Boomerang (TV network)

Boomerang

Headquarters	Atlanta, Georgia (East Coast, South, Midwest) Los Angeles, California (West Coast)
Ownership
Owner	The Cartoon Network, Inc. (Turner Broadcasting System, a Time Warner company)

Boomerang's secondary logo, found on idents and promos.

Boomerang (also referred to as Boomerang from Cartoon Network) is a 24-hour American cable television channel from Cartoon Network owned by Turner Broadcasting System, a division of Time Warner. Boomerang specializes in reruns of animated programming from Time Warner's extensive archives, including pre-1986 MGM, Hanna-Barbera, Cartoon Network, Warner Bros. Animation, a portion of Famous Studios, and DePatie-Freleng Enterprises programs, stretching from cartoon shorts of the 1930s and 1940s (almost always in color) to repeats of shows still in production on Cartoon Network. The block launched on December 8, 1992 and the channel launched on April 1, 2000.

History

Much of the programming that makes up the core of Boomerang's current lineup was originally part of TBS's Disaster Area, a block of children's programming that aired throughout 1997 to 1999.

Boomerang was originally a programming block on Cartoon Network started in December 1992. It was aimed towards the generation of baby boomers, and was similar to a block on the Disney Channel, Vault Disney. It originally aired for four hours every weekend, but the block's start time jumped frequently. The Saturday block moved to Saturday afternoons, then back to the early morning, and the Sunday block moved to Sunday evenings. Eventually, Boomerang was shortened by an hour, making the total airing time 3 hours each weekend instead of the original four hours. Boomerang rebranded to the current logo and launched the cable spin-off channel on April 1, 2000. The programming block was reformatted to air cartoons in production during a certain year (The Flintstones and Top Cat for 1961, The Perils of Penelope Pitstop and Scooby Doo for 1969, et al.).

Once the Boomerang channel was launched in 2000, promos for the channel aired at the end of every broadcast show during the block in attempt to gain popularity for Boomerang. Also, in October 2004, all of the older programming on Cartoon Network, including Looney Tunes, Baby Looney Tunes and shows from Hanna-Barbera migrated to Boomerang, while TBS's Disaster Area was canceled in 1999. On October 2 and 3, 2004, nearly four months after the re-launch of Cartoon Network, every day with older reruns of classic anthologies like The Popeye Show, Tom and Jerry, The Bob Clampett Show, ToonHeads, former Boomerang fare like Super Globetrotters. October 2 and 3 were the last times Looney Tunes officially aired on Cartoon Network, until on March 14, 2011, Cartoon Network brought back Looney Tunes as a run up to The Looney Tunes Show. Scooby Doo, The Jetsons, The Flintstones, Snorks, and The Smurfs are now featured on the channel, and as of January 27, 2012, its return looks set. The channel initially carried a weekly looping programming format.

Much like Disney Channel, Boomerang does not carry external product commercials, being financed solely by subscription fees and tie-ins. In order to fill out a half-hour block (Boomerang programming follows a strict half-hour scheduling system), the spaces where commercials originally aired feature advertisements for shows on Cartoon Network and/or Boomerang (in the latter's case, most of the bumpers are several years old), occasional advertising for DVD products from Warner Home Video, various animated shorts, and public service announcements in support of Cartoon Network's "Stop Bullying: Speak Up" initiative. However, minimal external product advertising has started to appear on the network, primarily on Dish Network; these ads do not originate from the network, but from the satellite or cable service.

During its looping format, which lasted through December 26, 2004, program days began at 8am. Eastern time (5am. Pacific time). The looping format had 8 hours of programming repeated three times a day. Monday through Thursdays had been just normal programming days, with a variety of half-hour and hour-long cartoon programs shown. On Fridays, "monthly feature" cartoons were shown for the entire day; one cartoon was featured for each Friday of a given month for 24 hours straight. As of January 1, 2005, this banner became known as "monthly character of the month", and is now shown on weekends from 2 to 4pm. eastern and as of March 2007 it is known as Boomeroyalty. On Saturdays, a calendar year was featured with the cartoons of that year. Boomerang's promotional slogan, Boomerang: It's All Coming Back to You, used on Boomerang itself, was one of nostalgia that accurately reflected its programming of the time. Much like the old Cartoon Network slogan (This is Cartoon Network), Boomerang sometimes uses a secondary slogan, "This is Boomerang from Cartoon Network." However, this slogan is still used on promos airing on sister channel Cartoon Network and Boomerang itself. The announcer for most promos for the channel is John O'Hurley. In September 2008, Cartoon Network began to run more commercials for Boomerang, including two that were seen on January 1, 2009. Recently, between intermission, Boomerang would air a bumper, then two ads; one would be a Dish or DirecTV ad, depending on the provider, and the other ad would be a commercial. Then, it would air a classic short and a Wedgie.

Boomerang generally does not show live action shows, with the exception of The Banana Splits, which had a semi-regular place on the channel's schedule through approximately 2011, and Hole in the Wall, which was aired intermittently in 2010 – mid-2011. In October 2011, this changed, as the channel picked up the cable rights to the 1960s live-action series The Munsters and The Addams Family and began airing the shows in prime time; they were removed after Halloween and since then, no live-action programs have aired on the channel. (Both series have returned to the Boomerang lineup each October since.)

Because most of the channel's content is archived television programs produced before high-definition television was invented, Boomerang is not, nor is it ever expected to be, available in high-definition.

Boomerang's old slogan would be seen again on the channel beginning in 2009. It usually broadcasts three Cartoon Network commercials and one of its own before returning to the program.

Although Boomerang is meant for old cartoons, it started to grow to a lot of new shows as of 2012. Beginning January 1, it began airing episodes of Puppy in My Pocket: Adventures in Pocketville. This phase, however, died out in February 2013. On November 17, 2012, and November 24, Boomerang aired new episodes of Ben 10: Omniverse, before they aired on its sister channel, Cartoon Network. Boomerang reintroduced Wedgies in between shows in 2013. The shorts added were Nacho Bear, Big Baby, Calling Cat! 22, The Talented Mr. Bixby, and The Bremen Avenue Experience. On Saturday, October 5, 2013, Looney Tunes returned to Boomerang for the very first time since 2007. Boomerang and Cartoon Network now both currently air the film series. On November 23, 2013, Boomerang became an ad-supported network, airing real commercials during shows that's on at daytime. On Janurary 1, 2014, Boomerang will remove the Original series to Ben 10: Alien Force.

Cable and satellite availability

Several Comcast systems carry Boomerang, including systems in Atlanta, Georgia and Houston, Texas, while other Comcast areas it was available via On Demand until sometime in 2011 and until sometime in 2012 online through xfinitytv.comcast.net and through the Xfinity Player app now called Xfinity TV GO. Other companies, such as Suddenlink Communications, offer Boomerang as a regular station in select areas. Time Warner Cable and Cox offers both services in select areas. AT&T U-verse, Verizon FiOS, Google Fiber, and CableOne offer the channel in all markets. Several smaller cable providers do not provide the channel at all. Boomerang also has its own on demand service on some providers that carry the channel. Charter Communications carries the channel as part of its Digital View Plus package since 2008.

DirecTV offers Boomerang in the Choice Ultimate and Premier packs. Dish Network offers the channel in its America's Top 250 Pak, America's Everything Pak, and the DishFamily package.

As of May 15, 2009, Boomerang became available on Cablevision on channel 125.

Programming

Main article: List of programs broadcast by Boomerang

Boomerang, unlike many other channels that specialize in archive programming, has continued to air programming from the 1950s through the present and has not drifted away from its original premise; over the course of the years, it has added more recent archival programming such as the Cartoon Cartoons. Only five shows (The Flintstones, The Smurfs, Johnny Bravo, Dexter's Laboratory and The Powerpuff Girls) have permanent places on the schedule; several others, such as Scooby-Doo, The Yogi Bear Show, The Jetsons and The Snorks are usually on the schedule but occasionally get removed. Most other Boomerang shows stay on air for several weeks, then are rotated out and replaced by another show.

Not all of the Time Warner library is currently available to Boomerang. A portion of the library is licensed to Hub Network as of 2013; this license includes the WB animated series produced in collaboration with Steven Spielberg on the 1990s (including Tiny Toon Adventures and Animaniacs), and most properties involving Batman and Superman (including the DC Animated Universe). One exception to this is Justice League Unlimited, which is licensed to Saban Brands to air on the Vortexx block (which incidentally airs on another Warner Bros.-owned outlet, The CW). The 1974–87 Rankin/Bass library is licensed to ABC Family for its 25 Days of Christmas programming. The Peanuts television specials, which Time Warner acquired in 2007, are mostly licensed to ABC (although they have aired on international versions of the channel since their acquisition).

Boomerang also occasionally licenses programming from other providers, such as The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, which rejoined the lineup for a short run in August and September 2013.

On October 5th 2013, Looney Tunes returned to Boomerang's line-up for the first time since 2007, although it is only aired on weekends at 7 A.M (EST), replacing Rocky and Bullwinkle. Starting on November 1st 2013, Looney Tunes airs Monday-Friday at 7 P.M (EST), replacing double episodes of Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends. It is not known how long daily showings of Looney Tunes will last.

Boomerang Blocks

Because of Boomerang's fluid schedule, programming blocks will air for a few months, then be removed, only to be added again a few months later.

• Boomeraction: A brand name used for action-adventure shows including Thundarr the Barbarian, Teen Titans, Samurai Jack, SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron, The Pirates of Dark Water, Jonny Quest, The Secret Saturdays, Ben 10, and Ben 10: Omniverse.
• The Boomerang Zoo (Removed): A one-hour block of pre-1970 Hanna-Barbera/Warner Bros television shorts, culled mainly from the H–B funny animal series (Yogi Bear, Huckleberry Hound, Atom Ant, Magilla Gorilla, Snagglepuss, Wally Gator, and Pixie & Dixie and Mr. Jinks etc.). It was the only block to air on both the United States and Europe Boomerang channels after the rebranding of Boomerang Europe in 2004. Although the block has been inactive for more than an entire year, Boomerang Zoo bumpers have been airing in the Yogi Bear slot, as of November 2013.
• Boomeroyalty (Removed): A weekend mini-marathon of shows featuring a particular character that changes every month. Similar to the former Super Chunk block on sister station Cartoon Network. Boomeroyalty has been put on hiatus and as of July 2013, there is no information of rebroadcasting the weekend block has been brought to attention.
• The Boomerang Christmas Party: A collection of Hanna-Barbera Christmas specials played every December like The Powerpuff Girls: Twas the Fight Before Christmas, Yogi's First Christmas, Christmas Comes to Pac-Land, Casper's First Chrismas, The Jetsons' First Christmas, and The Flintstones' Christmas.
• Scooberang (Removed): A continuous block featuring every episode of every Scooby-Doo series (aired in chronological order), beginning with Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, as well as some feature-length films, including Scooby-Doo Meets the Boo Brothers and Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island. Scooberang is no longer airing on Boomerang. However, various versions of the franchise air on the channel several times daily.
• Those Meddling Kids! (Removed) A 90-minute block of series from Hanna-Barbera and/or Ruby-Spears, all of which follow the formula of a group of mystery-solving teens or young adults (e.g. Scooby-Doo, Josie and the Pussycats, Fangface, Clue Club, Speed Buggy, etc.).
• Boomerang Theater: Boomerang's movie umbrella title; It is shown at varying times, however, It almost always airs on weekend mornings from 9:00am to 11:00am, or longer/shorter depending on the movie lengths.
• Boomerandom (Removed): A block that would air on weekends from 8 to 10 p.m. that would feature a couple hours of a show. The shows were picked by the Boomerandom drawing machine. The block ran from 2008 through 2010.
• Boomerock A block that featured The Flintstones. It aired during the 50th anniversary of the show.
• Boomerween (unofficial title): This block airs only in October, and includes spooky shows such as Scooby Doo, Casper, The Addams Family (in its live-action as well as animated incarnations), Beetlejuice and The Munsters. This is notably the only time Boomerang shows live-action programming (The Addams Family and The Munsters). The Halloween programming replaced the annual Scooberang block in 2011, and continues to air each October.
• Captain Planet and the Planeteers: 6:00 a.m. daily and as a Marathon for Earth Day
• Mother's Day has also been recently added to Boomerang, airing cartoons featuring mothers, such as Jane Jetson episodes of The Jetsons, and Wilma Flintstone episodes of The Flintstones.

Other Boomerang services

Boomerang On Demand

On some cable providers, Boomerang On Demand is available. It was launched in 2002, and usually features shows that air on Boomerang at the moment. In April 2013 Boomerang On Demand featured content in a new style: by consisting of a "theme". For example, in the spirit of Mother's Day, Boomerang On Demand featured Flintstones cartoons as well as Dexter's Laboratory episodes to "Celebrate this Mother's Day on Boomerang with our two favorite red-headed mothers, Dexter's Mom and Wilma Flintstone!"

Regions

Boomerang, originally established as a cable channel in the United States, has expanded worldwide.

Australia

Main article: Boomerang (Australian TV channel)

An Australian version of Boomerang was launched in March 2004 as part of the Foxtel Digital launch, with a lineup very similar to that of the UK version. It began as a four-hour block of those TV shows in 2001, when CN introduced 24-hour programming. It previously used the American logo and style of commercial breaks. However, from November 2007, the channel updated itself, changing both its logo and promos to and from website boomerangtvshow.com. However, it uses the same bumpers for the shows they use as Boomerang America does. On December 1, 2012, it got a makeover using the same look as the other countries in Europe. After the makeover, only three variants of Boomerang exist (Latin America, United States, and in the European Region to date).

Southeast Asia

Main article: Boomerang (Southeast Asia TV channel)

The Southeast Asian version of Boomerang was launched on September 1, 2005. It began as a 90-minute block of those TV shows in 2001, when CN introduced 24-hour programming. It previously used the American logo and style of commercial breaks. However, from November 2007, the channel updated itself, changing both its logo and promos to fit the new theme. In December 2012, the channel replaced by Toonami. This channel is available in Hong Kong, the selected ASEAN member neighbor countries and Sri Lanka. The 24-hour channel in India was only available on Dish TV exclusively along with Turner Classic Movies until March 2, 2009. Now its only available on IN Digital Cable from the Hinduja Group in Mumbai and the National Capital Region. In Pakistan it was shown as a 2-Hour Block but was replaced with Pogo due to poor ratings. In Indonesia it is available on Indovision, Aora TV, and TelkomVision.

Thailand

The Thailand version of Boomerang was launched on August 14th, 2013. Similar to Southeast Asia, it is part of the Boomerang Europe franchise.

United Kingdom & Ireland

Main article: Boomerang (UK & Ireland)

There is also a version of Boomerang broadcast in both Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom, launched on May 27, 2000. It is broadcast 24 hours on the Sky Digital, Virgin Media, TalkTalk TV and Chorus Digital platforms. It also features other cartoons, like Mr. Bean and Gadget Boy. In late July 2007, Boomerang UK started to show Live-action shows, including exclusive shows like My Spy Family.

Germany

Main article: Boomerang (Germany)

In June 2006, Kabel Deutschland, Kabel BW and Unity Media started to show Boomerang on Pay-TV in Germany.

Italy

Main article: Boomerang (Italy)

France

Main article: Boomerang (France)

Scandinavia

Main article: Boomerang Nordic

In late 2005, Turner Broadcasting made clear that they were considering launching several new channels in the Nordic region (to join their then-current channel Turner Classic Movies, Cartoon Network, and CNN International). One of the planned new channels was Boomerang, for which they applied for a broadcasting license in the Swedish DTT in the Fall of 2005.

Spain

Main article: Boomerang (Spanish TV channel)

Since 2004, Boomerang has also a Spanish version. It is available on the Digital+ digital platform and on the Auna cable platform. It was introduced as a part of Cartoon Network's schedule on weekend afternoons. The station's programming resembles strongly the UK version. It relies heavily in older Warner Bros., MGM, and Hanna-Barbera cartoons, but it also includes fairly recent programmes featuring older characters, like Baby Looney Tunes and Duck Dodgers. It also features other classic cartoons, like the Japanese Heidi and the Spanish La vuelta al mundo de Willy Fog (Around the World with Willy Fog).

Europe, Middle East and Africa and Central and Eastern Europe

Main articles: Boomerang (EMEA) and Boomerang (CEE)

Boomerang Europe, Middle East and Africa started in June 2005 as a TV channel in Eastern Europe (in English), Poland (in Polish) and Hungary (only selected shows in Hungarian) with a lot of former Cartoon Network and Hanna-Barbera shows.

From October 2010, the channel started to broadcast selected shows in Romanian.

From October 12th, 2011, the Central and Eastern Europe feed was separated from Europe, Middle East and Africa having its own schedule with all the shows and promos in Hungarian and Romanian language and Cartoonito, a pre-school block, was added to both feeds at the same time.

From February 2012, the channel got a commercial block outside of Poland which got its own commercial block.

From July 2013, the channel started to broadcast selected shows in Russian, meaning that they are preparing a new feed for Russia.

Latin America and Brazil

File:BoomerangLatinAmerica logo.jpg

The logo of Boomerang in Latin America and Brazil (2006–present)

Main article: Boomerang (Latin American TV channel)

See also: Tooncast

There is also Boomerang Latin America and Boomerang Brazil, which began their broadcastings in July 2001. On April 3, 2006, Boomerang Latin America / Brazil was relaunched as a general children's channel, like Disney Channel and Viacom's Nickelodeon, also featuring live-action programming and movies, while retaining classic cartoons in a late night timeslot. On October 2008, classic cartoons were dropped and Boomerang was refocused as a teen-oriented channel. In practice, the channel changed from a local version of Boomerang USA to a version of Pogo, Cartoon Network's sister channel in India. Since 2011, the channel does not air any animated programming whatsoever.

On December 1, 2008, Tooncast was launched, a channel following the line of the international versions of Boomerang, airing both classic animation shows and shows formerly aired on Cartoon Network.

Others

Since 2005, Boomerang is also available via digital cable and satellite in the Netherlands and Belgium.

In the Middle East, North Africa, and the Levant territories broadcasting via satellite, from the Orbit Showtime Network.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, Boomerang is available on MultiChoice's DStv.

Country	Language	Started
United States	English Spanish	April 1, 2000
United Kingdom Ireland	English	May 27, 2000
Latin America	Spanish Portuguese	July 2, 2001
France	French	April 23, 2003
Template:Italy	Italian	July 31, 2003
Australia	English	March 2004
Spain	Spanish	October 2004
Poland Hungary Romania Netherlands Belgium Russia	Polish Hungarian Romanian Dutch (subtitles) English English, Polish Russian	June 5, 2005
Hong Kong Sri Lanka Indonesia Taiwan	English	September 1, 2005
Germany Austria Switzerland	German	June 1, 2006
Sweden Norway Denmark	Swedish Norwegian Danish	August 2008
Thailand	Thai	August 14, 2013
China Japan	Chinese Japanese	March 2014

External links

• Official website
• Boomerang Latin America
• Boomerang UK
• Boomerang Australia
• Boomerang Italy
• Schedule for Boomerang and other Turner Europe channels
• Boomerang France
• Boomerang Germany
• Boomerang Poland
• Boomerang Romania
• Boomerang Hungary