Cartoon Network Celebrates Teen Titans GO! 400th Episode Milestone In November
The special stop-motion animated episode is set to premiere across all Cartoon Network global markets on 30th November.
Teen Titans Go!, the longest running animated series in DC history, is celebrating its 400th episode with a special global roll out across Cartoon Network on Saturday 30th November.
Festivities for the Warner Bros. Animation series officially kicked off at New York Comic Con with a special panel featuring executive producer and showrunner, Pete Michail, and the entire voice cast – Tara Strong (Raven), Greg Cipes (Beast Boy), Khary Payton (Cyborg), Hynden Walch (Starfire) and Scott Menville (Robin). Fans in attendance were treated to a special early screening of the 400th episode which comically features the Titans fighting for their television lives after Superman, in an effort to get their show cancelled, banishes them to the world of stop-motion animation.
Beginning in November, fans can join in on the 400th episode celebration with Cartoon Network hosting Teen Titans Go! dedicated programming on its channels across the US and EMEA. Cartoon Network on-air schedules will feature a takeover for the entire month of November airing ‘Every Episode Ever’ of Teen Titans Go!. The network takeover will also feature all-new custom promos, bumps and idents on-air, all culminating in the 400th episode special, premiering on 30th November.
Cartoon Network’s bespoke Roblox experience – Cartoon Network Game On! – has also launched two new mini-games in celebration of the 400th episode special, titiled Teen Titan Go! Treasure Hunt and Teen Titans Go! Capture the Flag. In Teen Titans Go! Treasure Hunt, users race against the clock to help the Teen Titans find some of their most treasured items that the heroes have lost, unlocking exclusive rewards in the process. Teen Titans Go! Capture the Flag brings the highly popular Roblox game mechanic into the world of Teen Titans Go!. The game will feature the five Teen Titans and also characters from The H.I.V.E Five. Both in-game activations are now live.
The celebration will continue into the new year when Beast Boy: Lone Wolf, an all-new short-form animated series, will premiere across Cartoon Network’s on-air channel and digitally via its YouTube channel in the UK this month, and in EMEA in 2025. Produced by Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe, Beast Boy: Lone Wolf is a series of action-comedy shorts following Beast Boy as he embarks on his first solo adventure to prove he can be a superhero without the Teen Titans. With every episode dedicated to a new villain for Beast Boy to fight, the series is sure to delight fans.
Disney Jr. Announces New Animated Series Marvel’s Iron Man and His Awesome Friends
From Disney Branded Television, the series is currently in production and slated for a summer 2025 premiere on Disney Jr. and Disney+. The new series is part of Disney and Marvel’s expanded strategy to introduce these iconic Avengers characters and stories to a new generation of fans.
“Iron Man is the character that launched Marvel Studios and will always be especially beloved here as the hero that made the MCU possible,” said Brad Winderbaum, Head of Streaming, Television and Animation at Marvel Studios. “That’s why we’re so excited to partner with the incredible team at Disney Branded Television and bring Iron Man to a new audience. Together we are building a series that introduces the most brilliant scientists and inventors in the Marvel Universe as they share in fun armored adventures.”
Ayo Davis, President, Disney Branded Television, commented, “We’re thrilled to introduce Marvel’s Iron Man and His Awesome Friends to preschoolers on Disney Jr. and Disney+, expanding their connection to the iconic Marvel universe. Partnering with Brad and the Marvel Studios team on this series allows us to bring the incredible legacy of Iron Man to a whole new generation, sparking young imaginations with characters that embody courage, teamwork, and creativity.”
Synopsis: Marvel’s Iron Man and His Awesome Friends follows the adventures (and misadventures) of best friends and super geniuses Tony Stark, Riri Williams and Amadeus Cho as they work together to solve problems both big and small and protect their city. To help them in their Super Hero endeavors, they each have their own Iron Suits that allow them to fly and give them each enhanced super-strength. In addition, Iron Man has a Nano-Shield; Ironheart has a Heartbeat Bubble forcefield to protect people, and Iron Hulk has his strong Iron Boom clap and Iron Hulk Stomp. They work out of their beachfront base, Iron Quarters (IQ), under the supervision of their superpowered android, Vision, and their furry pup, Gamma, who has her very own Iron Pup suit and accompanies the Iron Friends on many of their adventures.
The series stars Mason Blomberg (Shameless), Kapri Ladd (Danger Force) and Aidyn Ahn (Kids Say the Darndest Things) as the voices of Tony Stark/Iron Man, Riri Williams/Ironheart and Amadeus Cho/Iron Hulk, respectively. David Kaye (Transformers) voices the role of Vision, and Fred Tatasciore (Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur) voices Gamma. Additional characters and casting will be announced at a later date.
From Disney Branded Television, Marvel’s Iron Man and His Awesome Friends is executive produced by Sean Coyle (Puppy Dog Pals) and Harrison Wilcox (Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing Friends). James Eason-Garcia (Pupstruction) is co-executive producer and story editor, Alex Cichon (LEGO Marvel: Spider-Man: Vexed by Venom) is supervising producer; Ashley Rideout (Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing Friends) is producer, and Michael Dowding (Hello Ninja) is supervising director.
The series is produced by Disney Jr. and Marvel Studios in association with Atomic Cartoons.
NFL Is In Talks To Acquire Some Of Skydance's Assets Ahead Of Merger With Paramount Global
The talks could include a sale of NFL Media and its NFL Network cable channel, or an acquisition by Paramount Global of the league’s interest in Skydance Sports, a joint venture that produces movies and TV shows, according to the people, who asked to not be identified because the discussions are private.
Paramount, which holds rights to broadcast NFL games, is in the process of merging with Skydance, an independent film and TV studio, in a deal expected to close next year. Paramount’s contract with the league includes a change of control provision that could allow the NFL to seek another media partner, the people said. The NFL’s deal with Paramount’s CBS network is worth about $2.1 billion a year through 2033.
Although it is unlikely that the NFL will seek to replace CBS as its broadcast partner, the provision has prompted a wider conversation about business opportunities between the league, Skydance and RedBird. The league is already in business with both parties and Commissioner Roger Goodell has praised Skydance in interviews.
In 2022, the NFL invested $45 million in Skydance Sports in a deal that valued the entity at about $100 million. Skydance and NFL Films produced a new season of HBO’s Hard Knocks documentary series, focusing on the New York Giants, this year. The two companies are also working on a 10-part documentary series on Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
The league and RedBird are partners in EverPass Media, which distributes the NFL Sunday Ticket games to bars and restaurants. RedBird is also an owner of the United Football League, which plays in the spring season. Larry Ellison, the father of the Skydance founder and one of the world’s richest men, has previously expressed interest in owning a professional football team.
The NFL has been shopping its media assets for a few years. NFL Media includes the league’s digital operations, the NFL cable network, the film unit and NFL RedZone, a subscription service. Walt Disney Co.’s ESPN sports division had been in talks about a potential deal that could have seen the company acquire NFL Media, giving the league a stake in ESPN in return. Those talks have stalled, however.
Vivendi Unveils New Corporate Structure For Canal+ Group
Canal+ will consolidate together with its current business GVA, which provides telecommunication services in Africa, including high-speed Internet access marketed under the brand Canalbox; the video streaming platform Dailymotion; the performance venues L’Olympia and the L’Œuvre theater in France as well as the cinema theaters CanalOlympia in Africa.
In this new configuration, Canal+ Group will represent a unique international media operation with exposure to both mature and high-growth markets. It would have recorded €6.2 billion in revenues,
€472 million in Adjusted Earnings Before Interest and Income Taxes (EBITA) and €315 million in Cash Flow From Operations (CFFO) for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Its total number of subscribers would amount to approximately 26.8 million at such date, of which 16.0 million outside of France (c. 60%). Between Dailymotion and the OTT platform myCanal, Canal+ Group would record a global audience of over 400 million monthly active users.
In recent years, Canal+ Group has made significant expenditure and investments amounting to approximately €1 billion annually in technology (including its broadcasting and streaming infrastructure, software development, CRM, etc.) to provide a highly distinctive and industry-leading customer experience on the myCanal and Dailymotion platforms.
The attached appendix sets out key figures of the new consolidation perimeter of Canal+.
Canal+ Group will have three operating segments:
• Canal+ Europe – encompassing the Group’s subscription-TV (including OTT) and advertising-supported free-to-air (FTA) TV businesses across France, the French Overseas and adjacent territories, Poland, Central Europe and Benelux (through its wholly-owned subsidiary M7) as well as telecommunication services in the French Overseas territories;
• Canal+ Africa & Asia – encompassing the Group’s subscription-TV and advertising-supported FTA TV businesses, GVA and CanalOlympia venues across French-speaking Sub-Saharan Africa as well as subscription-TV business in Vietnam, Myanmar and Pacific territories;
• Content Production, Distribution and Other – encompassing Studiocanal, Dailymotion, Thema1 as well as L’Olympia and the L’Œuvre theater.
Canal+ Group also holds a non-controlling 45.2% stake in MultiChoice with an ongoing mandatory takeover offer, a 36.8% stake in the OTT platform Viu and a 29.33% stake in Viaplay.
SuperSport And SABC Agree On Sub-Licensing Terms Of PSL Broadcast Rights
SuperSport and the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) have reached an agreement regarding the sub-licensing of Premier Soccer League (PSL) broadcast rights ahead of the start of the new Betway Premiership season.
The move comes after strong relations between the two South African broadcasters following the agreement of sub-licence agreements for the MTN8 tournament as well as the Currie Cup semi-final match which was contested this past weekend and upcoming final match.
The PSL saw the dawn of the new Betway Premiership last Saturday, 14 September 2024, with millions of fans seeing their favourite team content the biggest prize in South African football.
SuperSport CEO Rendani Ramovha said “The latest sub-licence agreement with the SABC is another step towards a strong relationship with the public broadcaster, for the benefit of the millions of football lovers across the country and the African continent. The PSL has proven itself time and again to be the most coveted football product among South Africans and we look forward to delivering another outstanding season of football action on Your World of Champions, SuperSport.”
SABC Group CEO Nomsa Chabeli said: “We are pleased with this acquisition, and it is another demonstration of our commitment to delivering exceptional sport content to our diverse audiences. Our rights package includes a total of 51 matches comprising of 23 Betway Premiership matches, 10 Carling Black Label Cup matches, 12 Nedbank Cup matches, and 6 National First Division matches. We will broadcast league matches every Saturday on SABC 1 during the league season, ensuring our audience has access to exciting live local football”.
Ms Chabeli further stated that “We will also be enhancing our coverage by strengthening the analysis team. This move will ensure that we provide insightful commentary and in-depth analysis for our viewers. The added new members to the team are Itumeleng Khune, Jabu Mahlangu as well as Coach Thabo Senong who will be joining our resident analysts Doctor Khumalo, Simphiwe Dludlu and Hlompho Kekana in studio”.
Paramount Television Studios Is Closing Down As Part Of Cost Cutting Procedure With Content Set To Merge With CBS Studios
“To be clear, this is not a decision based on how PTVS performed. This move is the result of significant changes in the TV and streaming marketplace and the need to streamline our company,” Cheeks said. “Under Nicole’s leadership, this studio consistently punched above its weight in attracting top storytellers and stars to create best-in-class series. I want to thank every PTVS employee for shepherding a slate of shows that helped usher Paramount into the streaming era.”
Headed into the current wave of layoffs that will impact 15% of Paramount Global’s U.S. workforce over the next few months for $500M in savings, there had been chatter about Paramount TV Studios as a potential casualty following a string of downsizing/consolidation moves since CBS Studios and Paramount TV Studios were put together under Cheeks’ purview in the fall of 2022.
Both Cheeks and Clemens tried to assuage fears at the time by assuring PTVS staff that the division would remain independent from the larger CBS Studios as the two combined support operations by centralizing finance, law, production and casting. The same year, Paramount TV Studios absorbed Paramount+’s scripted originals team. (Word is more P+ layoffs may be coming after Labor Day.)
In the most recent round of layoffs in February, PTVS consolidated development and current under Head of Development Jana Helman, with a slew of senior programming executives leaving. It also dissolved/downsized communications, marketing and post-production which are now handled by CBS Studios. Prior to that, Clemens, a well-liked veteran executive, revealed that the studio was no longer going to produce limited series except for third-party buyers.
Also possibly factoring into the decision to shut down PTVS is Paramount Global’s pending merger with Skydance whose television division is very similar in scope and output to PTVS. The two companies have collaborated on such series as Reacher, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan and the upcoming Cross.
Other notable series produced by PTVS over the years include 13 Reasons Why, The Alienist, Station Eleven, Time Bandits, and The Spiderwick Chronicles.
Speculation about CBS Studios and Paramount TV Studios combining has actually been around since the 2019 CBS-Viacom merger was announced. Launched by Paramount Pictures’ Brad Grey in 2013, Paramount TV Studios has been the smaller of the two and its volume was impacted when Paramount+ pared down its scripted originals ramp-up plans to stem streaming losses. The studio continued to sell to outside platforms.
In her note to staff, Clemens, who joined PTVS in 2018, reflected on the label’s legacy.
“Over the past 11 years, PTVS has weathered seemingly insurmountable obstacles through a combination of strength, determination, and unwavering commitment,” she said. “We met these challenges with incredible resilience, creativity, and passion for what we do, and I could not be prouder of our team. We’ve also had the privilege to collaborate with some of the most brilliant creative talent in the industry to help tell incredible stories seen around the world, entertaining and shaping culture.”
Here are the two memos:
Note from Nicole Clemens: President, Paramount Television Studios
Dear PTVS Family,
As you’re all aware, Paramount Global has made the difficult decision to close Paramount Television Studios as part of the company’s broader restructuring plans. This has been a challenging and transformative time for the entire industry, and sadly, our studio is not immune.
Over the past 11 years, PTVS has weathered seemingly insurmountable obstacles through a combination of strength, determination, and unwavering commitment. We met these challenges with incredible resilience, creativity, and passion for what we do, and I could not be prouder of our team. We’ve also had the privilege to collaborate with some of the most brilliant creative talent in the industry to help tell incredible stories seen around the world, entertaining and shaping culture.
Although Paramount Television Studios is ending, our ethos will live on in shows that will continue to be enjoyed by global audiences for years to come. We’ve cemented our legacy by shepherding some of the most influential, award-winning, and critically acclaimed shows in the streaming era with series like “13 Reasons Why,” “The Offer,” “Defending Jacob,” “The Alienist,” “The Haunting of Hill House,” “Station Eleven,” “Time Bandits,” and many more. We have broken streaming platform records with “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan,” “Reacher,” and “The Spiderwick Chronicles.” Our upcoming shows, “Cross,” “Before,” and “Murderbot,” are sure to join the ranks of those hits.
This has been the most formative chapter in my career, and that is mainly due to the remarkable colleagues I have had the honor to lead and learn from on a daily basis. Thank you for supporting me, inspiring me, and laughing with me for the last six years — I wouldn’t have wanted to be in the trenches with anyone else.
I want to thank George Cheeks for his leadership and support through it all. There will undoubtedly be some tears as we move on, but this business is a marathon, and I am certain that we will cross paths, if not work together, again.
“Often when you think you’re at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else.” – Fred Rogers
With heartfelt gratitude,
Nicole
Note from George Cheeks: Co-CEO, Paramount Global and President & CEO, CBS
CBS Team,
As you saw from the email Brian, Chris and I sent earlier, this is a very difficult day at Paramount Global. I’m reaching out to share that today’s news unfortunately impacts CBS, including one of our studios.
A short time ago, we informed the team at Paramount Television Studios (PTVS) that the studio will cease operations at the end of the week. To be clear, this is not a decision based on how PTVS performed. This move is the result of significant changes in the TV and streaming marketplace and the need to streamline our company.
I want to thank PTVS President Nicole Clemens and the talented team she built for the many signature hits they produced. Under Nicole’s leadership, this studio consistently punched above its weight in attracting top storytellers and stars to create best-in-class series. I want to thank every PTVS employee for shepherding a slate of shows that helped usher Paramount into the streaming era.
Going forward, all current PTVS series and development projects will transition to CBS Studios.
In addition to PTVS, there are members of CBS teams who will be leaving the company. These are valued colleagues we admire and respect, whose talents contributed to the leadership position we enjoy today. I want to express my deepest gratitude for their contributions, hard work and dedication.
As we move forward, please keep these co-workers in your thoughts as our HR teams and their teammates help support them through this process.
There is a lot of news to unpack today. I know it’s unsettling. I continue to be impressed and grateful for our teams’ ability to stay focused and stick together during this transitional time.
George
America's TruTV Becomes TNT Sports In October
The news came from WBD CEO David Zaslav during the company’s Q2 earnings call. This move is seen as a potential win for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) amid ongoing talks about its future on WBD networks. Media analyst Brian Steinberg tweeted details of the rebranding strategy, noting that TruTV will transition to become a home for sports under the TNT banner.
According to sources, this new programming block will operate similarly to Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim block, which functions as its brand despite sharing channel space.
Strategic Sports Expansion
The focus on sports is timely for WBD after NBA broadcasting rights recently shifted to Amazon Prime.
With AEW potentially joining Ring of Honor (ROH) whose importance within AEW Khan said has not been overstated but was not yet confirmed for TV on WBD airwaves at some point soon, it would appear the company wants more hours of live sports content under its belt.
In fact, Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp pointed out earlier today that AEW talents are being featured prominently in early promotions for “TNT Overdrive,” suggesting Khan’s team will play a key role in the new TNT Sports lineup that night -- and grow more influential within the broader sphere of televised athletics-entertainment.
At present, though, these are only good signs; Khan himself called talks with WBD “complicated," but recently expressed optimism following a meeting with Zaslav during the Olympics when reached by @SeanRossSapp. The exclusive negotiating window between parties expired yesterday, allowing AEW to engage with other networks unless/until WBD closes a deal.
Regardless of whether or not anything comes from current conversations between AEW and WBD, the ripples from this news could fundamentally change how wrestling is presented to audiences, aligning AEW with WBD’s rekindled focus on sports and entertainment.
Such an alliance would be expected to ensure All Elite Wrestling continues growing as a major player in the increasingly crowded field of televised athletics entertainment.
Discovery Family Undergoes A Major Restructure And Unveils New Rebranded Logo
Not long ago, Discovery Family updated its social platforms to unveil a new on air look with the name shortened to DFC. Basically taking a page of Boomerang and Boing feeds, the channel offers various content from Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios.
As pictured above, these includes shows like Summer Camp Island, Steven Universe, The Smurfs, Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries and Looney Tunes while as returning the Hasbro portion of the brand with My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic.
What's more mind boggling about this is the fact that Warner Bros. Discovery had already been licensing content to Weigel Broadcasting for their own kids channel, MeTV Toons. The financially challenged company is basically creating rivaling amongst their own stables.
Aside from Warner Bros. and Hanna-Barbera, MeTV Toons is even licensing content from Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures and MGM. This would make them an even stronger contender against the likes of Boomerang and Nicktoons whose offering has fallen off the scale.
Skydance is currently undergoing a potential takeover of Paramount Global with Warner Bros. Discovery exploring a possible split in assets. If anything, they don't care as much if MeTV Toons is luring consumers from their own channels as its all about money.
The rebrand of Discovery Family or DFC only illustrates the amount of division/dependency Warner Bros. Discovery gives these brands. Take for instance, Cartoon Network that's still runs a 24 hour service in other countries while America minimized this for Adult Swim.
Although Discovery Family runs as a children's channel some other countries operate this as Discovery Kids then Africa offers a channel of the same name with different programming. In short, where is the alignment in all this as you have 2/3 different channels with the same name.
Disney relies on ESPN for sports with factual entertainment on National Geographic while Paramount has reality and animation on MTV and Nickelodeon respectively. Then there's Warner changing the positioning of a TV channel from country to country.
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