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Cartoonito
Logo used since 2021
Product type
OwnerWarner Bros. Discovery
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WebsiteInternational sites

Cartoonito is a brand name used by Warner Bros. Discovery for a collection of television networks and programming blocks aimed at preschool children. The name combines the "cartoon" with the Spanish suffix "ito", meaning "small".

As of May 2025, Cartoonito exists as a TV channel across Europe (including the United Kingdom and Ireland, where it originated), the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and South Korea; as a block on Cartoon Network in the UK, the Middle East, Turkey, Japan,[2] the Philippines, Taiwan,[3][4] South Asia, and New Zealand.

Background

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Precursors (1996–2006)

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Educational blocks (1996–2005)

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In 1996, Cartoon Network decided to create a Sunday morning block of preschool programs, comprising Big Bag, a live-action/puppet television program produced by the Children's Television Workshop (known for Sesame Street), and Small World, a block of animated preschool series from foreign countries.[5] The block moved to late weekday mornings in spring 1998 to accommodate Big Bag's second season, before moving to an earlier Sunday-morning timeslot and lasting until 2002.[5]

In 1997 (a year after the merger of Turner Broadcasting System with Time Warner), Warner Bros. Animation began developing Baby Looney Tunes, an original preschool series inspired by a line of pre-existing merchandise.[6][7] The series ran on Cartoon Network from 2002 to 2005.[8] Cartoon Network aired other programs for 4-to-8 year-olds alongside Baby Looney Tunes, including Hamtaro, Sitting Ducks, and Pecola.

Tiny TV (2003–2006)

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Main article: Tiny TV

In 2003, Cartoon Network's Indian counterpart introduced Tiny TV, a weekday morning block of acquired preschool cartoons such as Bob the Builder, Kipper, Noddy, and Oswald. By 2006, it had expanded to Cartoon Network and Boomerang channels in Australia, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. Each block carried its own lineup of programs, with only a few shared between feeds. Tiny TV was discontinued internationally in 2007, but was temporarily revived on POGO (a sister channel to Cartoon Network India) in 2010.[9]

Tickle-U (2005–2006)

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Tickle-U was Cartoon Network's first attempt at an official weekday-morning preschool programming block, premiering on 22 August 2005, and aired from 9 to 11 a.m. ET/PT.[10][11] Programs on the line-up included acquired shows such as two Teletoon/Treehouse TV series, with one being a co-production (Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs and Gerald McBoing-Boing), and British shows (Gordon the Garden Gnome, Peppa Pig, Little Robots, and Yoko! Jakamoko! Toto!). Unlike their original counterparts, the British-acquired shows featured an American voice cast. The only original series was Firehouse Tales, produced by Warner Bros. Animation. It featured domestic and foreign-imported series targeted at preschool-age children like its competitors Nick Jr. (on Nickelodeon) and Playhouse Disney (now Disney Junior on Disney Channel). The hosts were two animated CGI characters: a red butterfly-like creature named Pipoca (voiced by Ariel Winter) and a yellow rabbit-like creature named Henderson (voiced by Tom Kenny). The block came under fire by the CCFC, which criticized its marketing strategies.[12][13] After Tickle-U closed on 13 January 2006, some of its series still aired on Cartoon Network until 2007 and as part of the schedule of the British variation of Cartoonito. The promos for the shows featured on the block had Tickle-U branding and the mascot interstitials were replaced with shots of the main view of the City of Townsville from The Powerpuff Girls (part of Cartoon Network's on-air presentation from 2004 to 2007).[14][15] It was the last attempt at a preschool programming block until Cartoonito in 2021 on both Cartoon Network and HBO Max.

History

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Launch (2006–2011)

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Main article: Cartoonito (British and Irish TV channel)
The first variation of the original logo was used from 2006 to 2018. The eye dots were originally a dark purple.

On 4 September 2006, Cartoon Network Too debuted a new programming block called Cartoonito, running from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily. The series featured in Cartoonito was acquired from countries worldwide and was available in both English and French. The block was later spun off into a separate channel on 24 May 2007, as Cartoonito expanded its broadcast hours by taking the whole daytime slot formerly given to Cartoon Network Too. In turn, Cartoon Network Too became a 24-hour channel replacing Toonami UK's former channel space. From September 2009 to March 2010, a morning Cartoonito block aired on Boomerang until its launch on Virgin Media.[citation needed]

Brand rollout (2011–2021)

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The second variant of the original logo was used from 2018 to 2022. The text logo is slightly curved and the eye dots were pitch black.

In May 2011, Turner Broadcasting System EMEA announced that they would roll out the Cartoonito brand to EMEA and MENA territories later on in the year; under the arrangement, programming blocks would launch on Cartoon Network or Boomerang channels in that region.[16] The announcement coincided with Turner Broadcasting System EMEA acquiring the pay-TV rights to the CGI animated revival of Bananas in Pyjamas and Spanish computer-animated series Jelly Jamm, both of which would be flagship shows for the blocks.[17]

The brand rollout began with the launch of a free-to-air Cartoonito channel in Italy, which launched on 22 August 2011 as a sister channel to Boing through a joint-venture with Mediaset. In September 2011, Cartoonito replaced Boomerang in Spain[18] and had launched as a block on Boomerang's EMEA and MENA feeds on the same day. The block launched in the Middle East on Cartoon Network Arabic on 4 September and in France on Boing on 5 September 2011.[19] On 1 December 2012, Cartoonito launched in the Asia Pacific and the Philippines through SkyCable. Cartoonito is available as part of its Metropack and on an a la carte basis via Skycable Select.[20]

The expansion of the brand was eventually reduced by the Mid-2010. The French block proved quite unpopular with viewers and suffered a reduction of its airtime in September 2012 before being removed from Boing outright on 5 July 2013.[21] The Spanish channel closed on 30 June 2013 alongside the Spanish feed of Cartoon Network due to declining ratings and a Pay-TV crisis with all programmes moving to their free-to-air Boing network, which they co-own with Mediaset.[22] The MENA blocks ended their run at the beginning of January and April 2014, respectively, while the Asian channel was replaced with a relaunched Boomerang on 1 January 2015.[23]

Global re-introduction and rebrand (2021–present)

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After the announcement of Batwheels on 6 October 2020, Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics president Tom Ascheim implied about plans for Cartoon Network to attract a preschool audience. On 5 February 2021, Tom Ascheim, president of Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics announced in an interview with Kidscreen that Cartoon Network would expand its offerings to include series aimed at family audiences, girls, and preschoolers. The latter audience would pit the network in competition with established preschool brands like Disney Junior, PBS Kids and the Nick Jr. Channel.[24][25] He would also announce the acquisition of the broadcast rights to the Thomas & Friends reboot series, Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go.

United States

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Main article: Cartoonito (American programming block)

On 17 February 2021, it was announced that WarnerMedia's international preschool brand Cartoonito would launch in the United States on Cartoon Network[26] and streaming service HBO Max.[27] Over 20 series were expected to be featured at its launch.[28] A website for the block was launched in March 2021. Partnerships also encompassed acquired broadcasting rights to Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go, a reboot of the original Thomas & Friends series.[29] The block officially launched on 13 September 2021, and initially ran for 8 hours (6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET/PT) on weekdays and 2 hours (6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. ET/PT) on weekends.[30] It ultimately settled with 4–5 hours only on weekdays (starting at 7:00 a.m. ET/PT).[31] On 23 May 2025, the block was on hiatus until 1 September 2025.

Latin America

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Main article: Cartoonito (Latin America)

In October 2021, Sky Brasil announced that Cartoonito would be launching in Brazil on 1 December 2021, replacing Boomerang.[32] A few days later, the Argentine pay television service Telered announced the replacement of Boomerang to Cartoonito for the rest of Latin America on the same date.[33]

EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa)

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In May 2021, WarnerMedia UK and EMEA announced plans to relaunch Cartoonito within their region.[34][35]

Rebrand in the UK and Ireland
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On 1 February 2022, the British and Irish Cartoonito channel adopted the worldwide rebrand.[36] Additionally, starting on 1 March 2022, a weekday hour-long Cartoonito block aired from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on sister channel Cartoon Network.[37] The block now runs from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on weekdays and does not air during the school holidays.

Rebrand in Italy
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On 5 June 2022, the Italian Cartoonito channel adopted the worldwide rebrand, officially retiring the old mascots along the way, making it one of the last Cartoonito-branded channels to retire Cartoonito's original CGI mascots, The Cartoonitos.[38]

Other EMEA Regions
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In the Nordics, Cartoonito launched as a programming block on Boomerang on 1 February 2022.[39][40] The channel later rebranded as Cartoonito on 4 September 2023, as did Boomerang's feeds in Turkey[41] and the MENA region.[42] Beginning on 7 February 2022, the Cartoonito blocks on Cartoon Network Arabic and Cartoon Network Turkey adopted the rebrand.[43][44] In Portugal, a morning and afternoon Cartoonito block launched on Boomerang on 21 February 2022.[45][46] The channel would fully rebrand as Cartoonito on 23 March 2023.[47]

In Africa, Boomerang relaunched its morning Cartoonito block on 4 April 2022.[48] On 8 February 2023, it was announced that Cartoonito would expand into a full-time channel in Boomerang's place on 25 March.[49] In Central and Eastern Europe, Germany, and the Netherlands, Boomerang relaunched its morning Cartoonito block on 1 September 2022. In January 2023, it was announced that Boomerang CEE would be fully replaced with a standalone Cartoonito channel on 18 March 2023.[50] In France, Boing was replaced by a Cartoonito channel on 3 April 2023.[51]

APAC (Asia-Pacific)

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In Japan, the Cartoonito block was launched on 1 March 2022 on Cartoon Network for daily mornings.[52][4] In Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea, Cartoonito relaunched as a programming block on 28 March 2022 on Cartoon Network. It offers a modern approach to preschool programming, built to support each child's unique potential with its educational framework called "Humancentric Learning".[53][54] In Australia and New Zealand, a Cartoonito block launched on 27 June 2022 on Cartoon Network.[55][56] A dedicated Cartoonito pop-up channel was available on Australia's Foxtel from 10 March 2023.[57][58]

On 2 May 2022, an additional Cartoonito block debuted on Boomerang Asia. Later, on 21 November, Cartoon Network discontinued its Cartoonito block, with the brand fully shifting to Boomerang. Cartoonito continues to air on Cartoon Network Philippines.[4] On 28 June 2023, Warner Bros. Discovery Asia-Pacific announced that Boomerang Asia would be rebrand as Cartoonito; the switchover took place a month later on 28 July, marking the second time Cartoonito appeared as a linear channel in the region.[59] On 1 July 2024, the South Korean version of Boomerang, which had been broadcasting since 2015, was rebranded as Cartoonito.

Mascots

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The Cartoonitos (2006–2022)

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From its initial launch, Cartoonito's original six CGI mascots included Cuba (a red cube), Lolly (a purple cylinder), Ringo (a green ring), Spike (a blue pyramid), Ting (a pink star), and Bubble (a yellow sphere). They were called The Cartoonitos. Maria Darling voiced Cuba, Lolly, and Ringo, while Shelley Longworth voiced Spike, Ting, and Bubble in the UK. Initially, in the UK, Bubble, Spike and Ting spoke French and taught French phrases to viewers. The mascots were retired in the UK in February 2022, and later in Italy in June 2022, as they adopted the rebranding.

Rebrand (2021–present)

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As part of Cartoonito's global reintroduction, the original CGI mascots were retired in favor of four 2D-animated ones. The new mascots are Nito (a cyan square), Glob (a multi-colored glob-like figure), Wedge (a magenta triangle), and Itty (a pink circle). These characters were exclusive to the US and Latin American feeds in 2021, until the British, Irish, and Italian feeds adopted them in 2022.

See also

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cartoonito.

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Cartoonito

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Cartoonito is a global multiplatform preschool brand owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, designed for children aged 2 to 6 and their families, offering animated programming that emphasizes learning through play, positive psychology, and 21st-century skills such as friendship, teamwork, and emotional development. Launched initially as a programming block on the channel on September 4, 2006, Cartoonito quickly expanded into a standalone 24-hour in the and in May 2007, replacing the struggling service amid a strategic shift toward content. The brand has since grown internationally through various rebrands and launches, including in in 2011, in 2021, and expansions across , the , , Asia, and , often by converting former channels to Cartoonito starting in 2023. In the United States, Cartoonito debuted as a weekday morning programming block on Cartoon Network and a dedicated content hub on the HBO Max (later Max) streaming service on September 13, 2021, featuring over 20 original and licensed series to support children's unique potential through engaging storytelling. Key programming includes classics like Thomas & Friends, Fireman Sam, and Bob the Builder, alongside licensed series such as Masha and the Bear and newer additions like Barney in 2023, all curated to create a safe, stimulating environment for early learning. As of late 2025, the brand continues to operate as a television channel and streaming offering in multiple regions worldwide, including Europe and Asia, though the U.S. linear block concluded its run earlier in the year.

Background

Precursors (1996–2006)

In 1996, began experimenting with preschool programming blocks aimed at children aged 2 to 6, introducing educational content to differentiate from its general lineup. The network launched , a live-action/animated series co-produced with the Children's Television Workshop, which aired Sunday mornings and focused on through play, songs, and short segments featuring characters like Chelli and Bag. This initiative marked an early effort to attract younger viewers and their parents by blending entertainment with basic educational elements such as problem-solving and . The preschool blocks evolved significantly from 1996 to 2005, transitioning from weekend-only slots to daily weekday mornings with added interstitials, bumpers, and short-form content that reinforced themes of creativity and early literacy. expanded to weekday airings due to strong initial reception among preschool audiences, running new episodes through 1998 before reruns continued until 2001. Accompanying it was Small World, a companion segment showcasing international animated shorts tailored for young children, which aired alongside to provide diverse, culturally varied stories emphasizing imagination and gentle humor. These developments highlighted a strategic shift toward dedicated preschool scheduling on Cartoon Network, laying foundational concepts for future branded blocks like Tickle-U.

Tickle-U (2005–2006)

Tickle-U was a programming block that premiered on in the United States on August 22, 2005, marking the network's first dedicated branded initiative for young children aged 2-5. The two-hour morning block aired weekdays from 9 to 11 a.m. ET/PT, filling a strategic gap in 's lineup by offering age-appropriate content separate from its core older-audience programming. Developed with guidance from a Child Development Advisory Board, Tickle-U emphasized nurturing children's sense of humor and optimism as key elements of social-emotional learning and healthy development. The block featured a curated selection of short-form animated series, including Peep and the Big Wide World, Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs, Gerald McBoing-Boing, and Peppa Pig, alongside original interstitials and host segments with animated characters Pipoca, Henderson, and Place. Programming was structured to minimize interruptions, with commercials limited to the top and bottom of each hour, and included a "Mommy Bar" feature providing parental tips on child-rearing. As the successor to unbranded preschool experiments like Tiny TV, Tickle-U represented Cartoon Network's initial foray into a cohesive brand identity, laying groundwork for future expansions such as the "ito" suffix in Cartoonito. Despite its innovative approach, the block proved short-lived, ending on January 13, 2006, after less than five months amid low ratings and a pivot in network strategy toward broader family programming.

History

Launch and Early Years (2006–2011)

Cartoonito debuted as a programming block on the feed of on 4 2006, targeting children aged 2 to 6 years with a mix of acquired international shows and original British content designed to promote early learning and entertainment. The block aired daily from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. GMT, filling the preschool slot previously occupied by the Tickle-U block, which had ended earlier that year. Early programming included British stop-motion series such as and , alongside imported animated adventures like The Save-Ums!, emphasizing themes of friendship, problem-solving, and creativity suitable for audiences. On 24 May 2007, Cartoonito transitioned from a block to a standalone 24-hour channel in the UK and , replacing the anime-focused on channel 619 and expanding its reach by occupying the former slot. The channel broadcast from Turner House at 16 in , the European headquarters of , and adjusted its daily schedule to run Cartoonito programming from 3:00 a.m. to 5:59 p.m., after which it shared airtime with content until 3:00 a.m. the following day. This structure allowed for continuous availability while optimizing resources in the early years of operation. During its initial years, Cartoonito remained under the ownership of , a subsidiary of Time Warner prior to the 2018 formation of , and saw steady growth in viewership.

Expansion and Brand Rollout (2011–2021)

Following the establishment of Cartoonito in the , the brand expanded across , the , and (EMEA) in 2011 through a branded programming block on , targeting preschool audiences aged 3-6 with content such as , , , Bananas in Pajamas, and . This rollout reached 125 million homes in 112 territories, marking a significant increase in distribution and integrating preschool programming into existing Boomerang feeds in markets including the , where it aired as a daily block. In , Cartoonito launched as a standalone 24-hour channel on , 2011, as part of a with . The expansion emphasized acquired programming from and origins, including high-profile series like , which Turner Broadcasting licensed in multiple seasons, including high-definition CGI episodes, to anchor the preschool lineup. The brand's growth continued into the (APAC) region with the launch of a dedicated Cartoonito channel on December 1, 2012, in , replacing in key markets like the and airing in high definition for children aged 3-7 with shows such as LazyTown, , and Noddy in Toyland. This initiative shared feeds with in select APAC territories to optimize distribution, while co-productions and licensing deals with partners like —former rights holder for —supported content standardization across regions. By 2013, further rollouts solidified the brand's presence, extending APAC availability and integrating with local platforms. In the , the 2014 rebrand incorporated enhanced Cartoonito blocks, aligning with broader EMEA strategies for shared programming feeds. Content efforts prioritized educational and entertaining acquired series, with and serving as staples to foster brand consistency, supplemented by co-productions that emphasized themes of friendship, problem-solving, and adventure for global audiences. Under Time Warner until 2018, when it became part of the newly formed following AT&T's acquisition, Cartoonito positioned itself for the streaming era by expanding digital tie-ins and preparing content for platforms like HBO Max, while maintaining linear channel growth. By 2020, the brand was available in over 20 countries through dedicated channels, blocks, and shared integrations, reaching millions of preschool households and establishing a robust international footprint.

Global Reintroduction and Rebrand (2021–present)

In February 2021, WarnerMedia announced at its Upfront presentation the global relaunch of Cartoonito as a dedicated preschool brand targeting children aged 2-6, emphasizing integration across linear television and streaming platforms to deliver content focused on early childhood development. This reintroduction repositioned the brand from its earlier iterations, building on prior regional expansions to create a unified preschool offering under WarnerMedia Kids & Family. The core rebrand elements included a shift toward seamless streaming and linear synergy, with a new logo and idents debuting in previews during June 2021 ahead of the full rollout. In the United States, Cartoonito launched as a programming block on Cartoon Network and a dedicated hub on HBO Max (later rebranded as Max) on September 13, 2021, featuring a curriculum inspired by positive psychology to promote "humancentric learning" through playful exploration of emotions, social skills, and creativity. The initiative planned for over 20 new original and acquired series by 2022, available primarily via the Max streaming service to enhance accessibility for families. The rebrand's global timeline unfolded progressively, with Cartoonito replacing as a 24/7 channel across on December 1, 2021, marking the first full regional channel launch under the refreshed identity. This was followed by the and channel adopting the new branding on February 1, 2022, incorporating updated bumpers and a block on . The formation of Warner Bros. Discovery through the merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery, Inc., on April 8, 2022, bolstered the brand's international momentum by consolidating resources for broader distribution. Recent developments include the rebranding of Boomerang to Cartoonito in Southeast Asia, Taiwan, and Hong Kong on July 28, 2023, extending the preschool-focused slate to additional markets via linear and streaming. Further rebrands occurred with Boomerang becoming Cartoonito in the Nordics, Turkey, and the Middle East and North Africa on September 4, 2023, and in South Korea on July 1, 2024. In the US, the Cartoonito block on Cartoon Network concluded its run on May 23, 2025, amid ongoing adjustments to programming schedules, though content remains available on Max.

Regional Operations

United States

Cartoonito launched in the on September 13, 2021, as a preschool programming block on airing weekday mornings from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET/PT and weekends from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. ET/PT, alongside a dedicated content hub on Max for on-demand viewing. This rollout followed the global reintroduction of the Cartoonito brand by (later ). The block targeted children aged 2-6 years, emphasizing educational content rooted in principles to foster creativity, caring, curiosity, and courage. The programming block featured a mix of original productions and acquired series, with weekday mornings highlighting new Cartoonito originals such as Batwheels and Bugs Bunny Builders, alongside library titles like Baby Looney Tunes and Pocoyo. Over time, the block expanded its weekend presence to provide consistent access to preschool content, while maintaining a focus on short-form, engaging episodes suitable for young viewers. On the streaming side, the Cartoonito hub on HBO Max (rebranded as Max in May 2023 before reverting to HBO Max in July 2025) offered full on-demand access to over 20 series at launch, including exclusives like and , enabling flexible viewing for families. The service continued to grow with additional originals and integrated Discovery's iconic IP tailored for preschoolers. Following the end of the linear block on May 23, 2025, Cartoonito content continued exclusively on the HBO Max streaming hub. Cartoonito's U.S. operations are managed by Kids, Young Adult & Classics division, which oversees the brand's linear and streaming distribution.

Latin America

Cartoonito launched in on December 1, 2021, as a full 24-hour cable and channel, replacing the channel across the region. This rollout was part of WarnerMedia's to reintroduce the preschool-focused Cartoonito globally, with feeds broadcasting in Spanish for Spanish-speaking countries and Portuguese for . The channel became available in key markets including , , , , and others throughout , distributed via major pay-TV providers such as Sky and Claro. The channel emphasizes content for preschoolers aged 2 to 6 during daytime hours, typically from early morning through afternoon, before transitioning to general children's programming in the evenings, while maintaining integration with broader kids' feeds like for shared promotional events. Adaptations include localized Spanish and dubs of international shows, along with region-specific promotions tailored to cultural contexts, such as specials aligned with Latin American traditions. Partnerships with local distributors like Sky in and Claro across multiple countries ensure wide accessibility via cable, satellite, and select streaming bundles. Following the 2022 merger of and Discovery to form , Cartoonito was integrated into the company's expanded Latin American portfolio of kids' channels, which includes and , enhancing cross-promotion and content distribution. As of 2025, the channel maintains stable operations with recent restructuring that unified its regional feeds into fewer feeds (three as of July 2025) and made the service commercial-free starting September 2025 to streamline delivery and improve viewer experience. Post-rebrand viewership has shown growth in the preschool demographic, contributing to the overall expansion of 's family entertainment offerings in the region.

EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and )

In the and , Cartoonito underwent a full channel rebrand on 1 February 2022, adopting the global 2021 branding with new 2D mascots and updated bumpers while maintaining its focus on programming for children aged 3 to 6. The channel operates as a dedicated linear service, broadcasting from early morning hours such as 3:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays in a timeshared arrangement with , extending to 24-hour coverage on weekends to cater to family viewing patterns. This rebrand followed the channel's established presence since its original launch, enhancing its integration within Discovery's EMEA portfolio. Italy marked an early expansion milestone for Cartoonito in EMEA with its initial launch as a 24-hour channel on 22 August 2011 through a with , serving as a foundation for subsequent regional growth. The channel received its global rebrand on 5 June 2022, retiring the original "Cartoonitos" mascots and introducing refreshed idents and programming continuity aligned with the demographic. In , Cartoonito debuted as a standalone channel on 3 2023, replacing the former Boing service and targeting French-speaking territories with dubbed content available via major providers like Orange, Free, SFR, Bouygues, Molotov, and Prime Video Channels. Across the , Cartoonito expanded in 2022 initially as a programming block on before transitioning to a full channel rebrand on 4 2023, distributed via platforms like to reach Arabic-speaking audiences with localized audio options. In , the service launched through MultiChoice's (channel 302) and (channel 90) platforms starting in 2023, offering sub-Saharan viewers a mix of English and dubbed content tailored to regional preferences. The saw Cartoonito begin as a block on from 1 February 2022, evolving into a dedicated channel on 4 2023 across Sweden, Denmark, Norway, , and , with multilingual audio support including Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, and Finnish. Regional variations in EMEA include multi-language audio tracks, such as for Middle Eastern feeds and French for francophone markets, enabling broader accessibility while preserving core themes of and . Event-specific programming, like holiday marathons featuring specials and festive idents, enhances seasonal engagement, as seen in and continuity announcements. As of 2025, Cartoonito remains active in over 15 countries across EMEA, with streaming integration on Discovery's Max platform in select markets, allowing on-demand access to its library alongside linear broadcasts.

APAC (Asia-Pacific)

Cartoonito's expansion in the region was spurred by the brand's global reintroduction in 2021, leading to targeted launches as programming blocks and channel rebrands to serve audiences. In , Cartoonito debuted as a dedicated morning programming block on on March 28, 2022, featuring content such as and tailored for young children. On July 28, 2023, rebranded its existing channel to Cartoonito across , including markets like the and , as well as and , shifting focus to programming available in English, Mandarin, and local languages. Japan saw an earlier rollout with the Cartoonito block launching on on March 1, 2022, in partnership with local broadcaster partners, offering a mix of international and regionally adapted shows during weekday mornings. In , the block similarly premiered on on March 28, 2022, integrating preschool content into the existing schedule without a separate channel rebrand at that time. Australia and New Zealand integrated Cartoonito as a programming block on starting July 4, 2022, with a temporary pop-up channel available on platforms to enhance accessibility for families. Content adaptations in the region include dubbed and subtitled versions in languages such as Korean for and Hindi for select markets like , where programming is accessible via streaming services. As of 2025, Cartoonito programming is available on a dedicated rail within (now transitioning to HBO Max in expanding markets) in , , and , supporting the brand's streaming growth amid linear channel adjustments in areas like .

Branding and Mascots

Original Mascots (2006–2022)

The original mascots for Cartoonito, known collectively as The Cartoonitos, were introduced alongside the brand's launch as a preschool programming block on Cartoon Network Too in the United Kingdom on September 4, 2006. These six colorful computer-generated imagery (CGI) characters consisted of abstract, non-anthropomorphic shapes designed to appeal to young children. The characters included Cuba, a red cube; Lolly, a purple cylinder; Ringo, a green ring; Spike, a blue pyramid; Ting, a pink star; and Bubble, a yellow sphere. The Cartoonitos appeared prominently in idents, bumpers, promotional segments, and interstitials across Cartoonito's early programming, often interacting in voiced sequences to engage viewers and support soft educational elements like basic language learning. In the UK launch, they were voiced by as , Lolly, and Ringo, and by as Spike, Ting, and Bubble, facilitating playful dialogues that tied into the block's initial reveal on the channel. They continued to feature in on-air graphics, promotional materials, and licensed merchandise such as toys and activity books, helping to build brand recognition among audiences until the late . The Cartoonitos began to be phased out in 2021 as part of Cartoonito's global efforts, with the characters fully retired from major markets by the end of ; their last prominent use occurred in regions like the in February and in June , marking the transition to updated visual identities.

2021 Rebrand and New Characters

In 2021, Cartoonito underwent a global rebrand, introducing a new visual identity and four 2D-animated mascots to replace The Cartoonitos. The new characters are Nito, a square; Glob, a multi-colored glob-like figure; , a magenta triangle; and Itty, a pink circle. These mascots are designed as a group of unique, funny friends that embody , inclusion, and play, appearing in idents, bumpers, and promotional content to bring the brand to life for audiences. The rebrand rolled out first in the United States with the September 2021 launch and expanded internationally, including to in 2022.

Programming

Original Productions

Cartoonito's original productions are developed primarily by , targeting preschool audiences aged 2-5 with content that emphasizes social-emotional learning, teamwork, and foundational STEM concepts through engaging, character-driven stories. These series incorporate diverse representation to reflect a broad range of backgrounds and abilities, fostering inclusivity while encouraging interactive viewing experiences optimized for streaming platforms like Max. One of the flagship originals is , a DC Comics-inspired series featuring anthropomorphic vehicles based on Batman's iconic and its allies, who form a team to combat young villains while learning about friendship and problem-solving. Announced in development in October 2020, the show premiered in the United States on , 2022, as part of the Cartoonito block on , with episodes streaming the following day on Max. Season 2 was renewed in December 2022, and international rollouts included a debut in the on Cartoonito in March 2023. Bugs Bunny Builders, a spin-off from the franchise, follows and friends as construction workers tackling whimsical building projects in Looneyburg, highlighting collaboration and creativity. Produced by , it debuted in the US on July 25, 2022, on the Cartoonito block of and July 26 on HBO Max, with global expansions following shortly after. New episodes continued to premiere on Max as of November 2025. The revival series reimagines the 1990s with younger versions of classic characters attending Acme Looniversity to hone their toon skills, blending humor with lessons on perseverance and social dynamics. Developed by , it premiered on Max on September 8, 2023, followed by a Cartoon Network airing on September 9, with subsequent episodes integrated into Cartoonito programming. In 2024, Cartoonito expanded its originals with co-produced specials from , where the bears use their magical belly badges to promote kindness and emotional resilience in the Silver Lining world. These specials, ordered by HBO Max and for the Cartoonito block, debuted throughout the year on streaming and linear platforms, emphasizing diverse caregiving roles and interactive empathy-building narratives.

Acquired Shows

Cartoonito has licensed a variety of externally produced series to form a significant portion of its programming, focusing on established titles that align with its educational framework of Humancentric Learning. Core acquisitions include : All Engines Go, a 2021 of the long-running franchise produced by and Studios, which debuted as a key title in the U.S. block's launch lineup and emphasizes themes of teamwork and exploration. Similarly, , the Welsh-originated series dating back to 1987 and produced by (formerly DHX Media), has been a consistent staple through multi-season licensing deals, with recent agreements securing Season 16 for Cartoonito in regions like the and to promote safety and community values. The acquisition strategy emphasizes long-term partnerships with leading producers to secure proven global hits for syndication across regions, often dubbing content to fit local languages and cultural contexts. For example, deals with brought digital sensations like and to the platform in 2022, integrating nursery rhymes and everyday learning adventures that quickly became high-rotation blocks comprising up to half of daily airtime in preschool slots. Additional pacts with added European favorites such as Bing, , and in 2021, expanding the slate with interactive storytelling focused on emotional development and curiosity. These efforts support Cartoonito's goal of building a robust library of over 300 hours of content, blending acquisitions with originals for broad appeal. Later additions included Silly Sundays (premiered October 2, 2024), an Irish series about family adventures; Barney's World (October 14, 2024), a CG-animated revival from ; and Dylan's Playtime Adventures (March 6, 2025), an interactive comedy following a exploring careers. New episodes of Barney's World, Silly Sundays, and premiered on Max in November 2025. In the channel's early era from 2006 to 2011, particularly in the UK and launches, programming leaned toward UK-sourced acquisitions like Pingu, the Swiss stop-motion classic from 1986 that aired as a non-verbal entry point for very young viewers, highlighting imaginative play without dialogue. Post-2021 rebrand and global expansion, further additions included coproductions treated as acquisitions, such as Mush-Mush & the Mushables from CAKE and European partners, and Ladybird Lu from , both integrated into dubbed rotations for EMEA and APAC markets. By late 2025, core titles like Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go remained available on Max. In the U.S., following a hiatus from May 23 to September 1, 2025, Cartoonito programming returned to in a reduced 30-minute daily slot, with content continuing on Max.

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