Are Canadian cartoons becoming the major source of acquisitions for CN

[The Overlord]

In light of recent schedule announcements at CN, have Canadian cartoons becoming the major source of acquisitions for CN, perhaps even replacing anime?

[The Huntsman]

Cartoon Network is a business. They care about money. They care about ratings. It’s cheaper for them to acquire animated programs from foreign markets than to create their own animated programs from scratch, and recently, the animated programs that they have acquired have performed quite well in the ratings. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Cartoon Network is going to continue looking abroad, but the notion that they are going out of their way to remove anime from their network is just plain silly. They don’t favor any one country over another country; they favor money. To them, that’s all that matters. They would air an animated program that was made in Poland if they thought that it could bring home the bacon, and I say that with no malice towards Poland. I’m just trying to make a point.

[The Overlord]

Cartoon Network is a business. They care about money. They care about ratings. It’s cheaper for them to acquire animated programs from foreign markets than to create their own animated programs from scratch, and recently, the animated programs that they have acquired have performed quite well in the ratings. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Cartoon Network is going to continue looking abroad, but the notion that they are going out of their way to remove anime from their network is just plain silly. They don’t favor any one country over another country; they favor money. To them, that’s all that matters. They would air an animated program that was made in Poland if they thought that it could bring home the bacon, and I say that with no malice towards Poland. I’m just trying to make a point.

Of course I have never heard of them airing cartoons from Poland or Brazil or a bunch of other countries I can think of.

Perhaps its just the demands of today's market, Canadian cartoons are likely cheaper to acquire then anime, you don't have to dub them or pay a lot of extra money for getting the music of the show, plus kids might be getting fed up of the decompression present in a lot of anime, American and Canadian cartoons don't tend to be that be decompressed.

http://www.forumspile.com/Win-Duh.jpg

No need to be mean.

[The Huntsman]

Of course I have never heard of them airing cartoons from Poland or Brazil or a bunch of other countries I can think of.Well, they acquired “Skunk Fu!” from Ireland and it seems to have done quite well on the network.

[Racattack!Force]

Actually, I doubt it's because of the fact the shows are from Canada. Johnny Test wasn't originally Canadian, it was an American/Canadian co-pro. Skunk Fu! was from Ireland. Total Drama Island and 6teen are from Canada. The reason Cartoon Network picked up these shows were because they were actually doing quite well in their countries of origin. There currently aren't many anime that aren't tied-in with toys/video games/trading cards that are doing that well in Japan and that Cartoon Network could truly profit from if they brought them over (other than Naruto). All others are most likely too adult for Cartoon Network to show, thus they go to [adult swim]. The pickup of 6teen was most likely because it came from the creators of TDI, which is doing well for the channel.

It's just business. Not only is acquiring a show sometimes cheaper, but if the show is doing well in it's origin country, there is a good chance it will also do well here. At least, a greater chance than a show that's failing in it's own country. Plus, even if it does do well here, if it's cancelled it's origin country, it's dead here too (i.e., Bo-bo-bo Bo Bo-Bo-Bo).

[Neo Ultra Mike]

Originally posted by The Tednut!
It's just business. Not only is acquiring a show sometimes cheaper, but if the show is doing well in it's origin country, there is a good chance it will also do well here. At least, a greater chance than a show that's failing in it's own country. Plus, even if it does do well here, if it's cancelled it's origin country, it's dead here too (i.e., Bo-bo-bo Bo Bo-Bo-Bo).

Actually that's not always the case. When The Big O was brought over here back in 2001 on Toonami it had been a big failure in Japan only garnering 13 episodes without any initatve to pick up more. However due to it's success of connecting with the Toonami american auidence (with it's Batman esque influence and the still popularity of giant mecha back in the day) it was actually able to expand it's shelf life. Cartoon Network and Adult Swim (which at that point weren't complete seperate) actually helped co-fund a second season of the show. Yeah ratings didn't do well and it only lasted ANOTHER 13 episodes but the point is it was cancelled and then brought back thanks to success in another country. This has happened before and though not a common occurance is defintley not an impossibilty.

Everyone else's got a point though: Cartoon Network has been airing Canadian acquistiosn since... well since near the beginning actually (anyone remember "O Canada?" that very late night Canadian cartoon show that always aired with Late Night Black and White), same with airing anime acqusistons. And just like there were times when anime acquisition were doing incredibley well, these seem to be the time when the Canadian acqusitions are doing quite well. I think it has more to do with the Canadian stuff being less expensive to bring over that makes it a success though: Stuff like Total Drama Island seems to connect more with Cartoon Network's newer mindset then even say Naruto which is also why Naruto is getting less promotion (that and the fact it's still sort of tied down to the memories of Toonami which I'm sure CN has pretty much forgotten about now).

[Racattack!Force]

Actually that's not always the case. When The Big O was brought over here back in 2001 on Toonami it had been a big failure in Japan only garnering 13 episodes without any initatve to pick up more. However due to it's success of connecting with the Toonami american auidence (with it's Batman esque influence and the still popularity of giant mecha back in the day) it was actually able to expand it's shelf life.
I know that exception (the same thing just happened to Bakugan). I just didn't feel like adding it.

[The Overlord]

Actually that's not always the case. When The Big O was brought over here back in 2001 on Toonami it had been a big failure in Japan only garnering 13 episodes without any initatve to pick up more. However due to it's success of connecting with the Toonami american auidence (with it's Batman esque influence and the still popularity of giant mecha back in the day) it was actually able to expand it's shelf life. Cartoon Network and Adult Swim (which at that point weren't complete seperate) actually helped co-fund a second season of the show. Yeah ratings didn't do well and it only lasted ANOTHER 13 episodes but the point is it was cancelled and then brought back thanks to success in another country. This has happened before and though not a common occurance is defintley not an impossibilty.

Everyone else's got a point though: Cartoon Network has been airing Canadian acquistiosn since... well since near the beginning actually (anyone remember "O Canada?" that very late night Canadian cartoon show that always aired with Late Night Black and White), same with airing anime acqusistons. And just like there were times when anime acquisition were doing incredibley well, these seem to be the time when the Canadian acqusitions are doing quite well. I think it has more to do with the Canadian stuff being less expensive to bring over that makes it a success though: Stuff like Total Drama Island seems to connect more with Cartoon Network's newer mindset then even say Naruto which is also why Naruto is getting less promotion (that and the fact it's still sort of tied down to the memories of Toonami which I'm sure CN has pretty much forgotten about now).

Now why would you say TDI fits in with CN's current mindset more then Naruto?

Actually, I doubt it's because of the fact the shows are from Canada. Johnny Test wasn't originally Canadian, it was an American/Canadian co-pro. Skunk Fu! was from Ireland. Total Drama Island and 6teen are from Canada. The reason Cartoon Network picked up these shows were because they were actually doing quite well in their countries of origin. There currently aren't many anime that aren't tied-in with toys/video games/trading cards that are doing that well in Japan and that Cartoon Network could truly profit from if they brought them over (other than Naruto). All others are most likely too adult for Cartoon Network to show, thus they go to [adult swim]. The pickup of 6teen was most likely because it came from the creators of TDI, which is doing well for the channel.

It's just business. Not only is acquiring a show sometimes cheaper, but if the show is doing well in it's origin country, there is a good chance it will also do well here. At least, a greater chance than a show that's failing in it's own country. Plus, even if it does do well here, if it's cancelled it's origin country, it's dead here too (i.e., Bo-bo-bo Bo Bo-Bo-Bo).

Well just because something is popular in one country doesn't mean its popular in another, like Americans loved the dark knight, but Japanese didn't care for it.

Another possibility is a switch in cultural attitudes amongst kids today, now Canada is likely the most similar country to the US in the world, so storytelling practices would be very similar though not exactly the same, maybe that connects more with today's kids? Plus Canada is more "liberal" country then Canada, Canadian kids cartoons are willing to take risks that CN might be afraid to, so they can let another person take the risks and then buy the cartoon for a song, all money that can come of a big risk, with very little risk itself.

[Dudley]

So there's TDI, 6Teen.....

That's just two. So, I'm going to have to say no.

[R-Taco]

So there's TDI, 6Teen.....

That's just two. I'm going to have to say no.

Don't forget George of the Jungle, Chop Socky Chooks & Storm Hawks. Johnny Test is also a Canadian co-production.

[chdr]

Honestly, this is nothing new. CN has been airing Canadian cartoons since the beginning of time. People are only noticing it now because anime is overshadowing it anymore.

[creativerealms]

Don't forget George of the Jungle, Chop Socky Chooks & Storm Hawks. Johnny Test is also a Canadian co-production.

Chooks is British.

[RSNaco]

If CN is looking north of the border for new content, I'm pretty sure I haven't been the only one supporting the acquisition of Class of the Titans. I've seen and heard a lot of good stuff from that series so far, and it could fit well in one of the established block like You Are Here (Then again that would mean booting one of the already established shows or limiting Clone Wars to one episode).

[Mickialla]

I think that it's just a coincidence right now. They did some business with Teletoon by co-producing George of the Jungle, and so that probably led to them making other deals with Teletoon, which lead to TDI airing. And in turn, TDI's success lead to 6Teen. Test aired on Kids WB!, so Cartoon Network probably just got it from there and it just happened to be a Canadian co-pro. But if all of their Canadian imports end up being successful, I know for sure that CN will shift their acquisition focus to Canada. I'd rather that that actually didn't happen. Most Canadian cartoons that I know of are bad flash animated cartoons with ok plots. TDI and 6Teen just come off to me as a nothing special cartoon about teenagers.

With their sister company WBA producing less and less shows, and their sudden supposed lack of faith in anime (I hope it's temporary), I will say that Cartoon Network has had success with Canadian animation, but they haven't completely shifted towards it just yet.

[Racattack!Force]

Well just because something is popular in one country doesn't mean its popular in another, like Americans loved the dark knight, but Japanese didn't care for it.
It was an American film, and the fact it showed up in Japan was because...well, Warner Bros. could afford it...I'm just 14, I don't know that much. :sweat:

Another possibility is a switch in cultural attitudes amongst kids today, now Canada is likely the most similar country to the US in the world, so storytelling practices would be very similar though not exactly the same, maybe that connects more with today's kids?
Not really, since Canada has always been close culturally to the United States. :shrug:

Plus Canada is more "liberal" country then Canada, Canadian kids cartoons are willing to take risks that CN might be afraid to, so they can let another person take the risks and then buy the cartoon for a song, all money that can come of a big risk, with very little risk itself.
...Um, what? O_o...Could you please phrase that better?

Don't forget George of the Jungle, Chop Socky Chooks & Storm Hawks. Johnny Test is also a Canadian co-production.
GotJ is a co-production with Cartoon Network, as is Storm Hawks. And Chop Socky Chooks is British.

[clipeuh]

GotJ is a co-production with Cartoon Network, as is Storm Hawks. And Chop Socky Chooks is British.

I think Chooks is a co-production Canada-U.K. When it airs here on Teletoon it has the Teletoon Original Production bumper.:)

[Blackstar]

Cartoon Network doesn't have a preference for cartoons from Canada anymore than they have a preference for cartoons from Japan or anywhere else. Entertainment is a business like any other, and as such, all that CN cares about is money and ratings, so they will acquire any show that they feel will get them the ratings that they so desire, regardless of what country it comes from. When 1 series becomes a ratings success, they look for similar types of shows to air, hoping to repeat that shows' powerful success. That's all there really is to it.

[stephane dumas]

...Um, what? O_o...Could you please phrase that better?


I think he means then Canadian cartoons sometimes take the risk of being a bit "politically incorrect" like 6Teen and TDI for example and Nickelodeon broadcasted once a Canadian show who'll be considerated politically incorrect today: "You Can't Do That on Television"

Btw, I wonder if older Canadian cartoons like Quads! (who was a co-production between Canada and Australia), Delilah & Julius, Fred's Head could fit CN's programming?

[clipeuh]

I think he means then Canadian cartoons sometimes take the risk of being a bit "politically incorrect" like 6Teen and TDI for example and Nickelodeon broadcasted once a Canadian show who'll be considerated politically incorrect today: "You Can't Do That on Television"

Btw, I wonder if older Canadian cartoons like Quads! (who was a co-production between Canada and Australia), Delilah & Julius, Fred's Head could fit CN's programming?

Definitely not Quads :sweat: Gosh that show was terrible.
Delilah & Julius recently ended and has a fair lot of episodes so I could see it on CN (or Jetix).
Fred's Head only has one season and it got cancelled. Sure the humor was kinda like 6TEEN/TDI but it didn't do very well with the english audience. And it has a lot of canadian/quebec reference that americans would not really understand.

[Racattack!Force]

I think Chooks is a co-production Canada-U.K. When it airs here on Teletoon it has the Teletoon Original Production bumper.:)
It's a Canada-UK-USA co-production. The production was done in Canada and both Cartoon Network and Teletoon funded it.

[Dr.Pepper]

I have kind of been noticing the increased numbers of Canadian shows on CN. Not that I have a problem with it or anything.

[Jayngfet]

I'd like to see undergrads on adult swim, but that show was a financial bomb with one season so I'm not getting my hopes up.

If jimmy's head was still on I'd ask for Zixx but since CN got brains I won't ask for another series with signifigant live action.

[The Overlord]

You know what's weird Ruby Gloom is shown almost everywhere except the US, heck its shown on the Japanese CN and the Japanese even made a weird Ruby Gloom music video.

[Light Lucario]

Cartoon Network is a business. They care about money. They care about ratings. It’s cheaper for them to acquire animated programs from foreign markets than to create their own animated programs from scratch, and recently, the animated programs that they have acquired have performed quite well in the ratings. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Cartoon Network is going to continue looking abroad, but the notion that they are going out of their way to remove anime from their network is just plain silly. They don’t favor any one country over another country; they favor money. To them, that’s all that matters. They would air an animated program that was made in Poland if they thought that it could bring home the bacon, and I say that with no malice towards Poland. I’m just trying to make a point.

Exactly. I completely agree with you. It doesn't matter to CN where their acquired animated programs come from as long as they get money from them. Does that make them bad? No, that makes them a company/network that naturally wants more money to survive as a company/network. It's basic business logic honestly. The only recent Canadian cartoons that I can think of that they've acquired lately are TDI and 6Teens. Saying that those shows are overshadowing anime is just like another conspriacy theory about their attitude toward anime lately.

Of course I have never heard of them airing cartoons from Poland or Brazil or a bunch of other countries I can think of.

Perhaps its just the demands of today's market, Canadian cartoons are likely cheaper to acquire then anime, you don't have to dub them or pay a lot of extra money for getting the music of the show, plus kids might be getting fed up of the decompression present in a lot of anime, American and Canadian cartoons don't tend to be that be decompressed.

I believe The Huntsman's point was more about how if they did have success with cartoons from Poland or Brazil, then they would have some more cartoons from those countries. Just so you know, I don't think CN paid for the dubbing and music of their anime. That's the job for the company that license the series, like FUNimation for instance. CN would mostly likely be in charge of when and where to air them, but I don't believe that CN had to pay the cost of dubbing anime or any kind of music. What anime CN does have left, at least Pokemon and Bakugan, have done well enough in ratings. I believe Naruto's ratings dropped once the filler episodes started, but that's about all I know of it.

[stephane dumas]

Definitely not Quads :sweat: Gosh that show was terrible.
Delilah & Julius recently ended and has a fair lot of episodes so I could see it on CN (or Jetix).
Fred's Head only has one season and it got cancelled. Sure the humor was kinda like 6TEEN/TDI but it didn't do very well with the english audience. And it has a lot of canadian/quebec reference that americans would not really understand.

thanks for the infos. Now I wonder if older Canadian cartoons who was once aired on MTV, Undergrads and Clone High could have a 2nd chance on CN?

[MetroSparkster]

You know what's weird Ruby Gloom is shown almost everywhere except the US, heck its shown on the Japanese CN and the Japanese even made a weird Ruby Gloom music video.

I know! I've seen most of the episodes online and I say this deserves to be here in the US.

[Bunai]

seems like everyone forgot Atomic Betty

[Silverstar]

seems like everyone forgot Atomic Betty

I know I did, or at least I'm trying to.

Atomic Betty was a better idea than it was a show. The premise had potential, but the actual episodes were "bleh". In other words, promising idea, weak execution.

[macattack]

Canadian cartoons aren't getting picked up with higher frequency than they usually are. The two big differences are: 1. CN hasn't had a Canadian import be a big hit on the level of TDI until now, and 2. CN has drastically decreased the amount of Japanese animation on the network so the amount of Canadian cartoons are more noticeable.

That's really all it comes down to.

[TKnHappyNess]

It's the same for Canadian viewers when it comes to YTV airing Nickelodeon shows. It and Treehouse are both owned by Corus, and Treehouse did have a bunch. They have Dora and Diego, they had Bear in the Big Blue House, Blue's Clues, Blue's Room (not sure if that one's still on). I guess that's what they do because they only need a required amount of Canadian content. The rest, they can put on whatever they want.

[The Overlord]

Canadian cartoons aren't getting picked up with higher frequency than they usually are. The two big differences are: 1. CN hasn't had a Canadian import be a big hit on the level of TDI until now, and 2. CN has drastically decreased the amount of Japanese animation on the network so the amount of Canadian cartoons are more noticeable.

That's really all it comes down to.

Ah but the question is, would the sucess of TDI result in CN picking up more canadian cartoons from now on.

[Racattack!Force]

Ah but the question is, would the sucess of TDI result in CN picking up more canadian cartoons from now on.
If they discover ANY show that's similar to TDI, Canadian or not, then they are getting it.

[Mickialla]

I know I did, or at least I'm trying to.

Atomic Betty was a better idea than it was a show. The premise had potential, but the actual episodes were "bleh". In other words, promising idea, weak execution.

Same with Alien Force, good premise and concept, terrible execution.

I can't comment on if Atomic Betty was that way because I barely watched it, but what I did watch wasn't bad nor good, it was just kinda there. So I wouldn't mind giving it a chance, especially since it's still running and has a decent number or episodes.

If they discover ANY show that's similar to TDI, Canadian or not, then they are getting it.

Well, we all know that 6Teen got picked up and that's similar to TDI, otherwise I don't know too many Canadian toons to comment, but I think two shows revolving around a group of normal teenagers is enough for CN, Canadian or not.

[chdr]

Personally, I like the fact that they are targeting teenagers now. It makes CN feel less like a channel strictly for kids.

[Sketch]

Personally, I like the fact that they are targeting teenagers now. It makes CN feel less like a channel strictly for kids.

They've targeted teenagers before you know and by teenagers I mean 12-14 they're still not warming up to aiming shows at 15-17 and fully embracing the 12-17 demographic that they can capture with shows like TDI and Naruto as recent as this year and DBZ, Justice League, Kenshin and others in previous years.

[chdr]

I'm aware that CN has targeted teens in the past, but the execs have been thinking of the channel as more of a generic kids' station in recent years. The fact that they're trying to shake off that mentality of "CN is for kids" that they've had for a couple years now is good news.

[warnerbroman]

and here's another reward for longest title

as long as to dos not turn into "Canada Network" I am cool

[Racattack!Force]

Well, we all know that 6Teen got picked up and that's similar to TDI, otherwise I don't know too many Canadian toons to comment, but I think two shows revolving around a group of normal teenagers is enough for CN, Canadian or not.
Good point. Cartoon Network should know better than to do that. :sweat: