Zoneboy
03-25-2009, 05:50 PM
Upfront presentation includes 13 new series
Link (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118001648.html?categoryid=14&cs=1)
Cartoon Network led its upfront presentation by announcing a programming rollout including 13 new series and four original films.
The net is diversifying into live-action, as well: Chief Content Officer Rob Sorcher and Turner Animation prexy Stu Snyder unveiled a 6-skein reality show slate.
In addition to the reality shows, CN is beginning a partnership (announced last week) with the NBA, repped by a short-form entry into the network's slate: "My Dad's a Pro," starring Jalen House, son of Celtics player Eddie House.
"If I were a buyer, I would buy," joked NBA commish David Stern to the aud of potential advertisers.
The move is likely a response to Disney XD's much-publicized partnership with ESPN. That net is seeking to wrest the 6-11 boys demo from CN, but it has an uphill battle ahead. CN's focus on boys over the past year has earned them further dominance over their target aud, traditionally the most lucrative kid demographic for advertisers. The presentation was filled with thinly-veiled refs to "the kind of sanitized shows you see from the competition," as more than one exec put it.
Many of the net's live-action series appear to be tween-friendly versions of adult reality fare, like "Head Rush," a "Cash Cab"-style game show set on a roller coaster; "Survive This," an outdoors adventure show that focuses on teamwork instead of backstabbing; and "Dude, What Would Happen," a "Mythbusters"-esque series of answers to oddball questions like, "What would happen if you attached 350 helium balloons to a sumo wrestler?"
The other two upcoming live series are "Bobb'e Says," starring "30 Rock" thesp Bobb'e J. Thompson, and demoltion-themed "Destroy Build Destroy."
Further offerings from the net include a new series by the creators of breakout "Total Drama Island" and a "Total Drama" spinoff. That series became a surprise hit with boys after the net launched their Thursday comedy block around "Chowder" and "The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack" last year. Also in the lineup: "Sym-Bionic Titan," a new show by "Samurai Jack" creator Genndy Tartakovsky, and a new Scooby Doo series.
In a surprising move, CN has picked up Pendleton Ward's "Adventure Time" and developed it into a full series. The short aired as part of Fred Seibert's "Random Cartoons" variety show on CN competitor Nickelodeon. Seibert, who developed several CN shows out of a similar program ("What-A-Cartoon") he produced for the Turner net, will exec produce the show with Derek Drymon.
That series will also support a live-action Scooby Doo prequel movie -- one of the four original movies slated for next year. The other three are "Firebreather," a graphic novel-based CGI pic helmed by "Aeon Flux" creator Peter Chung, another live-action "Ben 10" movie (based on the net's popular original characters), and a live-action adaptation of YA novel "Tiger's Apprentice," directed by Joy Luck Club helmer Wayne Wang.
Link (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118001648.html?categoryid=14&cs=1)
Cartoon Network led its upfront presentation by announcing a programming rollout including 13 new series and four original films.
The net is diversifying into live-action, as well: Chief Content Officer Rob Sorcher and Turner Animation prexy Stu Snyder unveiled a 6-skein reality show slate.
In addition to the reality shows, CN is beginning a partnership (announced last week) with the NBA, repped by a short-form entry into the network's slate: "My Dad's a Pro," starring Jalen House, son of Celtics player Eddie House.
"If I were a buyer, I would buy," joked NBA commish David Stern to the aud of potential advertisers.
The move is likely a response to Disney XD's much-publicized partnership with ESPN. That net is seeking to wrest the 6-11 boys demo from CN, but it has an uphill battle ahead. CN's focus on boys over the past year has earned them further dominance over their target aud, traditionally the most lucrative kid demographic for advertisers. The presentation was filled with thinly-veiled refs to "the kind of sanitized shows you see from the competition," as more than one exec put it.
Many of the net's live-action series appear to be tween-friendly versions of adult reality fare, like "Head Rush," a "Cash Cab"-style game show set on a roller coaster; "Survive This," an outdoors adventure show that focuses on teamwork instead of backstabbing; and "Dude, What Would Happen," a "Mythbusters"-esque series of answers to oddball questions like, "What would happen if you attached 350 helium balloons to a sumo wrestler?"
The other two upcoming live series are "Bobb'e Says," starring "30 Rock" thesp Bobb'e J. Thompson, and demoltion-themed "Destroy Build Destroy."
Further offerings from the net include a new series by the creators of breakout "Total Drama Island" and a "Total Drama" spinoff. That series became a surprise hit with boys after the net launched their Thursday comedy block around "Chowder" and "The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack" last year. Also in the lineup: "Sym-Bionic Titan," a new show by "Samurai Jack" creator Genndy Tartakovsky, and a new Scooby Doo series.
In a surprising move, CN has picked up Pendleton Ward's "Adventure Time" and developed it into a full series. The short aired as part of Fred Seibert's "Random Cartoons" variety show on CN competitor Nickelodeon. Seibert, who developed several CN shows out of a similar program ("What-A-Cartoon") he produced for the Turner net, will exec produce the show with Derek Drymon.
That series will also support a live-action Scooby Doo prequel movie -- one of the four original movies slated for next year. The other three are "Firebreather," a graphic novel-based CGI pic helmed by "Aeon Flux" creator Peter Chung, another live-action "Ben 10" movie (based on the net's popular original characters), and a live-action adaptation of YA novel "Tiger's Apprentice," directed by Joy Luck Club helmer Wayne Wang.