Cookie Jar and DiC To Merge

I dont have those answers. The original rumor surfaced when Nintendo heavily implied they might bring back some of the old cartoon series as part of Wii's venture into online content as reported by G4.

With the latest Cookie Jar / DIC Developements, its hard to judge if Cookie Jar has plans for Captain N or even really has the rights. I'd suggest since Cookie Jar is streaming Captain N (this is awesome btw), they MAY be positioning themselves to work on such a project. Then there's always the question weather it would air on KOOLoplis or be limited to Wii streaming as originally rumored.

As you may or may not know, the original Captain N featured Kid Icarus, Simon Belmont and Megaman as protagonists and Mother Brain, King Hippo and Eggplant Wizard as antagonists. Samus and Link were also featured in the comics heavily.

I'd imagine Capcom and Konami aren't going to lend characters to such a venture again (especially since there's rumors circulating about a Castlevania Anime in the works).

If I had to guess, I'd say if Nintendo is doing a new Captain N series, we'll probably see characters featured exclusively from Nintendo's roster that hasn't had their own show (or a popular show) and doesn't have potential to support their own show in the very near future. They'd probably also focus on characters they want to give new exposure to.

The characters I'd expect to see are:

  • Link / Zelda: Link would already be a returning character to the series.
  • Samus: She was in the original comic so again she would be a returning character.
  • Kid Icarus: At E3, Miyomoto suggested that they were going to be revisting the series in a big way very soon. Some later released art supported this claim along the expanded story about Kid Icarus in Smash Brothers.
  • Ray Mk III from Custom Robo may be a popular character introduced to try to help the franchise in the US.
  • Nes from Earthbound / Mother could again, be another strong character to introduce to help the franchise in the US.
  • Marth / Roy / Ike: Ever since Smash Brothers Melee, the Fire Emblem series has gained substanial population. I could easily see these characters involved to help continue the hype.
  • R.O.B.: I could easily see this character in a new Captain N as something of a "Gameboy" replacement from the original Captain N series.
Gee, this topic is getting close to needing a new thread >.>
 
To expand on the above:

Weigel = Weigel broadcasting, the owner of several independent (yeah, they still exist) Tv stations in Chicago, Milwaukee and South Bend, Indiana, which're quite successful ventures---particularly their tactic of late of airing on digital subchannels (or a whole regular channel in Milwaukee's case) of nothing but old TV shows 24 hours a day---the 60s Batman, Green Acres, Cheers, Green Hornet, Greatest American Hero, etc., on a lineup called "MeTV". In Chicago, the idea got successful enough there's several subchannels devoted to this lineup (the second subchannels' called "Me Too").

Apparently, this move puts Weigel into the big time by going to a fully national level like this---and makes them compete head-to-head with the (apparently failing from what I read) RTN (Retro Television Network, another digital-subchannel network of old tv shows). Not sure what stuff is in MGM's library (presumably the aspects Turner/Time-Warner doesn't own) these days, but should still make for an interesting lineup.

Apparently "This" will get debuted first in my area (Milwaukee/Chicago), so guess I'll get to see this thing myself...

As for the kids' programming, assuming they don't stick with just a half-hour or hour a day of kids' shows to meet minimal FCC standards, this could mean either more regular entertainment shows appearing on regular TV again and more Canadian cartoons airing on US tv (does Cookie Jar own or make that Class of the Titans TV show?)---though I assume (before someone inevitably asks) Arthur and JOhnny Test will stay put on PBS and Cartoon NEtwork respectively.

All in all, potentially a nice future for non-educational animation on regular TV again...

-B.
 
Not to double post, but at least Cookie Jar has more content on TV channels than say, another Canadian company that was once bursting with many shows until Corus ruined, Nelvana Limited (Which like I've said the first company outside of America to have a block on CBS from 1998 to 2000 before Viacom bought out CBS with their crudful Nick block on CBS).

Cookie Jar not only has Cookie Jar TV on CBS, they do have:

A syndicated network on Local channels
A block on This TV
2 big hits on PBS (Arthur and Caillou)
Johnny Test is on Cartoon Network
AYouTube page to watch Tv shows and KEWLCartoons
The Doodlebops is popular on Disney Channel.

Oh yeah, and that's under 5 years of Cookie Jar's whole existence (Not counting when they were CINAR).
 
But do you really think that they can prevent stuff like this from happening:


Source: Disney Research from Nielsen Media Research Data
ABC 0.7/4 Avg. (9a-1p)
The Emperor's New School 0.7/4; The Replacements 0.8/4; That's So Raven 0.6/3; That's So Raven 0.7/4; Hannah Montana 1.0/5; Suite Life of Zack & Cody 1.0/5; Power Rangers RPM 0.3/2; Power Rangers RPM 0.3/2
CW (TheCW4Kids) 0.5/3 Avg. (7a-12p)
Yu-Gi-Oh 5D 0.3/3; Kirby Right Back At Ya 0.5/4; Gogoriki 0.3/2; Gogoriki 0.4/2; Sonic X 0.7/4; Dinosaur King 0.7/3; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 0.8/4; Kamen Rider Dragon Knight 0.7/4; Sonic X 0.6/3; Huntik 0.4/2
NBC (Qubo on NBC)Avg. 0.3/2 (10a-1p)
Pre-empted for US Open Golf coverage
CBS (KEWLopolis on CBS) 0.2/1 Avg. (7-10a/10a-12p*)
Cake 0.0/0; Horseland 0.1/1; Dino Squad 0.2/1; Strawberry Shortcake 0.2/1; Care Bears 0.2/1; Sushi Pack 0.3/2

I mean, other than ABC, E/I blocks don't do well. They will still be in a battle for 3rd place every week unless come 2011 (or whenever there contract with CBS ends) they end up getting a new contract with CBS that allows for an extra hour or 2 for some non e/i programming. I mean, I've seen both of qubo's and Kewlopolis' blocks they seem to be having a tough time selling advertising. All they get are commercials advertising for their own block and the occasional mini infomercial that isn't even targeted to their audience half the time. However, with 3-4 new shows i do think they can take out qubo. But I've never had high hopes for E/I blocks.

Do you guys think that there are any E/I shows that cookie jar could use to get out of last place and make it up to first in broadcast saturday mornings? i think thats a tall order to fill
 
My question is how common will it be to even find ThisTV.

Something tells me it'll be almost impossible to find outside of certain areas... :sad:
 
Class of the Titans is done by Studio B, a production team affiliated with Nelvana (and thus Corus).

Cookie Jar though has a few nice show in its back catalog if they really want to go old school: The Smoggies, Robinson Sucroe (that show was fun!), Albert the Fifth Musketeer (Spaghetti gun!!) and Patrol 03 (that show had an actual ENDING! A SATISFYING ENDING!) and a few others. Smoggies would probably easily slip into the I/E role what with all the environmental protection ideals.
 
I think "This" will be the first step in establishing what and how The Cookie Jar Group (hey, new name!) will present themselves to the country. Introducing new shows and unfamiliar properties as well as reintroducing familiar properties and franchises from the massive CINAR/Cookie Jar and DiC libraries. I do wonder if "This" will be the place where the new Inspector Gadget series will make its US premiere this spring.

Now, I'm just hoping these arrogant broadcasters will bring channels like ThisTV, dot2, and others on their digital subchannels in more markets than just the top 25.

I live in market 42.
 
Well in contrast, CBS was most of the time at third place since DiC took over the block (and not surprising that Cake got no viewers and Sushi Pack got the most viewers). I mean yes, their current shows are sub to low-par and it garners bad ratings (And not just the same advertising of KEWLopolis and Mommy and Me products), but can you really blame CBS and Cookie Jar? At times yes, but ABC Kids (which is basically stuff you'll see on Disney Channel outside of Power Rangers) isn't that successful either (KEWLopolis was behind only 5 points of ABC Kids).


And I'm not saying that Cookie Jar shouldn't (See my "Make Your Own Fantasy Network!" post), but Cookie Jar would have to partner up with a conglomerate like Viacom, Time Warner or News Corporation to make a network.
 
I'm not blaming anyone. I'm sure whatever Cookie Jar decides to show will do better than the DiC reruns that are on now. But Cookie Jar wants much more than that. Even if CBS's block get's number one on Saturday Morning, I doubt it will be enough.

As far as KidsCo goes, 33% of it is held by NBC Universal, so it's up to them whether they want to take the plunge on that front. As for qubo, I doubt that will be around much longer. It doesn't seem to be taking off and if ION Media finally goes out of business (they're in bankruptcy protection right now) it would cease to exist as a full channel.
 
There's also Staffy and his sister who are new to North-Americans. Golden Sun could also use the publicity and would make for a nice multi parter. There's Starfox that never got a show.

Oooh and Professor Layton! Though I'd rather he have his very own detective story series.
 
You know, even though it's been officially a full year since the merger of Cookie Jar and DIC, I still can't help on what would've happen if DIC never re-aquired its well known 1980s library worldwide (M.A.S.K., C.O.P.S., Heathcliff, Jayce, Inspector Gadget (yes, even this show), Pole Position, Sonic, Dennis The Menace, The Littles, Photon, Ulysses 31, Hulk Hogan's Rock-N-Wrestling, Beverly Hills Teens, Sylvanian Families, and so on) from Disney (yes Disney still held rights to the 1980s DIC shows) in 2006, or if DIC had never had any financial problems after the breakup with Disney or if Captial Cities/ABC Inc. (Disney's ABC Network) never bought out DIC at all.
 
I've should've posted this in May: Cookie Jar Entertainment is developing Live Action and Animated primetime series under their label, The Jar. Oh yeah, Die Hard and 48 Hrs. writer Steven de Souza is working on a primetime animated series.



Press Release:


COOKIE JAR ENTERTAINMENT HIRES VETERAN TV EXECUTIVE TOM MAZZA AS EVP AND HEAD OF WORLDWIDE TV
Mazza to Spearhead Launch of New Primetime Label THE JAR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Burbank, CA (April 29, 2009) - Longtime TV executive Tom Mazza has joined Cookie Jar Entertainment as EVP and Head of Worldwide TV. Mazza will run Cookie Jar's new primetime label, THE JAR. He will also manage the company's development and production departments as well as sales and distribution, program acquisition and international co-productions.

"We are thrilled to bring Tom in to oversee Cookie Jar's worldwide television department and to help develop THE JAR," said Toper Taylor, President and COO, Cookie Jar Entertainment. "He has been the catalyst behind some of the most successful shows in television history and is the ideal person to head up the department."

"I am excited to be joining Cookie Jar as they launch this new initiative into primetime and syndicated programming," said Mazza. "The content marketplace is a creative and financial challenge, and THE JAR will offer networks and stations unique financing opportunities while maintaining a strong commitment to the creative process."

Mazza previously served as President of Columbia TriStar Network Television where he directed all operations for the network television division. CTTV was a full service television supplier to all six-broadcast networks, producing primetime series and movies of the week including Dawson's Creek (WB), King of Queens (CBS), Family Law (CBS), The Guardian (CBS), and The Tick (FOX).

A 12-year veteran of Paramount Network Television, Mazza was responsible for all primetime television development as well as Paramount's roster of writers and on-air talent. He was in charge of some of the most successful franchises in Paramount's history: Cheers, Frasier, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager.

In 2003, Mazza co-founded MRE, a Los Angeles-based entertainment company created to serve the branded entertainment needs of the broadcast television and advertising industries. The company executive produced NBC's Treasure Hunters, and has integrated Proctor & Gamble, Levi's, Pfizer, Mars, Wal-Mart, and Motorola into numerous television properties including Treasure Hunters, The Apprentice, America's Next Top Model, Bernie Mac, and The Office.

Under Cookie Jar's newly-created primetime label, THE JAR, the company is developing a wide range of shows to satisfy the primetime needs of networks. Currently, Cookie Jar has more than a dozen scripted series by some of the industry's top writers such as Steven de Souza (Die Hard, 48 Hours), Alan Zweibel (Saturday Night Live, It's Garry Shandling's Show), Tony Blake and Paul Jackson (Charmed) and Steven L. Sears (Xena: Warrior Princess).

About Cookie Jar Group
The Cookie Jar Group is a Canada-based global children's entertainment and education company dedicated to excellence. Through Cookie Jar Entertainment, the company is a leader in the creation, production, marketing and licensing of evergreen character brands that appeal to kids and families worldwide. Cookie Jar Entertainment's library of nearly 6,000 half-hour episodes features some of the world's most recognizable brands, including "Strawberry Shortcake", "Caillou", "Inspector Gadget", "The Doodlebops", "Arthur" and "Johnny Test". The company owns non-character based brands for licensing such as Mommy & Me. Through its pan-European subsidiary, the full-service licensing agency Copyright Promotions Licensing Group, Cookie Jar represents numerous third-party iconic brands. Cookie Jar Group also has a one-third interest in international children's television channel Kidsco. Cookie Jar Education, based in Greensboro, North Carolina, is one of North America's largest providers of supplemental education materials, reaching nearly 2,000 teachers across the United States, through the Carson-Dellosa and HighReach Learning brands.
 
I'm actually curious if Cookie Jar could / would do anything with MASK.

MASK is now on its second reinvisioned series. Although they haven't, as of yet, reused MASK characters, a lot of fans see Vor-tech and A.T.O.M. as the remakes of MASK.

A true honest to goodness remake of MASK would be interesting right now, especially since we have so many new and odd car designs coming out in response to the emission mandates.

The marketing almost writes itself.
 
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