Cartoon Network to Bring The Annoying Orange to TV

ATLANTA: Cartoon Network has picked up the television rights to The Annoying Orange, a web series watched by millions on YouTube.

The new half-hour television series based on the web series will premiere in 2012 as part of Cartoon Network’s original programming block. The Annoying Orange features Orange, who playfully heckles other fruits, vegetables or nearby objects with puns and jokes. The TV series was developed and will be produced by The Collective, which also financed the pilot before shopping it to broadcasters. Dane Boedigheimer co-created the TV series with Tom Sheppard (Pinky and the Brain). Conrad Vernon (director of Madagascar 3 and Monsters vs. Aliens) will serve as executive producer for the series along with Gary Binkow and Dan Weinstein of The Collective.

A line of apparel and accessories rolled out in October at JC Penney locations nationwide, while the toy line from master toy partner The Bridge Direct will hit specialty retailers in time for the holiday gift giving season. The Annoying Orange: Kitchen Carnage app is now available for iPhone and Android.

“The Annoying Orange and Cartoon Network were just meant to be squeezed together,” said Rob Sorcher, the chief content officer for Cartoon Network.

“Two years ago when I launched The Annoying Orange, I never imagined that my unhealthy obsession with talking fruit would become such a phenomenon,” Boedigheimer said. “I’m really excited to bring a new version to Cartoon Network.”

“We want to continue to ensure that The Annoying Orange’s huge and loyal audience can enjoy the fruits of Dane’s creative vision whenever and wherever they want,” said Michael Green, the CEO of The Collective. “Our model at The Collective is to partner with creative artists to build global brands across all possible platforms and we could not be more excited to join forces with the Cartoon Network to extend the magic of this property to cable television.”