MeTV Toons is an upcoming American broadcast television network operated by Weigel Broadcasting, in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery. Set to launch on June 25, 2024, as a spin-off of MeTV, the network's programming will mainly consist of vintage cartoon reruns (mainly consisting of the Hanna-Barbera library), featuring animation produced in the 20th century, along with a few 2000s series.
 | |
| Type | Broadcast television network (classic TV) |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Broadcast area | Nationwide (57% OTA coverage)[1] |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Picture format | 720p HDTV master feed (downscaled to 480i SDTV widescreen on most OTA affiliates) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | |
| Parent | WAM TV Limited Partnership |
| Sister channels | |
| History | |
| Launched | June 25, 2024 |
| Links | |
| Website | metvtoons |
| Availability | |
| Terrestrial | |
| See list of affiliates | |
| Streaming media | |
| Service(s): | Frndly TV, Philo[2] |
History
editTrademark registrations for MeTV Toons were filed first on March 2023, with original names for the network being "Toon TV" or "Toony TV" (name based on Toon In with Me character, Toony).
On May 1, 2024, Variety and TVLine accidentally revealed Weigel was partnering with Warner Bros. Discovery on MeTV Toons, which was billed as a 24/7, free-to-air television network dedicated to broadcasting classic animated programming. The stories were quietly withdrawn as the embargo for the information hadn't been lifted yet. TheDesk.net subsequently published its own story about the premature announcement, which noted that Weigel was also working with Paramount Pictures, MGM Studios, Universal Pictures and a number of other content studios.[3]
The following day, Weigel officially announced the launch of the channel, which is scheduled to launch on June 25.[4] The channel will follow a similar format to the formative years of Warner Bros. Discovery's Cartoon Network and Boomerang.
Officials at Weigel said MeTV Toons will be distributed in three forms: as a broadcast channel available in many cities through over-the-air television and on cable, and as a streaming channel that will be distributed across subscription-based services. Also, planned is a "complimentary offering for ad-supported streaming services."
Broadcast affiliates include those owned by Weigel itself, as well as those operated by Cox Media Group, Hubbard Broadcasting, Allen Media Group and Gray Television.
Frndly TV, which carries a number of other Weigel-owned channels, has been confirmed as a national distribution partner for the streaming variant of MeTV Toons[5]; Philo also has programming-related agreements with Weigel, and says it is working to add the network.[6]
Programming
editThe programs featured on the main MeTV network in the morning hours (such as Looney Tunes, Merrie Melodies, Tom and Jerry, Popeye and Woody Woodpecker) will also air on MeTV Toons. In addition, the network's programming will feature cartoons not seen on the MeTV block (such as Scooby-Doo, Yogi Bear and Casper the Friendly Ghost) and classic anime titles (like Speed Racer and Marine Boy). MeTV Toons will also air various UK-produced Supermarionation programs, such as Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons.[7]
Original content for the network is planned, which animation historian Jerry Beck will help produce. Bob Bergen, the modern voice actor for Porky Pig, is set to be the promotional announcer for the network.[8]
An asterisk (*) indicates that the program is also airing on sister channel MeTV.
Original programming
edit| Title | Premiere date | Notes | Source(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toon In with Me* | June 25, 2024 |
Interstitial series
editAcquired programming
editAffiliates
editThe network will be available on the following OTA stations as well as the paid streaming services Frndly TV and Philo.[1][2]
| City of license/market | Station[1] | Virtual channel |
Primary affiliation | Owner | Date of affiliation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alabamaedit | ||||||
| Huntsville | WAAY-TV | 31.8 | ABC | Allen Media Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
| Mobile | WMBP-LD | 31.4 | Telemundo | Gray Television | June 25, 2024 | |
| Montgomery | WBMM | 22.3 | The CW Plus | Bahakel Communications | June 25, 2024 | |
Arizonaedit | ||||||
| Phoenix | KEJR-LD | 40.2 | MeTV+ | Weigel Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
| Kingman | KMOH-TV | 6.5 | MeTV | June 25, 2024 | ||
| Tucson | KVOA | 4.4 | NBC | Allen Media Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | Replacing This TV |
Californiaedit | ||||||
| Chico | KHSL-TV | 12.8 | CBS | Allen Media Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
| Fresno | KGMC | 43.5 | Estrella TV | Cocola Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | Replacing Antenna TV |
| Los Angeles | KSFV-CD | 27.1 | – | Weigel Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | Replacing Jewelry Television |
| Monterey | KMBY-LD | 27.5 | MeTV | Cocola Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
| San Francisco | KTLN-TV | 68.6 | H&I | Weigel Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
Coloradoedit | ||||||
| Glenwood Springs | KREG-TV | 3.8 | MeTV | Weigel Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
| Grand Junction | KKCO | 11.5 | NBC | Gray Television | June 25, 2024 | |
Connecticutedit | ||||||
| Hartford (New Haven) | WHCT-LD | 35.8 | MeTV | Weigel Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
| Bridgeport | WZME | 43.4 | Story Television | June 25, 2024 | ||
Delawareedit | ||||||
| Wilmington (Philadelphia) | WDPN-TV | 2.10 | MeTV | Maranatha Broadcasting Company | June 25, 2024 | |
District of Columbiaedit | ||||||
| Washington, D.C. | WDME-CD | 48.5 | MeTV | Weigel Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
Floridaedit | ||||||
| Gainesville | WTGB-LD | 19.3 | N/A | Gray Television | June 25, 2024 | |
| Jacksonville | WJAX-TV | 47.4 | CBS | Cox Media Group | June 25, 2024 | |
| Orlando | WFTV | 9.4 | ABC | June 25, 2024 | ||
| West Palm Beach | WBWP-LD | 19.8 | Daystar Español | Roseland Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
| Miami | WBFS-TV | 33.7 | Independent | CBS News and Stations | June 25, 2024 | |
Georgiaedit | ||||||
| Atlanta | WKTB-CD | 47.7 | Telemundo | Gray Television | June 25, 2024 | |
| Macon | WPGA-TV | 58.5 | MeTV | June 25, 2024 | ||
Hawaiiedit | ||||||
| Honolulu | KIKU | 20.2 | Independent | Allen Media Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
Illinoisedit | ||||||
| Chicago | WCIU-TV | 26.7 | CW | Weigel Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
| Rockford | WREX | 13.2 | NBC | Allen Media Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
Indianaedit | ||||||
| Evansville | WEVV-TV | 44.5 | CBS | Allen Media Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
| WZDS-LD | 5.6 | H&I | Weigel Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | ||
| South Bend | WCWW-LD | 25.3 | CW | June 25, 2024 | ||
Iowaedit | ||||||
| Des Moines | KDIT-CD | 45.4 | Catchy Comedy | Weigel Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
| Waterloo | KWWL | 7.6 | NBC | Allen Media Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
Kansasedit | ||||||
| Lawrence (Kansas City) | KGKC-LD | 39.7 | Telemundo | SagamoreHill Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
Kentuckyedit | ||||||
| Lexington | WTVQ-DT | 36.4 | ABC | Morris Multimedia | June 25, 2024 | |
| Louisville | WBNA | 21.7 | Independent | Word Broadcasting Network | June 25, 2024 | |
| Paducah | WQWQ-LD | 9.4 | Telemundo | Gray Television | June 25, 2024 | |
Louisianaedit | ||||||
| Monroe | KMLU | 11.8 | MeTV | Legacy Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
Massachusettsedit | ||||||
| Boston | WMFP | 62.3 | Shop LC | WRNN-TV Associates | June 25, 2024 | |
Michiganedit | ||||||
| Flint | WJRT-TV | 12.7 | ABC | Allen Media Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
| Kalamazoo | WLLA | 64.7 | Independent | Christian Faith Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
Minnesotaedit | ||||||
| Minneapolis | KSTC-TV | 5.6 | Independent | Hubbard Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
| Rochester | KXLT-TV | 47.3 | Fox | Gray Television | June 25, 2024 | |
Mississippiedit | ||||||
| Greenwood | WMEL-LD | 13.4 | MeTV | Legacy Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
| Tupelo | WLOV-TV | 27.5 | The CW Plus | Morris Multimedia | June 25, 2024 | |
| Vicksburg | WLOO | 35.5 | MyNetworkTV | American Spirit Media | June 25, 2024 | |
Missouriedit | ||||||
| St. Louis | KNLC | 24.2 | MeTV | Weigel Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | Replacing NLEC-TV |
| Kansas City | KGKC-LD | 39.7 | Telemundo | SagamoreHill Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
New Jerseyedit | ||||||
| Middletown (New York City) | WJLP | 33.2 | MeTV | Weigel Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
New Mexicoedit | ||||||
| Carlsbad | KKAC | 19.5 | Story Television | Weigel Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
| Silver City | KKAD | 10.5 | Start TV | June 25, 2024 | ||
New Yorkedit | ||||||
| Plattsburgh | WYCI | 40.7 | MyNetworkTV | Gray Television | June 25, 2024 | |
Nevadaedit | ||||||
| Ely | KKEL | 27.8 | Story Television | Weigel Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
| Las Vegas | KHSV | 21.6 | MeTV | Howard Stirk Holdings | June 25, 2024 | Replacing NTD |
North Carolinaedit | ||||||
| Charlotte | WCCB | 18.9 | CW | Bahakel Communications | June 25, 2024 | |
Ohioedit | ||||||
| Cleveland | WOCV-CD | 35.3 | Catchy Comedy | Weigel Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
Oklahomaedit | ||||||
| Oklahoma City | KTUZ-TV | 30.7 | Telemundo | Tyler Media Group | June 25, 2024 | |
| Tulsa | KMYT-TV | 41.5 | MyNetworkTV | Imagicomm Communications | June 25, 2024 | |
Oregonedit | ||||||
| Eugene | KEZI | 9.6 | ABC | Allen Media Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
| Portland | KJYY-LD | 29.8 | Telemundo | SagamoreHill Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
| Salem | KJWY-LD | 21.8 | Telemundo | June 25, 2024 | ||
South Carolinaedit | ||||||
| Columbia | WOLO-TV | 25.9 | ABC | Bahakel Communications | June 25, 2024 | |
| Greenville | WWYA-LD | 28.2 | Movies! | Carolina Christian Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
| Myrtle Beach | WFXB | 43.9 | Fox | Bahakel Communications | June 25, 2024 | |
South Dakotaedit | ||||||
| Sioux Falls | KSFY-TV | 13.6 | ABC | Gray Television | June 25, 2024 | |
Tennesseeedit | ||||||
| Jackson | WBBJ-TV | 7.5 | ABC | Bahakel Communications | June 25, 2024 | |
| Memphis | WTME-LD | 35.6 | Telemundo | Gray Television | June 25, 2024 | |
| Nashville | WJFB | 44.8 | MeTV | Weigel Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
Texasedit | ||||||
| Belton | KNCT | 46.7 | CW | Gray Television | June 25, 2024 | |
| Dallas–Fort Worth | KAZD | 55.3 | Spectrum News 1 simulcast | Weigel Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
| Houston | KYAZ | 51.2 | MeTV | June 25, 2024 | ||
| Lubbock | KMYL-LD | 14.5 | MyNetworkTV | Gray Television | June 25, 2024 | Replacing Jewelry Television |
Utahedit | ||||||
| Cedar City–Salt Lake City (St. George) | KCSG | 8.8 | MeTV | Weigel Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
Washingtonedit | ||||||
| Bellingham | KVOS-TV | 12.9 | Univision | Weigel Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
| Seattle | KFFV | 44.7 | MeTV | |||
West Virginiaedit | ||||||
| Parkersburg | WIYE-LD | 26.3 | CBS | Gray Television | June 25, 2024 | |
Wisconsinedit | ||||||
| Crandon | WMOW | 4.3 | ABC | Allen Media Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
| Eau Claire | WQOW | 18.3 | ABC | June 25, 2024 | ||
| Shawano (Green Bay–Appleton) |
WMEI | 31.2 | MeTV | Weigel Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | New television station; launch date subject to change |
| La Crosse | WXOW | 19.3 | ABC | Allen Media Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
| Madison | WKOW | 27.3 | ABC | June 25, 2024 | ||
| Milwaukee | WMLW-TV | 49.5 | Independent | Weigel Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | Replacing MeTV+ and moving to WYTU-LD 63.3 |
| Wausau | WAOW | 9.3 | ABC | Allen Media Broadcasting | June 25, 2024 | |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Stations for Network - Me-TV Toons". RabbitEars. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
- ^ a b "Frndly TV & Philo Will Offer MeTV Toons At Launch". Cord Cutters News. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ Keys, Matthew (2024-05-01). "Weigel launching MeTV Toons with classic cartoons on broadcast, streaming platforms". The Desk. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
- ^ "Warner Bros. Discovery and Weigel Broadcasting to Launch "MeTV TOONS" – Animation Scoop". www.animationscoop.com. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
- ^ Comments, Ray Flook | (2024-05-29). "MeTV Toons Releases Schedule: Scooby-Doo, Flintstones & Much More". bleedingcool.com. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
- ^ Keys, Matthew (2024-06-06). "Philo working to bring Weigel's MeTV Toons to streaming service". The Desk. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
- ^ "MeTV Toons - Program Schedule" (PDF). Retrieved June 6, 2024.
- ^ Schneider, Michael (May 2, 2024). "MeTV Toons Channel, Featuring Bugs Bunny and Other Warner Bros. Discovery Content, to Launch in June". Variety. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ a b Amidi, Amid (May 2, 2024). "MeTV Announces Toons Network, A Free Channel Dedicated To Classic Animation". Cartoon Brew.
- ^ a b c Sabin, Neal (May 3, 2024). "Me-TV Toons Classic Cartoon Channel Launching Free OTA". YouTube. Antenna Man.
