RegularCapital Warner Bros. International Kids & Young Adults Brands News
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Unofficial Warner Bros. International Kids & Young Adults Brands News: Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Warner Bros. Animation, Boomerang, DC Comics, HBO Max, Discovery Kids etc.
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Cartoon Network Veteran Vishnu Athreya Exits Warner Bros. Animation to Lead Spin Master:

Long-time animation executive Vishnu Athreya has formally departed Warner Bros. Discovery, bringing an end to a two-decade tenure across Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network to take up the role of Executive Vice President and President at Spin Master Entertainment.

Athreya’s departure marks a significant shift for Warner Bros. Animation (WBA), where he most recently served as Senior Vice President of Content Strategy and Current Series. In that role, Athreya held creative oversight over a vast portfolio of key kids’ and adult animation franchises, guiding titles through development and production.

Leaving a Distinct Creative Footprint at Warner Bros.

During his time overseeing WBA’s current slate, Athreya was instrumental in shaping both mainstream superhero properties and acclaimed original IP. His departure leaves the studio as several major projects move through production, including:

Kid & Family Slate: Craig of the Creek, Batwheels, Bat-Fam, Adventure Time: Side Quests, and the upcoming anime series Yokoso Scooby-Doo!.

Adult Animation & Direct-to-Consumer: Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake and the multi-part Batman Knightfall animated trilogy.

A Two-Decade Legacy Across Cartoon Network

Athreya’s exit draws the curtain on a extensive career within the broader Turner and Warner Bros. ecosystem. Prior to taking on his strategy role at WBA, he spent years in key leadership positions across Cartoon Network’s international and domestic operations.

As Senior Vice President of Programming based in Atlanta, Athreya directed content strategy, scheduling, and acquisitions for both Cartoon Network and Boomerang, playing a central role in launching Teen Titans Go! into a global franchise. Earlier in his career, he operated as Executive Director of Programming in Hong Kong, steering Turner’s kids’ linear channels and content distribution across the Asia-Pacific region.

A Cartoon Network Executive Reunion

Athreya’s move to Toronto-based Spin Master Entertainment reunites him with former Cartoon Network President Christina Miller, who was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Spin Master’s entertainment division just over a year ago.

In his new position, Athreya succeeds Jennifer Dodge—who exited late last year to head Paramount Animation—and assumes full responsibility for global content strategy, development, and production across all platforms. He will now lead Spin Master's roster of major international IP, including its flagship preschool hit Paw Patrol, alongside series such as Unicorn Academy, Vida the Vet, and Bakugan.

https://www.c21media.net/news/spin-master-entertainment-appoints-cartoon-network-veteran-vishnu-athreya-as-president/
David Ellison has threatened to relocate Paramount—and potentially Warner Bros. Discovery—out of California starting October 1 if California Attorney General Rob Bonta refuses to negotiate a settlement in the multistate antitrust lawsuit blocking the companies' merger.

The October 1 deadline is critical because it marks the date Paramount begins accruing a $7 million daily fee payable to WBD shareholders, which could total $1.2 billion by the time the trial begins in March 2027. If settlement talks do not occur, Ellison plans to execute a board-approved, five-year exit strategy. The company's headquarters would move first, likely to a state offering strong tax incentives such as Georgia, Texas, or Tennessee, followed gradually by the majority of its studio operations. Bonta has thus far indicated that he will only accept structural concessions, such as divestments, to drop the lawsuit.

https://variety.com/2026/film/news/david-ellison-move-paramount-out-of-california-states-antitrust-lawsuit-1236831936/
EARLY PREVIEW: Robot Chicken [adult swim] 25th Anniversary Special | August 30

The Robot Chicken [adult swim] Special premieres on August 30, next day on HBO Max.

https://youtu.be/0vP51N4TcHE?si=L3ocvXGB-dClGkHo
Genndy Tartakovsky’s animated series Primal has been recognised with two juried Emmy Awards for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation. The honours were awarded as follows:

Art Direction: Awarded to Scott Wills for his work on the episode "Vengeance of Death".

Storyboard: Awarded to David Krentz for his work on the episode "Kingdom of Sorrow".

https://x.com/warnerbrostv/status/2087689650408165860
The Warner Archive Collection has announced a Blu-ray release of Hanna-Barbera's The Quick Draw McGraw Show, originally broadcast between 1959 and 1960. This marks the first time the complete television run will be available in a single collection, with the release date set for 29 September 2026. The restoration features new 1080p HD masters, sourced from 4K scans of the original camera negatives.

The collection includes all forty-five original half-hour episodes, presented in their original triple-segment broadcast format. These segments feature Quick Draw McGraw and Baba Looey, Augie Doggie and Doggie Daddy, and Snooper and Blabber. The classic voice cast includes Daws Butler, Don Messick, and Doug Young, and a bonus featurette titled The Good, The Bad, and The El-Kabong is also included.

Regarding technical specifications, the release spans six BD-50 discs with a total runtime of approximately 1050 minutes and carries a suggested retail price of $39.98. The video is presented in colour with a 16x9 1.33:1 aspect ratio featuring side mattes, accompanied by DTS-HD MA 2.0 Mono audio. The set is unrated and includes English SDH subtitles.

https://x.com/TheExtrastv/status/2087639802455941525
‘Smiling Friends’ Creators Discuss Surprise Emmy Nomination Following Series Finale: https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/tv-shows/smiling-friends-creators-surprise-emmy-nomination-interview-2026/

Zach Hadel and Michael Cusack, creators of Adult Swim’s Smiling Friends, have expressed their genuine surprise at receiving their first Emmy nomination. The recognition places the independent mixed-media comedy alongside established industry titans such as The Simpsons and South Park.

The nomination highlights the season three episode, "Le Voyage Incroyable de Monsieur Grenouille," which features the chaotic Mr. Frog reuniting with his father (portrayed in live-action by Creed Bratton). In an interview with TheWrap, Cusack noted that the episode was designed as a parody of prestige television, deliberately slowing down the programme's typically frantic pace—a creative decision he described as "accidental Emmy bait."
This prestigious nod arrives shortly after Hadel and Cusack unexpectedly concluded the series due to production burnout, capping the run with a few bonus episodes rather than moving forward with pre-approved fourth and fifth seasons. While the nominated episode deals with Mr. Frog facing his own exhaustion at the top of the mountain, the creators maintain this thematic parallel was not a conscious reflection of their own fatigue, but rather a natural, planned conclusion to the character’s three-part story arc.

Reflecting on the show's cultural footprint—which recently included an unexpected reference on The Simpsons, though the creators humorously admitted they were hoping for a jab from Family Guy—Hadel and Cusack emphasised their pride in utilising the programme as a platform for independent internet animators. However, they acknowledged that the ambitious, multi-style format that defined Smiling Friends also contributed heavily to its demanding production cycle.
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The Hollywood Reporter hails Coyote vs. Acme as a "hilarious delight" and a masterpiece of the live-action/animated genre.

The Cast: Will Forte excels as Wile E. Coyote's beleaguered lawyer, opposite John Cena's slick, profit-driven ACME counsel.

The Comedy: It perfectly captures the classic, rapid-fire Looney Tunes slapstick.

The Core: Beneath the anvil-dropping anarchy, the film surprises with genuine emotional depth and a sharp critique of corporate greed.

Ultimately, the review deems the film a triumphant love letter to the franchise and total vindication for a project that was almost permanently shelved.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/coyote-vs-acme-review-looney-tunes-will-forte-john-cena-1236671221/
EARLY PREVIEW: The Return | My Adventures With Superman | adult swim: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQcHiywm_pY&feature=youtu.be

My Adventures With Superman airs Saturdays at midnight during Toonami on Adult Swim.
Gerhard Zeiler, President of International at Warner Bros. Discovery, will receive the International Emmy Directorate Award at the upcoming gala in New York on 23 November. https://screenmdm.com/news/news/gerhard-zeiler-to-receive-international-emmy-directorate-award/

Industry Impact: Bruce L. Paisner, CEO of the International Academy, praised Zeiler for his commercial acumen and his leadership in shaping the global television landscape during periods of profound change.

Career Highlights: A veteran of the global content business, Zeiler oversaw the international integration of WarnerMedia and Discovery, supported HBO Max's expansion into over 130 territories, and previously held senior roles at ORF, RTL Group, and Turner.

Zeiler's Statement: Acknowledging the honour, Zeiler emphasised television's unique power to connect distinct cultures and expressed his appreciation for the creative talent and partners who have inspired his career.

Additional Honourees: The event will also celebrate Netflix’s Bela Bajaria, who is set to receive the International Emmy Founders Award.
FIRST LOOK: The Terrors of Jordan Mendoza | Coming Soon | adult swim: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtPMT85NgTs

The nightmare comedy of your dreams. The Terrors of Jordan Mendoza coming soon to Adult Swim.
EARLY PREVIEW: Finding The Louisiana Purchase Receipt | President Curtis | adult swim: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4YXdM2Bxaw

President Curtis airs Sundays at 11:30pm on Adult Swim, next day on HBO Max.
Cartoon Network Updates Türksat Frequency: What Viewers Need to Know

Viewers in Turkey are advised that Cartoon Network is updating its broadcast frequency as transmissions move from the Türksat 3A satellite to newer infrastructure. The transition is scheduled to take place on the night of August 15, connecting into August 16.

For many users, the update process will be seamless. If your satellite receiver is equipped with the Türksat Channel Update System (TKGS), the channel settings will be adjusted automatically, requiring no further intervention.

However, if your receiver does not support TKGS or if you find that the channel fails to appear, you will need to manually refresh your settings. It is recommended to first attempt an automatic or network scan on your device. If the channel remains unavailable, a manual scan using the parameters below will be necessary:

Cartoon Network Türksat 4A Frequency Settings:
Frequency: 12245 MHz
Symbol Rate: 27500
Polarisation: Horizontal
FEC: 5/6
Modulation: DVB-S2 8PSK
Encryption Status: Unencrypted

https://www.yeniyolgazetesi.com/guncel/cartoon-networkun-frekansi-degisiyor/708691
End of an Era: Cartoon Network Mexico Feed Poised for Closure:

The landscape of Latin American television is undergoing yet another significant shift. As of mid-August 2026, it appears that the dedicated Mexican feed of Cartoon Network Latin America is being phased out, marking the end of a thirty-year broadcast history for the specific signal.

A Quiet Transition

Reports confirmed this week that major Mexican cable operators—including Megacable (XView), Totalplay, and Izzi—have begun replacing the local Mexican feed with the Panregional signal. This Panregional feed, which operates on Colombian time, currently serves the vast majority of the Hispanic Latin American market.

The transition has been notably abrupt for some viewers. For Izzi subscribers, the shift occurred mid-broadcast at 00:09 on Thursday, August 13. An episode of Adventure Time was cut mid-stream, immediately replaced by the Panregional broadcast of The Amazing World of Gumball. Observers noted that for the first few moments of the switch, the secondary audio programming (SAP) track was active by default, allowing the programme to be heard in English.

Programming and Operational Changes

While the Mexican feed technically remains active internally with programming loaded through the end of August, the writing appears to be on the wall. Unlike the Panregional and Brazilian feeds, Warner Bros. Discovery has not issued a programming grid for September, strongly suggesting that the feed’s operational life is drawing to a close.

For the Mexican audience, this migration brings both losses and gains:

Content Shifts: Popular series such as Ben 10 (2016) and Drama Island (2023) are not part of the Panregional feed and will consequently be removed from the local schedule.

New Additions: Conversely, viewers will gain access to series not previously carried in Mexico, such as Steven Universe and Clarence, along with a wider variety of broadcast slots for staples like Adventure Time and Regular Show.

Advertising and Compliance: Viewers will now be served the Panregional advertising blocks. A lingering question remains regarding local regulatory compliance; specifically, how the platform will handle age-rating banners, which were previously a legal requirement on the Mexican feed but are absent from the Panregional signal.

A Broader Strategy

This potential closure is not an isolated incident but rather the latest phase in a multi-year restructuring effort by Warner Bros. Discovery for its Latin American pay-TV portfolio. The strategy began in earnest on July 1, 2025, when the company reduced its five regional Cartoon Network signals—Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, and two Panregional feeds—down to just three.

Should the current migration reach its conclusion, Brazil will stand as the only country in the region to retain an independent, dedicated Cartoon Network feed, with the remainder of Hispanic Latin America consolidated under the Panregional banner.

This pattern of consolidation has already left its mark on other brands within the portfolio. During the 2025 restructuring, the Cartoonito channel saw its signals reduced from four to two, eliminating the independent Argentine and Mexican feeds. Furthermore, the pre-school brand is set to see additional changes on September 1, when it will switch to a 12-hour programming block that repeats throughout the day, adopting a scheduling model similar to that of Tooncast.

As Warner Bros. Discovery continues to streamline its operations, the regional television landscape in Latin America continues to shrink, moving toward a more centralized broadcast model.

https://www.tvlaint.com/2026/08/cartoon-network-latinoamerica-feed.html
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New Cartoon Cartoons Short: Unravel

An embroidered bilby unravels a piece of yellow thread.

Created by Alexis Sugden

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IarVMeWtFVU
MeTV Toons is hosting a special hour-long programme titled "No Refunds: An ACME Celebration" airing on Sunday, 23 August at 7 pm | 6c. Organised in anticipation of the upcoming Coyote vs. ACME film, the broadcast will feature a marathon of classic Looney Tunes shorts starring Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner.

The announcement also includes a full lineup of the specific cartoons that will be shown during the event, including timeless favourites such as Fast and Furry-ous, Guided Muscle, Gee Whiz-z-z, and Beep, Beep.

https://metvtoons.com/stories/beep-beep-join-metv-toons-for-no-refunds-an-acme-celebration
Darren Robbie, Series Director at Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe, has announced the completion of the first season of Foster's Funtime for Imaginary Friends following a two-year production journey.

The new season features 40 11-minute episodes of CG animation. Robbie describes the series as full of chaos and anarchy, promising plenty of comedy alongside occasional emotional moments.

Robbie highlighted what an honour it was to collaborate directly with the franchise's legendary creator, Craig McCracken, bringing his imaginative ideas to life.

He extended heartfelt thanks to the wider Hanna-Barbera crew, specifically mentioning Sarah Fell, Emma Fernando, Sam Register, and the core production team, including early compatriots Alex Jennings and Dimana Bratanova. He also thanked Art Director Kirsten Shiel, Catherine Salkeld for storyboarding, Rhys Byfield for editing, Guillaume Glachant for animation direction, and Joe Sparrow and the motion graphics team for the show's song sections.

A broadcast date is currently to be confirmed. Official images from the finished production will be released closer to the premiere.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/darrenrobbie_wow-what-a-show-we-have-coming-for-you-share-7493629336940404736-X8ci/
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Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, the creators of the hit West End musical Six, are writing the songs for a new animated musical film titled Bad Fairies.

Alongside Marlow and Moss, Grammy-nominated composer Isabella Summers is writing the score and producing the songs. The screenplay is penned by Deborah Frances-White, and the film is being directed by Megan Nicole Dong.

Set in contemporary London, the story follows a rebellious group of rule-breaking fairies. The film is a joint production between Warner Bros. Pictures Animation and Locksmith Animation. It is currently in production in London and is scheduled for a US theatrical release on 23 July 2027.

https://www.westendtheatre.com/244824/news/six-creators-toby-marlow-lucy-moss-writing-songs-for-new-animated-movie-bad-fairies/
Reruns of Steven Universe and Uncle Grandpa are officially returning to Cartoon Network USA's daily schedule starting on the 7th of September. Steven Universe will air daily at 9:04 AM Eastern, and Uncle Grandpa will follow at 12:00 PM Eastern daily. Both series are also currently available to stream on Hulu.

Steven Universe is expanding with a new spin-off titled Steven Universe: Lars of the Stars. The series is in development for Amazon and will focus on Lars travelling through space, though an official release date has not yet been announced.
Uncle Grandpa, conversely, has no plans for a revival or spin-off. Series creator Pete Browngardt has previously expressed dissatisfaction with the upcoming Warner Bros. and Paramount merger, making any future continuation of the programme highly unlikely.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/cartoon-network-classics-are-making-a-comeback-next-month/
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Summary of the Men's Journal exclusive interview with John Cena and Will Forte regarding their film Coyote vs. Acme:

Despite being shelved by Warner Bros. Discovery in 2023 due to a shift away from straight-to-streaming releases, Coyote vs. Acme has been rescued. Ketchup Entertainment purchased the distribution rights, and the film is officially set for a theatrical release on 28 August 2026. Both Cena and Forte credit the vocal support of fans for getting the live-action/animation hybrid into cinemas, noting that audience demand was the driving force behind the rescue.

Behind the Scenes

The actors discussed the unique challenges of filming a hybrid project. Forte highlighted the meticulous, months-long planning required to map out how animated characters would interact with live-action environments and complex stunts—such as an animated piano crushing a real car. Cena praised the entire crew, from the director to the props department, for leaning into the whimsy and imagination required for the film.

A New Spin on a Classic Character

Based on an article by Ian Frazier in The New Yorker, the film flips the traditional script on the Looney Tunes universe. Instead of just laughing at Wile E. Coyote's endless suffering, the story encourages audiences to sympathise with him. Cena noted that he used to idolise the Road Runner as a child, but the script's fresh perspective was a brilliant way to turn the dynamic on its head for a new generation.

Sequel Potential

When asked if they would be open to returning for a sequel, both Cena and Forte were enthusiastic. Cena enthusiastically agreed, saying he would "love to get the band back together", and Forte confirmed he was "100%" on board.

https://www.mensjournal.com/news/john-cena-and-will-forte-talk-coyote-vs-acme-exclusive
Warner Bros. Pictures Animation has scheduled the animated film Margie Claus to be released in cinemas on the 12th of November 2027. The date was pushed back by a week, which avoids a direct box office clash with Universal's holiday comedy Naughty. Melissa McCarthy voices the titular character, Margie Claus. She is joined by newly announced cast members Jim Gaffigan as Santa and Andrew Scott as Jack Frost.

The wider ensemble features Octavia Spencer, Maria Bakalova, Cedric Yarbrough, and Cole Escola, among others. The story follows Santa's wife, Margie, who must embark on a dangerous journey to the South Pole to rescue her husband and save Christmas. The film is directed by Kirk DeMicco, with a script written by Ben Falcone and Damon Jones. Pop star Meghan Trainor will write and produce the original songs, while McCarthy, Falcone, and Michelle L.M. Wong are producing the project.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/margie-claus-melissa-mccarthy-animated-release-cast-1236677747/