Turner unveils kids’ slate on back of best yearly performance for decade

Editor | 10-03-2014

With its flagship kids’ channel beating its nearest competitor for the first time since 1999 and 80% year-on-year ratings increase, Turner Broadcasting has presented its 2014 programming slate.

In addition to Cartoon Network being the No 1 commercial kids' channel for boys, and its second flagship channel Boomerang’s ratings being up 9% year-on-year and being the No 2 pay-TV channel for kids aged 4-9, Turner revealed that 2013 was the best year for Turner’s kids’ channels for a decade.

“Turner’s children’s channels have performed outstandingly in the last year, and we are in better shape than ever,” commented Anthony Lukom, Turner UK’s managing director. “We are extremely excited about 2014 – with lots of brilliant new content we are building on our hugely successful comedy slate and representing a place where kids can laugh, be themselves and enjoy quality programming.”

As part of the new slate, Turner is launching three new long form comedy shows from Cartoon Network Studios and one from Warner Brothers Animation Studios. A brand new series of The Tom & Jerry Show will launch on Boomerang and the season will see a new series of The Amazing World of Gumball and new episodes of returning favourites. There will also be for long-form shows for Cartoon Network: Uncle Grandpa, Steven Universe, Clarence and Teen Titans Go.

“With a mixture of new IP and old favourites, our offer has never been stronger. Our shows are truly creator driven and thus made with passion,” added Patricia Hidalgo, Turner’s network’s chief content and creative officer for its EMEA business. “We look for unique and surprising stories that have great characters which feel authentic for kids; and this is more apparent than ever with the slate we have coming up. Cartoon Network is in great shape and Boomerang is now firmly established as our second flagship channel; continuing to bring new iterations of timeless classics for all the family.”