Boomerang to Expand Asian Presence with Korean Launch

SEOUL: Boomerang, Turner's companion channel to Cartoon Network, is due to debut in Korea to 15 million households on major cable and IPTV platforms later this month.

Boomerang is already widely available in Australia and Southeast Asia. The all-animation network will be offered in Korean, targeting 4- to 9-year-old children and their families. Available for the first time in the country will be new episodes of such Warner Bros. Studios hits as The Tom and Jerry Show, Looney Tunes and Scooby-Doo. Viewers will also be able to watch such upcoming shows as Wabbit and Bunnicula. The channel is slated to launch in Korea on November 14. There is also a Korean-language microsite to complement the on-air offering, and there are plans to localize the Boomerang Watch and Play app.

Boomerang will also feature a large amount of Korean content and Turner will continue to look for opportunities to be a part of local animation projects. The company recently announced the network's biggest ever animation project in Korea, Beat Monsters, which is a new co-production with Synergy Media and Studio Goindol. International premium acquisitions for Boomerang in AsiaPac include The Garfield Show, Pink Panther and Pals, Strawberry Shortcake, Mr. Bean: The Animated Series, Inspector Gadget, DreamWorks' Turbo: FAST and DreamWorks' two Dragons series: Defenders of Berk and Riders of Berk.

Phil Nelson, Turner International's managing director for North Asia, said: "Boomerang's arrival in Korea will be the perfect accompaniment to Cartoon Network, the country's number one international kids' channel. Turner has already made a firm commitment to the local animation industry over the years and this investment is set to continue."