MeTV Announces "Toons Network," A Free 24/7 Classic Cartoon Network Launching Soon

[TTL News 318]

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In what is quite possibly the most exciting news in years for fans of classic American animation, Chicago-based Weigel Broadcasting Co. has announced the launch of a free, 24/7 animation network, dedicated exclusively to classic animation, from theatrical animation shorts to tv series.

MeTV Toons, a spinoff of Weigel’s nostalgic tv channel MeTV, is being launched in collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery and will feature cartoons from throughout WBD’s library including characters like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Scooby-Doo, Tom & Jerry, Josie and the Pussycats, George Jetson, Top Cat, Popeye, Freakazoid, Yogi Bear, Johnny Quest and Fred Flintstone. Warner Bros. calls Weigel one of its “long-standing and innovative licensing partners.”

The network will additionally license cartoons from other companies, and its line-up will also include Rocky and Bullwinkle, Woody Woodpecker, Casper, Inspector Gadget, Mister Magoo, Betty Boop, and Speed Racer.

The list of studios that will be represented on the network is essentially a who’s who of animation history, including Warner Bros., MGM, Paramount Pictures, Fleischer Studios, Walter Lantz Productions, Terrytoons, United Productions of America, Jay Ward Productions, Hanna-Barbera Studios, Universal Studios, and Columbia Pictures.

MeTV Toons will benefit from the expertise of legendary animation historian – and Cartoon Brew co-founder – Jerry Beck, who will help produce original content that will expand the viewing experience and add context to the cartoons being aired. Another key hire at the network is veteran voice actor Bob Bergen, who has often voiced WB characters like Porky Pig, Tweety, and Marvin the Martian. Bergen will serve as the signature voice of the network.

 

Read more about it here.

[Chris 2,226]

I just sent an email to our cable company to ask if they'll be carrying this. 

"Boomerang" worked for a while, but the problem with that network was they seemed confined to Hannah-Barbara content only. And granted, there's a lot to work from there, but not enough to sustain a long running cable network. 

It'll be interesting to see what the original content they have planned is. Some behind the scenes or historical programming pertaining to animation would be a big draw I bet. 

[Chris 2,226]

Haefele said they don't have any plans to carry this channel, but they also said they don't carry MeTV. I responded politely that they do, in fact, carry it and it's one of my favorotes to watch.