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Cartoon Network Arabic
Cartoon Network Arabic
Cartoon Network Arabic
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Cartoon Network Arabia (Arabic: كرتون نتورك بالعربية) is a pan-Arab free-to-air children's television channel that is broadcast to Arab audiences in the Middle East and North Africa. It is one of two Arabic-language versions of the original Cartoon Network, the other being a pay television channel on beIN, OSN and additional providers known as Cartoon Network MENA, which is available in both English and Arabic.

Key Information

The channel launched on 10 October 2010, coinciding with the opening of Turner Broadcasting System Europe's offices in Dubai Media City. As of 2025, it is managed by Warner Bros. Discovery under its international division.

The standard channel broadcasts via Arabsat Badr 6 and Nilesat. Cartoon Network Arabic is considered a free-to-air alternative to Cartoon Network MENA and Cartoonito MENA, two pay TV channels offered in the Arab world in HD and in both English and Arabic on beIN Network and additional providers since 1 July 2016, despite the varying differences in programming, schedules, and available languages.

History

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Cartoon Network Arabic was launched on 10 October 2010 at 10:10 am GST.[1][2] The channel's launch coincided with the opening of Turner Broadcasting System's offices in Dubai Media City, UAE, which is where the channel's local owner is located.[3]

On the 4th April 2014 at 4 pm KSA time the channel aired a controversial scene from Television series show Young Justice where characters Superboy and Miss Martian had shared a kiss on the lips with another character Icicle Jr saying " Man that"s your sister" then stuttering and saying "oh dads going to kill me". This scene angered and alarmed families in the MENA region as their strong Islamic beliefs forbid scenes such as this as well as advertising to young boy viewers to kiss their sister"s on the lips.(even though the two characters on the show were not actually siblings but were using that as an alibi to get through a prison full criminals)This lead to many Islamic scholars warning parents and families to not allow children to watch the channel which took a negative toll towards the channel that we still see today.

The channel subsequently apologised about the scene a few days after it was aired calling it a "mistake" however it was too late and the damage was already done which subsequently lead to the president of the channel losing his job and being replaced by Tarek Mounir. It was also revealed that channel were not even guilty of this types of scenes for the first time as since its launch in October 2010 it was revealed there had been several scenes including kissing, awkward angles on women and scenes that don"t align with Islam which spread all over social media platforms. Prior to this scene the Channel were in control of kids Television in the MENA region since its launch in 2010 and is said that it played a huge part in eliminating competitor Nickelodeon Arabia and causing its closure in 2011, as well as dominating other competitors that Include MBC 3 and Spacetoon who were controlling the kids Television scene in MENA prior to the channels launch.

The channel was also praised for its organised timetable of airing shows, order of episodes airing and continuous airing of series that were almost instantly adored its audience. However this controversy lead to the channel implemnting a censorship strategy that had ended up killing the channel as many episodes of series such as "The Amazing World of Gumball" and "Adventure Time" were censored and many episodes were not even dubbed and the plot had become confusing for viewers. On top of that Television Series such as Powerpuff girls (1998) were cancelled due to violent scenes.

All this led to a drastic decrease in views for the channel which ended up with the Channel becoming the Second Cartoon Network channel in the MENA region as Cartoon Network MENA was launched on July 2016 which airs in both English and Arabic and is up to date to the parent channel in regards of new series and episodes whilst if Cartoon Network Arabia were to even air those new series or episodes it would be 3-6 months later than its sister channel"s.

The channel changed its aspect ratio from 4:3 to 16:9 on 5 October 2014; it also began using the Check it 3.0 branding on that day.

Cartoon Network Arabic has changed its website. The new website was changed in May 2015.

On 4 October 2017, the channel has fully rebranded to the Dimensional branding.

In December 2015, Turner Broadcasting System entered an exclusivity deal with the Qatar-based beIN Media Group.[4] This deal led to Cartoon Network Africa, Boomerang Africa, and TCM moving from OSN to the latter's beIN Network service, and also caused the HD feed on YahLive to shut down; the actual channel, however, is unaffected due to being a free-to-air channel on Nilesat and Arabsat/Badr. Cartoon Network Arabic was added to beIN as channel 138 as an HD channel, although the HD version was later replaced with the SD version on Arabsat/Badr. CNN International HD was removed from My-HD's channel list and moved to beIN as an encrypted HD channel along with the pay-only HLN, which is in letterboxed SD, but CNN continues to remain available as a free-to-air channel on Nilesat and Arabsat/Badr in SD. However, subscribers to Etisalat and du's IPTV services in the UAE were virtually unaffected at the time. However, due to their direct relations with Turner, UAE Telecoms, Etisalat and Du continue to offer these channels to IPTV subscribers.[4] Additionally, inVision in Saudi Arabia, Ooredoo in Qatar and Cablevision in Lebanon offer Cartoon Network and Boomerang as well.

On 17 March 2023, a Facebook user named (Chahine Arfaoui) posted a video of the channel getting hijacked and playing an unofficial animation of Roddy Ricch's Ballin. The video went viral on YouTube, before it was revealed to be a hoax.

Programming

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TV series

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The channel mainly airs animated cartoons from Cartoon Network Studios. Original productions, films, shorts, live-action series, and shows from various studios are produced and aired.

Animated programs aired include original Cartoon Network Studios productions like the Ben 10 reboot, Regular Show, Powerpuff Girls reboot, Uncle Grandpa, Clarence, Adventure Time, and We Bare Bears, as well as programs produced by other studios (such as Hasbro Studios'[5] Transformers: Robots in Disguise, Warner Bros. Animation's Teen Titans Go!, Justice League Action, Rainbow's 44 Cats and Mattel WildBrain's Polly Pocket, My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic etc.). The channel mainly airs animated cartoons from Cartoon Network Studios. Local productions like Mansour are produced and aired along with films, shorts, live-action series, and shows from various other studios.

The channel is one of the only available in Arabic (the other being Spacetoon), with no choice but to switch to English or any other language. This is due to the fact that the channel is a free-to-air TV channel aimed solely at an Arabic-speaking audience.

The channel broadcasts a line of Cartoon Network's own shows dubbed in English. Cartoon Network Arabic has also offered numerous localized shows, such as Mansour and the Arabic version of Ben 10: Ultimate Challenge, which are the result of various partnerships deals with local production companies, including the Dubai-based Lammtara Pictures (Freej) or the Jordan-based Rubicon Group Holding (Ben & Izzy, Tareq wa Shireen). The channel often edits certain programs for content, cutting out certain scenes due to potentially inappropriate content for Arabs. In October 2012, Cartoon Network Arabic started airing Kral Şakir as -ليث the king-.

Shows

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Films

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Blocks aired on Cartoon Network Arabic

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Current

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  • كتلة كارتونيتو "Cartoonito Block" (24 March 2019 – present)
  • أفلام سي إن "CN Movies" (19 February 2021 – present)
  • فوازير رمضان "Ramadan Riddles" (1 August 2011 – present, Every Ramadan day)
  • أفلام العيد "Holiday Movies" (5 November 2011 – present, Every Holiday day)
  • جديد جديد "NEW NEW NEW NEW" (2018 – present)
  • كرتون نتورك مينيز "Cartoon Network Minis" (September 2017 – present)
  • نادي الإفطار "The Breakfast Club" (7 September 2012 – present)
  • كرتون نتورك غير مباشر "Cartoon Network Off Air" (6 December 2020 – present)
  • مرح الصيف مع سي أن "Summer Fun with CN" (2 July 2023 - present, Every Summer day)
  • فريق الأحلام "Dream Team" (2024 – present)

Former

[edit]
  • كتلة كارتونيتو "Cartoonito Block" (4 September 2011 – 4 October 2014)
  • على كيفك "Your Choice" (22 January 2011 – 2016)
  • تسالي يوليو "Entertainment in July" (July 2011)
  • سينما كرتون نتورك "Cinema Cartoon Network" (2012 – 2021)
  • أحلى اثنين "Funday Monday" (September 2013 – December 2013)
  • ساعة البطل "Hero Hour" (September 2013 – November 2013)
  • إلى كأس العالم "To the World Cup" (29 June 2014 – 2015)
  • الكوميديا في يناير "The Comedy in January" (Every January 2012 - 2014)
  • القوة القصوى "Maximum Power" (4 January 2015 – 30 January 2016)
  • قطط وكلاب "Cats and Dogs" (2016)
  • أبطال كرتون نتورك "Cartoon Network Heroes" (2016 – 2020)
  • مغامرين سي إن "CN Adventures" (2019 – 2021)
  • اضحك من القلب "Laugh Your Heart " (2 February 2016 - 10 May 2017)
  • تشكيلات "Formations" (2017 - 2019)
  • ابطال واشرار "Heroes and Villains" (2017 - 2020)
  • سبت الأكشن "Saturday Action" (2018 – 2023)
  • نجم الشهر "Star of the Month" (25 April 2020 – 2021)
  • أبطال كرتون نتورك الخارقين "Cartoon Network Super Heroes" (6 September 2020 – 1 January 2021)
  • في المنزل مع عائلة واترسون "At Home With the Watersons" (5 July 2020 – 1 October 2021)
  • الصداقة انسجام "Friendship is Dynamic" (3 January – 4 November 2021)
  • كن صديق "Be Friend" (7 November 2021 - 29 December 2022)

Arabic version of Cartoonito

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Main article: Cartoonito
Cartoonito's official logo (2020–2022)
Cartoonito's official logo from since 2022

In 2011, Turner Broadcasting System Europe had announced that it would roll out its UK-based preschoolers' channel Cartoonito across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, increasing the brand's distribution to 125 million homes in 112 territories.[6] On Cartoon Network Arabic, Cartoonito was launched as a morning block broadcast every day starting from 4 September 2011. However, the block was phased out on 1 April 2014, with some of its shows no longer available (although Baby Looney Tunes broadcasts on Boomerang HD and LazyTown airs on CN Arabic early in the morning).

Later on, the Cartoonito block returned on 24 March 2019 with 4 shows, 1 returning is Baby Looney Tunes with 3 new additions to Cartoonito which are Grizzy and the Lemmings, Pat the Dog and Fireman Sam.

On 17 May 2020, the Cartoonito block has been expanded from being broadcast at 6:30 KSA, and runs until 10:30 KSA. But last month, the block logo has been changed and made a new logo mixed between CARTOON (from Cartoon Network) and OO & ito (from Cartoonito).

On 6 February 2022, Cartoonito rebranded with the new 2021 logo and bumpers alongside its Turkish counterpart as part of the brand's Global re-introduction.[7]

Programming

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[edit]

Cartoon Network Arabic HD

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In March 2012, Cartoon Network Arabic became available in true high-definition via the YahLive service.[8] The channel was eventually moved under beIN Network's service after the exclusivity deal was in effect in January 2016. In May 2016, the channel was suspended in favor of Cartoon Network MENA and Boomerang MENA that were later launched in July that year, as they both feature an Arabic audio track. until Cartoon Network Arabic HD return this time in Badr 26

Cartoon Network Arabic +2

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A two-hour timeshift channel variant launched on 30 June 2014 via the My-HD pay TV network. It was terminated on 1 January 2016 as a consequence of Turner Broadcasting System Arabia's deal with beIN Media Group.

Cartoon Network Hindi

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Logo of Cartoon Network Hindi
Main article: Cartoon Network Hindi

On 1 April 2016, Qatar-based beIN Media Group, in association with Turner Broadcasting System Arabia, launched Cartoon Network Hindi exclusively via beIN. Cartoon Network Hindi provides children's animated programming to most South Asian expatriates in Arab World countries outside of India. As the name implies, the channel is only available in Hindi, which is akin to the Arab World's own pan-aired channel.

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Cartoon Network Arabic

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Cartoon Network Arabic (Arabic: كرتون نتورك بالعربية) is a pan-Arab children's television channel that broadcasts animated programming to audiences in the (MENA) region. Launched on October 10, 2010, at 10:10 AM UAE time from studios in , the channel was established by Europe Limited (TBS), a of Time Warner, to provide localized for young viewers across approximately 35 million households. The channel offers a mix of internationally acclaimed Cartoon Network series dubbed into Arabic, including classics like , , and , alongside over 500 episodes at launch and ongoing additions of popular shows such as . It emphasizes family-friendly content with a focus on , creativity, and cultural relevance, incorporating local Arabic productions like the 3D animated series and partnerships with regional studios such as Lammtara Pictures and the Rubicon Group for original content. Since the 2022 merger of WarnerMedia (formerly Time Warner) with Discovery, Inc., to form Warner Bros. Discovery, the channel has been owned and operated by Warner Bros. Discovery under its EMEA division, ensuring continued availability via satellites like Arabsat Badr 6 and Nilesat, as well as integrations with platforms such as beIN and OSN. As of 2025, Cartoon Network Arabic remains active, broadcasting in standard definition (576i) with recent updates including frequency adjustments and the premiere of Tiny Toons Looniversity Season 2 on affiliated HD feeds. In addition to linear TV, the channel supports digital engagement through its official MENA website (cartoonnetworkarabic.com), which provides Arabic-dubbed videos, games, and competitions to extend its reach to younger demographics. Partnerships with regional broadcasters like and evision have expanded access to content on streaming services such as .

History

Launch and Early Development

Cartoon Network Arabic was launched on October 10, 2010, at 10:10 AM Gulf Standard Time (GST) from studios in , , by , which established its European offices there to support regional operations. The channel marked Turner's entry into broadcasting tailored for Arabic-speaking audiences, building on the success of its existing pay-TV presence in the (MENA) through partnerships like . The initial programming lineup emphasized dubbed versions of popular Cartoon Network originals, featuring over 500 episodes of shows such as , , , and , alongside localized content like Ben and Izzy and to appeal to cultural preferences. These dubs were produced in to ensure accessibility across diverse dialects in the , with a focus on action-adventure and genres that had proven successful globally. From its inception, the channel was distributed as a service via Arabsat Badr 6 and Nilesat 104 satellites, enabling reach to approximately 35 million households across the MENA region. It targeted children aged 6-12, offering content designed to entertain and engage this demographic in a region with growing demand for localized children's media. The broadcasts began in standard definition with a 4:3 , reflecting the technical standards prevalent for channels at the time. This setup laid the foundation for the channel's expansion, including later upgrades to high definition in 2012.

Key Milestones and Rebranding

In March 2012, Cartoon Network Arabic launched its high-definition (HD) feed via the YahLive satellite platform, broadcasting at 52.5° East and providing enhanced picture quality to viewers across the . This technical milestone represented the channel's first dedicated HD offering, aimed at aligning with growing demand for high-resolution content in the region. On October 5, 2014, the channel transitioned from a 4:3 to a 16:9 , improving visual presentation for modern televisions and coinciding with the rollout of the Check it 3.0 global branding package. This update marked a significant operational shift toward contemporary broadcast standards, enhancing compatibility with displays prevalent in MENA households. In December 2015, secured an exclusive multi-year partnership with , designating beIN's pay-TV platform as the sole distributor for Cartoon Network Arabic and other Turner channels in the MENA region. The agreement, announced on December 29, 2015, resulted in the channel's integration into beIN's lineup as channel 138, initially in HD, while prompting adjustments to configurations. Around this period, the HD feed on Arabsat/Badr satellites was replaced with a standard-definition (SD) version to optimize bandwidth and align with the exclusive pay-TV focus. This distribution shift streamlined access through beIN's , including the eventual merger of the YahLive HD service into beIN's offerings. On October 4, 2017, Cartoon Network fully adopted the Dimensional branding package, introducing a three-dimensional visual identity with dynamic, layered graphics developed globally by Cartoon Network's creative team. This rebrand emphasized immersive, modern aesthetics, featuring custom idents and bumpers tailored for the Arabic feed while maintaining consistency with international standards. The update refreshed the channel's on-air look, supporting its evolution as a key entertainment destination in the . On November 3, 2025, Season 2 of Tiny Toons Looniversity premiered on Cartoon Network HD across the MENA region, airing weekdays at 4:00 PM KSA time (5:00 PM UAE time).

Partnerships and Distribution Changes

In December 2015, Turner Broadcasting System announced a strategic partnership with beIN Media Group, granting exclusive distribution rights for Turner-owned channels, including Cartoon Network, across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This agreement positioned Cartoon Network Arabic as an exclusive offering on beIN's platforms, alongside other pay TV providers such as OSN, marking a significant shift toward premium content delivery in the Arab world. Prior to this exclusivity, Cartoon Network Arabic introduced a +2 feed on June 30, 2014, via the My HD pay TV network, allowing viewers delayed access to programming. The feed operated for approximately 18 months before its discontinuation on January 1, 2016, coinciding with the implementation of the beIN partnership and a broader realignment of distribution strategies. By the 2020s, Cartoon Network Arabic evolved from a predominantly model—broadcast via satellites like Arabsat and Nilesat—to a hybrid framework that emphasized integration with pay TV ecosystems. This transition enhanced accessibility through bundled subscriptions on platforms like beIN and , while maintaining some availability to broaden reach in the MENA region. The 2022 merger forming integrated 's international operations, including MENA feeds, under a unified structure that prioritized global efficiencies and regional partnerships. Post-merger, collaborations expanded, such as the 2023 deal adding content to its kids' lineup starting in 2024, ensuring sustained distribution without halting operations. In March 2025, Cartoon Network Arabic announced a frequency adjustment to improve broadcast quality, moving to 11.138 MHz vertical polarization on 8 West B (, 8PSK, FEC 3/4, 27.5 Mbaud) effective April 1, 2025. As of 2025, Cartoon Network Arabic has experienced no major disruptions, continuing seamless and enhancing viewer through streaming tie-ins on beIN Connect, where the channel is listed as part of the kids' offerings. This includes on-demand access to dubbed content, aligning with the hybrid model's focus on multi-platform delivery.

Programming

Core TV Series

Cartoon Network Arabic primarily broadcasts dubbed versions of international Cartoon Network original series, adapted into Arabic to appeal to young audiences in the Middle East and North Africa. Key staples include Ben 10 (both the original series and its 2016 reboot), which follows a boy who uses an alien-transforming watch to fight villains; Adventure Time, chronicling the fantastical adventures of Finn and his magical dog Jake in the post-apocalyptic Land of Ooo; The Powerpuff Girls (original and 2016 reboot), featuring three superpowered sisters combating crime in Townsville; Teen Titans Go!, a comedic take on the superhero team; and We Bare Bears, depicting the daily lives of three anthropomorphic bear brothers in the human world. These series are fully dubbed in Modern Standard Arabic by studios like Image Production House in Lebanon, ensuring accessibility while preserving the essence of the original narratives. The channel's scheduling emphasizes daily rotations blending action-adventure and genres, with episodes airing multiple times across mornings, afternoons, and evenings to accommodate schedules and viewing. Content undergoes edits for , including toned-down depictions of violence, removal of references to alcohol or , and adaptations of humor to align with regional norms, as seen in practices for animations. By 2020, the lineup expanded to include newer entries like , which premiered in Arabic on November 29, 2018, and explores a boy's imaginative explorations in a neighborhood creek, adding diverse storytelling focused on friendship and creativity. As of 2025, under management, the channel maintains reruns of enduring hits like and , alongside introductions of fresh series from the parent company's portfolio to refresh the schedule, including the premiere of Season 2 on November 3, 2025.

Local Arabic Productions and Dubs

Cartoon Network Arabic has invested in original content tailored to Arab audiences, with notable examples including the Emirati Mansour, which premiered in as the channel's first fully original production. Created by Rashed Al Harmoodi and produced by Arabia, the series follows the adventures of a 12-year-old boy and his friends, blending imaginative storytelling with themes relevant to Gulf youth, and has amassed over two billion views across its seasons. Seed-funded by , Mansour incorporates high-quality 3D animation techniques while drawing on traditional Arabic cultural elements to promote values like friendship and creativity. Another key local production is the UAE-based Freej, which depicts the daily lives and humorous challenges of four elderly Emirati women navigating modern . Developed by Lammtara Picture Company, the show secured a licensing deal with in 2010, leading to its broadcast on the channel starting with later seasons, including the fourth season premiere on November 4, 2012. Freej stands out for its focus on intergenerational themes and cultural representation, making it a pioneering Emirati series that aired alongside imported content to appeal to family viewers across the region. The channel's dubbing efforts ensure accessibility for Arabic-speaking audiences, with international shows like adapted into (MSA) through professional that maintains narrative fidelity while incorporating subtle regional inflections. is primarily handled by studios such as Masreya Media and Pro Production in , , which specialize in high-quality localization for children's programming, and supported by operations in following the channel's hub establishment in 2010. For , the Arabic version, produced by Venus Centre and later Egyptian studios, features voice casts that align with MSA standards to reach a pan-Arab viewership, avoiding heavy dialect use to ensure broad comprehension. Co-productions and partnerships have expanded the channel's Arabic content offerings, including a long-term agreement with extended through 2026, which integrates programming into MBC's platforms like VIP for wider distribution across the MENA region. This collaboration has facilitated the availability of dubbed and localized series on MBC's networks, enhancing reach without specific joint original productions detailed publicly. Post-2010, Cartoon Network Arabic has gradually increased its emphasis on local and dubbed content to align with regional standards, though exact percentages of remain undisclosed in available reports.

Films and Specials

Cartoon Network Arabic features a selection of feature-length animated dubbed into to cater to its pan-Arab audience, emphasizing family-oriented content. These films are typically scheduled in dedicated slots to align with the channel's focus on accessible, entertaining programming for children. The channel also airs holiday and event specials, often drawing from popular series with Arabic dubs. For instance, Christmas specials from , such as episodes involving festive themes in the Land of Ooo, are broadcast during the holiday season in their dubbed format. Similarly, Ben 10 specials and marathons are featured during , capitalizing on the holy month's emphasis on family viewing and extended programming hours. These specials enhance seasonal engagement by integrating cultural timing with the channel's core animated library.) Broadcast strategy for films and specials on Cartoon Network Arabic includes weekend movie slots, often on Saturdays or Sundays to maximize viewership. This approach allows for premium content rotation alongside regular series, with promotions highlighting dubbed versions for broader accessibility. Cultural adaptations in these dubs prioritize viewing standards, involving edits to remove or modify references unsuitable for Arab audiences, such as alcohol depictions or other sensitive elements. In animated content like , strategies include transformation (e.g., altering phrases with potential sexual connotations) and localization (e.g., replacing Western-specific items with culturally familiar equivalents) to ensure alignment with regional values. Omission and are also employed for or culture-specific items, maintaining narrative flow while promoting ethical and age-appropriate entertainment. These practices reflect broader efforts on Cartoon Network Arabia to foster inclusivity and sensitivity.

Programming Blocks

Current Blocks

The Cartoon Network Arabic channel features several ongoing themed programming blocks tailored to various viewer demographics and occasions, emphasizing family-friendly animated content in the MENA region as of 2025. The Block targets preschool-aged children with educational and entertaining shows, airing on weekday mornings. This block includes popular series such as and , promoting themes of friendship, learning, and adventure in Arabic dubs. CN Movies, formerly known as the Cartoon Network Cinema block, dedicates evening slots to feature-length animated films, typically from 8:00 PM onward on select days, allowing families to enjoy cinematic experiences at home. Examples include family hits like , which are screened with Arabic audio and subtitles to enhance accessibility. During , Ramadan specials extend programming blocks with family-oriented content, often running longer hours in the evenings to accommodate schedules and communal viewing. These include themed marathons, contests, and culturally sensitive episodes, continuing a tradition of seasonal engagement in the region.

Former Blocks

The "Your Choice" block, known in Arabic as "على كيفك", was a viewer-voted marathon format that allowed audiences to select and watch extended episodes of popular shows, airing from approximately 2011 to 2016. Cinema Cartoon Network served as a nightly movie block dedicated to animated films and specials from the library, running from approximately 2013 until it was rebranded as CN Movies in 2021. فقرة كارتونيتو " Riddles" (فوازير رمضان) was a seasonal interactive block during from 2011 to 2017, featuring riddles and themed content. These former blocks have been succeeded by more integrated current formats, maintaining the channel's commitment to localized Arabic dubs while adapting to evolving audience preferences.

Cartoonito Arabic Block

The Cartoonito Arabic Block is a dedicated morning programming segment on , launched on March 24, 2019, as a revival of an earlier block that had been discontinued in 2014. This relaunch introduced a selection of shows including , Grizzy and the Lemmings, , and , airing Sunday through Thursday from approximately 9:30 KSA local time. Unlike the standalone MENA pay-TV channel, which launched as MENA on July 1, 2016, before rebranding to on September 4, 2023, the block operates exclusively within the free-to-air schedule to provide accessible content without requiring a subscription. Designed for children aged 2 to 6, the block emphasizes educational programming that fosters , , and early learning through focused on themes like , problem-solving, and . It addresses a key gap in the MENA region's landscape by offering preschool-targeted content on a widely available feed, complementing the paid options of dedicated channels like MENA. The integration allows seamless transition to older-audience shows later in the day, sharing the same transponder and broadcast specifications as the main channel, with no independent feed or technical separation. By 2025, the block continues to evolve, maintaining its role as a core component of Cartoon Network Arabic's diverse offerings, ensuring broad reach via free-to-air platforms like Nilesat and Arabsat.

HD and Timeshift Feeds

The high-definition (HD) feed of Cartoon Network Arabic was launched in March 2012 through the YahLive satellite service at 52.5° East, enabling viewers across the Middle East and North Africa to access the channel in enhanced quality for the first time. This feed broadcasts in 1080i resolution and incorporates upgraded on-screen graphics optimized for HD display, distinguishing it from the standard-definition version by providing sharper visuals and improved clarity for animated content. Subsequently, the HD feed was integrated into the beIN platform as channel 138, where it served as a key offering for subscribers seeking premium viewing options. By 2016, following the shutdown of the YahLive HD transmission in May 2016 in favor of regional pay-TV expansions, the feed transitioned to focus on encrypted satellite delivery via providers like beIN. A +2 timeshift feed was introduced on June 30, 2014, via the My-HD pay-TV network, providing a two-hour programming delay to accommodate variations between Gulf countries and North African regions without requiring unique . This variant operated until its discontinuation on January 1, 2016, attributed to insufficient viewer adoption. As of 2025, the HD feed remains the primary format on pay-TV services such as beIN and , often encrypted for subscribers, while the standard-definition version continues as on satellites including Arabsat Badr at 26°E and Nilesat at 7°W, with a adjustment announced in March 2025. This dual availability ensures broad accessibility, with HD emphasizing premium platforms and SD supporting open broadcast reception.

Pay-TV and Other Regional Variants

The pay-TV variant of Cartoon Network Arabic operates as a premium service on platforms such as and , serving as an alternative to the channel with enhanced viewing options including reduced advertisements. This version, often referred to as Cartoon Network MENA, launched on July 1, 2016, following a December 2015 agreement between and , which facilitated the migration of several channels to the beIN platform. Available exclusively to subscribers, it provides access to a mix of international and regionally adapted content in both Arabic and English audio tracks, targeting families across the . A notable regional offshoot is Cartoon Network Hindi, which debuted on , 2016, exclusively on the beIN platform to cater to the in and the . This channel shares production resources with operations but features Hindi-dubbed programming, drawing from a selection of global titles while incorporating some content overlaps from the MENA feed, such as popular series like and . Although both channels utilize shared studios in for dubbing and localization, they maintain separate feeds with no direct Arabic language integration on the service. In 2025, advanced hybrid access models by deepening partnerships with regional streamers like , enabling seamless integration of content into on-demand platforms for pay-TV subscribers in the MENA region. This includes multi-local Arabic-dubbed offerings to enhance streaming availability, aligning with broader efforts to expand premium kids' entertainment across traditional pay-TV and digital services. Such developments allow viewers to combine live channel access with on-demand episodes, reducing reliance on solely broadcast feeds.

Availability and Operations

Broadcast Platforms

Cartoon Network Arabic is primarily distributed via satellite as a free-to-air standard definition (SD) channel on Eutelsat 7 West A at 7.3°W and Eutelsat 8 West B at 8.0°W, enabling wide accessibility across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. These positions utilize frequencies such as 11277 V on Eutelsat 7 West A (DVB-S, symbol rate 27500, FEC 5/6, MPEG-2 SD, free) and 11137 V on Eutelsat 8 West B (DVB-S2 8PSK, symbol rate 27500, FEC 3/4, MPEG-4 SD, free), with the Eutelsat 7 West A feed starting in June 2025 following earlier changes. An HD variant is available encrypted on Es'hail 2 at 25.8°E (11430 V, DVB-S2 8PSK, symbol rate 27500, FEC 2/3, MPEG-4 HD) via beIN packages. On cable and IP TV platforms, the channel is carried by major providers in key markets like the and , including beIN (channel 614), (channel 45), and Etisalat (channel 311). Channel numbers may vary by package and location, but these services integrate the SD feed into their kids' and family tiers, often alongside English-language counterparts for bilingual households. Digitally, Cartoon Network Arabic offers and video-on-demand (VOD) access through the beIN CONNECT app, available across MENA on mobile, tablet, and devices, with episodes from popular series like and selectable for on-demand playback. The official Cartoon Network MENA website also provides supplementary streaming and VOD options, complementing linear broadcasts with catch-up features tailored for Arabic-speaking audiences. As of 2023, the channel reaches over 66 million households across the MENA region, spanning approximately 22 countries including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, and others, with satellite distribution achieving broad penetration due to the prevalence of FTA reception in urban and rural areas alike.

Ownership and Technical Specifications

Cartoon Network Arabic is operated by Warner Bros. Discovery's EMEA division, following the 2022 merger between WarnerMedia and Discovery, Inc., which integrated the channel under the company's international networks portfolio. Prior to the merger, the channel fell under Turner Broadcasting System, a subsidiary of WarnerMedia, which established its regional operations to support the launch and management of Arabic-language content. As of November 2025, there have been no reported changes in ownership structure, with Warner Bros. Discovery emphasizing sustainable growth through hybrid broadcast and streaming models to adapt to evolving viewer preferences in the MENA region. The channel adheres to regional regulatory frameworks designed to protect young audiences, including compliance with the UAE Media Council's national standards for media content, which prohibit harmful material and emphasize respect for . In Saudi Arabia, it aligns with the General Authority for Media Regulation's age classification guidelines, ensuring content is suitable for children by categorizing programs based on elements like or fantasy while maintaining overall safety. These standards guide content selection, scheduling, and adaptations to foster educational and culturally appropriate programming across the . Technically, Cartoon Network Arabic transmits in standard definition (SD) and high-definition (HD) formats via satellite, utilizing DVB-S and standards on platforms like 7 West A, 8 West B, and Es'hail 2 for reliable pan-Arab coverage. The SD feeds employ or MPEG-4 video encoding compatible with the PAL color system prevalent in the MENA region, while audio is provided in stereo, with an English audio track available on the HD version to accommodate bilingual households. The channel's headquarters are located in , UAE, serving as the hub for regional operations, including content management and partnerships. Dubbing and localization efforts are supported by facilities in the UAE, such as Blink Studios for adaptations.

References

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