Jerry there may be hope.

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Today, with all the kids channels, Nicktoons, Disney XD and the like, it’s easy to take CARTOON NETWORK for granted. I still remember feeling the “victory for our side” when Turner first established this channel in 1992 – and relished the potential it held for showcasing animation. Some of that potential was realized under the days of Linda Simensky and Betty Cohen.

However, Cartoon Network is set up to be WB’s Kids Cable Channel. The advertising money comes from this demographic. It’s not aimed at anyone over 15 (I’m leaving ADULT SWIM out of this). So why do I care about a kids channel? First, because kids deserve better – and they know it (and they’re getting it at Nick and Disney). Second, independent animators, the industry and animation “fans” deserve better too. I think a failed Cartoon Network reflects badly on us and our medium. I’m not happy to see the decline of a piece of prime media real estate we once owned being trashed by mismanagement.

I really wish they’d just change the network’s name. Take the word “cartoon” out and change the channel’s named to KIDS WB NETWORK and I’ll move on. But as long as a cable channel exists with even the pretense of catering to cartoon watchers, I’ll be critical of its programming choices – especially if I feel I can do a better job.

It bothers me to feel I could run the network better than the people who are running it now. Perhaps this conversation will spur someone to create the animation channel we’d all like to see.

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