Cartoon Network Worldwide president Betty Cohen unveiled four original
animated series for Cartoon Network's 2001-2002 season during its upfront press
breakfast in New York Wednesday.
In addition, she announced that the network has ordered a total of 110 fresh
episodes of such returning series as Dexter's Laboratory.
Two of its newcomers -- Time Squad and Grim & Evil -- will
be comedy series, while the other two -- Samurai Jack and Justice
League -- will be action/adventure.
Time Squad will bow in June and Samurai Jack in August. Both
involve time travel. Grim & Evil is due in October, with Justice
League -- based on AOL Time Warner Inc.-owned DC Comics' franchise -- slated
for November.
All are half-hours except the hour-long Justice League, featuring such
superheroes as Superman and Batman.
Although Cohen said she could not estimate the production budget for the new
season, she did say Cartoon has budgeted $500 million for original-series
production for the five years through 2005.
As part of that commitment, Cartoon will present 13 pilots this summer.
Turning to acquired product, Cohen said Cartoon has ordered 96 new episodes
of Dragonball Z, the most popular element in its afternoon 'Toonami'
Japanese anime block.
Cartoon Network
Online general manager Jim Samples said four 'Total Immersion' events are
slated for 2001. These interactive stunts -- encompassing games and contests via
both cable and the Web -- first proved successful last fall.
Coming up, Samples said, are 'Powerpuff Popularity Contest,' 'Toonami:
Lockdown,' 'Scooby Doo, Where Are You?' and 'The Big Pick II.'
Grim & Evil -- about two kids who befriend the Grim Reaper -- was the
viewers' favorite pilot in last year's 'Big Pick,' Cohen noted.
As for Powerpuff Girls, she said, the series is about to be plugged
via a breakfast cereal from Kellogg Co. and via a theatrical film due in
mid-2002.
