Cartoon Network is Fumbling the Bag

Summary

The video script laments Cartoon Network's lack of celebration for its 30th anniversary, contrasting it with the network's past enthusiasm for its 20th. The speaker criticizes the absence of nostalgia-driven content and the missed opportunity to leverage the Cartoon Network brand on HBO Max. They also touch upon the potential of a multiverse fighting game to promote the anniversary, expressing disappointment in the network's current state and hoping for a last-minute surprise.

Takeaways

• 📺 Cartoon Network's 30th anniversary in 2022 has been largely ignored, which disappoints the speaker who grew up with the network.
• 🎉 The network's 20th anniversary in 2012 was celebrated with a significant event, including a revival of Cartoon Planet and nostalgic reruns.
• 📈 Despite the potential for a major celebration, Cartoon Network has not yet made any significant announcements or events for its 30th anniversary.
• 📚 The speaker notes that Cartoon Network's brand extends beyond just the cable channel and includes a presence on HBO Max.
• 🚫 HBO Max, despite being two years old, still lacks many classic Cartoon Network shows that fans would love to see.
• 🎮 A new game featuring Cartoon Network characters could be a great opportunity to promote the 30th anniversary, but the speaker doubts the network will capitalize on this.
• 🎬 The speaker wishes Cartoon Network would release new specials or movies to celebrate their legacy, similar to what Nickelodeon has done.
• 🎥 The Gumball movie is in production, but its release is uncertain and may not be directly tied to the 30th anniversary celebrations.
• 🤔 The speaker speculates that Cartoon Network's internal issues might be affecting their ability to plan and execute anniversary celebrations.
• 🔥 The speaker ends on a hopeful note, suggesting that Cartoon Network might still surprise fans with something special by the end of the year.

Q & A

Why does the speaker feel disappointed with Cartoon Network's handling of its 30th anniversary?

The speaker feels disappointed because Cartoon Network has not mentioned or celebrated its 30th anniversary as of May 2022, contrasting sharply with the significant efforts made for the 20th anniversary in 2012.

What did Cartoon Network do for its 20th anniversary in 2012?

For its 20th anniversary, Cartoon Network brought back Cartoon Planet, ran reruns of nostalgic cartoons, had bumpers of characters interacting at a party, and released a music video that is still remembered fondly.

What is the significance of the 30th anniversary compared to the 25th for Cartoon Network?

The 30th anniversary is considered more significant than the 25th because it marks a full decade, and it is a milestone that typically warrants more celebration and recognition.

Why does the speaker believe that Cartoon Network's brand extends beyond the cable channel?

The speaker believes that the Cartoon Network brand extends beyond the cable channel because it has a presence on HBO Max and has a nostalgic appeal that could be leveraged for marketing and attracting subscribers.

What is the speaker's main critique of Cartoon Network's current content strategy?

The speaker criticizes Cartoon Network for not re-running old shows that fans care about and for not making full use of its brand on HBO Max, where many classic shows are still missing from the catalog.

What is the 'Multiversus' game mentioned in the script, and how could it be related to Cartoon Network's 30th anniversary?

Multiversus is a free-to-play fighter game featuring Warner Media characters, including some from Cartoon Network. The speaker suggests that it could be used to promote the 30th anniversary by introducing limited-time Cartoon Network characters to the game.

Why does the speaker think that Cartoon Network missed an opportunity with the 'Multiversus' game?

The speaker believes that Cartoon Network could have used the game to promote its 30th anniversary by adding characters from its classic shows, thus attracting fans and potentially increasing HBO Max subscribers.

What is the speaker's view on the current state of Cartoon Network's original programming?

The speaker views the current state of Cartoon Network's original programming as lacking, noting that the network has turned down ideas for new shows from creators of popular past series.

What is the speaker's expectation for Cartoon Network's 30th anniversary celebration?

The speaker has low expectations for the 30th anniversary celebration, predicting that it might only include a music video and expressing disappointment in the lack of fanfare or significant content releases.

What is the speaker's opinion on the potential for Cartoon Network to create new specials for HBO Max?

The speaker believes that creating new specials for HBO Max would be a missed opportunity for Cartoon Network to gain subscribers and celebrate its legacy, especially in light of the 30th anniversary.

What is the speaker's final verdict on Cartoon Network's handling of its 30th anniversary?

The speaker concludes that Cartoon Network's handling of its 30th anniversary is a 'big L' (loss), indicating that they see it as a failure to capitalize on a significant milestone for the brand.