. Cartoons, MGM Cartoons, Hanna-Barabara, and Ruby-Spears). The lineup included the 1980s & '⁠90s HB shows aimed at a slightly younger audience, such as Shirt Tales, The Kwicky Koala Show, Pound Puppies, and The Flintstone Kids. 

A Pup Named Scooby-Doo and Tom & Jerry Kids arrived shortly after their initial runs on ABC and FOX. The network even aired The Banana Splits and Friends, a live-action hybrid variety show (comprised of Banana Splits Adventures, Atom Ant, Secret Squirrel, The New Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and The Adventures of Gulliver).

Although Cartoon Network established itself as the first animation-driven network, it was still open to experimentation for its original series. Although including younger audiences, their syndicated programs needed to meet traditional educational standards.

Anotholgy programs (1996–2002)

In 1996, Cartoon Network decided to create a Sunday morning block of preschool programs. The series featured Big Bag, a live-action/puppet television program made by Sesame Workshop, Small World, a children's animated anthology show/variety show, and Cave Kids (starring Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm). 

Small World aired in several countries (except Japan, China, and Korea). In the USA, it aired acquired programs such as Pingu, Mr. Men and Little Miss, and The Babaloos. Some were analogies of books such as Christopher Crocodile, Anytime Tales, and Miffy (which later received a cartoon on Noggin & Nick Jr.).

In 1997 (just after Turner Broadcasting System merged into Time Warner), Warner Bros. Animation announced Baby Looney Tunes, an original preschool series inspired by pre-existing merchandise. However, it wouldn't arrive for some time. 

Educational block (2002–2005)

Cartoon Network would officially premiere air Baby Looney Tunes on September 16, 2002, (Kid's WB previewed it in 2001) despite the Small World block closing that same year. The show would depart from The WB stations by 2003, remaining on CN. Another show from WB Animation was Krypto the Superdog. Although once considered a regular program, Krypto joined alongside the morning timeslots.

During this American transition, the International unit made other plans. Cartoon Network India introduced Tiny TV, a weekday morning block of acquired preschool cartoons (e. g. Bob the Builder, Kipper, Noddy, and Oswald) in 2003. It had expanded to Cartoon Network and Boomerang (POGO as its Indian counterpart) channels in Australia, Southeast Asia, India, and Latin America by 2006. Each block carried its lineup of programs with few shared between feeds. Many programs followed Small Word, which had just premiered (Sagwa, The Berenstain Bears, Franklin, Angelina Ballerina, Kipper, etc.).

As Tickle-U (2005–2006)

Tickle-U was Cartoon Network's first attempt at an official weekday-morning preschool programming block, premiering on August 22, 2005, and aired from 9 to 11 a.m. ET/PT. Programs on the lineup included acquired shows such as Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs and Gerald McBoing-Boing, Peppa Pig. The only original series was Firehouse Tales, produced by Warner Bros. Animation.

The block came under fire by Fairplay (fka Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (CCFC)), which criticized its marketing strategies. Tickle-U closed on January 13, 2006, along with its international counterpart Tiny TV that year. 

The promos for the shows featured on the block had Tickle-U branding, and the mascots were all replaced by shots of the main view of the City of Townsville from The Powerpuff Girls. Although some programs remained until 2007, CN licensed Ellen's Acres, Universal's The Land Before Time, and The Mr. Men Show in 2008. 

Most of these shows would still air on CN's new project, "Cartoonito." Although intended for Americans, it seemed safer as a European & International brand. The name "Cartoonito" (kar-tun-i-tō) is very clever because it takes after "Cartoon Network" and has four syllables too. The suffix "-ito" (small, like junior) can translate easily. Other variants, such as "Cartoon Network Junior" or "CN Jr." would sound too long or short. 

Launch as Cartoonito

On September 4, 2006, Cartoon Network Too debuted a new programming block called Cartoonito, running from 6a–3p daily. It later took over as a separate channel on May 24, 2007. CN Too replaced Toonami UK and ultimately reverted to Cartoon Network +1. By the early 2010s, Cartoonito had reached multiple telecommunication services and began its EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa) rollout.

Rollout & early productions

Warner even purchased LazyTown Entertainment, thus reviving the show (previously on Nickelodeon & Nick Jr.) for two additional seasons. 

From 2011 to 2012, a Cartoonito channel launched in Italy (a joint venture with Mediaset's Boing S.p.A.), Asia-Pacific (excluding Australia/Oceania), and the Philippines. The others merely aired blocks: Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), Middle East & Africa. Boing provided Cartoonito blocks in Spain and France.

However, Boing closed its French and Spanish Cartoonito blocks in 2013. Boomerang removed its CEE and African blocks in 2014. Cartoonito Asia reverted to Boomerang in 2015. 

In 2016, Warner also developed The Happos Family, a 3D CGI animated series about hippos with Ferrero, Spider Eye Productions, and Cyber Group Studios. Cartoonito UK became a 24-channel again, with a slightly different logo in 2018. 

Global re-introduction 

After Cartoon Network announced Batwheels on October 6, 2020, it indicated the expansion of its offerings to include series aimed at family audiences, girls, and preschoolers. 

Cartoonito would finally launch on Cartoon Network USA and streaming service Max. It came with eight hours (6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET/PT) on weekdays and 2 hours (6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. ET/PT) on weekends.

Cartoonito completely replaced Boomerang Latin America. The latter's program moved to Tooncast, likely because it translates and resonates better, and CN also received a block.

The British/Irish and Italy feeds soon adopted the new worldwide rebrand, with the former gaining a block. During the rebrand, Warner relaunched all its old CNito blocks and added new EMEA ones (e.g., Nordics, Turkey, Portugal). Cartoonito finally returned to Asia-Pacific (APAC), which included Australia and New Zealand.

After covering all the blocks, the next step was to bring in channels. However, to save costs, TV channels are often replaced. Cartoonito took over the Boomerang channels with its blocks allowing for a smooth transition. Many transformed Cartoonito channels are considered the same, with their programs intact. Boing France is an exception, as it once had a CNito block, only for it to transform completely.

It means that Boomerang became a semi-global brand with Tooncast (Latam), Boing (Italy, Spain, and Africa), and Pogo (India/South Asia) serving as its international counterparts. Boomerang shows just air on CN channels if there's no other outlet. It's not different from Nicktoons (& TeenNick) and Disney XD for Nickelodeon and Disney Channel, respectively. For example, Super! is the Italian equivalent to Nicktoons & TeenNick. 

Regarding the Italian feed, there is a slight prediction. Warner Bros. Discovery will likely reshuffle its channels: Boomerang, Cartoonito, and Boing. The latter two are co-owned by Mediaset S.p.A. However, if Cartoonito replaces Boomerang's space and (a revived) Boing +1 takes over the former's. It's wise because it gives Warner full ownership and includes San Marino, Vatican City, and Switzerland. Boing can continue carrying Boomerang's programs, and all would have a time-shift channel. K2 and Frisbee may sell to Mediaset to avoid any redundancy. 

Finally, Warner has the remaining Discovery Kids channels in the US, LATAM, and India. Although the brand has slowly declined, it still provides content, so CN's brands can fill the space. Cartoonito India will likely replace DK, as CN and Pogo's programs have occupied its lineup. DK Latam might become another "Cartoon Network-branded" channel. Ultimately, the Cartoonito USA channel may take over Discovery Family. 

Our journey for Cartoonito's globalization is complete. However, a new one has begun. Cartoon Network's management style indicates there will be more to it.