Cartoonito (American programming block)

**Cartoonito** is an American programming block that launched on September 13, 2021 on both Cartoon Network and Max. It is aimed at preschool audiences.

## Background

### Previous preschool programming attempts (1996–05)

#### Educational block (1996–02)

In 1996, Cartoon Network decided to create a Sunday morning block of preschool programs. The series featured included *Big Bag*, a live-action/puppet television program created by the Children's Television Workshop (known for *Sesame Street*), *Small World*, a children's animated anthology show/variety show, and *Cave Kids* (a Hanna-Barbera cartoon produced spinoff starring Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm).

*Small World* aired in several countries (except Japan, China, and Korea) and syndicated many of their respective shows. *Cave Kids* only ran from September to November of that year. However, *Big Bag* ran until 1998, while Small World ran until c. 2002.

#### Tickle-U (2005-2006)

*Tickle-U* was Cartoon Network's first attempt at official weekday-morning preschool programming block, premiering August 22, 2005 and aired from 9 to 11 a.m. ET/PT. Programs on the lineup included original series *Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs*, *Gerald McBoing-Boing*, and *Firehouse Tales*, along with acquired fare such as *Gordon the Garden Gnome*, *Little Robots*, and *Peppa Pig*; the last three series were all of British origin, and were re-dubbed for American audiences. The block also featured two CGI characters as hosts: Pipoca (voiced by Ariel Winter) and Henderson (voiced by Tom Kenny).

It lasted until December 30, 2006, after which, the block and its hosts were soon removed, though the shows continued to air on Cartoon Network. The promos for the shows featured on the block had Tickle-U branding, along with the mascots of the block, removed and were replaced by shots of the main view of the City of Townsville from *The Powerpuff Girls*.

## History

### Launch (2021)

On February 5, 2021, Tom Ascheim stated in a interview with *Kidscreen* that Cartoon Network would expand its offerings to include series aimed at family audiences, girls, and preschoolers. The interview ended with the acquisition of the broadcast rights to *Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go*, a reboot of the original *Thomas & Friends* series.

These plans culminated on February 17, when it was announced that WarnerMedia's international preschool brand Cartoonito would come to Cartoon Network in United States (in addition to a streaming component on HBO Max).

In March 2021, the website for the block was made.

On June 14, 2021, new idents of the block appeared on videos (which includes *Esme & Roy*, *Mush-Mush and the Mushables*, *Care Bears: Unlock the Magic*, and *Love Monster*) on Cartoonito's YouTube channel, and an newsletter was announced, with a new banner and avatar on the Cartoonito USA YouTube Channel coming later in July.

On August 16, 2021, it was announced that the block will launch on September 13, 2021. On Cartoon Network, the block ran for 8 hours (6 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET/PT) on weekdays and 2 hours (6 a.m. to 8 a.m. ET/PT) on weekends.

On November 16, 2021, the weekday schedule decreased to 7 hours (ending at 1 p.m. ET/PT). It later dropped another hour, ending at noon (12 p.m. ET/PT) on December 20, 2021. The block ceased its weekend time slot on January 29, 2022, while the weekday schedule dropped yet another hour, ending at 11:00 a.m. ET/PT as of January 31, 2022. *Baby Looney Tunes* was dropped from the lineup, while *Cocomelon* was added in the process. In June 2022, the schedule dropped yet another hour, ending at 10:00 a.m. ET/PT but reverted on September 5. However, October 3 marked the first time the start-up changed. Instead of the usual 6 a.m. time slot, Cartoonito would begin at 7 a.m. after a regular Cartoon Network program, retaining its four hours.

In March 2023, the schedule was reduced from a four hour block to a ninety minute block (starting at 7:30 a.m. and ending at 9:00 a.m. ET/PT).

A 24/7 Cartoonito channel is yet to be launched.

## Programming

See List of programs broadcast by Cartoonito