Cartoon Network Bolsters AsiaPac Programming Lineup

MELBOURNE: Cartoon Network is adding four Australian-made animation projects to its regional programming lineup in 2016.

The Australian-originated comedies will sit alongside Cartoon Network originals such as Powerpuff Girls and Adventure Time. The new commissions include short-form comedy series Bill & Tony and The Sketchy Show out of Brisbane, both produced in Sydney. Another project out of Australia is Lasso & Comet, which has been accepted by Cartoon Network Studios’ international shorts program, with a short slated to begin production soon. Cartoon Network Australia also greenlit a pilot for Monster Beach: The Series, inspired by a TV movie of the same name.

Additionally, Exchange Student Zero, Cartoon Network’s first full-length Australian-made series, is a product of a virtual studio model and officially wraps production in Victoria this week. Cartoon Network’s Melbourne-based creators Patrick Crawley, Bruce Kane and Maurice Argiro worked on the 13-part comedy-adventure series that fuses anime with Western animation and ideas.

Mark Eyers, the chief content officer for Turner’s kids’ channels in Asia Pacific, including Cartoon Network and Boomerang, said: “We’re looking to build on our success with Exchange Student Zero and Monster Beach, and develop even more Australia-made content using our ‘virtual studio model’ approach. The level of professionalism of the creators, the creative culture and understanding of comedy animation that can be exported around the world, are all reasons for tapping into this impressive talent pool.”

The content will also air on the recently launched app Cartoon Network Anything and on the Cartoon Network Watch and Play digital platform. The Sketchy Show and Bill & Tony are slated for a digital debut on the app next year.