Regarding the Cartoon Network 52 Episode Limit

[Brent Long]

I was wondering with Aqua Teen Hunger Force recently airing it's 50th episode and with 55 being planned for this season. Does the Cartoon Network 52 episode limit apply to Adult Swim originals. Now I know everyone would immediately say no with Aqua Teen's being planned past this limit, but Adult Swim originals are different than other ended shows like Justice League, Samuari Jack, and Home Movies in due to the fact that those all occupy a half hour timeslot. Originals take a quarter of an hour (Essentially). Now the limit is 52 because there are 52 weeks in a year and due to June Bug's having left to Boomerang. Essentially having a weekly timeslot means that a series can occupy a timeslot for one year without any re-runs barring no preemtps due to marathons and the like. With the originals being a quater of a half hour time slot. Will all Adult Swim originals (Unless they have a Justice League Unlimited-like revival.) end at 104 episodes?

[William C. Maune]

The "limit" doesn't apply to Cartoon Network nearly as much as other channels. It more depends on whether it is cost effective to keep making more episodes. Once you get to a certain point with some shows there are enough episodes to rerun that not much is gained from producing new episodes. My guess would be that 52 episodes isn't necessarily a limit, just a line at which the cost-effectiveness of producing more episodes starts to become more seriously considered.

There have been plenty of Cartoon Network shows that have gone on beyond 52 episodes, including The Powerpuff Girls, Dexter's Lab, Johnny Bravo, Ed, Edd and Eddy (soon), JL/JLU, Space Ghost Coast to Coast, etc. On the other side there have been series that never reached 52 episodes such as Sheep in the Big City, Mike, Lu and Ogg, etc. Other shows do reach specifically 52 episodes, like Home Movies. However, limit or no limit Home Movies probably would not have continued because the ratings just were not there.

Basically, I don't think we'll see Aqua Teen Hunger Force end just because it reaches 52 episodes. It could, but it will likely depend on ratings, cost to produce episodes, ratings of premieres vs. reruns, what other options they have to spend their resources on besides ATHF, merchandising, what the creators want to do, etc., etc.

[Killtacular]

It's fifty two HALF HOURS. The only show in danger is Space Ghost.

[Sketch]

104 Aqua Teens eh?

[Brent Long]

I know that Matt. Read my post more carefully.