WarnerMedia launches Cartoonito in Japan, Korea, SEA
March 28, 2022
Cartoonito, WarnerMedia’s preschool brand, has made its Asian debut. The brand has launched a dedicated morning programming block on Cartoon Network in Japan, Southeast Asia and Korea.
Tentpole shows in Southeast Asia and Korea include Lucas the Spider, Dino Ranch, Monchhichi and Esme & Roy. These sit alongside a slate of new and library series. These shows will be available in a dedicated Cartoonito programming rail on the regional streaming service HBO GO in Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan. A launch event is scheduled in Singapore in April.
In Japan, the line-up includes Thomas and Friends, Pingu, and Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz. Celebrity singer Kaela Kimura sings the theme song during the daily block. Cartoonito will launch in Australia and New Zealand in early July, and in South Asia later in the year.
Leslie Lee, Head of Kids for WarnerMedia in Asia Pacific, said: “When we introduced Cartoon Network’s new brand promise ‘Redraw Your World’ earlier this year, the channel shifted to become more inclusive to boys and girls. Now with Cartoonito, our demos are even wider – creating a safe environment for even younger children to enjoy every morning with their parents and caregivers. While the content and on-air packaging are extremely appealing to youngsters, it is how the block is carefully curated and programmed which makes it stand out.”
This follows the launch of Cartoonito in the US in September 2021 on Cartoon Network and HBO Max, and in EMEA in February 2022.