The Checkerboard era was the first Cartoon Network era. It began at the launch of the network on October 1, 1992, overlapping with the brief Starburst era from June 1997 to March 1998. Both the Checkerboard and Starburst eras ended on March 2, 1998, after which the Powerhouse era took over as CN's branding.
On Cartoon Network Europe, the Checkerboard era began in 1993 and was succeeded by the Powerhouse era in 1999.
Description
"How do you create a distinctive logo for a channel that features the liveliest, brightest, and most colorful programming on television? This was our first challenge in designing the on-air identity for Cartoon Network, the only full-time, 24-hour cartoon channel in the world. The logo for this channel had to fit several criteria: it had to be clearly readable when used with bright colors, it had to stand apart from the cartoon palette, and it had to fit style-wise with a cartoon sensibility. Our first thought was to employ only the least-used cartoon colors - black or white - as a way to draw attention to the logo. The idea to set the letters into a checkerboard form grew out of a brainstorm in which we were trying to avoid using a drop shadow to distinguish type against like backgrounds. The idea became a major design element of the channel, with bright, cartoon-colored checkerboards of all types used as background elements for end pages, promo formats, and even the corporate stationery.
The use of cartoon fonts to convey channel information seems obvious, but there are many typefaces employed in cartoons, and the choice to use these four fonts in particular was the result of a long process of trial and error, during which we tried many typefaces which would be recognized by true fans of cartoon animation. Even the interstitial transition devices have their roots in cartoon language. Rendered in a cartoony illustrative style, their movement is flexible and bouncy, and the accompanying sound effects serve to reinforce their comical animated movement. The resultant on-air look is a wild blend of bright color and constant movement, with a continuously changing palette of hue and texture, and a logo that can be placed over any image or background with a consistent 'Cartoon Network' result." - Hatmaker Studios[1]
Bumpers
The era was named, by fans, both for the black and white Cartoon Network logo that resembled a checkerboard and for its bumpers, promos, and IDs, which could feature tiles of characters featured on the network in a checkerboard pattern. This look was produced by Corey McPherson Nash, with additional bumpers being animated by DESIGNefx, Stretch Films, and other studios and individuals.
The theme song was written in C Major, and was rumored to be the inspiration for the punk rock theme song for the Nicktoons Film Festival by Bruce W. Kapler.
Programming
Programming Strategy
When the channel launched, it relied on older shows from the Hanna-Barbera, MGM and Warner Bros. libraries to fill out its schedule. The first cartoon shown on the network was a classic Merrie Melodies short, Rhapsody Rabbit. In 1993, the network began producing original animation, with its first original series being The Moxy Show. Only a total of 4 original series were produced during this era. President Betty Cohen fleshed Cartoon Network out of its original vision to showcase Turner's animated library, and be a venue on all things animation, using a psychographic, instead of aiming at children in order to not detach from other age groups as well.
During this era several notable programming blocks were introduced including: Boomerang, a classic animation block which became its own channel in April 2000; and Super Chunk, a weekly marathon block that aired on CN from June 1994 to September 2000. Toonami, a weekday action animation block, premiered on CN in March 1997, going on to play a larger role in the Starburst and Powerhouse eras.
CN Original Series
- The Moxy Show (premiered December 5, 1993 and ended May 25, 1996)
- Space Ghost Coast to Coast (premiered April 15, 1994)
- What a Cartoon! (premiered February 20, 1995)
- Dexter's Laboratory (premiered April 28, 1996)
- Johnny Bravo (premiered July 14, 1997)*
- Cow and Chicken (premiered July 15, 1997)*
- I Am Weasel (premiered July 15, 1997)*
The "*" indicates that the show premiered during the Starburst era.
Acquired Series
Gallery
References
| Eras | |
|---|---|
| Checkerboard (Starburst) • Powerhouse • Block • CN City (Yes!) • Summer 2007 • Fall • Noods/Toonix (Let's Go!) • CHECK it (1.0 • YEEEAUHHHH! • 3.0 • Are You CN What We're Sayin'? • 3.5 (International) • Burst) • Dimensional (1.0 • GO! • Mashup • Swirl • Sticker) • Redraw Your World • Pastel | |