Cartoon Network Launches Fin-Tastic Shark-Themed Quizzes And Activities On Popular Roblox Game

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Cartoon Network is celebrating Discovery Channel's Shark Week on its popular Roblox experience for kids, Cartoon Network Game On!, with shark-themed quizzes and activities. For the first time ever, fans can immerse themselves in Cartoon Network's fully experiential world and interact with sharks. The new in-game shark-themed features will help drive awareness by allowing kids to learn facts about sharks and the importance of their conservation and protection in a fun and engaging way.

 

An immersive experience that transports kids to a realm outside the bounds of reality, Cartoon Network Game On! allows players to experience the virtual world of hit Cartoon Network series - and now, for Shark Week, kids can play games to level up and unlock awesome shark-themed avatar skins and accessories. Like never before, Roblox players can also engage in a shark-specific quiz and answer fun questions in an attempt to unlock shark-specific goodies. 

Additionally, players can adopt "pet" sharks by taking a personality test and getting matched with a shark based on their quiz answers. With multiple selfie spots around Cartoon Network Game On! kids can capture images of their avatar in scenes with characters and take a photo with sharks against an underwater backdrop. Players can also immerse themselves in the ultimate shark experience with shark-themed park rides on the main island.

The experience also incorporates Cartoon Network's award-winning initiative, Cartoon Network Climate Champions, allowing users to interact with characters and help complete challenges on Roblox –to help the Cartoon Network Game On! environment. Specific shark-related Climate Champions challenges will be available in the game to help reinforce the importance of sharks and shark conservation and teach kids shark-related facts. 

Monika Oomen, VP, Brand, Communications and Digital Content Strategy, Kids EMEA, said: 

"We are constantly working to develop new and exciting experiences for kids with real added value on a platform they love. Shark Week is such an important annual event for us, as it gives us the opportunity to showcase these fascinating creatures. We are thrilled to now introduce Shark Week to the young audience on Roblox as well in a uniquely Cartoon Network and kid-relevant way."

Cartoon Network Game On! was launched in December 2022, bringing the network's beloved shows to a broader kids' audience on a popular kid-centred gaming platform. With rip-roaring rides and manic minigames, the fully experiential world is THE place for all things Cartoon Network on Roblox! Accurately reflecting the locations and worlds iconic to five fan favourite shows, Cartoon Network Game On! brings children a whole new way to experience the worlds of Craig of the Creek, Teen Titans Go!, We Bare Bears, Ben 10, and The Amazing World of Gumball. Featuring zip wires, slides, fun rides, and much more, Cartoon Network Game On! gives kids a chance to bond with their favourite Cartoon Network characters, play games, and explore five awe-inspiring islands. It allows players to explore the Creek, hang out in Titans Tower, take a trip to Elmore Junior High School with Gumball, and adventure to fantastical worlds with the Baby Bears or transform into Ben 10's aliens. The experience receives over 2 million monthly visits and a total of 16.2 million visits since launch. Award-winning Cartoon Network Game On! won the 2023 Broadcast Digital Award for Best Digital Support for a Strand, Channel or Genre.

Cartoon Network has demonstrated time after time its ability to know its audience while growing its reach in the metaverse through hit games on Roblox. The network first launched Ben 10 Super Hero Time in 2020, which still ranks as one of Roblox's top branded experiences. The game has averaged an impressive 8 million visits per month and reached over 320 million visits on Roblox. Steering new audiences to the best in kids' animation, Ben 10 Super Hero Time has also inspired kids to discover the colourful, wild, and unexpected world of Cartoon Network. 

Disney To Halt Distribution Of DVD And Blu-ray In Australia

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The sales of physical media, including Blu-Ray and DVDs, have been in decline for years, following the increased popularity of streaming services and a shift to digital movie releases.

Recently, Disney announced it was closing down its Movie Club program in Canada following a shift in consumer patterns to watching films on digital and Disney+. And now, according to Digital Bits, multiple industry, distributor, and retailer sources, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment will be pulling out of distributing physical discs in Australia.

Over the past few years, many retailers in Australia and other countries, have slowly been withdrawing physical media, including video games, movies and music from sale, as audiences shift to digital platforms. Disney has previously stopped releasing movies on physical media in Latin America and across most of Asia. And it is likely other countries and regions will follow, as the sales of physical discs continue to fall.

For context, in the United States, in 2006, “Pirates of the Caribbean – Dead Man’s Chest” sold 14,476,924 million discs.  In 2012, the highest-selling disc was “Hunger Games”, with 7,434,058 discs sold and in 2022, “Top Gun: Maverick” was the highest-selling DVD with 829,831 sold.  However, in 2023, currently, “Black Adam” is the highest-selling DVD of the year, with just 74,353 discs sold in the US.

Many movie fans are unhappy with this news, especially with a growing trend of streaming services like Disney+ making changes or removing content without notice. Disney has been releasing fewer of its films and shows on physical media over the past few years. Australian film collectors will still be able to import films from global retailers, but this will result in much higher costs due to international shipping etc.

“Guardians Of The Galaxy: Vol 3” is set to be the last physical release in Australia, which arrives in stores in August. Previously released titles will continue to be on sale, but as stock is reduced, these may become unavailable over time.

Ultimately, as audiences have moved to watching films on streaming services such as Disney+ and buying/renting films on digital platforms, it now looks like it’s no longer sustainable to distribute physical discs in Australia.

‘Tom And Jerry’ To Spar In Singapore; First Ever Localized Version To Premiere On Cartoon Network & HBO GO

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Warner Bros Discovery has announced the first ever localized version of the Tom And Jerry series, featuring the famous cat and mouse duo as they take their rivalry to Singapore.

Produced locally in Asia, in association with Warner Bros Animation, the new 7×3-minute series will premiere on Cartoon Network in Asia Pacific and HBO Go in Southeast Asia, Taiwan and Hong Kong later this year, before being rolled out internationally. 

A pilot episode giving a flavour of what’s to come will launch in August – further details will be announced soon. 

The project is produced by Warner Bros Discovery’s Carlene Tan, with Vivek Bolar serving as lead director. India’s Aum Animation Studios handled the animation, with stories and designs from Singapore-based Robot Playground Media and Chips and Toon Studios.

Christopher Ho, Warner Bros Discovery’s Head of Kids, Southeast Asia, said: “This series brings back the iconic music and classic animation style from the Hanna-Barbera 1950s era – but with a modern Singaporean twist. 

“With distinctive landmarks, backdrops and atmosphere, the Asian city-state is the ideal location to create a humorous addition to the Tom And Jerry canon. Working with homegrown creative talent in Singapore and across Asia, this project grows the much-loved franchise in the region and beyond.”

Vishnu Athreya, Senior Vice President of Series, Warner Bros Animation and Cartoon Network Studios, said: “Tom And Jerry are two of our most universally loved characters, proving that laughs can translate to any audience. The fans in Asia have long embraced these characters and it’s great to finally give them a version to call their own.”

Tom And Jerry is one of Warner Bros Discovery’s leading franchises with a global social reach of 50 million and almost 30 billion minutes watched on the Warner Bros Kids YouTube channel. There have been more than 500 episodes, 15 movies and seven Academy Awards so far in its 83-year history. 

Warner Bros Discovery also plans to launch additional Tom And Jerry-branded consumer products to complement the series launch later this year.

Warner Bros. Discovery Is Moving Away From Traditional Cable TV Channels As It Changes Strategy Internationally

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Warner Bros. Discovery announced its President of International TV Distribution, Robert Blair, would be leaving the company after 25 years. This alone is not surprising, but in the memo from WBD President of International Gerhard Zeiler, it was announced that his role would not be replaced according to a memo obtained by the media.

Here is part of that memo:

Last year, we unveiled a new org structure for International, which we believed best positioned us for success at that time. But we also acknowledged that in an ever-changing industry and market, we would need to continue to evolve in a thoughtful and strategic way, along with the climate around us.

Seven months into 2023, although we remain confident about our trajectory as a business, we are at another inflection point, and one where the global economy has not rebounded as quickly as we had hoped.

As such, today I’m announcing that Robert Blair, President, WBD International TV Distribution, will be departing WBD.

The memo went on to say that Blair’s leaving was in no way a reflection on his performance but was instead “a shift we need to make to continue to refine our efficiency and cost structure.”

This move strongly suggests that Warner Bros. Discovery will keep more content in-house and likely streaming on Max instead of selling it to 3rd part cable TV networks around the world.

In the past, media companies have resold their content internationally to other cable networks to air in Europe and around the world. Now it seems that Warner Bros. Discovery is moving in a new direction, much like other media companies have.

Disney has even gone so far as to shut down many of its cable networks, including the Disney Channel in Europe, as it pushes fans to subscribe to Disney+. It is possible we will see something similar here with Max as Warner Bros. Discovery tries to cut out the middleman.

Source: Cord Cutter News

Foxtel To Close Down MTV In Australia Amidst Streaming Shift

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This development follows the recent news that viewers will also miss out on children’s favourites, Nickelodeon and Nick Jr.

MTV has been a beloved destination for fans of reality TV series such as Geordie Shore, Teen Mom, and The Hills New Beginnings. The distribution of all three channels to Foxtel was overseen by Paramount ANZ.

A Foxtel spokesperson explained the decision, noting the drastic shifts in viewing patterns over recent years.

“With audiences flocking to on-demand and streaming options, and an increasing array of third-party apps now a part of Foxtel, our channel offerings have been adapting to reflect these new habits,”

While MTV’s reality content may be departing, music enthusiasts can take solace. MTV’s musical channels will continue to be accessible to Foxtel subscribers, with MTV Classic set to undergo a rebranding as ‘MTV 80’s’ from the start of August.

The departure of MTV reality programming from Foxtel comes at the same time industry speculation is indicating Channel 10 is preparing to add a dedicated MTV to its 10play streaming platform.

A spokesperson told sources,

“All the MTV content that audiences know and love will now have a home across all Paramount’s owned and operating platforms.

Further details will be made available soon.”

The reduction in channels at Foxtel comes as the pay-tv platform looks to offset its significant programming costs by moving toward an aggregation model.

Such moves underscore Foxtel’s approach of embracing third-party services, allowing them to forego the need for exclusive content investments. In a telling statistic, over two-thirds of Foxtel subscribers also use at least one other streaming service.

The company’s data highlights a shift from traditional channels to an increasing preference for On Demand.

“A diverse pipeline of content is slated for on-demand, from our international studio partners, as well as a burgeoning array of Australian originals.

Foxtel’s IQ set-top boxes now offer 14 integrated apps, reflecting this trend, with more additions anticipated soon. The seamless incorporation of services like Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and ABC Kids, among others, demonstrates Foxtel’s commitment to keeping pace with the ever-evolving entertainment sector.

Warner Bros Discovery President Of International TV Distribution Robert Blair Is Leaving After 25 years With The Company

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In an internal memo seen by Deadline, WBD President of International Gerhard Zeiler announced Blair’s departure and revealed his post would not be replaced after “much deliberation.”

Blair will “will transition over the summer and partner closely” with Zeiler “to further empower” WBD’s content licensing team, according to Zeiler. The move is being described as “a necessary structural change to our team design that both flattens and streamlines the Content Licensing organization.”

“Last year, we unveiled a new org structure for International, which we believed best positioned us for success at that time,” said Zeiler. “But we also acknowledged that in an ever-changing industry and market, we would need to continue to evolve in a thoughtful and strategic way, along with the climate around us.

“Seven months into 2023, although we remain confident about our trajectory as a business, we are at another inflection point, and one where the global economy has not rebounded as quickly as we had hoped.

“As such, today I’m announcing that Robert Blair, President, WBD International TV Distribution, will be departing WBD.”

Blair has been with WBD and its Warner Bros predecessor companies for a quarter of a century, overseeing the International sales strategy for major titles such as Game of Thrones, The Flash and House of the Dragon.

He joined Warner Bros International Television Distribution in 1998 as General Manager, Canadian Operations. He had previously served as Director of Television, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment.

Blair was promoted to lead WarnerMedia’s international sales division in 2019 under worldwide distribution boss Jeffrey Schlesinger and kept his role in last year’s restructure, which followed the Discovery merger and creation of WBD. Schlesinger departed in 2020.

Zeiler’s note today said his departure was “no reflection of his performance” and was instead “a shift we need to make to continue to refine our efficiency and cost structure.”

“My humble thanks to Robert for his outstanding leadership, talent, and effort to help us get where we are today,” wrote Zeiler. “Robert’s contribution to the company in his 25 years has been outstanding and can be measured in several billions of dollars of sales-contracts he made possible every single year. Despite being known as tough negotiator, he is respected by all of his clients he dealt with. He is also an exceptional leader, who mentored many talents within the company and is admired and valued by his team.”

Zeiler is writing from experience — he will have sat at opposite sides of the table to Blair during his time at the helm of RTL, which was a major buyer of Warner content during his time running the European networks group.

Source: Deadline

24Kitchen To Cease Transmission In Turkey By The End Of July, More Countries Likely To Follow

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24Kitchen is a lifestyle channel operated by The Walt Disney Company (Benelux) that broadcasts mainly food and cooking programs. Similar to the FOX channel in the affected region, 24Kitchen is known for a number of original productions alongside international content.

Some of the content seen on 24Kitchen include Amazing Weddingcakes, Jamie’s Family Christmas, The Taste of Life Basics and Rudolph's Bakery.

During the month, it was learnt by Bob Iger who serves as the current CEO of the blue brand that he's looking to sell several linear channels. Internationally, The Walt Disney Company is consolidating further programming from these brands to streaming services.

It's likely that the demise of 24Kitchen has to do with the company's pursuit to a streaming only module. The company had closed a further 18 channels last year in Asia and plan to close the remaining feeds by the end of the year.

Although consumers in South Africa and most parts of Africa aren't familiar with 24Kitchen, MultiChoice however distribute a Portuguese feed of the lifestyle channel in Angola and Mozambique while Turkey and some parts of the world had been receiving the Dutch feed.

Rumour: Disney CEO Reportedly Planning To Sell Disney To Apple After Projecting $800M Loss

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In a move that would shake up the entertainment industry, Disney CEO Bob Iger is reportedly planning to sell the company to Apple. The news has sent shockwaves through the industry, with many analysts and investors questioning the logic of the deal. 

There are a number of potential benefits to a Disney-Apple merger. First, the deal would create a media giant with unrivaled reach and scale. Disney’s vast library of content, combined with Apple’s global distribution network, would create a powerhouse that could dominate the streaming wars. The merger would allow Disney to accelerate its transition to a streaming-first business. But why is Disney’s CEO Bob Iger so keen on selling when he’s known as someone who builds, not breaks?

The deal of the century

There are ongoing rumors in the industry that Bob Iger, who was recently reappointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Disney, is planning on selling the company in its entirety after having already made up his mind about selling the company’s television assets. This could be because the company’s streaming division is currently looking at possibly $800 million in losses in its recently ended third quarter, according to sources.

Bob Iger returns to Disney after a 2-year retirement

Apple is already a major player in the streaming market, with its Apple TV+ streaming service. If this merger happens, it would give Disney access to Apple’s expertise and resources, which would help it grow its streaming business faster than ever before. The merger would also allow Disney to expand its reach into newer markets.

Apple has a strong presence in China, where Disney has struggled to gain traction. The merger would give Disney access to Apple’s Chinese customers, which would be a major boost for the company’s growth. 

Is a merger between the two companies actually possible? And is it a good idea?

However, there are also some potential drawbacks to a Disney-Apple merger. First, the deal would raise concerns about antitrust regulation. The combined company would have a significant amount of market power, which could lead to higher prices for consumers.

Apple CEO Tim Cook

The folks at AppleInsider also claim that a deal this size is not very possible, and that is even if Apple has the kind of loose change lying around to buy Disney. Some time ago, a US judge denied a merger between two leading publishing houses just because a merger would mean lesser advances to their authors and cutting competition.

This means that if we consider even for a second that a deal as massive as Apple buying Disney were to go down, it would be happening through federal regulators of the United States.

Bob Iger is reportedly looking for an heir.

Second, the deal could lead to job losses. Disney and Apple are both major employers, and the merger could result in layoffs as the two companies consolidate their operations. Third, the deal could be seen as a sign that Disney is giving up on its own streaming business. Disney has invested heavily in its streaming services, such as Disney+ and Hulu.

The potential benefits and drawbacks of a Disney-Apple merger are complex and far-reaching. It remains to be seen whether the deal will actually happen, but it is clear that if it happens, it would have a significant impact on the entertainment industry.

Disney To Close ESPN Player Across Europe, Middle East & Africa

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Disney has announced that it will be closing down the ESPN Player streaming service, which operates across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia, on August 18th 2023.  ESPN Player offers a variety of sports, including basketball, baseball, American football, and many other sports.  There are thousands of live events & on-demand content, including ESPN Films plus four 24/7 ESPN TV channels.

Here’s the official statement:

ESPN Player to close on August 18th, 2023

We want to inform you that ESPN Player will be closing on August 18th, 2023. We appreciate your support over the years.

As of August 18th, you will no longer be able to stream live sports, replays, or on-demand content on ESPN Player. You will also be unable to access any of your ESPN Player account information.

ESPN Player has been running for years and was operated by Endeavour Streaming. However, the platform has been neglected in recent years, with the app only available on a very limited number of devices like Android and Apple tablets and smartphones.  So you couldn’t watch ESPN Player on your big screen through a Smart TV app or console.  I myself wanted to get ESPN Player earlier this year to watch the XFL, but since I couldn’t watch it on my TV, I didn’t bother in the end.  Also, the official social media accounts have been a little erratic in how often they post, which could have indicated a change was potentially coming.

Disney has announced where some of the content from the ESPN Player will be going, but it doesn’t cover every country, such as the UK.    There are many possible outcomes for what’s next for ESPN within the EMEA region.  Disney could have just decided it’s more cost-effective to just licence out its sports to other platforms in each country, or if it is planning on launching a new ESPN+ app globally, such as adding ESPN+ into Disney+ as a paid add-on.

There are dozens of ESPN documentaries available on Disney+ already, so it’s possible we could end up seeing ESPN documentaries heading here if there is no alternative plan for the brand within the region.  Unfortunately, we will just have to wait and see what happens next.

Disney has been making changes to ESPN this year to try to become more profitable, including making ESPN a stand-alone division, outside of the theme parks and entertainment divisions and, most recently, laying off staff across the sports division.

Here is where some of the sports content will be heading to:

Major League Baseball (MLB)

Stream MLB games live or on demand with an MLB.TV subscription. Subscribe today for the rest of the 2023 season for $94.99 or $24.99/month.

National Hockey League (NHL)

NHL.TV is available in selected territories. Information about the 2023-24 package will be made available prior to the start of the season.  Visit NHL.TV in mid-September for further details.

NCAA Football: Territories and Broadcasters

Israel, One Sport

Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Lichtenstein: DAZN, Pro Sieben

Spain and Andorra: Telefonica

Netherlands: ESPN

Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Slovenia, Kosovo, Croatia, Macedonia: Sportklub

Czech Republic: AMC

Hungary: Network 4

Africa: ESPN

France: beIN

Italy: Helbiz

NCAA Basketball: Territories and Broadcasters

Israel: One Sport

Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Lichtenstein: DAZN

Spain and Andorra: Telefonica

Netherlands: ESPN

Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Slovenia, Kosovo, Croatia, Macedonia: Sportklub

Czech Republic, Slovakia, Turkey: CIS, Saran

Greece, Cyprus: Saran

Africa: ESPN

France: beIN

Baltics: All Media

Italy: Helbiz

Middle East: MBC

Hungary: Network 4

Other NCAA Championships: Territories and Broadcasters

Netherlands: ESPN

Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Slovenia, Kosovo, Croatia, Macedonia: Sportklub

Africa: ESPN

Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia: Network 4

Israel: One Sport

Here are some useful details on the closure of ESPN Player:

How can a customer get a refund?

If you are an active subscriber, with time remaining on your subscription after August 18th you will be refunded the amount for that remaining time. No action is required by you. Refunds will be paid automatically to the payment card with which your initial purchase was made after August 18th.

Will it be a full refund?

You will be refunded based on the remaining length of your subscription after August 18th 2023.

If I purchased through Apple/Google/third party billing, how will I receive a refund?

Users will be refunded by the relevant app store or third-party provider. Refunds will be paid automatically to the payment card with which your initial purchase was made after August 18th.

Will the content be available until you close?

Yes, if you are an active subscriber, you will be able to stream live sports, replays, or on-demand content on ESPN Player. As of August 18th, you will no longer be able to stream live sports, replays, or on-demand content on ESPN Player. You will also be unable to access any of your ESPN Player account information.

How do I cancel now?

To perform all of the below actions, please head to My Account:

Update my payment method

Update my password

Review my payment history

Cancel my account