From Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Scooby Doo, Tom & Jerry and George Jetson to Top Cat, Yogi Bear, Popeye, Johnny Quest and Fred Flintstone, there’s long been a special kind of love and affinity for these animated characters.
Now, a digital multicast specialist is launching a new subchannel network dedicated to classic cartoons in a partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery.
Introducing MeTV Toons, a brand extension of the popular “MeTV” classic sitcom-focused diginet and Oldies radio offering, courtesy of Weigel Broadcasting Co.
This will bring an array of animated series including the likes of Rocky and Bullwinkle, Woody Woodpecker, Casper, Betty Boop, and Speed Racer to an entity available for multi-platform distribution on over-the-air broadcast television, traditional MVPD’s and virtual MVPD’s, along with a complimentary offering for ad-supported streaming services.
Interestingly, MeTV Toons will serve as a new option for content largely associated with WBD’s expanded-basic MVPD channel Boomerang. It is not known if WBD plans to close down that offering or align it with MeTV Toons in any way.
MeTV Toons launches on June 25.
“We are honored to work with the amazing team at Warner Bros. Discovery and others on this network and bring together a truly incredible collection of the world’s best known and most loved classic cartoons, creating a new destination for everyone to discover or rediscover the sheer joy of watching cartoons on TV,” said Neal Sabin, Vice-Chairman of Weigel Broadcasting Co.
WBD President of Content Sales David Decker commented, “Neal and the team at Weigel have been long-standing and innovative licensing partners of Warner Bros. content for decades. Having some of the Studio’s most iconic animated characters all available in
one place is not only great for fans of classic animation, but also just super fun.”
Joining MeTV Toons “to share their years of animation expertise and enthusiasm” are noted
animation author, historian, and executive Jerry Beck and character voice actor Bob Bergen.
Beck will help produce original content for MeTV Toons; Bergen will be the signature voice of MeTV Toons.
The MeTV Toons network joins MeTV, Heroes & Icons, Start TV, Catchy Comedy, MOVIES!,
Story Television, Dabl and MeTV+ in the Weigel family of national broadcast TV networks.
