Cartoonito is a pre-school brand owned and distributed by Turner Broadcasting System Europe Ltd, available as dedicated television channels in the United Kingdom, Italy and Spain, and also as a branded block of content on Boomerang across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.[1] The brand is aimed at young children under the age of 6 years.[2]
According to the TBS website, "Cartoonito is a brand dedicated to helping pre-school kids explore their world in a fun and imaginative way.[3] The fun, entertaining and quirky content on Cartoonito is designed to make children feel safe and relaxed by providing an environment where they can be themselves, play and discover". Flagship shows are listed as LazyTown, Bananas in Pyjamas, The Koala Brothers and Jelly Jamm.
History
Cartoonito was originally a programming block on Cartoon Network TOO with it airing between 06:00 and 15:00. It started on 4 September 2006 with it airing for the last time (as a block on CN Too) on 23 May 2007 as it got its own channel as a replacement for the original version of Cartoon Network Too. As it was no longer a block on CN Too, it expanded its broadcasting hours to 03:00 until 19:00, timesharing with TCM 2, another UK-only spin-off channel from TCM. In addition, the programming block arrangements with Cartoon Network TOO ended, which made it 24 hours for the first time as it replaced Toonami as the current version. However, from September 2009 until March 2010, Boomerang gave up its morning programming for a new Cartoonito slot, ending its 24 hour schedule which had been in place since 2001. In its early years, between 03:00 and 06:00 each morning, it also aired some shows from Cartoon Network TOO, Boomerang and sometimes the main Cartoon Network,.
On 25 March 2010, Cartoonito was added to Virgin Media on channel 706.[4] In early 2011, Cartoonito changed its hours to 04:00 until 20:00, and revamped its early hour schedule to include more pre-school orientated shows. In April 2011, Cartoonito became available to digital terrestrial in Italy. On 12 October 2011 at 05:45, Fireman Sam was aired on Cartoonito for the first time.
In September 2011, Cartoonito became available across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa[5].
Program list
Current/upcoming programming
Late at night only
| Global Thingy |
Forrmer programming
Late at night only
South Africa
Turner Broadcasting System Europe had announced it would launch its UK-based preschoolers' channel Cartoonito across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, increasing the brand's distribution to 125 million homes in 112 territories.[6] On Cartoon Network South Africa, Cartoonito is launching as a morning block that is broadcast for seven days a week, starting from May 7, 2012.