Boomerang (TV Network)

Boomerang is an American cable television network owned by The Cartoon Network, Inc., a sub-division of the Warner Bros. Discovery Networks division of Warner Bros. Discovery. The network primarily broadcasts animated programming from the Warner Bros. Animation library, including Warner Bros. Cartoons and Hanna-Barbera productions among others.

Boomerang debuted in 1992 as a programming block on Cartoon Network dedicated to classic animation. The block eventually spun-off into its own separate network in 2000, and by the late 2000s, began airing more modern and contemporary programming, including reruns of Cartoon Network original series. A 2015 relaunch aimed to promote Boomerang as a "second flagship" brand alongside Cartoon Network, and saw the network produce its own original programming, with a focus on contemporary reboots of franchises such as ''Looney Tunes'' and ''Scooby-Doo''. In 2017, as the cable network lost coverage, Boomerang launched a standalone SVOD over-the-top streaming service, which operated until 2024.

, Boomerang is available to approximately 26 million pay television households in the United States — down from its peak of 47 million households in 2019.

History

Background and early years

The Turner Broadcasting System had built up an extensive catalogue of MGM and early Warner Bros. cartoons since the 1980s. The library made up much of the extensive children's programming on TBS and TNT, which was phased out after the creation of the Cartoon Network on October 1, 1992. Boomerang was created as a new home for these and similar programming, originating as a programming block on Cartoon Network that launched on December 8, 1992 until October 3, 2004.

With Cartoon Network downplaying its archival programming in favor of newer original series, Turner launched the Boomerang cable channel on April 1, 2000.

Relaunch

On February 4, 2014, during Turner's upfront presentations, it was announced that Boomerang would become an advertising-supported network, and that there were plans to expand the brand globally. In October of that year, a global rebrand was unveiled. The new branding first launched in Latin America in late September, before arriving in the United States on January 19, 2015. As part of the expansion, Boomerang would introduce original programming for the first time, which would place a particular focus on the most well-known franchises from the Warner archives with an explicitly family-friendly approach. Turner executives described the changes as being an effort to grow Boomerang into a "second flagship" on par with the Cartoon Network.

On March 7, 2017, Boomerang announced the launch of its branded SVOD streaming service. The service would feature 5000+ titles from Hanna-Barbera and Warner Bros, as well as exclusive original programming. The SVOD launched on April 11, 2017, and was available for either for $4.99 per month or $39.99 annually. New episodes and content were planned to be added to the service on a weekly basis.

On November 13, 2018, Boomerang launched a channel on the VRV streaming service. That same year, the ''3rd Annual Shorty Social Good Awards'' nominated Boomerang and the '' Captain Planet'' Foundation for Best in Entertainment.

In August 2024, Warner Bros. Discovery announced it would be shutting down the standalone Boomerang service on September 30. Select content from the app moved to the Max streaming service and remaining Boomerang subscribers were converted to the app's ad-free plan.

Programming

Boomerang's cable network currently airs a mix of classic cartoons and contemporary re-imaginings of franchises from the Warner Bros. animation library, as well as reruns (and, on occasion, premieres and finales) of programming aired on Cartoon Network. It has also been used to burn off programs from Cartoon Network. As part of its 2015 relaunch, Boomerang previously produced its own original programs, including ''Wabbit'' (later re-titled ''New Looney Tunes'' for its second season), '' Be Cool, Scooby-Doo!'', and an animated adaptation of '' Bunnicula''.

Availability

Boomerang-branded networks and blocks have been launched globally. As part of the brand's 2015 relaunch, these branches were initially aligned as family co-viewing networks. Beginning in 2021, several of these outlets were re-aligned under the preschool-oriented Cartoonito brand (which would have its own relaunch that year).

See also

* Cartoon Network
* Cartoonito
* Discovery Family
* MeTV Toons
* Tooncast
* Pogo

References

{{U.S. family-oriented television channels

1992 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)
Children's television networks in the United States
Cartoon Network
Warner Bros. Discovery networks
Classic television networks
Nostalgia television in the United States
Television channels and stations established in 2000
Television networks in the United States
English-language television stations in the United States
Companies based in Atlanta
Companies based in Los Angeles