Does Nintendo really pay CN to keep Pokemon on the air?

[CyberCubed]

I've seen people mention this before and I really want to know if this is true or not. Does Nintendo really pay CN to keep Pokemon on their channel?

Where did people find out about this information? Pokemon still does consistently well Saturday mornings on CN regardless, but does Nintendo really have to bribe the company to keep the show on the air?

[SuperMegaHyper]

Well sort of, Pokemon is a very profitable franchise, and it still sells very well and I'm sure CN is seeing some of that money, and I'm sure they don't want to see one of thier biggest cash cows go away. Atleast that's how I interperate it.

[The Wolverine]

People keep saying it, but I've never heard anything regarding it.

Doesn't mean it's not true, just means I've seen no proof of it.

[Marvin Tikvah]

No, Nintendo doesn't pay CN to keep the show on the air.

That would probably be handled by PUSA or TAJ Studios. I honestly don't have an answer to your question though.

[Shawn Hopkins]

No. If they did, I think that would be breaking laws about advertising on childrens' television, as Pokemon would become, literally, a paid 30-minute ad.

[Daxdiv]

PUSA would be the most likely candidate since they do handle everything Pokemon related as far as merchandising goes in the US. But as for them paying them, I think it just people say that since Bakugan gives CN money, and that it is on air, that Pokemon must make money for CN to air. So unless I see a source about it, I don't trust it.

[Light Lucario]

I've never seen any proof to this statement either. I'm sure that PUSA would handle anything with Pokemon in the U.S., not Nintendo. I wouldn't be surprised if CN does get something for airing the series, but I'm not sure if that would be the same thing as bribing them to air the series. It already does pretty well in terms of ratings and they still air some of the movies every now and then.

[D Dubbs]

Yeah, people around here keep on repeating this as if it's a fact, but there's been no solid proof whatsoever. It's all speculation.

[Racattack!Force]

I just assumed that Cartoon Network got a cut of the merch profits. :sweat:

[Raidon Makoto]

It was something that I had heard around here that made sense to me (considering Code Geass was only on the air since Bandai pays off CN). :/ I seem to recall something similar being on PE2K or Serebii a little while ago, but I could be making that up.

[Blackstar]

Yeah, people around here keep on repeating this as if it's a fact, but there's been no solid proof whatsoever. It's all speculation.

Just like "Cartoon Network hates anime" or "The DCAU is the one definitive take on the DCU". These are all personal opinions/theories that are repeated here so often that some people are under the misconception that they're facts.

[macattack]

Well, the former "CN hates anime" does have its fair share of correlations largely thanks to Naruto's cancellation and the fact that CN has stopped picking up anime. But I really don't want to have this argument again.

As for Nintendo paying CN to air Pokemon, it actually does happen in the business. Bandai pays AS to run Code Geass, for instance (and when the show got shoved to 5:00 a.m. they got infuriated and threatened to pull it from the lineup). FUNimation and Viz are also known for either letting CN get the shows for cheap or for free. However, I think that PUSA is probably the one handling the TV deal right now, but PUSA may be paying CN to run it or letting CN have it for free/cheap like the other anime licensors.

[Mad Mod 49]

Well, the former "CN hates anime" does have its fair share of correlations largely thanks to Naruto's cancellation


Or maybe Naruto just got crappy ratings ever since the endless amount of filler began airing. If the plot isn't going anywhere, why should one stick around to watch?

[CyberCubed]

I think the reason this "rumor" that PUSA/Nintendo pays CN to keep Pokemon on got started for this reason:

CN is canceling most of their other shows, both cartoons and anime, yet somehow Pokemon manages to stay on.

Just think of it, Pokemon has been renewed for its 12th season, even though CN has only aired 3 new seasons themselves (the first 8 seasons ran on KidsWB), but CN also used to air reruns of the older arcs too.

It has to be doing well for itself given its still on a prime slot in Saturday mornings. I don't think CN will keep the show as long as KidsWB did, but I think it'll get a healthy 5 year run on CN.

[Jave]

STOP BRINGING THE "CN HATES ANIME" ARGUMENT IN THREADS THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.

Or are you guys trying to deliberately get a Warning?

Please, resume discussion on how Nintendo is paying CN or not.

[Yusuke Urameshi]

Maybe nintendo pays the company who is currently dubbing pokemon and then they pay CN.


Nintendo -> dubbing company -> CN

To get around the system perhaps?

[warnerbroman]

Or maybe Naruto just got crappy ratings ever since the endless amount of filler began airing. If the plot isn't going anywhere, why should one stick around to watch?shippuden

hey maybe CN likes pokemon.....

[macattack]

STOP BRINGING THE "CN HATES ANIME" ARGUMENT IN THREADS THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.

Or are you guys trying to deliberately get a Warning?

Please, resume discussion on how Nintendo is paying CN or not.

Actually, CyberCubed kinda demonstrated how it applies IMO but I'll go along with your warning. I will say that there should really be a thread over the question whether CN hates anime or not to keep it out of the other threads, though.

I'll repeat my assertion that it isn't Nintendo footing the bill to keep it on CN, but probablu PUSA itself. PUSA has coffers full of money as they run and promote the Pokemon franchise in the United States. So, in effect, Nintendo is paying PUSA and PUSA is paying CN to run the show. Makes sense?

[Jave]

Actually, CyberCubed kinda demonstrated how it applies IMO but I'll go along with your warning. I will say that there should really be a thread over the question whether CN hates anime or not to keep it out of the other threads, though.I have no problem with such a thread as long as discussion is kept civil. Just make sure you know what you're starting, because another one of those topics will likely lead to trouble if the discussion gets too heated.

[macattack]

I have no problem with such a thread as long as discussion is kept civil. Just make sure you know what you're starting, because another one of those topics will likely lead to trouble if the discussion gets too heated.

All right, I'll start it, but first I'll send a PM to you detailing thread conditions and stuff so there's set guidelines for this AND the CN forum.

[Light Lucario]

I think the reason this "rumor" that PUSA/Nintendo pays CN to keep Pokemon on got started for this reason:

CN is canceling most of their other shows, both cartoons and anime, yet somehow Pokemon manages to stay on.

Just think of it, Pokemon has been renewed for its 12th season, even though CN has only aired 3 new seasons themselves (the first 8 seasons ran on KidsWB), but CN also used to air reruns of the older arcs too.

It has to be doing well for itself given its still on a prime slot in Saturday mornings. I don't think CN will keep the show as long as KidsWB did, but I think it'll get a healthy 5 year run on CN.

No offense, but I actually haven't heard of this reason for this rumor, besides some of your comments in other threads as well. I don't see CN dropping Pokemon any time soon, not even after five years from now.

Pokemon manages to stay because it does well enough. Yes, Naruto had good ratings as well, but I'm still willing to say that there are some differences between Pokemon's success and Naruto's success as a whole. Anyway, I'm not sure why PUSA paying CN to air Pokemon would be seen as a huge deal. I kind of thought that most companies in charge of a third-party show do pay the channel that airs the show. Granted, I don't have that much knowledge of how TV deals function like that, but that's just how I saw the situation.