CW REPLACES KIDS WB! WITH 4KIDS

[MattBrady]

by Steve Fritz

The animation world was sent spinning yesterday when Variety announced the CW TV network will be shutting down its Kids WB! Saturday morning animation block at the end of the 2007-8 season. The 12 year old Kids WB! was the last remaining animated block of Saturday morning programming left on any network, cable or broadcast that was produced in-house.

Starting with 2008, the five-hour block will be filled by 4Kids Entertainment, which currently does a more preschool-oriented syndicated block for Fox. 4Kids will handle all national commercial advertising, Variety reports, and will share in ad revenue with the CW. The CW's share will be applied against a guarantee 4Kids will pay the network. The deal will kick off in September of 2008, with 4Kids covering the 7:00 am – 12:00 pm timeslot.

The primary cause of this decision was simple: ratings and advertising revenue. An inside source confirmed what Variety reported that Kids WB! was losing a substantial number of viewers to cable networks including Nickelodeon, Disney and the Time-Warner owned Cartoon Network. According to the trade, the final blow came when a major sponsor, cereal manufacturer Kellogg’s, announced it was withdrawing all its advertising due to recent government pressure regarding child-oriented breakfast foods.

"This is a great transaction for both the CW and 4Kids Entertainment," CW chief operating officer John Maatta told the trade. Maatta added that 4Kids offered "substantial resources and laser-focus in this arena."

The news has left fans of not only comic book-based animation but also long term franchises like Scooby Doo and Tom & Jerry speculating on the future of their favorite weekend programs. According to the source, fans of The Batman, Legion of Super Heroes, the upcoming Spectacular Spider-Man and other comic book and animated stables should not be too concerned.

Simply put, the end of Kids WB! does not mean the end of Warner Bros. Animation, the source explained, pointing out that they are two completely separate entities. For many shows, Kids WB! was the outlet Warner Bros. Animation series used, but those series aren’t going to be cancelled at the end of the 2007-2008 season. “We are exploring a number of other avenues to direct this programming, from other networks to direct-to-DVD options,” the source said. “There are a wide field of possibilities to be explored.”

For example, Toon Disney’s Jetix block of programming is now showing Batman: The Animated Series and Superman: The Animated Series, and will soon begin airing Pinky and the Brain. Clearly, when Disney is airing Warner Bros. animated series, the distribution picture as well as visions of old studio rivalries needs to be re-thought.

An additional possible distribution outlet – T-Works, the upcoming online animation-centric Warner Bros. site. While the WB source stopped short of saying that T-Works would be the home for new episodes of animated series, it was announced that the new online venture would be the home to a yet-untitled Batman shortform series as well as an animated Wizard of Oz project.

Another distribution channel for Warner Bros. Animation’s projects – direct to DVD films. According to the source, sales of both Superman: Doomsday and the latest original Scooby Doo DVDs have exceeded projected sales by approximately 30%.

"We absolutely intend to stay true to our heritage," Warner Bros. TV Group President Bruce Rosenblum said to Variety. "This is an important business that touches many of the Warner Bros. divisions, and we have confidence that Lisa Judson and her team at Warner Bros. Animation will continue to build toward future opportunities.”

Rosenblum had more to say in a statement released to the media:

“Clearly, this was an issue that we examined closely with our partners at CBS,” Rosenblum said. “We fully believe it makes the most business sense for The CW in this broadcast marketplace. That being said, Warner Bros. has a long, successful track record in the animation business and we absolutely intend to stay true to our heritage by producing world-class animated entertainment for the children's market be it for cable, direct-to-DVD, broadband, wireless and platforms of the future.”

Meanwhile, 4Kids appears to be very pleased with themselves. Their contract with Fox has been extended to at least 2009, and now they also have a five year deal with The CW.

“We are delighted to be in business with The CW and secure distribution of 4Kids’ content for the next five broadcast seasons,” said Alfred R. Kahn, 4Kids Entertainment’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We have had tremendous success over the years collaborating with CW Network partner Warner Bros., to whom we licensed 4Kids’ hit TV series and movies such as Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh!. We think The CW’s outstanding affiliate lineup and young target demographic make the network a perfect fit for our programming and business initiatives,” said Kahn.

“We have tremendous faith in Saturday morning kids television, and with this deal we’ve renewed our commitment to remain a major player in children’s entertainment,” said Norman Grossfeld, President of 4Kids’ subsidiary 4Kids Productions. “We look forward to embracing the fans of Kids WB! and we welcome the opportunity to work with all the production companies, program distributors and advertisers that share our passion for the kids business. We also continue to value our relationship with the Fox Network and its affiliates. Fox recently exercised its option to extend the term of our deal with them through the end of the 2008-2009 broadcast season.”

Matt Brady contributed to this article

[GSHAG]

boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooogus. kids wb was around when i was in elementary school like a decade and a half ago. this is really sad news

[Thundarius]

this is just stupid, stupid, stupid. yay for corporate america.

[lordshaxl]

What's happening with all of the good cartoons being replaced by lame 4kids their shows are so not fun to watch. My little brother loved The Batman and Legion. It's weird how a nation wants to remove illegals but imports anime and refuses to use their our own resources on giving our children fun stuff to watch like Teen Titans and The original Batman animated series thank god for comic books.

[SHIM'TAR]

You know I really can't stand this new CW network, they cancel all the good stuff. What's next are you going to cancel 'SUPERNATURAL' and replace it with another reality TV show? I hope this network gets what they deserve, after SUPERNATURAL runs its course of course

[KoozyK]

it's a shame, but i'm pretty indifferent to this. i haven't watched kids wb since jackie chan left. most of the cartoons just aren't that good. i feel sorry the kids these days have been conditioned to only watch american influenced anime.

i miss the days of superman/batman, animaniacs, teen titans and x-men evolution.

[Marc_Spector]

The most ridiculous part of this story is the fact Kellog's had to pull their advertising because of government pressure do to overweight kids. I used to eat 2-3 bowls of Frosted flakes, Sugar Smacks, and whatever else my mom bought at the store while watching cartoons every Saturday morning from like 7-11 flipping between 3-4 diferent channels. I was never overweight having eaten that cereal mainly because I went outside and played after cartoons were over. We need to stop blaming everyone else for childhood obesity and start blaming parents.

[hydroguy77]

the cartoons were better in the 90's! For some odd reason anymore the cartoons are just not what they used to be.

[Aaron]

Originally Posted by Marc_Spector

The most ridiculous part of this story is the fact Kellog's had to pull their advertising because of government pressure do to overweight kids. I used to eat 2-3 bowls of Frosted flakes, Sugar Smacks, and whatever else my mom bought at the store while watching cartoons every Saturday morning from like 7-11 flipping between 3-4 diferent channels. I was never overweight having eaten that cereal mainly because I went outside and played after cartoons were over. We need to stop blaming everyone else for childhood obesity and start blaming parents.

I have never, ever, done this before, but...

QFT!

[vbartilucci]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

Simply put, the end of Kids WB! does not mean the end of Warner Bros. Animation, the source explained, pointing out that they are two completely separate entities.

But when a company loses its primary customer, it's a major problem.

Originally Posted by MattBrady

For many shows, Kids WB! was the outlet Warner Bros. Animation series used, but those series aren’t going to be cancelled at the end of the 2007-2008 season.

That's nice to hear, but I don't expect them to get as good publicity, timeslot or budget.

Network children's programming is functionally dead again. Mornings and afternoons are choked with news shows, Saturdays are given over to infomercials. And the broadcast channels are surprised when they lose viewers to cable.

If you give up the weekdays, there's much less reason to come back for Saturday.

We need another Something New. Reagan loosened the strictures on children's television, which allowed shows like He-Man, GI Joe and Transformers, which in turn cause a renaissance in new American animation. Pokemon created the big Anime trend, as a Japanese show finally got massive ratings, so now everything's being imported from there.

Right now all the new good stuff is on Nick (El Tigre rocks) and Cartoon Network (whither El Santo?), and I don't see any broadcast channels breaking from the herd and trying anything new.

Sometimes, playing it safe sucks on toast.

[Marius665]

I just can't believe this! Now what am I going to do to get my DC fix?

[mightytev]

What is CW? A broadcast channel? What does it stand for?

[Darquehex]

I think I'll boycott Kellogs. Regardless, the article clearly states that none of this will affect the comic book shows.

RIP Kids WB, you gave me Batman Beyond and for that I will always be grateful!

[Sluggo]

Originally Posted by Marc_Spector

The most ridiculous part of this story is the fact Kellog's had to pull their advertising because of government pressure do to overweight kids. I used to eat 2-3 bowls of Frosted flakes, Sugar Smacks, and whatever else my mom bought at the store while watching cartoons every Saturday morning from like 7-11 flipping between 3-4 diferent channels. I was never overweight having eaten that cereal mainly because I went outside and played after cartoons were over. We need to stop blaming everyone else for childhood obesity and start blaming parents.

Thank you! I agree completely. Saturday morning cartoons and sugary, gimmicky cereals are a tradition for modern children (though they've found a way to take the fun out of the prize-hunting with those cereals, what with the prize being outside the bag, I'm sure that's due to some busybody sue-happy moron, too), and a way for kids to decompress after all the crap they have to put up with during the school week.

But once they've had a few hours, turn off the TV and tell your kids to go play outside or, hell, go play outside with them, you could stand to lose weight too, Mom and Dad.

It's not the fault of the cereal manufacturers that kids are getting fatter. It's parents' fault for not regulating what kids eat and not teaching or enforcing moderation.

And before anyone asks, yes, I am a parent, and yes, I practice what I preach. Although my kid doesn't even care for the high sugar cereals. Go figure.

Oh, and to contribute to the topic directly, BOO on CW for this move. I was really looking forward to sitting down with my daughter and watching the new Spider-Man cartoon on Saturday mornings. I hope they do indeed go direct-to-dvd. I had heard they were going to be releasing mini-arcs of the show on dvd anyway. Maybe this will make them go directly for that route.

Although how long does anyone think it's going to take before they start putting advertising that covers half the screen on dvds instead of just on tv? That'll be fun.

Wow, I'm cranky this morning. And loquacious. But not in a good way.

[RussZam]

This is truly upsetting. Fox stopped airing watchable saturday morning cartoons ages ago and abc's One saturday morning ended who knows when...there goes one of the last if not THE last saturday morning cartoon vestiges.

[Marius665]

This is truly upsetting. Fox stopped airing watchable saturday morning cartoons ages ago and abc's One saturday morning ended who knows when...there goes one of the last if not THE last saturday morning cartoon vestiges.

I agree, I do miss the Fox Saturday morning cartoons!

[80Pork]

This is ridiculous! So, what's going to happen to all the good shows on Kids WB? Besides the DC stuff, where are Tom & Jerry and Shaggy & Scooby Doo gonna go? Get cancelled even though their ratings are pretty good? And what about this mid-season replacement of Spectacular Spider-Man that CW/Kids WB was going to do this huge marketing for early next year? What's the point if the show will probably not make it over into next season?

We need more good Saturday morning cartoons back on ABC, CBS, and NBC ...not hours of news, paid programming, or reruns of what has already been aired 50 times on Disney.

[hlbimage]

This is the worst decision in the history of bad decisions. It may be the end of cartoons on tv. I guess WB is going to concentrates on direct to videos from now on.

[80Pork]

Originally Posted by Marius665

I agree, I do miss the Fox Saturday morning cartoons!

Definitely. I know when I was around 11, 12, 13, the cartoons on the "Big Three" started to go way downhill and FOX had all the great stuff! FOX also was the only place to find cartoons on weekday afternoons after school.

[Comic-Reader]

Originally Posted by mightytev

What is CW? A broadcast channel? What does it stand for?

CW is not a broadcast channel; it's a broadcast network. It replaced the WB network when WB & UPN were combined in a joint partnership with Warners & CBS. CW stands for CBS-Warner.

[Grenadier]

Originally Posted by mightytev

What is CW? A broadcast channel? What does it stand for?

It's what the WB and UPN networks in the US merged into about a year and a half ago.

[Spidey616]

So what does this mean for the "Spectacular Spider-man" series for next year? I love Greg Weisman's work and really want to see what he does for Spidey, no matter what audience it's geared towards. Maybe appearing on the CN, perhaps?

[Comic-Reader]

Originally Posted by Darquehex

I think I'll boycott Kellogs. Regardless, the article clearly states that none of this will affect the comic book shows.

RIP Kids WB, you gave me Batman Beyond and for that I will always be grateful!

It's not Kellogg's fault, it's the government. They have always put extra restrictions on kids' programming whether it be for content or advertising.

[Comic-Reader]

Originally Posted by hydroguy77

the cartoons were better in the 90's! For some odd reason anymore the cartoons are just not what they used to be.

Because you were younger in the 90s and those are the shows you grew up on. It doesn't feel the same now because, believe it or not, you've matured.

[pop monkey]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

The 12 year old Kids WB! was the last remaining animated block of Saturday morning programming left on any network, cable or broadcast that was produced in-house.

Rest In Peace, Saturday Morning cartoons...

I'll always have fond memories of you...