Boomerang (Australia and New Zealand)
| Boomerang | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Launched | April 2001 (as a block) March 2004 (as a channel) |
| Owned by |
Turner International Australia Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific (Time Warner, Inc.) |
| Picture format | 576i (SDTV 16:9) |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Sister channel(s) | |
| Website | www.Boomerangtv.com.au |
|
Availability
|
|
| Satellite | |
| Foxtel | Channel 715 |
| Cable | |
| Foxtel | Channel 715 |
| Neighbourhood Cable | Channel 30 |
| TransACT | Channel 204 |
| IPTV | |
| FetchTV | Channel 156 (free trial) |
| Streaming media | |
| Foxtel Go | Channel 715 |
Boomerang is a cable and satellite television channel owned by Turner Broadcasting System, a unit of Time Warner and its main flagship channel of Cartoon Network. The Australian version of Boomerang was launched in March 2004 as part of the Foxtel Digital launch, with a line-up very similar to that of the US and UK version. Originally devoted to classic animation from studios such as Hanna-Barbera, the channel has since expanded to include more contemporary programming. This channel is available as a free trial in an subscription entertainment package on Fetch TV by some ISPs and was added 26th January 2017. The free trial for Boomerang and Cartoon Network ended 27th February 2017. After the free trial ended, Boomerang relaunched on Fetch TV, removing the free trial status.
Like the American version, the bumpers features children's toys and merchandise modeled after classic Hanna-Barbera characters. These bumpers are used on Boomerang in the United States and were animated by Primal Screen. The bumpers were used from launch to February 2005. During this time, Boomerang's programming (which consisted entirely of pre-1980s Hanna-Barbera animation) followed a looping format whereby 8 hours of cartoons were shown everyday between the hours of 12am and 8am, repeated between the hours of 8am and 4pm, and repeated once more between the hours of 4pm and 12am. The looping format was scrapped in February 2005.
In February 2005, Boomerang's bumpers for the first time had an Australian voiceover, in addition to new Show-Specific We'll Be Back/Back to the Show bumpers. The previously used Station IDs with the toys were retained, although they were edited to include the Australian voiceover. Between November 2006 and June 2007, Boomerang gradually phased out numerous 1960s and 1970s Hanna-Barbera cartoons, that were replaced with Cartoon Network original series (otherwise known as Cartoon Cartoons) which made up roughly half of Boomerang's line-up at the time.
In November 2007, Boomerang was re-branded as "the home of greatest toons of all time" – as is mentioned in one promotional bumper – and no longer considered itself an outlet for classic cartoons. Boomerang introduced new 'storyboard-style' bumpers, which were animated by fwak animation, and a new logo. As the logo, bumpers and voice overs changed, much of the programming did too. All Cartoon Cartoons and classic Hanna-Barbera cartoon were axed, if not airing in the wee hours of the night. Since November 2007, several new series including pre-school, anime and live-action programs have been seen on Boomerang given Time Warner's acquisition of Australian broadcast rights to shows from numerous studios around the world. As a result, the Australian Boomerang schedule is significantly different from that of the original USA version. Some '60s and '70s Hanna-Barbera cartoons have returned to Boomerang for brief periods, initially airing most prominently on The Zoo and Boom, Boom, Boom before the former was axed and the latter was relaunched. From September to December 2011, Boomerang has once again devoted a significant portion of its weekend schedule to these Hanna-Barbera programs, signalling somewhat of a return to its roots as a haven for classic animation.
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