MeTV Toons is an American broadcast television network owned and operated by Weigel Broadcasting in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery. Launched on June 25, 2024, as a spin-off of MeTV,[5] the network's programming mainly consists of classic animated content owned by Warner Bros. Discovery (including Warner Bros., Hanna-Barbera, and pre-1986 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer library via Turner Entertainment unit), as well as third-party series from NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures Television, WildBrain, and Shout! Studios, dating from the 1930s to the mid-1990's.

MeTV Toons
TypeBroadcast television network (classic TV)
CountryUnited States
Broadcast areaNationwide
(73.02% OTA coverage)[1]
HeadquartersChicago, Illinois
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture format720p HDTV master feed (downscaled to 480i SDTV widescreen on most OTA affiliates)
Ownership
OwnerWeigel Broadcasting[2][3]
ParentWAM TV Limited Partnership
Sister channels
History
LaunchedJune 25, 2024; 4 months ago (2024-06-25)
Links
Websitemetvtoons.com
Availability
Terrestrial
See list of affiliates
Streaming media
Service(s):Frndly TV, Philo[4]

History

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Trademark registrations for MeTV Toons were first filed in March 2023, with originally considered names for the network being "Toon TV" or "Toony TV" (a name likely inspired by the mascot of the MeTV original program Toon In with Me, Toony the Tuna), as well as names of interstitials for the network such as 'Cartoon College' filed in December 2023.[6][7]

On May 1, 2024, Variety and TVLine reported Weigel was partnering with Warner Bros. Discovery on MeTV Toons, which was billed as a 24/7, free-to-air television network dedicated to broadcasting classic animated programming. This was based on a press release from Weigel, but the company failed to send notification that it was to be embargoed; the two outlets pulled the stories upon its request. TheDesk.net, which stated its editorial policy does not honor retroactive embargoes, published its own story later that day which noted that Weigel was also working with Paramount Pictures, Amazon MGM Studios, Universal Pictures and a number of other content studios.[8]

The following day, Weigel officially announced the launch of the channel, which would take place on June 25. The channel launched with a marathon of the pilot episodes of all of its non-compilation shows, with the inaugural program at 6am Eastern/5am Central time being Captain Planet and the Planeteers.[9] The channel follows a similar format to the formative years of Warner Bros. Discovery's Cartoon Network and Boomerang.

Officials at Weigel said MeTV Toons will be distributed in three forms: as a broadcast channel available in many cities through over-the-air television and on cable, and as a streaming channel that will be distributed across subscription-based services. Also planned is a "complimentary offering for ad-supported streaming services".

Broadcast affiliates include those owned by Weigel itself, as well as those operated by Cox Media Group, Bahakel Communications, Hubbard Broadcasting, Allen Media Group and Gray Television. Frndly TV and Philo, two over-the-top MVPD services that carry all of Weigel's other networks, added the network on launch day.

Programming

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The programs featured on the main MeTV network in the morning hours (such as Looney Tunes, Merrie Melodies, Tom and Jerry, Popeye, and Woody Woodpecker) also air on MeTV Toons. In addition, the network's programming features cartoons not seen on the MeTV block (such as Scooby-Doo, Yogi Bear and Casper the Friendly Ghost) and classic anime titles (such as Speed Racer and Marine Boy). MeTV Toons also airs various UK-produced Supermarionation programs overnight, such as Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons.[10]

The network runs original interstitial series which animation historian Jerry Beck helped produce. Bob Bergen, the modern voice actor for Porky Pig, is the promotional announcer for the network.[11]

Blocks

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  • Cartoon All-Stars: An hour block airing weekdays at 1:00 P.M. ET and Monday through Saturday at 10:00 P.M. ET, featuring shorts from across the Warner Bros., MGM, Fleischer, Famous, Walter Lantz, Harveytoons, and UPA libraries.[12]
  • Sunday Night Cartoon All-Stars: An extended three-hour block airing Sundays from 8:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M. ET, a successor to the Sunday Night Cartoons block on sister station MeTV+.[12]
  • Known Strings Attached: A late night block airing weeknights from 3:00 A.M. to 6:00 A.M. ET, featuring Supermarionation programs from Gerry Anderson, including Thunderbirds, Supercar, Captain Scarlet, Joe 90, and Fireball XL 5.[13]
  • Totally Animated 80s: A late night block airing late Saturdays from 2:00 A.M. to 6:00 A.M. ET, featuring action and comedy cartoons from the 1980s. Initial programs include Police Academy: The Animated Series, The Real Ghostbusters, Challenge of the GoBots, The Completely Mental Misadventures of Ed Grimley, and Mister T.[14]
  • Flintstones Family Sunday: An afternoon block airing Sundays from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. ET, featuring various movies and spin-off series from The Flintstones franchise, that launched with The Jetsons Meet the Flintstones and The Man Called Flintstone.[12]
  • Scooby-Doo! Sunday Specials: An afternoon block airing Sundays from 3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. ET, featuring various movies and spin-off series from the Scooby-Doo franchise, that launched with a run of The New Scooby-Doo Movies.[12]

Affiliates

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The network is available on the following OTA stations as well as the paid streaming services Frndly TV and Philo.[1][4] Bold is for owned and operated stations.

City of license/market Station[1] Virtual
channel
Primary affiliation Owner Date of affiliation Notes

Alabama

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Huntsville WAAY-TV 31.8 ABC Allen Media Broadcasting June 25, 2024
Mobile WMBP-LD 31.4 Telemundo Gray Television June 25, 2024
Montgomery WBMM 22.3 The CW Plus Bahakel Communications June 25, 2024

Arizona

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Phoenix KEJR-LD 40.2 MeTV Plus Weigel Broadcasting June 25, 2024
Kingman KMOH-TV 6.5 MeTV June 25, 2024
Tucson KVOA 4.4 NBC Allen Media Broadcasting June 25, 2024 Replaced This TV

California

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Chico KHSL-TV 12.8 CBS Allen Media Broadcasting July 3, 2024
Fresno KGMC 43.5 Estrella TV Cocola Broadcasting June 25, 2024 Replaced Antenna TV
Los Angeles KSFV-CD/KAZA-TV 27.1/54.3 Weigel Broadcasting June 25, 2024 Replaced Jewelry Television
Monterey KMBY-LD 27.5 MeTV Cocola Broadcasting June 25, 2024
Sacramento KMAX-TV 31.6 Independent CBS News and Stations June 26, 2024
San Francisco KTLN-TV 68.6 H&I Weigel Broadcasting June 25, 2024

Colorado

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Glenwood Springs KREG-TV 3.8 MeTV Weigel Broadcasting June 25, 2024
Grand Junction KKCO 11.5 NBC Gray Television June 25, 2024

Connecticut

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Hartford (New Haven) WHCT-LD 35.8 MeTV Weigel Broadcasting June 25, 2024
Bridgeport WZME 43.4 Story Television June 25, 2024

Delaware

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Wilmington (Philadelphia) WDPN-TV 2.10 MeTV Maranatha Broadcasting Company June 25, 2024

District of Columbia

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Washington, D.C. WDME-CD 48.5 MeTV Weigel Broadcasting June 25, 2024

Florida

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Fort Myers WBBH-TV 20.4 NBC Hearst Television October 21, 2024
Gainesville WTGB-LD 19.3 N/A Gray Television June 26, 2024
Jacksonville WJAX-TV 47.4 CBS Cox Media Group July 1, 2024
Miami WBFS-TV 33.7 Independent CBS News and Stations June 25, 2024
Orlando WFTV 9.4 ABC Cox Media Group July 19, 2024
Panama City WPFN-CD 22.5 Independent Destination Network June 25, 2024
Tampa WTOG 44.6 CBS News and Stations June 25, 2024
West Palm Beach WBWP-LD 19.8 Daystar Español Roseland Broadcasting June 25, 2024

Georgia

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Atlanta WKTB-CD 47.7 Telemundo Gray Television June 25, 2024
Macon WPGA-TV 58.5 MeTV June 25, 2024
Savannah WSCG 34.6 TCT Tri-State Christian Television December 1st, 2024 Replacing Buzzr

Hawaii

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Honolulu KIKU 20.2 Independent Allen Media Broadcasting June 25, 2024

Idaho

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Boise KNIN-TV 9.4 Fox Marquee Broadcasting July 18, 2024
Idaho Falls KPIF 15.4 Grit Ventura Broadcasting August 15, 2024
Twin Falls KYTL-LD 17.5 America's Voice i84 Broadcasting Company June 26, 2024

Illinois

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Chicago WCIU-TV 26.7 Independent Weigel Broadcasting June 25, 2024
Rockford WREX 13.2 NBC Allen Media Broadcasting June 26, 2024

Indiana

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Evansville WEVV-TV 44.5 CBS Allen Media Broadcasting June 26, 2024
WZDS-LD 5.6 H&I Weigel Broadcasting June 25, 2024
Indianapolis WUDZ-LD 28.7 Buzzr Innovate Corp. June 25, 2024
South Bend WCWW-LD 25.3 CW Weigel Broadcasting June 25, 2024
Terre Haute WTHI-TV 10.5 CBS Allen Media Broadcasting TBA

Iowa

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Des Moines KDIT-CD 45.4 Catchy Comedy Weigel Broadcasting June 25, 2024
Waterloo KWWL 7.6 NBC Allen Media Broadcasting June 25, 2024

Kansas

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Lawrence (Kansas City) KGKC-LD 39.7 Telemundo SagamoreHill Broadcasting June 25, 2024

Kentucky

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Bowling Green WNKY-LD 35.4 Ion Marquee Broadcasting July 9, 2024
Lexington WTVQ-DT 36.4 ABC Morris Multimedia June 25, 2024
Louisville WBNA 21.7 Independent Word Broadcasting Network June 25, 2024
Paducah WQWQ-LD 9.4 Telemundo Gray Television June 26, 2024

Louisiana

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Monroe KMLU 11.8 MeTV Legacy Broadcasting July 1, 2024
Lafayette KADN-TV 15.4 FOX Nexstar Media Group September 1, 2024
New Orleans KNOV-CD 41.6 Independent Destination Network July 19, 2024

Maine

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Portland WMTW 8.6 ABC Hearst Television September 1, 2024

Maryland

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Salisbury WGDV-LD 32.4 WeatherNation TV Marquee Broadcasting July 1, 2024
TowsonBaltimore WMJF-CD 39.1 HME Equity Fund II, LLC July 1, 2024

Massachusetts

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Boston WMFP 62.3 Shop LC WRNN-TV Associates June 25, 2024

Michigan

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Cadillac W15DF-D 15.6 Catchy Comedy Heritage Broadcast Group July 11, 2024
Charles W28EJ-D 28.6 Catchy Comedy Heritage Broadcast Group July 11, 2024
Detroit WKBD-TV 50.7 CW CBS October 14, 2024
Elmhurst W27DQ-D 27.6 Catchy Comedy Heritage Broadcast Group July 11, 2024
Flint WJRT-TV 12.7 ABC Allen Media Broadcasting June 25, 2024 Replaced This TV
Kalamazoo WLLA 64.7 Independent Christian Faith Broadcasting June 25, 2024
Traverse City W16DN-D 16.6 Catchy Comedy Heritage Broadcast Group July 11, 2024
Vanderbilt W20DT-D 20.6 Catchy Comedy Heritage Broadcast Group July 11, 2024

Minnesota

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Minneapolis KSTC-TV 5.6 Independent Hubbard Broadcasting July 9, 2024
Rochester KXLT-TV 47.3 Fox Gray Television June 26, 2024 Replaced Laff

Mississippi

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Greenwood WMEL-LD 13.4 MeTV Legacy Broadcasting July 1, 2024
Tupelo WLOV-TV 27.5 The CW Plus Morris Multimedia June 25, 2024
Jackson WLOO 35.5 MyNetworkTV American Spirit Media June 26, 2024

Missouri

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St. Louis KNLC 24.2 MeTV Weigel Broadcasting June 25, 2024 Replaced NLEC-TV
Kansas City KGKC-LD 39.7 Telemundo SagamoreHill Broadcasting June 25, 2024

New Jersey

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Middletown (New York City) WJLP 33.2 MeTV Weigel Broadcasting June 25, 2024

New Mexico

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Carlsbad KKAC 19.5 Story Television Weigel Broadcasting June 25, 2024
Silver City KKAD 10.5 Start TV June 25, 2024

New York

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Albany WNYA 51.4 MyNetworkTV Hubbard Broadcasting TBA
Plattsburgh WYCI 40.7 Gray Television June 25, 2024
Rochester WBGT-CD 46.6 Vision Communications June 26, 2024
Syracuse WMJQ-CD 40.3 MeTV Renard Communications June 25, 2024

Nevada

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Ely KKEL 27.8 Story Television Weigel Broadcasting June 25, 2024
Las Vegas KHSV 21.6 MeTV Howard Stirk Holdings June 25, 2024 Displaced NTD to another subchannel

North Carolina

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Charlotte WCCB 18.9 CW Bahakel Communications June 25, 2024

Ohio

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Cleveland WOCV-CD 35.3 Catchy Comedy Weigel Broadcasting June 25, 2024
Dayton WHIO-TV 7.4 CBS Cox Media Group July 2, 2024

Oklahoma

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Oklahoma City KTUZ-TV 30.7 Telemundo Tyler Media Group June 25, 2024
Tulsa KMYT-TV 41.5 MyNetworkTV Imagicomm Communications June 26, 2024 Replaced This TV

Oregon

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Eugene KEZI 9.6 ABC Allen Media Broadcasting June 26, 2024
Portland KJYY-LD 29.8 Telemundo SagamoreHill Broadcasting June 25, 2024
Salem KJWY-LD 21.8 June 25, 2024

Pennsylvania

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Johnstown WTOO-CD 50.6 H&I Sonshine Family Television June 25, 2024
Pittsburgh WOSC-CD 61.1 The Videohouse June 25, 2024 Replaced Rewind TV

South Carolina

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Columbia WOLO-TV 25.9 ABC Bahakel Communications June 25, 2024
Greenville WWYA-LD 28.2 Movies! Carolina Christian Broadcasting June 25, 2024
Myrtle Beach WFXB 43.9 Fox Bahakel Communications June 25, 2024

South Dakota

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Sioux Falls KSFY-TV 13.6 ABC Gray Television June 25, 2024

Tennessee

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Jackson WBBJ-TV 7.5 ABC Bahakel Communications June 25, 2024
Memphis WTME-LD 35.6 Telemundo Gray Television June 26, 2024
Nashville WJFB 44.8 MeTV Weigel Broadcasting June 25, 2024

Texas

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Belton KNCT 46.7 CW Gray Television June 25, 2024
Corpus Christi KQSY-LD 30.5 Catchy Comedy Channel 7 of Corpus Christi, Inc. June 25, 2024
DallasFort Worth KAZD 55.3 Spectrum News 1 simulcast Weigel Broadcasting June 25, 2024
FredericksburgSan Antonio KCWX 2.5 MyNetworkTV Corridor Television, L.L.P. June 25, 2024 Replaced Quill
Houston KPRC-TV 2.5 NBC Graham Media Group July 1, 2024 Replacing Get
Lubbock KMYL-LD 14.5 MyNetworkTV Gray Television June 25, 2024 Replaced Jewelry Television

Utah

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Cedar CitySalt Lake City (St. George) KCSG 8.8 MeTV Weigel Broadcasting June 25, 2024

Virginia

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Norfolk WSKY-TV 4.6 Independent Lockwood Broadcast Group TBA
Richmond WWBK-LD 28.1 Innovate Corp. June 25, 2024

Washington

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Bellingham KVOS-TV 12.9 Univision Weigel Broadcasting June 25, 2024
Seattle KFFV 44.7 MeTV

West Virginia

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Parkersburg WIYE-LD 26.3 CBS Gray Television TBA

Wisconsin

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Crandon WMOW 4.3 ABC Allen Media Broadcasting June 26, 2024
Eau Claire WQOW 18.3 June 26, 2024
Shawano
(Green BayAppleton)
WMEI 31.2 MeTV Weigel Broadcasting June 25, 2024
La Crosse WXOW 19.3 ABC Allen Media Broadcasting June 26, 2024
Madison WKOW 27.3 June 25, 2024 Replaced ThisTV
Milwaukee WMLW-TV 49.5 Independent Weigel Broadcasting June 25, 2024 Replaced MeTV+ and moved to WYTU-LD 63.3
Wausau WAOW 9.3 ABC Allen Media Broadcasting June 26, 2024

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Stations for Network - Me-TV Toons". RabbitEars. Archived from the original on June 25, 2024. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  2. ^ "MeTV Toons". Trademarkia.com. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  3. ^ "Weigel Broadcasting Co.: MeTV Toons". Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Frndly TV & Philo Will Offer MeTV Toons At Launch". Cord Cutters News. 5 June 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  5. ^ MeTV Announces Toons Network, A Free Channel Dedicated To Classic Animation|Cartoon Brew
  6. ^ "Toon TV". Trademarkia.com. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  7. ^ "Cartoon College". Trademarkia.com. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  8. ^ Keys, Matthew (2024-05-01). "Weigel launching MeTV Toons with classic cartoons on broadcast, streaming platforms". The Desk. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
  9. ^ "Warner Bros. Discovery and Weigel Broadcasting to Launch "MeTV TOONS" – Animation Scoop". www.animationscoop.com. Archived from the original on 2024-06-25. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
  10. ^ "MeTV Toons - Program Schedule" (PDF). Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  11. ^ Schneider, Michael (May 2, 2024). "MeTV Toons Channel, Featuring Bugs Bunny and Other Warner Bros. Discovery Content, to Launch in June". Variety. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  12. ^ a b c d "MeTV Toons Unveils Debut Programming Schedule". www.animationmagazine.net. Retrieved 2024-07-16.
  13. ^ Supereddieman (2024-07-06). metv toons known strings attached promo. Retrieved 2024-07-16 – via YouTube.
  14. ^ Don Coyote (2024-06-25). Totally Animated 80's on MeTV Toons. Retrieved 2024-07-16 – via YouTube.
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