Why isn't Cartoon Network promoting new eps of Adventure Time?
July 19, 2017 9:26 AM Subscribe
Why isn't Cartoon Network promoting the new episodes of Adventure Time?
I've been watching a lot (a lot) of Cartoon Network -- it's basically what I have on in the background most of the time in my house -- so I have a pretty good sense of the rhythms of their promos, bumpers, etc... And, I've noticed that they haven't run any promos for new Adventure Time episodes. Not for the "Elements" series that ran in April nor for the new episodes airing right now (and I'm like 80% sure that they also didn't promote the "Islands" series that ran in January). If not for the fact that it's programmed into the DVR, I would literally have no idea that new episodes were airing this week despite being exposed to many, many hours of Cartoon Network per week. The closest thing they have on right now are commercials for the latest Adventure Time DVD set.
So, what gives? Of course, anyone can speculate as to possible reasons, e.g.: CN and AT producers had a falling out and CN wants to bury the new episodes but are contractually obligated to air them in a prime time slot, CN doesn't think AT needs on-air promotion because they do so much better in other promotional channels and/or have such a solid fanbase, CN doesn't want to promote a series that's winding down, etc... But does anyone have any solid leads (i.e.: based on more than just armchair speculation) on why?
Of course, I will also accept that there is some chance that CN just happens to be airing AT promos only and exactly when I happen to not be watching it (e.g.: when I'm at work during the day, Mondays to Fridays). But, if that's the case, I would also appreciate if someone could substantiate this by providing a time and show where these are airing.
I've been watching a lot (a lot) of Cartoon Network -- it's basically what I have on in the background most of the time in my house -- so I have a pretty good sense of the rhythms of their promos, bumpers, etc... And, I've noticed that they haven't run any promos for new Adventure Time episodes. Not for the "Elements" series that ran in April nor for the new episodes airing right now (and I'm like 80% sure that they also didn't promote the "Islands" series that ran in January). If not for the fact that it's programmed into the DVR, I would literally have no idea that new episodes were airing this week despite being exposed to many, many hours of Cartoon Network per week. The closest thing they have on right now are commercials for the latest Adventure Time DVD set.
So, what gives? Of course, anyone can speculate as to possible reasons, e.g.: CN and AT producers had a falling out and CN wants to bury the new episodes but are contractually obligated to air them in a prime time slot, CN doesn't think AT needs on-air promotion because they do so much better in other promotional channels and/or have such a solid fanbase, CN doesn't want to promote a series that's winding down, etc... But does anyone have any solid leads (i.e.: based on more than just armchair speculation) on why?
Of course, I will also accept that there is some chance that CN just happens to be airing AT promos only and exactly when I happen to not be watching it (e.g.: when I'm at work during the day, Mondays to Fridays). But, if that's the case, I would also appreciate if someone could substantiate this by providing a time and show where these are airing.
No promos that I could see - and we watch a LOT of Teen Titans Go!
posted by 41swans at 2:59 PM on July 19, 2017
posted by 41swans at 2:59 PM on July 19, 2017
[On edit, never mind, misread the question]
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 3:49 PM on July 19, 2017
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 3:49 PM on July 19, 2017
Response by poster: FallowKing: "As far as I can tell, Cartoon network has done everything in their power to have adventure time canceled,
Hm... I somehow have a dim recollection of some chatter about this from ages ago (maybe around the time that Pen Ward stepped down as showrunner) but I don't remember where I heard that.
At this point, I'd probably settle for any documented (even if it's only a Tumblr post or Tweet and not a real news article or whatever) gossip or hearsay, e.g.: not "I think it's because..." or "It looks like it's probably because..." but more something like "I heard from a guy who knows a guy who was an intern in the same building as CN HQ in Atlanta and he overheard in the elevator that..."
FallowKing: "(And possibly they've been the ones leaking the episodes online before the air dates)"
I hadn't heard about those but there's a chance that might be more due to a feature in their app that provides access to certain episodes of some shows before their official air date. I think this turned out to be the explanation for some "leaked" Steven Universe episodes from earlier this year.
posted by mhum at 7:26 PM on July 19, 2017
Hm... I somehow have a dim recollection of some chatter about this from ages ago (maybe around the time that Pen Ward stepped down as showrunner) but I don't remember where I heard that.
At this point, I'd probably settle for any documented (even if it's only a Tumblr post or Tweet and not a real news article or whatever) gossip or hearsay, e.g.: not "I think it's because..." or "It looks like it's probably because..." but more something like "I heard from a guy who knows a guy who was an intern in the same building as CN HQ in Atlanta and he overheard in the elevator that..."
FallowKing: "(And possibly they've been the ones leaking the episodes online before the air dates)"
I hadn't heard about those but there's a chance that might be more due to a feature in their app that provides access to certain episodes of some shows before their official air date. I think this turned out to be the explanation for some "leaked" Steven Universe episodes from earlier this year.
posted by mhum at 7:26 PM on July 19, 2017
I apologize for posting a somewhat speculative answer, but I should point out that Stuart Snyder was fired as COO of Cartoon Network in 2014, and in Hollywood, new regimes have a tendency to sabotage projects that were championed by their predecessors.
posted by 1970s Antihero at 12:09 PM on July 20, 2017
posted by 1970s Antihero at 12:09 PM on July 20, 2017
Response by poster: 1970s Antihero: "I apologize for posting a somewhat speculative answer, but I should point out that Stuart Snyder was fired as COO of Cartoon Network in 2014"
That's an interesting piece of information. And, while speculative, it at least suggests some kind of change in direction at the network, whether or not that directly affects Adventure Time. I suppose that if it does boil down to things like that, we probably won't be able to get a firm answer on this one.
Googling around for the new head of CN, Christina Miller, does bring up a few articles and interviews where she cites the need to go big on digital (e.g.: games, apps, etc..) which may explain why the burning trash heap of Mighty Magiswords is frickin' everywhere on CN right now.
posted by mhum at 8:43 AM on July 21, 2017
That's an interesting piece of information. And, while speculative, it at least suggests some kind of change in direction at the network, whether or not that directly affects Adventure Time. I suppose that if it does boil down to things like that, we probably won't be able to get a firm answer on this one.
Googling around for the new head of CN, Christina Miller, does bring up a few articles and interviews where she cites the need to go big on digital (e.g.: games, apps, etc..) which may explain why the burning trash heap of Mighty Magiswords is frickin' everywhere on CN right now.
posted by mhum at 8:43 AM on July 21, 2017
This thread is closed to new comments.
I'm glad you mentioned speculate because unfortunately that's all I can do: Their management of adventure time has either been malicious or incompetent.
posted by FallowKing at 10:33 AM on July 19, 2017 [2 favorites]