Cartoon Network faced an uphill battle in 2021, and they threw everything at the wall in attempts to win over audiences, including the new Cartoonito and ACME Night programming blocks. But despite this, it's clear that nothing's changed on Cartoon Network this year, continuing the channel's backslide into disrepair through underinvestment and lackluster programming. In this retrospective recap, I review the state of Cartoon Network in 2021, including the premiere of Elliott From Earth, the channel's ongoing schedule challenges, continuing series such as Teen Titans Go and Victor and Valentino, as well as the conclusions of series such as the 2016 Ben 10 reboot and Apple and Onion. I also cover some of the kids and family properties which aired on HBO Max in 2021, including Jellystone and an Adventure Time continuation. All while exploring how Cartoon Network's ratings, strategy, and content decisions -- and a seeming lack of urgency to change course -- all mean for the future of Cartoon Network, going into 2022 and beyond.
Watch more about all the series and events from #CartoonNetwork in 2021 in these videos:
- Cartoon Network's ratings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DucjlePYIcw
- Elliott From Earth preview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rpP6xkMsfk
- Elliott From Earth burnoff: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3Di2jvAqVg
- Tig 'n Seek review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2usSt52UzA
- The Fungies review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWOrwC3BCoQ
- Cartoon Network's Redraw Your World strategy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-NcWoVIJqs
- Cartoon Network's preschool ambitions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQfMpffhpuI
Creator’s note: Yes, I know this is a 2021 retrospective video coming out in 2023. I wasn’t very active in 2022 and production of this video (and the upcoming look back at Cartoon Network’s 2021) got caught by the wayside, so I’m catching up on this content for the sake of completeness. Additionally, this video only covers events and happenings through the end of December 2021; while we know what’s happened in 2022 already, it would break the flow of these annual retrospectives to mention much of that here. So while some of the forward-looking statements about 2022 may feel anachronistic in hindsight, it would be more strange to mention things that wouldn’t have happened yet were this video released ‘on time’ at the end of 2021 or the start of 2022. The 2022 annual retrospectives are on their way, so make sure you subscribe and turn on notifications so you know when those come out!
To see how Cartoon Network fared in 2020, watch that year's Year in Review retrospective: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr0EcE_P9T8
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I'm Benzie Johnson, Jr., and I explore the world of television through series reviews, commentary, and analysis. Specializing in kids' TV, international television, discussion of storytelling, and content strategy analysis, my videos explore a variety of angles that showcase my deep passion for both the art and the business of the small screen. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss more uniquely insightful videos.