What’s up, Doc?
Weigel Broadcasting Co. has announced the launch of an all-new national television network, MeTV Toons, dedicated exclusively to classic animation from Hollywood-era shorts to made-for-television favorites.
The new MeTV Toons collaboration between Warner Bros. Discovery and Weigel – the company behind the MeTV Network – will welcome dozens of the world’s classic cartoons, including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Scooby Doo, Tom & Jerry, George Jetson, Top Cat, Yogi Bear, Popeye, Johnny Quest and Fred Flintstone, among others.
Alongside Warner Bros. properties, other cartoon characters joining MeTV Toons include Rocky and Bullwinkle, Woody Woodpecker, Casper, Betty Boop, Speed Racer and more. The network will be available for multi-platform distribution on over-the-air broadcast television, traditional MVPD’s and virtual MVPD’s, along with a complimentary offering for ad-supported streaming services.
“We are honored to work with the amazing team at Warner Bros. Discovery and others on this network and bring together a truly incredible collection of the world’s best known and most loved classic cartoons, creating a new destination for everyone to discover or rediscover the sheer joy of watching cartoons on TV,” said Neal Sabin, vice-chairman of Weigel Broadcasting Co. “MeTV Toons will be dedicated 24/7 to showcasing the biggest names and most beloved classic cartoons and animated characters. Everyone has a favorite cartoon; it is a universally loved art form. We are thrilled to bring those smiles and memories back to TV with MeTV Toons.”
“Neal and the team at Weigel have been long-standing and innovative licensing partners of Warner Bros. content for decades,” said David Decker, president of content sales for Warner Bros. Discovery. “Having some of the Studio’s most iconic animated characters all available in one place is not only great for fans of classic animation, but also just super fun!”
MeTV Toons will launch June 25, 2024.
Joining MeTV Toons to are animation author, historian, and executive Jerry Beck, and character voice actor Bob Bergen. Beck is well-known for his books on American animation and classic characters, including The 50 Greatest Cartoons, The Hanna-Barbera Treasury, Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies: A Complete Illustrated Guide to Warner Bros. Cartoons.
Beck will help produce original content that will expand and enhance the viewing experience.
Four-time Emmy nominee Bergen is a voice actor and host, well-known for voicing Warner Bros. characters Porky Pig, Tweety, Marvin the Martian, and many others. He will be the signature voice of the network, bringing the MeTV Toons brand and viewing experience to life with his announcing and acting prowess.
The MeTV Toons network joins MeTV, Heroes & Icons, Start TV, Catchy Comedy, MOVIES!, Story Television, Dabl and MeTV+ in the Weigel family of national broadcast TV networks.
Beck promised, “This is not another Boomerang. As best I can describe it – think 1992 Cartoon Network – TIMES 100. On steroids. Available for free. Everywhere.”
In addition to the entire Warner Bros. library of animated shorts, series and features, Beck promised, “We’ll be mining the vaults at Sony (Columbia, UPA), Universal (Lantz, Harveytoons, Underdog, etc) and other major studios. We will also be resurrecting classic TV shows unavailable in (in some cases, for over 50 years).”
He concluded, “There are NO PLANS for this channel to ever produce new animation (as Cartoon Network did). This is a Classic Cartoon channel devoted to the history of animation.”
