Name of the network
Throwback 'Toons and Comedies Channel
Yes, the title sounds crappy, but my ideal TV channel would be one that shows oldie cartoons and sitcoms & sketch shows
*Illustration - The Ghosts of Sitcoms Past by Kagan McLeod/National Post, 2011
Channel Slogan
'Where Classic Meets Fun'
The meaning behind this slogan goes back to the idea of reliving the past and remembering and reminiscing all the good memories and shows you grew up on and watched when you were younger. It also connotes the classic shows being about fun, bringing a smile to your face and how life was so care-free, back in the days when television was a lot more varied and diverse - before all the drama & reality shows, prior to and post - 9/11 2001.
When I think about retro sitcoms and children's cartoons, the word that springs to mind for me is 'fun'. Because that is what those types of shows represent and embody, not just to the viewers, but that is what most viewers would think of, in regards to these TV genres. Fun as in laughter, smiling, joy, happy when watching a sitcom, and fun as in enjoyment, the memorable characters and lapping up the animation and effects of the cartoon.
This is a retro television channel for fans of classic American multi-camera sitcoms, African American sitcoms, children's cartoons and British sitcoms and sketch comedy.
Why sitcoms and animated kids cartoons?
Not only are they my favourite types of programmes, in terms of the quality, there is a distinct lack of good current sitcoms and kids animated shows on television. In addition to the fact there is a lack of a major children's TV network that airs predominately older animation. Boomerang was once the alternative to Cartoon Network's current offerings in the early 00s, but Turner's recent relaunch by choosing to air more contemporary cartoons over retro cartoons, has turned it into a clone of Cartoon Network. There have been points raised that a network relying solely on retro cartoons, is not financial and economically viable today. But I have been thinking, what about having sitcoms alongside the cartoons?
By having both sets of programmes alongside one another, fans, as well as audiences of cartoons such as Hanna Barbera, Looney Tunes, He-Man etc and of sitcoms, would welcome this idea.
Why older shows?
Because a lot of people enjoy watching programmes from the past, many of whom prefer it over today's television on the 4 main networks, ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC.
Broadcast areas
Worldwide
Where are the shows from?
Mostly U.S based shows with some British, Japanese imports with added subtitles or English dubs thrown in. American and British sitcoms and comedies with Japanese Anime and American & Canadian cartoons.
What eras or decades?
1960s to late 1990s
Sponsorship and advertising
Advertising
Web based advertising for website
Ownership
Dreamworks Classics & NBCUniversal joint ownership
Owns kids network PBJ and are an animation studio, production and brand licencing company. In 2012, they purchased Classic Media & renamed it Dreamworks Classics.
Turner broadcasting currently owns Cartoon Network and Boomerang and yet they are reluctant to air any of the old HB, Warner bros cartoons. Classic Media are owners of Filmation library by Dreamworks.
NBCUniversal owns & operates US TV networks, numerous Cable channels, & a group of local channels as well as television production companies. It is the world's largest mass media group.
Why Dreamworks Classics and NBCUniversal ?
Because under Turner Broadcasting for instance, they would not air enough classic cartoons on current Boomerang with regards to the animated fare. As for NBC, they have had a huge track record of success when it comes to American sitcoms during the 80s and 90s. Despite my feelings towards NBC today as a network, I can't think of another U.S conglomerate and media and entertainment company who, due to their long history of airing multi-camera sitcoms, could pull this off and pull this idea off, successfully.
I also chose Dreamworks as I was impressed when they amassed Classic Media's library of animated cartoons such as Filmation's Ghostbusters, He-Man & put them on PBJ. If they can do that, then to me that is a good indication and good fit for this brand.
*Image by AP Photo/Jae C. Hong via Associated Press
Subscription or non - subscription?
Non- subscription, free to air - wouldn't want people to pay for this channel, they should access it for free.
TV platform -
Digital and Cable satellite across the UK (via Sky, Freeview) and US (Cable and satellite) such as Comcast, Canada and parts of Australia
Mobile TV -
Mobile apps in standard and high definition
Watch shows live online through website
On Demand, catch-up online service - missed a show, you can watch it on demand online whenever and wherever
Any recent shows?
No, just reruns and repeats, some of which are via DVD screening and old film -reel tapings, VHS tapes. This is a classic TV channel after all
Start and end times
As early as 7am and finishes at 3am
*Programme Line - up -
Sketch comedy Shows
In Living Color, Saturday Night Live, Mad TV, Doggy Fizzle Televizzle, The Richard Pryor Show, The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tracy Ulman Show, The Flip Wilson Show, The Man Show, All That, Whose Line is it Anyway?, Bo Selecta, A Bit of Fry and Laurie, French and Saunders, Monty Python's Flying Circus, Not the Nine o' Clock News
Britcoms
Absolutely Fabulous, The Vicar of Dibley, Red Dwarf, Bottom, I'm Alan Partridge, Black adder, Spaced, Father Ted, The Young Ones, Fawlty Towers, The New Statesman, Only Fools and Horses, Allo Allo!, Steptoe and Son, Are You Being Served?, Gimmie Gimme Gimme
1970s
Julia, All in the Family, Happy Days, The Love Boat, M.A.S.H, Mork and Mindy, The Odd Couple, Taxi, Happy Days, The Jeffersons, Sanford and Son, Good Times, What's Happening!!, That's My Mama, Diff'rent Strokes, The Brady Bunch, Laverne and Shirley, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Maude, Soap, Three's Company
1980s
Cheers, Designing Women, Full House, Married.... With Children, Roseanne, Seinfeld, Who's the Boss?, The Wonder Years, Murphy Brown, Full House, Golden Girls, Perfect Strangers, The Cosby Show, ALF, Amen, Benson, Bosom Buddies, The Facts of Life, Family Ties, Frank's Place, Gimmie A Break, Silver Spoons, Webster, 227, What's Happening Now, Head of the Class, Moonlighting, Punky Brewster, Kate and Allie
1990s - Black Sitcoms
Cosby, Damon, A Different World, Family Matters, Fresh Prince of Bel Air, In The House, The Jamie Foxx Show, Living Single, Kenan and Kel, Martin, Malcolm and Eddie, Moesha, Out all Night, The Parkers, The Parent' Hood, Roc, Sister Sister, The Sinbad Show, Smart Guy, The Steve Harvey Show, That's So Raven, The Wayans Bros, The Parkers, Hangin' with Mr Cooper, Desmonds, Saved by the Bell
1990s continued
3rd Rock From The Sun, Blossom, Boy Meets World, Cybil, Caroline in the City, Dave's World, Dharma and Greg, Drew Carey Show, Everybody Loves Raymond, Friends, Full House, Frasier, Good Advice, Home Improvement, Just Shoot Me, The King of Queens, Mad About You, The Nanny, Sabrina the teenage witch, Sydney, Step by Step, That 70s Show, Coach, Veronica's Closet
Children's animated cartoons
Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies
Disney shorts
Tom and Jerry
Hanna Barbera shorts and series
Animated series
Anime inspired shows from Japan
Action cartoons
Superhero cartoons
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