Boomerang

Boomerang is a television channel broadcast in the United Kingdom and in the Republic of Ireland launched on 27 May 2000. It is broadcast 24 hours on the Sky, Virgin Media, Smallworld Cable TalkTalk TV, Top Up TV, UPC Ireland.

Origins
Boomerang was originally started in December 1992 as a programming block on Cartoon Network USA. It originally aired for four hours every weekend. The programming block followed a unique programming format—every week, cartoons produced during a certain year (and cartoons produced during years prior to that year) would be showcased. For example, if Boomerang was showcasing the year 1969, the viewer would more than likely see an episode of Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! or Dastardly and Muttley in their Flying Machines. US Boomerang channel was launched in April 2000.

UK launch
Boomerang launched on 27 May 2000, Airing between 06:00-00:00, on Sky Digital and certain cable operates. The channel was created by Turner Broadcasting to broadcast classic cartoons from the Hanna-Barbera, MGM and Warner Bros archive programme library, and Targeted at babyboomers and their children. In May 2001 The channel become the second highest rated kids' channel (amongst 4-9ers), with over 1.3m kids tuning in. It was beaten only by sister channel Cartoon Network. In July the channel was launch on UK cable operator Telewest network, thus increasing viewers. James Greville, head of Cartoon Network UK. "The channel launched barely a year ago and yet it's already beaten established kids' channels in terms of ratings and share" By November the channel was launched on NTL platform. Boomerang increased it library of old cartoons when it acquired the rights to Dangermouse,Garfield, The pink panther and The Charlie brown show. By the end of 2001 the channel started to move away from its original purpose, and moved to broadcast more recent programming.

A timeshift channel, Boomerang +1, was launched on 6 March 2006.

Live action programming
In the September of 2007, the channel started airing live action programming "My Spy family" The series was a co-production between Turner Broadcasting and Kindle Entertainment, the independent production company to have emerged from the closure of ITV Productions, Kids. The show marks a major investment for Turner in live action at a time when many broadcasters are reviewing their commitment to children's programming.

Other live action Series included Life with Derek and popular sitcom The Latest Buzz.

Presentation


Since 2004, the UK version of Boomerang has had a separate on screen identity and logo from the US version (prior to this, the channel had carried US branding and logos). The UK version also has custom made onscreen idents. For example these show children doing various activities such as shopping, playing games etc. Boomerang along with Cartoon Network and Toonami used to have a Top Up TV channel on LCNs 72-74, although Boomerang only broadcast between 05:00 and 12:00. When you tried to tune in to the channel via Freeview it came up with an advert for Top Up TV. External links

Boomerang UK website

 * Boomerang UK website