Launch as a strand on Cartoon Network Too (2006–2007)
Former logo with purple eyes, used from 2006 to 2018; the second version used until 2022 would color them black.
On 14 August 2006, Turner Broadcasting System Europe announced they would launch a new pre-school-oriented strand for Cartoon Network Too known as Cartoonito, which would launch on 4 September, running from 6:00AM to 3:00PM.[4]
Relaunch as a full channel (2007–2017)
On 2 May 2007, Turner announced that they would expand Cartoonito to a full-time network on 24 May 2007. This allowed Cartoon Network Too to merge and replace Toonami, allowing the full Cartoonito channel to launch in the ex-Cartoon Network Too slot.[5]
On 24 May 2007, at 3:00 AM, Cartoonito launched as a standalone channel on Sky channel 619, just after the old version of Cartoon Network Too closed at 7:00 PM the previous day. The channel was broadcast from 3:00 AM until 7:00 PM and originally timeshared with Turner Classic Movies 2 (later became Turner Classic Movies +1 after 13 August 2013).
On 28 August 2009, it was announced that a Cartoonito block would air on Boomerang from 9:00 AM-10:30 AM on school-term weekdays beginning in September. The block aimed to introduce the Cartoonito brand to viewers who had never seen the programmes the channel offered.[6]
On 1 March 2010, it was announced that Cartoonito would be added to Virgin Media by April.[7] The channel was added on 25 March and by May had become the most widely distributed pre-school pay network in the United Kingdom. The addition to Virgin Media also saw a change in its broadcast hours, from 3:00 AM until 7:00 PM to 4:00 AM until 8:00 PM.[8]
On 26 October 2013, Cartoonito was launched on BT TV, and Cartoonito launched on Plusnet in May 2015. On 15 December 2016, Cartoonito was added to TalkTalk.[9]
Introduction of 24 hour broadcasting and 2018 UK rebrand (2017–2022)
During the premiere of Daisy & Ollie in the UK, Cartoonito shifted its aspect ratio to 16:9 widescreen on 1 November 2017. The channel moved to a full 24 hour schedule on 15 January 2018.[10] On 2 March 2018, the channel was announced for a rebrand with an updated website. The logo remained the same, with the only difference being that the eyes were changed from purple to black.[11]
2022 UK rebrand and strand relaunch on Cartoon Network (2022–present)
On 1 February 2022, the channel rebranded with the new 2021 logo and bumpers.[12] Following the rebrand, a Cartoonito strand launched on its sister channel Cartoon Network, airing weekdays from 9:00AM until 10:00AM (was briefly extend to end at 11:00AM from Spring until the Summer of 2022).[13]
On 1 October 2023, the channel transitioned to utilising the same style of promos as Discovery's free-to-air channels, although it remains a pay network.
On 27 September 2024, an HD simulcast of the channel launched on Virgin Media alongside Boomerang HD, replacing the SD feed on the service.[14]
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