What can CN do to make the best Saturday morning block on television?

[CottonSwab]

We touched upon this in the "CN ratings thread", but I figured that this topic needed it's own thread to discuss the importance of a killer satAM block. So, my question to you guys is, what can CN do to make their satAM block the best place to visit for Saturday morning cartoons? The way I see it is that CN has a chance to really become the #1 place for Saturday morning cartoons, with 4KidsTV on Fox gone, CW4kids pulling in medocre ratings and Disney and Nick being more of a mix of cartoons and live action, CN is in a position where they can dominate the Saturday morning time slot. What I would do if I was CN is capitolize on the fact that you have 3 big shows with 3 big premiers (Transformers, Pokemon and Bakugan) and add some more premiers to the block in hopes that more people will tune in to see the brand new episodes. I know CN has some new projects which will be on the satAM block and hopefully whatever they maybe be are shows that people will actually want to see, and the best thing they can do with them is to remove the You Are Here repeats and make Crushzone (or whatever they want to call it) a completely fresh block by placing the premiers within the old YAH shows timeslots. That way more people may tune into You Are Here to catch those premiers knowing that they wont have the chance the next morning, and then people will tune into Crushzone for the premiers that are offered there because they know they wont be YAH repeats. Anyone have any input on this?

[batman_cool]

The problem is nothing CN can add to the block that could beat Nick's Spongebob. That's pretty much the bottom line.

[CottonSwab]

The problem is nothing CN can add to the block that could beat Nick's Spongebob. That's pretty much the bottom line.

Thats just one show, and that is just an opinion on top of that. To say something like, "This will never beat that and thats the bottom line!" does not help the topic, answer the question or add to the conversation. The question was, "What can CN do?", this also implies to "What can CN try?", and "What is CN did this.....?" kind of questions. What CN needs is big properties, advertising away from their own promo's on their own network, and ideas that think outside the box. Anything is possible.

[Foxface321]

I would more shows that are action or comedy

[Blackstar]

I would more shows that are action or comedy

That's kind of what the whole network is doing, isn't it? Unless you're suggesting that CN's Saturday morning block be a mix of action and comedy, in which case, I suppose that could work, although CN seems to be fond of grouping all of it's shows into blocks according to genre (action, comedy, anime, etc.)

Part of the problem as I see it is that Saturday morning cartoon blocks are going the way of the bald eagle, since most of the shows that run on Saturday mornings are encores of premieres from earlier in the week. As it is, CN already airs a night of premieres on Friday nights, which is a largely untapped market, since none of the "big networks"--ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC--are airing cartoons on Friday night. I honestly can't say what CN can do to dominate Saturday mornings.

[Mickialla]

I've been thinking about this for a while now. If Cartoon Network wants to create a good Saturday morning block, they should follow the model of Kids WB! at it's peak. Kids WB! was arguably the most successful satAM block during the 90's, and it continued to thrive during the 00's up until around '04 or '05. That's because they had a great mix of quality action and quality comedy. They had the Warner Bros Animation cartoons, both comedy (What's New Scooby-Doo, Sylvester & Tweety, etc) and the DCAU shows (Batman Beyond, Static Shock, etc), plus they had some anime that worked well on Saturday mornings (Pokemon, Yugi-Oh). They had a great combo. Cartoon Network still has the ability to get great comedy/action acquisitions that could fit well on Saturday mornings. Here's a list of cartoons that Cartoon Network hasn't aired or one the CN has aired but that still has new episodes that could do well on Saturday mornings in the vein of KidsWB:

-Scooby-Doo: Mystery Inc. (announced at this year's upfront)
-Batman: The Brave and the Bold (this has always given me the softer and toned-down action feel that Sat. morning action toons tend to have)
-Storm Hawks
-L.O.S.E
-Code Lyoko
-Atomic Betty
-Transformers: Animated (already on Saturday mornings)
-Pokemon (also already on Saturdays)
-Huntik (I haven't checked this show out yet, but it's supposedly doing well, though it doesn't look great to me. Either way, it could still make for a good action adition to the block).

[J!!!]

Here's my Idea for a Saturday schedule how about a schedule that would have a mix of action and comedy and would attract people.
8:00 Pink Panther and Pals
8:30 L.OS.E.
9:00 Scooby-Doo Mystery INC.
9:30 Adventure Time
10:00 Transformers Animated
10:30 Marvel Super Hero Squad
11:00 Pokemon
11:30 Hot Wheels Battle Force 5

[CartoonCrazy]

Well, it depends who they are trying to draw in. Is Cartoon Network only trying to draw in the kids (and possibly the fans who lurk this very forum) or are they trying to draw in different age groups? If they want a larger range of age demographic, I think these guys might bring in some of the adults.. :bugs1::daffy::coyote:

[Blackstar]

Well, it depends who they are trying to draw in. Is Cartoon Network only trying to draw in the kids (and possibly the fans who lurk this very forum) or are they trying to draw in different age groups? If they want a larger range of age demographic, I think these guys might bring in some of the adults.. :bugs1::daffy::coyote:

Nah. Cartoon Network is only targeting kids 13 and under these days. Guys our age don't even register a blip on CN's radar anymore. Turner feels that CN doesn't have to appeal to adults anymore; that's why they have Adult Swim. And even if CN were still a general animation channel (which it isn't), Saturday morning has always been predominantly kids' territory.

[CottonSwab]

I think CN's satAM block could pull in people of all crowds if they scheduled it correctly, I made a similar post within the CW4Kids thread with a similar formula. First off, CN could expand the block and start it at 7am where the younger crowd could enjoy the comedies based toward their age range. That would go on from 7-9 and then starting at 9am CN could air the premiers of their big actions shows like Transformers, Bakugan, Pokemon and other aquisitions made along the way, this way everyone gets a taste of their favorite stuff throughout the morning. Maybe this may not be the best idea, but at least it's an idea, I mean, there could be other ways to make their satAM block the best and most watched on television and I think they have a real shot at making it happen if they play their cards right.

[LordTerminal]

Well they could put Transformers on at a decent timeslot again for starters. This is supposedly the last season and they shove it into a time period where everyone is most likely asleep?

[Jeff Harris]

You want to know how to get the audiences back on Cartoon Network's Saturday morning? Give the viewers something they can't see any other day of the week. Something worth getting up in the morning for.

Something old, something new.

Know what works and what doesn't. Let's face facts, Nobody wants to see reruns from shows that aired the previous night At least not EVERY SHOW.

Comedy doesn't have to be buried in the early morning. Action doesn't have to end the block. Perhaps they could mix it up a bit, creating a better lineup without kowtowing to an archaic formula.

So, here's my plan:

1. Put The Bugs Bunny and Tweety Show on Cartoon Network on an hour block from 10:30 - 11:30 AM on Saturday mornings.

It is criminally insane to think that Looney Tunes are not on in America, and one HUGE way they could bring it back is by airing a weekly hour-long showcase in that slot. Why THAT slot? Well, for starters, it'll be in a prime cushioning slot as well as a key show that parents will leave their sets on thinking "Hey, I remember that!" The kids will watch, and that'll be a keystone for the Saturday morning lineup.

And if you want to know the truth, Spongebob is bigger with adults than it is with kids. And many of those adults are parents. Think about that for a while, children.

2. Mix up action and comedy before and after Bugs and Tweety.

Yeah, you can air something like, say, The Pink Panther on at the beginning of the block, but put in something ratings-skewering like Pokemon or Brave and the Bold after it. Build on the audience. That's what makes a good block great. You could air some harder, "edgier" shows afterwards like, say, Chowder and Ben 10.

3. Don't be so consumer-oriented.

It's odd, I know, but hear me out on this one. A bulk of what's on Cartoon Network's Saturday morning lineup is solely made to sell toys and games. While it lines pockets, it doesn't draw in audiences as much as they like. Bakugan isn't a critical or commercial darling and doesn't really pack in the audiences, but since Cartoon Network has a vested interest in the show, they could keep the show, but perhaps make it a daily afternoon offering rather than a weekday morning one. Same deal with Pokemon and Transformers Animated. Perhaps they could be part of a stronger foundation on weekdays, but Saturday mornings belongs to the toons.

4. Don't start at 8 AM E/P.

Saturday mornings doesn't have to be limited to the early morning timeslot. Let kids sleep in a bit longer in the morning. They deserve it. Then, kickstart Saturday mornings at 9 AM E/P. End it at 1 PM E/P. Four hours of cartoon goodness will cure whatever ails you.

That said, here's how I'd program the block:

9 AM: The Pink Panther and Pals
9:30 AM: Pokemon
10 AM: Scooby-Doo: Mystery Inc.
10:30 AM: The Bugs Bunny and Tweety Show
11:30 AM: Chowder
12 PM: Ben 10: Alien Force
12:30 PM: The Secret Saturdays

[Racattack!Force]

I like what you did with your schedule there, I actually have a feeling that Transformers: Animated will continue into the next year. :sweat:

[macattack]

Nice plan for SatAM, Jeff. I'd probably still go with an all-action schedule mostly because CN has become drastically comedy-oriented and action needs a sturdy home, but your schedule actually flows pretty well.

[Racattack!Force]

Nice plan for SatAM, Jeff. I'd probably still go with an all-action schedule mostly because CN has become drastically comedy-oriented and action needs a sturdy home, but your schedule actually flows pretty well.Seeing as how most of the animated series CN picked up this year are action, with some action acqiustions coming up next year, I think it's fair to have the Saturday morning schedule balanced.

[ECDT1089]

9 AM: The Pink Panther and Pals
9:30 AM: Pokemon
10 AM: Scooby-Doo: Mystery Inc.
10:30 AM: The Bugs Bunny and Tweety Show
11:30 AM: Chowder
12 PM: Ben 10: Alien Force
12:30 PM: The Secret Saturdays

I like this schedule. I think it would work perfectly. Man I miss the good ol' days of Saturday morning cartoons. Cartoon Network still has potential. They just need to do something that will make Saturday mornings enjoyable again. Man, those Acme Hour Saturdays. I miss them.:sweat:

[Justy]

9 AM: The Pink Panther and Pals
9:30 AM: Pokemon
10 AM: Scooby-Doo: Mystery Inc.
10:30 AM: The Bugs Bunny and Tweety Show
11:30 AM: Chowder
12 PM: Ben 10: Alien Force
12:30 PM: The Secret Saturdays

In keeping with the "something they can't see" most other times theme, I'd suggest exchanging Chowder (already premiering on Thursdays and airing throughout CN's schedule) and Ben 10: Alien Force (no new eps for a bit and also airing frequently already) for Totally Spies! (the unaired 5th season) and Class of the Titans.

[macattack]

Seeing as how most of the animated series CN picked up this year are action, with some action acqiustions coming up next year, I think it's fair to have the Saturday morning schedule balanced.

Point taken.

[CottonSwab]

I like this schedule. I think it would work perfectly. Man I miss the good ol' days of Saturday morning cartoons. Cartoon Network still has potential. They just need to do something that will make Saturday mornings enjoyable again. Man, those Acme Hour Saturdays. I miss them.:sweat:

I know what you mean about missing the "goold ol' days" of satAM cartoons man, but todays cartoons are nothing to scoff at, I mean, for starters we still have CN and CW4kids playing great cartoons, Nicktoons airs cartoons and I think Nick may goof up and put a cartoon on their network on Saturday morning, so there is still good stuff to be had. I just thin CN is in a position where they could solidify their status as the "best" place for cartoons on Saturday mornings, there is so much untapped potential there, but even if CN left their satAM block the same I would be okay with it. I personally just think they could reallygo ahead and create a legacy with it if they wanted to.

[vkitty]

9 AM: The Pink Panther and Pals
9:30 AM: Pokemon
10 AM: Scooby-Doo: Mystery Inc.
10:30 AM: The Bugs Bunny and Tweety Show
11:30 AM: Chowder
12 PM: Ben 10: Alien Force
12:30 PM: The Secret Saturdays

I really like this schedule you made here. Great mix and flow, and probably good for ratings as well. If others are like me--chances are I'd watch The Bugs Bunny and Tweety Show and Alien Force, but watch Chowder as well since it's in between. (The same effect for other shows and other people.) Most of all though, it's interesting and appeals to a wide variety.

[CottonSwab]

I really like this schedule you made here. Great mix and flow, and probably good for ratings as well. If others are like me--chances are I'd watch The Bugs Bunny and Tweety Show and Alien Force, but watch Chowder as well since it's in between. (The same effect for other shows and other people.) Most of all though, it's interesting and appeals to a wide variety.

It's a nice schedule but we would still be stuck with You Are Here repeats which most people would like to see eliminated to give Crushzone (or whatever the name of the satAM block would be) some authenticity, or a life of it's own. I like the idea of the Bugs and Tweety show, Pokemon and Pink Panther and Pals airing on Saturdays, but we also have premiers of Transformers and Bakugan to work with and as I said before, I find more people would watch YAH and Crushzone if the shows didn't interchange. By "branding" the blocks to have their own shows it would bring something special to each block, but I can why Jeff would want to see this if he was looking at it from the standpoint of You Are Here is no longer around, then I would jump all over this

[vkitty]

It's a nice schedule but we would still be stuck with You Are Here repeats which most people would like to see eliminated to give Crushzone or whatever the name of the satAM block would be some authenticity. I like the idea of Bugs and Tweety, Pokemon and Pink Panther, but we also have premiers of Transformers and Bakugan to work with and as I said before, I find more people would watch YAH and Crushzone if the shows didn't interchange. By "branding" the blocks to have their own shows it would bring something special to each block, but I can why Jeff would want to see this if he was looking at it from the standpoint of You Are Here is no longer around, then I would jump all over this.

You definitely have a valid point here. My standpoint is a little different I admit, so I should probably give an idea of where I'm coming from. I go to a college that doesn't have cable in every room, just in the lounges. Therefore, I see minimal TV. The time I watch TV the most is Saturday mornings when I'm home--about every 5th weekend. I know this situation is not the same with everyone, but my point is there are others who simply don't know about the shows being on other "blocks" throughout the week. The younger audience are busy with school, practices, and other things during the week. Many of the older audience members are working, etc. during those times.

To someone who watches TV a lot, sure, the schedule could seem tiresome to them. However, a lot of people have "lazy Saturday mornings" where they just flip on the tube to see what's on. A block with that variety would certainly bring in the Saturday morning browsers--as mentioned before with the variety of shows adults know and newer shows, both action and comedy.

[Jeff Harris]

It's a nice schedule but we would still be stuck with You Are Here repeats . . . I like the idea of the Bugs and Tweety show, Pokemon and Pink Panther and Pals airing on Saturdays, but we also have premiers of Transformers and Bakugan to work with and as I said before, By "branding" the blocks to have their own shows it would bring something special to each block, but I can why Jeff would want to see this if he was looking at it from the standpoint of You Are Here is no longer around, then I would jump all over thisHere's the thing . . . I am working with the belief that You Are Here is still around.

It'll look remarkably different with Sym-Bionic Titan, Generator Rex, Brave and the Bold, and Clone Wars on instead of the current lineup everybody knows.

And as I said, why wouldn't Bakugan, Transformers Animated, and Pokemon work on weekday afternoons, the former two could have weekly premieres on a Friday afternoon where more eyeballs could witness it? I think one of the main reasons the afternoon lineup isn't so popular these days is that they repeat everything ad nauseam. A little variety would work wonders on the afternoon lineup (seriously, how many times can they air Johnny Test in the course of a day without causing one to drink?), and it's about time Bakugan, Pokemon, and Transformers escape the abyss of early weekday mornings and come to afternoons where they belong.

Hell, I'm dumbfounded why they're showing so many repeats of the same six shows when they have libraries of shows that haven't been seen in years.

[CottonSwab]

Here's the thing . . . I am working with the belief that You Are Here is still around.

It'll look remarkably different with Sym-Bionic Titan, Generator Rex, Brave and the Bold, and Clone Wars on instead of the current lineup everybody knows.

And as I said, why wouldn't Bakugan, Transformers Animated, and Pokemon work on weekday afternoons, the former two could have weekly premieres on a Friday afternoon where more eyeballs could witness it? I think one of the main reasons the afternoon lineup isn't so popular these days is that they repeat everything ad nauseam. A little variety would work wonders on the afternoon lineup (seriously, how many times can they air Johnny Test in the course of a day without causing one to drink?), and it's about time Bakugan, Pokemon, and Transformers escape the abyss of early weekday mornings and come to afternoons where they belong.

Hell, I'm dumbfounded why they're showing so many repeats of the same six shows when they have libraries of shows that haven't been seen in years.

I totally see what your saying, so what you want to see is YAH's schedule change and to move Transformers and Bakugan to weekday afternoons all while placing premiers of TSS and Batman to satAM. Thats actually works for me, it would kind of make all three blocks different and add to their "brand" and would/should make everyone want to watch each block for a different flovor, so to speak. And I definatly agree about using their library of shows as a nice way to break up the constant repeats, I sometimes feel like I have seen the same 5 episodes of certain shows over 50 times.