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NEWS UPDATE: Thurop van Orman says that Cartoon Network is backing out of the rebrand and live-action in general due to low ratings of CN Real. Mission accomplished?

The Mission:

Cartoon Network is airing live-action. We all know that. Obviously, Cartoon Network has been going through some rough times and are only airing live-action programming because they get high ratings, right?

Wrong.

Live-action isn't doing well on Cartoon Network, despite their hardest efforts. The Wednesday night edition of CN Real was never given a press release, something very odd for a highly advertised event the network obviously wanted to become their newest hit. Networks don't give shows with lackluster ratings press release. With something as highly advertised as CN Real, one would expect some form of press release, even a small, quiet release bragging about average ratings (like the release for the Saturday edition of CN Real). The fact is, that CN Real isn't doing well in the ratings, according to an anonymous whistleblower at Cartoon Network. The second quarter ratings (which include CN Real) are down five percent from last year. This is Cartoon Network's first ratings decline after a long period of growth. Thurop van Orman, creator of The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack has stated that his show does thrice as well as the reality shows. Keep in mind that Flapjack is barely advertised and has generally average ratings. More importantly, Cartoon Network has acknowledged this, recently axing many CN Real encore slots from their schedule.

This brings me the the heart of this campaign. Cartoon Network decides that the name of the network, not the quality of the programming, viewer reaction, or various other factors, is the reason why no one is watching their reality shows. According to the same anonymous whistleblower, writers in Atlanta are already coming up with new names for an upcoming rebrand of Cartoon Network, slated to appear in the fall/winter.

Now, I for one didn't care when Cartoon Network started airing live-action a few years ago. I kept my cool when Chowder was under threat of cancellation. I didn't mind when CN Real premiered (I still think that the shows are pretty enjoyable sans The Othersiders). But this is it.

I am done being stepped on like a doormat. As a part of Cartoon Network's coveted 9-14 teen demographic, I am sick of just watching a network with a great premise and lots of potential go down like this. "Stop The Madness" is a call to end the stupidity. Our main mission is to prevent this future rebrand and the tidal wave of non-animated programming that will ultimately ensue.


What To Do:

  • Search for trademarks. Cartoon Network will have to register a trademark for a channel rebrand before it actually happens. Use this site to discover and leak the new name before Cartoon Network does. (Select "Owner Name and Address" for the Field and search for "THE CARTOON NETWORK" or "TURNER BROADCASTING SYSTEM") Just like how the network freaked out when CN Real was leaked, a highly publicized leak (preferably on Cartoon Brew or Toon Zone Forums) of the rebrand will mostly likely incite some kind of reaction by the network.
  • Support Cartoon Network's animation. STM is by no means an all-out boycott of Cartoon Network. Support the network's animated programming by watching, advertising, and buying merchandising.
  • Advertise. Spread the word about this news and this campaign. The more people, the merrier.
  • Attack on the home front. Send anti-rebrand and anti-CN Real comments on CN Video's comments section and the boards (feel free to mention STM) Cartoon Network occasionally lets negative comments through.
  • Appeal to the execs. Execs care about money, first and foremost. The main goal of STM is to avoid a rebrand and live-action programming while still giving the execs a real reason to listen to us.
  • Boycott the live-action. Obviously, spread the word to avoid CN Real like wildfire.
  • Write letters. The network can easily delete e-mails. Real letters work much better.


What Not To Do:

  • Ask too much. No asking to bring back shows or blocks, or other demands. None of that. What's done is done. The goal of STM is simply to sensibly and realistically talk Cartoon Network out of rebranding before it's too late.
  • Get crazy. Don't go overboard. Be sensible and intelligent about this campaign.
  • Stop watching Cartoon Network. Support the network. Not the live-action.


Mailing Addresses:

Cartoon Network

1050 Techwood Drive
Atlanta, Georgia 30318

Robert Sorcher
Chief Content Officer, Cartoon Network Worldwide

Turner

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.
One CNN Center
Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Stuart Snyder
President, Turner Animation, Young Adults & Kids Media