KIDS' WB! ON THE CW ANNOUNCES FALL 2007 LINEUP; FOUR NEW ANIMATED SERIES JOIN RETURNING FAVORITES

No. 1 Saturday Morning Kids Broadcast Network Welcomes "Eon Kid," "Magi-Nation," "Will & Dewitt" and "Skunk Fu!"; "The Batman," "Shaggy & Scooby-Doo Get A Clue!" "Legion of Super Heroes," "Tom and Jerry Tales," "Johnny Test" Back with New Episodes

BURBANK, CA (AUGUST 27, 2007) * Kids' WB! on the CW premieres four new series on September 22 when the No. 1 rated Saturday morning kids broadcast network officially begins its 2007 season, it was announced today by Kids' WB! Senior Vice President and General Manager Betsy McGowen.

"Eon Kid," "Magi-Nation," "Will & Dewitt" and "Skunk Fu!" make their American network debuts on Kids' WB!, joining returning favorites "The Batman," "Shaggy & Scooby-Doo Get A Clue!" "Legion of Super Heroes," "Tom and Jerry Tales" and "Johnny Test." All nine series premiere new episodes on Saturday, September 22.

"From action and adventure to comedy and self-discovery, and animation styles running the gamut from traditional 2D to computer-generated and flash-anime, the new Kids' WB! lineup truly offers entertainment for everyone," McGowen said.

The new Kids' WB! on the CW lineup will air as follows in both ET/PT:

7:00 AM Will & Dewitt TV-Y (E/I)
7:30 AM Magi-Nation TV-Y (E/I)
8:00 AM Tom and Jerry Tales TV-Y
8:30 AM Tom and Jerry Tales TV-Y
9:00 AM Skunk Fu! TV-Y7
9:30 AM Shaggy & Scooby-Doo Get A Clue! TV-Y7
10:00 AM Eon Kid TV-Y7 FV
10:30 AM Johnny Test TV-Y7
11:00 AM Legion of Super Heroes TV-Y7 FV
11:30 AM The Batman TV-Y7 FV

The lineup, with individual series synopses:

Will & Dewitt (7:00 a.m.)
A series steeped in self-discovery and personal accomplishment, "Will & Dewitt" proves that sometimes the smallest victories are the greatest. Will is an everyday little kid with an endless thirst for big kid adventure. But he needs direction. Enter Dewitt, his talking frog and personal "life coach." Dewitt's a frog and then some * a green ball of shape-shifting optimism to guide Will toward his destiny of discovering that all things are possible. Where there's Will, Dewitt is the way. "Will & Dewitt" is produced by Cookie Jar Entertainment. The series is rated TV-Y (E/I).

Magi-Nation (7:30 a.m.)
"Magi-Nation" follows the adventures of teenager Tony Jones, whose world is forever changed when he is mystically transported into a beautiful world far beyond imagination that was created a millennium ago by a powerful race known as the Magi. Here Tony meets Edyn and Strag, two young Magi heroes in training, who help him discover his vast new magical environment. However, all is not perfect in Tony's new world as the Moonlands of Magi-Nation are threatened by the evil Shadow Magi. It's up to this young trio and their vast collection of Dream Creatures to thwart the evildoers' plans and protect their world. The series is rated TV-Y (E/I).

A multi-platform entertainment brand, kids enter the fantastic world of "Magi-Nation" via the 2D animated television series. From there, fans can experience the continuing action of the three young Magi heroes via the Internet (www.kidswb.com) as they navigate their way through environmental obstacles and confront the constant challenges and creatures that threaten the vitality of the 12 precious Moonlands of Magi-Nation. "Magi-Nation" is produced by Cookie Jar Entertainment and Daewon Media (Korea).

Tom and Jerry Tales (8:00 & 8:30 a.m.)
"Tom and Jerry Tales" resumes its eternal cat-and-mouse antics in one of the top-rated Saturday morning kids broadcast series of the 2006-2007 season. Departing the traditional home environment, Tom and Jerry travel the globe in search of all-new mischief, pummeling each other with their ongoing slapstick gags in new geographic locales and culturally diverse settings. The new season brings the pair to fresh destinations * from the exotic lands of Southeast Asia, Africa and Australia to the fantastical worlds of magic, mysticism, monsters and super heroes. Along the way, they'll play tennis and hockey, encounter fictional characters like Dracula and Frankenstein, become super heroes with escalating dueling powers, and give a helping hand to history * joining the Wright Brothers in their attempts to fly, and finding themselves in the midst of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Combining a faintly modern spin with a nod to the retro, this cat and mouse comedy team scrambles, slides and slams onto the screen, creating over-the-top, laugh-out-loud mayhem and memories. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation. The series is rated TV-Y.

Skunk Fu! (9:00 a.m.)
Already scoring big in the UK and Australia, "Skunk Fu!" is the hilarious tale of Skunk, a rambunctious martial arts student under the tutelage of wise old Panda. The goal of Skunk's training is to become the hero The Valley ultimately needs to fend off perennial attacks by evil Dragon, and end a centuries-old battle. Skunk and Panda are joined in their comedic adventures by a gallery of entertaining animal pals * from the combat-ready Rabbit and the skillful Fox to the adroit Turtle and cowardly Tiger. Each does his part to guide Skunk along his hero's journey of enlightenment, usually with amusing results. On the antagonist side of The Valley are Dragon's minions * his lead henchman Baboon and an army of Ninja Monkeys. They stand as equal parts menacing villains and comic foils to Skunk's escapades. "Skunk Fu!" is a co-production between Cartoon Saloon, Telegael and Hoek, Line and Thinker. Audiovisual rights for "Skunk Fu!" are being handled worldwide by Cake Distribution. The series is rated TV-Y7.

Shaggy & Scooby-Doo Get A Clue! (9:30 a.m.)
In its maiden season, "Shaggy & Scooby-Doo Get A Clue!" consistently rated No. 1 among Saturday morning kids broadcast series in the coveted Kids 2-11 demographic. The latest incarnation of the original "Scooby-Doo" characters has our canine hero and his pal Shaggy living in the mansion of Shaggy's mysteriously missing Uncle Albert. Within the mansion, the unorthodox boy-and-his-dog duo discover a secret lab filled with gadgets and formulas * including a transforming Mystery Machine and Scooby Snacks that give Scooby surprising powers. Shaggy and Scooby set out to find Uncle Albert and keep the secret technology away from the comically evil Dr. Phineus Phibes. The second season of "Shaggy & Scooby-Doo" raises the stakes on humor as Dr. Phibes now possesses the secret morphing nanotechnology * but has no idea how it works. The more he manipulates the formula, and uses himself and his bumbling agents as guinea pigs, the bigger the laughs. Over the course of these 13 new episodes, Shaggy & Scooby-Doo will encounter Phibes in a wide variety of venues * from the opening of their very own theme park 'Shaggy & Scooby World' * to Phibes' underground lair deep in the fiery bowels of an active volcano. They'll even meet aboard a Mexican cruise, vowing to eschew all differences in favor of a well-deserved week of vacation from "evil" * only to have those plans go ridiculously awry. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation. The series is rated TV-Y7.

Eon Kid (10:00 a.m.)
"Eon Kid" brings adventure to the life of Marty, an enterprising 11-year-old who unexpectedly becomes the human extension of the Fist of Eon. Seemingly lost for all time, the Fist endows Marty with amazing fighting powers * but puts him at the heart of a centuries-old struggle between good and evil. Pursued by the dark armies of The General, Marty must undertake a hero's journey of action, adventure, comedy and self-discovery into an eye-popping world of battle-bots, bounty hunters, legendary warriors and humanoid bandits. "Eon Kid" is produced in state-of-the-art, computer-generated television animation by Daiwon C&A Holdings Co., Design Storm Co., BRB International and Manga Entertainment, and distributed by Starz Media. The series is rated TV-Y7 FV (fantasy violence).

Johnny Test (10:30 a.m.)
"Johnny Test" chronicles the adventures of a fearless 11-year-old boy, his genetically engineered super dog, Dukey, and his 13-year-old super genius brainiac twin sisters, Susan and Mary, who use Johnny as their guinea pig for their out-of-this-world scientific experiments. Johnny is the ultimate test pilot where no mission is too unbelievable, no challenge is too great, no villain is too menacing * and no sister-created concoction is too wild. As long as his dog, Dukey, can come along, Johnny gives it a go! "Johnny Test" is produced by Cookie Jar Entertainment. The series is rated TV-Y7.

Legion of Super Heroes (11:00 a.m.)
The second season of "Legion of Super Heroes" finds the group fulfilling their collective destiny, each member elevating his skills to new levels & just in time to face even greater challenges. A incomprehensibly undefeatable nemesis * Imperiex, the destroyer of galaxies from the rich annals of DC Comics * puts the Legion into action alongside new team members. Superman returns from the 21st century with greater development of both his physical prowess and far better utilization of his powers to help the Legion toward victory in the 31st century and beyond. Moreover, the Legion finds a surprising, new ally from across the space-time continuum * a 41st century Superman, cloned from the original Superman with alien DNA added to the mix for new, enhanced powers * to assist in its efforts to rid the universe of this powerful foe. Along the way, the LOSH * including new members like Chameleon Boy * provides the perfect complement of heroics and comedy to the efforts of the Supermans. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation. The series is rated TV-Y7 FV (fantasy violence).

The Batman (11:30 a.m.)
Four-time Emmy Award winner "The Batman" will focus its new season on the introduction of Batman's Justice League peers. Expect amped-up action and heightened stakes as Superman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Green Arrow, Martian Manhunter and several others work in concert with Batman * and even more of his amazing technological wonders * to defend Gotham from a seemingly never-ending roster of super villains. The usual suspects return with nefarious new schemes and more sophisticated gadgetry as the Joker, Penguin, Harley Quinn and Mr. Freeze are joined in their quest to rid Gotham of any nocturnal winged creatures by the likes of Sinestro, Scarface, Mirror Master, Metallo, Clayface and even Lex Luthor, who enlists Poison Ivy and her enchanting spores to turn Superman against Batman in the two-part season premiere. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation. The series is rated TV-Y7 FV (fantasy violence).

Kids' WB! on the CW will welcome two additional series in early 2008 * the hotly anticipated "The Spectacular Spider-Man," an all-new animated series from Culver Entertainment; and "World of Quest," an action-comedy based on the Komikwerks graphic novel series by Jason Kruse, and produced by Cookie Jar Entertainment.

September 22/29/October/November 3/10/17/24, 2007
07:00AM Will & Dewitt
07:30AM Magi-Nation
08:00AM Tom and Jerry Tales
08:30AM Tom and Jerry Tales
09:00AM Skunk Fu!
09:30AM Shaggy & Scooby-Doo Get a Clue!
10:00AM Eon Kid
10:30AM Johnny Test
11:00AM Legion of Super Heroes
11:30AM The Batman

December 1/8/15/22/29, 2007
07:00AM Will & Dewitt
07:30AM Magi-Nation
08:00AM Shaggy & Scooby-Doo Get a Clue!
08:30AM Tom and Jerry Tales
09:00AM Skunk Fu!
09:30AM Teen Titans
10:00AM Eon Kid
10:30AM Johnny Test
11:00AM Legion of Super Heroes
11:30AM The Batman

January 5/12/19, 2008
07:00AM Will & Dewitt
07:30AM Magi-Nation
08:00AM Shaggy & Scooby-Doo Get a Clue!
08:30AM Tom and Jerry Tales
09:00AM Skunk Fu!
09:30AM Teen Titans
10:00AM Teen Titans
10:30AM Eon Kid
11:00AM Legion of Super Heroes
11:30AM The Batman

January 26/February/March 1, 2008
07:00AM Will & Dewitt
07:30AM Magi-Nation
08:00AM Shaggy & Scooby-Doo Get a Clue!
08:30AM Tom and Jerry Tales
09:00AM Skunk Fu!
09:30AM Johnny Test
10:00AM Teen Titans
10:30AM Eon Kid
11:00AM Legion of Super Heroes
11:30AM The Batman

March 8, 2008
07:00AM Will & Dewitt
07:30AM Magi-Nation
08:00AM Shaggy & Scooby-Doo Get a Clue!
08:30AM Tom and Jerry Tales
09:00AM Skunk Fu!
09:30AM Legion of Super Heroes
10:00AM The Spectacular Spider-Man
10:30AM The Spectacular Spider-Man
11:00AM The Batman
11:30AM The Batman

March 15/22, 2008
07:00AM Will & Dewitt
07:30AM Magi-Nation
08:00AM Shaggy & Scooby-Doo Get a Clue!
08:30AM Tom and Jerry Tales
09:00AM Skunk Fu!
09:30AM Legion of Super Heroes
10:00AM The Spectacular Spider-Man
10:30AM World of Quest
11:00AM Johnny Test
11:30AM Eon Kid

March 29/April 5, 2008
07:00AM Will & Dewitt
07:30AM Magi-Nation
08:00AM Skunk Fu!
08:30AM Tom and Jerry Tales
09:00AM Tom and Jerry Tales
09:30AM Legion of Super Heroes
10:00AM The Spectacular Spider-Man
10:30AM World of Quest
11:00AM Johnny Test
11:30AM Eon Kid

April 12/19/26/May 3/10/17
07:00AM Will & Dewitt
07:30AM Magi-Nation
08:00AM Skunk Fu!
08:30AM Tom and Jerry Tales
09:00AM Tom and Jerry Tales
09:30AM The Spectacular Spider-Man
10:00AM The Spectacular Spider-Man
10:30AM World of Quest
11:00AM Johnny Test
11:30AM Eon Kid
Write a forum conversation April 26 2008, 4Kids are taking over on May 24, and the b;ock is renamed

Forum Thread: Kids' WB! Transition – 4Kids Takes Over May 24, 2008

User1 (April 26, 2008, 10:15 AM):
Has anyone heard about the changes coming to the Kids' WB! block next month? I just saw a notice that 4Kids is taking over starting May 24, 2008, and that the block will be renamed. What’s going on?

User2 (April 26, 2008, 11:02 AM):
Yeah, I heard about that too! Kids' WB! is ending on The CW after May 17th, and starting May 24, 4Kids Entertainment will be running the Saturday morning block, which will be called "The CW4Kids." It’s a big shift, since 4Kids is known for shows like Yu-Gi-Oh! and Sonic X.

User3 (April 26, 2008, 11:45 AM):
Wow, that’s huge news! I’ve been following the Kids' WB! lineup all season. Shows like The Spectacular Spider-Man and World of Quest have been great. Any word on whether those shows will continue with 4Kids or if they’re planning a completely new lineup?

User4 (April 26, 2008, 12:10 PM):
From what I understand, 4Kids usually focuses on their own acquired anime and cartoon brands, so it’s unlikely that The Spectacular Spider-Man or World of Quest will stay. These shows were mostly a Warner Bros. production or Cookie Jar, so I expect the lineup to be refreshed entirely with 4Kids properties. Probably more Yu-Gi-Oh!, Dragon Ball, and Sonic X reruns.

User5 (April 26, 2008, 1:05 PM):
I’m a bit disappointed to see Kids' WB! go—they had a pretty solid lineup this year. The Batman, Johnny Test, Legion of Super Heroes, all great action shows. But I guess The CW wanted to outsource the block to 4Kids to save costs or push some of their properties.

User6 (April 26, 2008, 2:30 PM):
Yep, the CW4Kids block officially launches Saturday, May 24th, 2008, and I believe there’ll be a mix of 4Kids-produced shows and licensed anime. The last Kids' WB! broadcast should be on May 17th.

It’s really the end of an era since Kids' WB! has been around since 1995 in various forms. Time for new management and a new direction.

User1 (April 26, 2008, 3:45 PM):
Thanks for the info, everyone! I’ll definitely tune in for the last few Kids' WB! episodes but I’m curious to see what 4Kids brings. Hopefully, it won’t be too different from what we’re used to.

User7 (April 26, 2008, 4:00 PM):
Just a heads up—if you want to catch some of the shows that might be dropped, you might want to start watching or recording now. No guarantees they’ll be rerun or carried over to 4Kids.

User3 (April 26, 2008, 4:20 PM):
Good call. I’ll finish out the Spectacular Spider-Man run. Sad to see it go, but change is inevitable.

User8 (April 26, 2008, 5:10 PM):
Anyone know if 4Kids’ new block will continue airing on The CW’s main channel or if it might move to a digital subchannel or something like that?

User2 (April 26, 2008, 5:45 PM):
It will continue airing on The CW during the Saturday morning block, same timeslot. Just under the new name, CW4Kids.

User9 (April 26, 2008, 6:30 PM):
I remember when Kids' WB! was THE place for Saturday morning cartoons. Sad to see the name go, but excited to see what 4Kids can do. Hopefully, some good new shows come out of this!

Moderator (April 26, 2008, 7:00 PM):
Please keep the discussion friendly and on topic. Feel free to share the shows you’re looking forward to or want to see continue as we approach the Kids' WB! transition.

Summary:

Kids' WB! final broadcast on The CW is May 17, 2008.
4Kids Entertainment takes over Saturday mornings starting May 24, 2008.
Block renamed CW4Kids.
New lineup expected, likely focused on 4Kids-owned or licensed shows.
Fans advised to watch/record last Kids' WB! episodes now.
End of Thread

Write a follow up with the answer, Gradual transition, or going cold turkey

Forum Thread: Re: Kids' WB! Transition – Gradual Change or Cold Turkey?

User1 (April 28, 2008, 9:15 AM):
Hey folks, quick follow-up question: Is 4Kids planning a gradual transition from Kids' WB! programming to their own shows, or are they just going cold turkey and switching everything all at once on May 24th? Would love to know if there’ll be any overlap or if it’s a complete reset.

User3 (April 28, 2008, 9:45 AM):
From what I’ve read and seen in some trade announcements, it looks like 4Kids is going with a pretty much cold turkey approach. The entire lineup will change on May 24th, 2008. There won’t be a phased transition where Kids’ WB! shows slowly get replaced over time.

User5 (April 28, 2008, 10:20 AM):
Yeah, that matches what I heard during a promo spot on the CW last weekend. The schedule after May 17th looks like a completely new slate with 4Kids shows. So all the Kids’ WB! favorites like The Batman and The Spectacular Spider-Man end their runs before then.

User7 (April 28, 2008, 11:00 AM):
Makes sense business-wise. They probably want a clean break to establish the CW4Kids brand without confusion. A gradual transition might dilute audience expectations.

User2 (April 28, 2008, 11:35 AM):
Exactly. Fans should be ready for a full lineup switch on May 24th—new shows, new branding, new look. If you’re attached to the current families of shows, this weekend’s broadcasts are your last chance to catch them on The CW.

User4 (April 28, 2008, 1:15 PM):
So, “cold turkey” it is! Time to binge-watch the final episodes then. Thanks for clarifying!

Moderator (April 28, 2008, 2:00 PM):
Thanks everyone for the insightful discussion. Please remember to keep threads constructive. The CW4Kids block launch on May 24th marks a major shift in Saturday morning cartoons — stay tuned here for updates.

Summary:

The 4Kids takeover on May 24th, 2008, will be a complete, cold turkey transition.
No gradual phase-out of existing Kids’ WB! shows.
Last Kids’ WB! episodes air May 17th.
CW4Kids will debut with a fresh lineup and new branding.
End of Follow-Up Thread

Write a reply where a bumper aired saying "You're giving your favs up cold turkey (then it cut to a turkey in a freezer), as Kids WB CHANGES FOREVER, It becomes the CW4Kids, It's all new all different, from May 24 you're signed on to the CW4Kids"