View source for Cartoon Network Studios

{{Short description|American animation studio}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{infobox company
| name = Cartoon Network Studios, Inc.
| logo = [[File:Cartoon Network Studios 6th logo.svg|frameless|class=skin-invert]]
| logo_caption = Logo used since 2021
| image = Cartoon Network Studios 2007.jpg
| image_caption = Former headquarters located in Burbank, California; photographed in 2007.
| type = [[Division (business)|Division]]
| industry = {{Plainlist|
* [[Animation]]
* [[Film Industry|Film production]]
* [[Television show|Television production]]
}}
| predecessor = [[Hanna-Barbera]]
| founded = {{Start date and age|1994|10|21}}
| defunct = 
| fate = 
| hq_location = {{Plainlist|
* [[Cahuenga Boulevard]], [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], U.S. (1994–1998)
* [[Sherman Oaks Galleria]], [[Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles]], California, U.S. (1998–2000)
* 300 N 3rd St., [[Burbank, California]], U.S. (2000–2023)
* 100 S California St., Burbank, California, U.S. (2023–present)
}}
| key_people = {{plainlist|
* [[Sam Register]] ([[President (corporate title)|president]])
* Matt Matzkin ([[Executive vice-president|EVP]]/[[General manager|GM]])
* Kelly Crews ([[Vice president#In Business|SVP]], production)
* Vishnu Athreya (SVP, current series)
* Jay Bastian (SVP, series)
* Audrey Diehl (SVP, series)
* Jason DeMarco (SVP, action/anime)
}}
| products = {{Plainlist|
* [[Television shows]]
* [[Film industry|Feature films]]
}}
| divisions = {{Plainlist|
* Alive and Kicking, Inc.
* Rent Now Productions
* Factual Productions
}}
| owner = 
| parent = {{Plainlist|
* Hanna-Barbera (1994–2001)
* [[Turner Broadcasting System]] (2001–2019)
* [[Warner Bros. Animation]] (2019–present)
}}
| website = 
}}
'''Cartoon Network Studios, Inc.''' (abbreviated as '''CNS''' or '''CN Studios''') is an American [[animation studio]] owned by the [[Warner Bros. Television Group|Television Group]] division of [[Warner Bros. Entertainment]], a subsidiary of [[Warner Bros. Discovery]]. Founded in 1994 as a division of [[Hanna-Barbera]], it primarily produces and develops [[List of Cartoon Network Studios productions|animated programs and shorts]] for [[Cartoon Network]] and its programming blocks [[Adult Swim]] and [[Cartoonito (American programming block)|Cartoonito]], in addition to the streaming service [[HBO Max]]. Notable shows produced by the studio include ''[[Dexter's Laboratory]]'', ''[[The Powerpuff Girls]]'', ''[[Samurai Jack]]'', ''[[The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy]]'', ''[[Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends]]'', ''[[Ben 10]]'', ''[[Chowder (TV series)|Chowder]]'', ''[[The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack]]'', ''[[Adventure Time]]'', ''[[Regular Show]]'', ''[[Steven Universe]]'', ''[[Clarence (American TV series)|Clarence]]'', ''[[We Bare Bears]]'', ''[[OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes]]'', ''[[Craig of the Creek]]'', and ''[[Infinity Train]]''.

In 1996, [[WarnerMedia|Time Warner]] acquired [[Turner Broadcasting System]], which owned Cartoon Network and Hanna-Barbera at that time. In 1997, Hanna-Barbera consolidated its operations with [[Warner Bros. Animation]],<ref name="j686"/> moving into their facilities in 1998, where Cartoon Network Studios also operated briefly. Hanna-Barbera closed permanently in 2001, and Warner Bros. Animation has managed its intellectual property to this day, occasionally using the Hanna-Barbera brand as a label.

In 1999, Cartoon Network acquired a large building in [[Burbank, California]], to serve as the headquarters for Cartoon Network Studios after its effective separation from Hanna-Barbera and Warner Bros. Animation. This was due to the need for Cartoon Network Studios to become an independent entity dedicated to creating original series, while Warner Bros. Animation focused on existing [[Intellectual property|intellectual properties]]. The studio opened on May 22, 2000, and operated in those facilities for over 20 years.

In the 2020s, after multiple corporate mergers, the studio was consolidated into Warner Bros. Animation, and continued to operate as a separate division, although it was relocated to Second Century Development as the company's new headquarters on August 1, 2023. [[Sam Register]], the president of both studios in Burbank, California, also leads [[Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe]] (formerly Cartoon Network Studios Europe) in [[London, England]], alongside Vanessa Brookman.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |date=2021-04-07 |title=WarnerMedia Reinstates Iconic Hanna-Barbera Brand With London-Based European Studio |url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/global/warnermedia-hanna-barbera-studio-europe-1234945602/ |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>

== History ==
=== 1990s ===
In the 20th century, animation as a medium became popular on television. [[Hanna-Barbera]] became the premier studio for small-screen animated programs, launching a dominant series of [[Saturday morning cartoons|Saturday-morning]] fare, including ''[[Scooby-Doo]]'', ''[[The Flintstones]]'', ''[[The Jetsons]]'', and more.<ref name="Bradway 2017 g500">{{cite web | last=Bradway | first=Rich | title=Hanna-Barbera: The Architects of Saturday Morning | website=Norman Rockwell Museum | date=April 1, 2017 | url=https://www.nrm.org/2017/04/hanna-barbera/ | access-date=July 10, 2023}}</ref> By the 1980s, [[cable television]] was developed,<ref name="Adgate 2020 h573">{{cite web | last=Adgate | first=Brad | title=The Rise And Fall Of Cable Television | website=Forbes | date=November 2, 2020 | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/bradadgate/2020/11/02/the-rise-and-fall-of-cable-television/ | access-date=July 10, 2023}}</ref> with businessman [[Ted Turner]] one of its pioneers.<ref name="Wu 2010 e086">{{cite web | last=Wu | first=Tim | title=Ted Turner, the Alexander the Great of Television | website=Slate Magazine | date=November 11, 2010 | url=https://slate.com/technology/2010/11/ted-turner-the-alexander-the-great-of-television.html | access-date=July 10, 2023}}</ref> Turner founded several cable channels and also acquired vast film libraries, and in 1991, [[Turner Broadcasting System|his company]] signed a joint deal to buy Hanna-Barbera.<ref name="The New York Times 1991 r821">{{cite web | title=COMPANY NEWS; Turner Buying Hanna-Barbera | website=The New York Times | date=October 30, 1991 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/30/business/company-news-turner-buying-hanna-barbera.html | access-date=July 10, 2023}}</ref> The Cartoon Network was developed as a cable outlet to air these animated properties, which largely consisted of [[reruns]] H-B productions.<ref name="The New York Times 1992 h246">{{cite web | title=THE MEDIA BUSINESS; Turner Broadcasting Plans To Start a Cartoon Channel | website=The New York Times | date=February 19, 1992 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/02/19/business/the-media-business-turner-broadcasting-plans-to-start-a-cartoon-channel.html | access-date=July 10, 2023}}</ref> As the channel grew in subscribers, executives at the [[Atlanta]]-based company sought out original programming to supplement its catalog. Other animation-heavy cable channels, including [[Nickelodeon]] and [[Disney Channel]], respectively founded [[Games Animation]] (now named [[Nickelodeon Animation Studio]]) and [[Walt Disney Television Animation]] as internal divisions to develop original programming.<ref name="Los Angeles Times 1991 w840">{{cite web | title=Nickelodeon Betting on Cartoons : Television: The children's cable channel unveils three animated series Sunday in a bid to create a library of evergreens. | website=Los Angeles Times | date=August 8, 1991 | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-08-08-ca-450-story.html | access-date=July 10, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Verrier 2003 y950">{{cite web | last=Verrier | first=Richard | title=Disney's TV Cartoons Enter the Spotlight | website=Los Angeles Times | date=November 10, 2003 | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-nov-10-fi-diztv10-story.html | access-date=July 10, 2023}}</ref> The network's first attempt at original content was ''[[Space Ghost Coast to Coast]]'', with the division of Cartoon Network in charge switching to production of adult-focused programming as [[Williams Street]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Kenyon |first=Heather |date=1998-07-01 |title=Late Nite With Space Ghost |url=https://www.awn.com/animationworld/late-nite-space-ghost |access-date=2025-11-01 |website=Animation World Network |language=en}}</ref>

Cartoon Network Studios originated in 1994 as a division of Hanna-Barbera that focused on producing original programming suitable for children for the network. Hanna-Barbera had been located on [[Cahuenga Boulevard]] in [[Los Angeles]] since 1963, and housed the studio, its archives, and its extensive animation art collection.<ref name="Los Angeles Conservancy q265">{{cite web | title=Hanna-Barbera Building | website=Los Angeles Conservancy | url=https://www.laconservancy.org/locations/hanna-barbera-building | access-date=July 10, 2023}}</ref> Its first productions included ''[[What a Cartoon!]]'' (1995), an anthology series of short subjects serving as pilots for new CN programs. The first of these, ''[[Dexter's Laboratory]]'', launched in 1996 and was an immediate success, with creator [[Genndy Tartakovsky]] becoming a longtime associate of the company. The same year, [[Turner Broadcasting System]] was merged with [[WarnerMedia|Time Warner]], and Hanna-Barbera closed its Cahuenga campus, relocating to [[Sherman Oaks Galleria]] in nearby [[Sherman Oaks, California|Sherman Oaks]], where [[Warner Bros. Animation]] was located.<ref name="j686"/> Over the course of this transition, the Cartoon Network Studios branding was briefly phased out, with newer programs, including ''[[Johnny Bravo]]'' (1997) and ''[[The Powerpuff Girls]]'' (1998).

=== 2000s ===
On July 21, 1999, Cartoon Network officially started the studio to separate itself from the complete folding of Hanna-Barbera into WBA. Following the death of the studio's co-founder [[William Hanna]] in 2001, Cartoon Network Studios took over the animation function of [[Hanna-Barbera]].<ref name="j686">{{cite web | title=Hanna-Barbera Studios, 1997 | website=archives.frederatorblogs.com | date=December 18, 2007 | url=http://archives.frederatorblogs.com/frederator_studios/2007/12/18/hanna-barbera-studios-1997/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923010116/http://archives.frederatorblogs.com/frederator_studios/2007/12/18/hanna-barbera-studios-1997/ | archive-date=September 23, 2013 | url-status=dead | access-date=May 22, 2024}}</ref> The network acquired a three-story 43,000-square-foot facility located at 300 N 3rd St. in [[Burbank, California]] to house its new offices, previously a commercial bakery, and prior to that, the location of a [[Pacific Bell]] telephone exchange.<ref>"Latest News", Variety magazine, 1999</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaplan |first=Don |date=21 March 2000 |title=Bye, Bye Boo Boo!; Cartoon Legends Get Erased at Shrinking Hanna-Barbera Studio |url=https://nypost.com/2000/03/21/bye-bye-boo-boo-cartoon-legends-get-erased-at-shrinking-hanna-barbera-studio/ |access-date=15 May 2018 |website=New York Post}}</ref> According to Cartoon Brew, the network spent around $1.2 million to renovate the building.<ref name="Amidi 2023 x525">{{cite web | last=Amidi | first=Amid |author-link=Amid Amidi | title=RIP, Cartoon Network Studios Burbank Building (2000-2023) | website=Cartoon Brew | date=July 9, 2023 | url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/studios/rip-cartoon-network-studios-burbank-building-2000-2023-230408.html | access-date=July 10, 2023}}</ref> The network took counsel from its top cartoonists, [[Genndy Tartakovsky]] and [[Craig McCracken]], on the site of its new studio, as well as design proposals for its offices.<ref name="Twitter v933">{{cite web | website=Twitter | url=https://twitter.com/CrackMcCraigen/status/1678073880383213575|title=Craig McCracken on Twitter | access-date=July 10, 2023}}</ref>

In March 2000, the network began to transfer its production offices, and on May 22, 2000, the studio was christened by veteran animator and animation advisor [[Joseph Barbera]] with a bottle of champagne.<ref>{{cite AV media |date=May 5, 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n3p2y2fPHM |title=Cartoon Network Studios {{!}} Top 7 Coolest Things!!! {{!}} Cartoon Network This Week |publisher=[[Cartoon Network]] |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=December 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622043609/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n3p2y2fPHM |archive-date=June 22, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> The building's official opening came on August 24, 2000; former [[DIC Entertainment|DiC]] and Nickelodeon employees [[Brian A. Miller]] and Jennifer Pelphrey were hired to manage the studio.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baisley |first=Sarah |date=September 27, 2004 |title=Cartoon Network Studios Promotes Pelphrey to Production VP |url=https://www.awn.com/news/cartoon-network-studios-promotes-pelphrey-production-vp |access-date=2022-06-26 |website=Animation World Network |language=en}}</ref> [[Mike Lazzo]], then head of programming and development,<ref name="Chron 2001 f500">{{cite web | title=Cartoon Network exec has his ducks in a row | website=Chron | date=February 21, 2001 | url=https://www.chron.com/culture/main/article/cartoon-network-exec-has-his-ducks-in-a-row-2001649.php | access-date=July 10, 2023}}</ref> designed a pirate flag, with a skull bearing the channel logo in its teeth, that flew over the building for several weeks before local police threatened action over its lack of permit; this logo was later to be used by the network for its nighttime programming block [[Adult Swim]].<ref name="Twitter y788">{{cite web | website=Twitter |title=Brian A. Miller on Twitter | url=https://twitter.com/bfredmuggs/status/1678443533748015104 | access-date=July 10, 2023}}</ref> Its artists quickly took to its stairwell with doodles and other graffiti that filled over its twenty-year history; it was also home to a mural by artist Ian Anderson titled ''Mazeway to Heaven''.<ref name="LA Weekly 2016 d724">{{cite web | title=A Maze Maker's Biggest Project Ever Has Taken Over Cartoon Network's Burbank Studios | website=LA Weekly | date=June 20, 2016 | url=https://www.laweekly.com/a-maze-makers-biggest-project-ever-has-taken-over-cartoon-networks-burbank-studios/ | access-date=July 10, 2023}}</ref> The first new productions at the new offices included ''[[Samurai Jack]]'' and ''[[Time Squad]]'' (both 2001). In 2001, Lazzo called the studio "the [[Termite Terrace]] of today."<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Schmuckler |first=Eric |date=April 1, 2002 |title=Looking for a Fight |magazine=[[MediaWeek]] |volume=12 |issue=13 |issn=1055-176X}}</ref>

[[File:Cartoon Network Studios 3rd logo.jpeg|thumb|right|Logo used from 2001 to 2012]]

In 2002, the studio produced two television pilots for Adult Swim, ''[[Welcome to Eltingville]]'' and ''[[The Groovenians]]'', neither of which were picked up as a full series.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Worley |first=Rob |date=February 26, 2002 |title=The Future of 'Eltingville' on TV and in Comics |url=https://www.cbr.com/the-future-of-eltingville-on-tv-and-in-comics/ |access-date=15 June 2014 |publisher=CBR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bishop |first=Sam |date=November 8, 2002 |title=Bishop: 'The Groovenians' fail to groove |url=https://www.onlineathens.com/stories/110802/ent_20021108014.shtml#.Vt4ha5MrK34 |access-date=March 7, 2016 |website=Online Athens |publisher=Athens Banner-Herald}}</ref> Also, the studio released this year its only theatrical film to date: ''[[The Powerpuff Girls Movie]]'', based on ''[[The Powerpuff Girls]]'', which received positive reviews from critics,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-06-22 |title=The Powerpuff Girls – The Movie |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/powerpuff_girls_movie/ |access-date=2016-05-26 |website=www.rottentomatoes.com}}</ref> but was a commercial failure for [[Warner Bros. Pictures]] at the box office. In 2006, CNS collaborated with sister studio [[Williams Street]] for the first time for ''[[Korgoth of Barbaria]]'', a television pilot made for Adult Swim, which was also not green-lit as a series.<ref name="asbump2010">{{Cite web |date=2010-10-31 |title=Adult Swim Pilots Update |url=https://www.bumpworthy.com/bumps/3898 |access-date=2011-05-16 |publisher=Bumpworthy.com}}</ref>

In 2007, CNS began its first foray into [[live-action]] with the hybrid series ''[[Out of Jimmy's Head]]'', and then its first fully live-action project, a television film, ''[[Ben 10: Race Against Time]]'', and its sequel, ''[[Ben 10: Alien Swarm]]'', along with the television pilots ''Locker 514'', ''Siblings'' and ''Stan the Man''. The studio's first live-action series ''[[Tower Prep]]'' would arrive in 2010. Former [[New Line Television]] producer Mark Costa was hired to oversee the projects and CNS' live-action production company Alive and Kicking, Inc.. ''[[Incredible Crew]]'' was the last series in that genre the studio produced for Cartoon Network. Despite the failure of live-action on the channel, the studio's infrastructure was retained to produce live-action fare for sibling programming block Adult Swim, identifying on-air as Alive and Kicking, along with two other companies (Rent Now Productions and Factual Productions), instead of using the Cartoon Network Studios banner.

=== 2010s ===
[[File:Cartoon Network Studios 4th logo.svg|thumb|right|Logo used from 2010 to 2015]]
On April 5, 2010, ''[[Adventure Time]]'' premiered on Cartoon Network; the same series began life as [[Adventure Time (short film)|a short]] featured on [[Nicktoons (American TV channel)|Nicktoons]]' ''[[Random! Cartoons]]''<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Adventure Time |series=Random! Cartoons |series-link=Random! Cartoons |network=[[Nicktoons (United States)|Nicktoons]] |date=December 7, 2008 |season=1 |number=2b |credits=Leichliter, Larry, Hugo Morales, & Pendleton Ward (directors); Pendleton Ward (writer)}}</ref> that was ultimately not green-lit as a series by that channel.<ref name="timeforsome">{{Cite web |last=DeMott |first=Rick |date=April 25, 2010 |title=Time for Some Adventure with Pendleton Ward |url=https://www.awn.com/animationworld/time-some-adventure-pendleton-ward |access-date=January 18, 2013 |publisher=[[Animation World Network]]}}</ref> Cartoon Network picked it up later, and production of the show moved to CNS.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Amidi |first=Amid |author-link=Amid Amidi |date=August 29, 2008 |title=Cartoon Network Acquires Adventure Time |url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/tv/cartoon-network-acquires-adventure-time-6753.html |access-date=April 22, 2011 |website=[[Cartoon Brew]] |publisher=Cartoon Brew LLC}}</ref> The series lasted until 2018 with 10 seasons and 283 episodes. A film was announced in 2015,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Busch |first=Anita |date=February 27, 2015 |title=Cartoon Network's 'Adventure Time' Heads To Big Screen at Warner Bros. |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |url=https://deadline.com/2015/02/adventure-time-film-cartoon-networks-1201383129/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150326062032/http://deadline.com/2015/02/adventure-time-film-cartoon-networks-1201383129 |archive-date=March 26, 2015}}</ref> but in 2018 Adam Muto said that the film was never officially announced.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Muto, Adam [MrMuto] |date=July 22, 2018 |title=An AT movie was never officially announced |url=https://ask.fm/MrMuto/answers/150725732296 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180723054342/https://ask.fm/MrMuto/answers/150725732296 |archive-date=July 23, 2018 |access-date=July 23, 2018 |via=[[Ask.fm]]}}</ref> In 2019, a continuation, titled ''[[Adventure Time: Distant Lands]]'', was announced for [[HBO Max]] with a release in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Rick |date=October 23, 2019 |title='Adventure Time' Revived for Series of HBO Max Specials |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/adventure-time-revived-series-hbo-max-specials-1249517/ |access-date=October 30, 2019 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> Also this year, ''[[The Cartoonstitute]]'', an incubator series similar to ''What a Cartoon!'', debuted on Cartoon Network Video. The pilots of ''[[Regular Show]]'' and ''[[Uncle Grandpa]]'' were presented here along with other shorts, with the ''Uncle Grandpa'' pilot also serving as a basis for ''[[Secret Mountain Fort Awesome]]'', which preceded the actual series.

[[File:Cartoon Network Studios 5th logo.svg|thumb|right|Logo used from 2013 to 2026]]

In 2014, CNS produced its first miniseries, ''[[Over the Garden Wall]]''. The following year, ''[[Long Live the Royals]]'' was also premiered. In 2016, the studio produced two reboots based on ''[[The Powerpuff Girls (2016 TV series)|The Powerpuff Girls]]'' and ''[[Ben 10 (2016 TV series)|Ben 10]]'' respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 10, 2016 |title='Powerpuff Girls' to make a comeback on Cartoon Network on April 4 |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-powerpuff-girls-to-make-a-comeback-on-cartoon-network-on-april-4-2187830 |access-date=March 19, 2016 |website=Daily News & Analysis |publisher=Diligent Media Corporation}}</ref><ref name="Turner Pressroom: Cartoon Network Announces All-New Television Series for the Global Phenomenon Ben 10!">{{Cite press release |title=Cartoon Network Announces All-New Television Series for the Global Phenomenon Ben 10! |date=2015-06-08 |publisher=Turner Broadcasting System |url=https://www.turner.com/pressroom/united-states/cartoon-network/cartoon-network-announces-all-new-television-series-global}}</ref> Also, the studio produced its first television series based on a series of online shorts, ''[[Mighty Magiswords]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holloway |first=Daniel |date=2016-06-13 |title=Cartoon Network Orders 'Mighty Magiswords' Series (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/cartoon-network-mighty-magiswords-1201794225/ |access-date=2017-04-05 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref>

In 2017, after plans as old as 2002<ref name="Lunch">{{Cite web |last=Seibert |first=Fred |date=September 5, 2009 |title=Lunch with Genndy |url=http://archives.frederatorblogs.com/frederatorfilms/2009/09/05/lunch-with-genndy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007013347/http://archives.frederatorblogs.com/frederatorfilms/2009/09/05/lunch-with-genndy/ |archive-date=October 7, 2011 |access-date=2009-12-11 |website=Frederator Studios Blog |publisher=JoeJack, Inc.}}</ref> for a film did not materialize,<ref name="Loughrey">{{Cite news |last=Loughrey |first=Clarisse |date=December 3, 2015 |title=Acclaimed Cartoon ''Samurai Jack'' to Return with New TV Series |work=[[The Independent]] |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/TBS-Greenlights-New-Animated-Series-CLOSE-ENOUGH-from-JG-Quintel-20170517 |url-status=live |access-date=May 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151203130807/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/acclaimed-cartoon-samurai-jack-to-return-with-new-tv-series-a6758381.html |archive-date=December 3, 2015}}</ref> ''[[Samurai Jack]]'' was revived for [[Samurai Jack (season 5)|a fifth and final season]], which the studio returned to produce for Adult Swim,<ref>{{Cite web |last=James Viscardi |date=December 2, 2015 |title=Adult Swim Announces New Season of Samurai Jack with Genndy Tartakovsky |url=https://comicbook.com/2015/12/02/adult-swim-announces-new-season-of-samurai-jack-with-genndy-tart/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151205014218/http://comicbook.com/2015/12/02/adult-swim-announces-new-season-of-samurai-jack-with-genndy-tart |archive-date=December 5, 2015 |access-date=December 4, 2015 |publisher=Comicbook.com}}</ref> to critical acclaim,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Samurai Jack: Season 5 (2017) |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/samurai_jack/s05 |access-date=March 11, 2017 |publisher=Rotten Tomatoes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Samurai Jack {{ndash}} Season 5 reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/samurai-jack/season-5 |access-date=March 11, 2017 |publisher=[[Metacritic]]}}</ref> concluding the series after its cancellation from Cartoon Network in 2004. Also this year, it was announced that CNS, in collaboration with Studio T, would produce the adult animated series ''[[Close Enough]]'' for [[TBS (American TV channel)|TBS]], created by ''Regular Show'' creator [[J. G. Quintel]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-05-17 |title=TBS Greenlights New Animated Series CLOSE ENOUGH from J.G. Quintel |language=en-US |work=Broadway World |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/TBS-Greenlights-New-Animated-Series-CLOSE-ENOUGH-from-JG-Quintel-20170517 |access-date=2017-05-17}}</ref>

In 2019, after handling a few episodes of ''[[Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law]]'', the second season of ''[[Black Dynamite (TV series)|Black Dynamite]]'', the above-mentioned fifth season of ''Samurai Jack'' and producing the above-mentioned television pilots ''Welcome to Eltingville'', ''The Groovenians'' and ''Korgoth of Barbaria'', CNS produced its first full program for Adult Swim: ''[[Primal (TV series)|Primal]]'', an adult animated series from Genndy Tartakovsky. The first five episodes were also packaged for a limited theatrical release as a feature film titled ''Primal: Tales of Savagery''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Amidi |first=Amid |author-link=Amid Amidi |date=September 12, 2019 |title=Genndy Tartakovsky's 'Primal' Is Getting a Theatrical Run in Los Angeles |url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film/genndy-tartakovskys-primal-is-getting-a-theatrical-run-in-los-angeles-179442.html |website=Cartoon Brew}}</ref>

CNS also began to produce content for parent company [[WarnerMedia]]'s upcoming streaming service [[HBO Max]], including ''[[Adventure Time: Distant Lands]].''<ref name="her">{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Rick |date=October 23, 2019 |title='Adventure Time' Revived for Series of HBO Max Specials |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/adventure-time-revived-series-hbo-max-specials-1249517/ |access-date=October 24, 2019 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> After the failure of its planned animation block, ''Close Enough'' was also shifted from TBS to HBO Max.<ref name="Milligan">{{Cite web |last=Milligan |first=Mercedes |date=2019-10-31 |title=JG Quintel's Adult Toon 'Close Enough' Coming to HBO Max |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/streaming/jg-quintels-adult-toon-close-enough-coming-to-hbo-max/ |website=Animation Magazine}}</ref> In the 2010s, the studio began to outgrow its original building, and began to rent space in other facilities in the Burbank Media Center district.<ref name="Amidi 2023 x525" />

=== 2020s ===
In August 2020, WBA president [[Sam Register]] was appointed head of the studio.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sam Register to Lead Cartoon Network Studios |url=https://kidscreen.com/2020/08/28/sam-register-to-lead-cartoon-network-studios/ |access-date=2020-08-31}}</ref> Amy Friedman was named head of programming for Cartoon Network after [[Rob Sorcher]] resigned his roles as head of the studio and chief content officer, and switching to [[Warner Bros. Television Studios|Warner Bros. Television Group]] for an overall production deal.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Low |first=Elaine |date=2020-11-24 |title=Amy Friedman Named Warner Bros. Head of Kids and Family Programming |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/amy-friedman-warner-bros-head-kids-family-programming-1234838862/ |access-date=2024-04-08 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2021, Jason DeMarco was named SVP for Anime & Action Series/Longform for Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pedersen |first=Erik |date=August 10, 2021 |title=Jason DeMarco Named SVP Anime & Action Series/Longform For Warner Bros Animation & Cartoon Network Studios |url=https://deadline.com/2021/08/jason-demarco-named-svp-anime-action-series-longform-for-warner-bros-animation-cartoon-network-studios-1234812006/ |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref> and CNS Europe was renamed [[Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe]] as a tribute to the original Hanna-Barbera studio.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |date=7 April 2021 |title=WarnerMedia Reinstates Iconic Hanna-Barbera Brand With London-Based European Studio |url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/global/warnermedia-hanna-barbera-studio-europe-1234945602/ |access-date=7 April 2021 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>

On May 11, 2022, after [[Tom Ascheim]] exited his role as president and departed, the [[Warner Bros. Television Studios#Warner Bros. Kids, Young Adults and Classics|Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics]] division was broken up as part of a restructuring by new owner [[Warner Bros. Discovery]] and its studios—including CNS—were moved directly under [[Warner Bros. Television Studios|Warner Bros. Television]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=2022-05-12 |title=Tom Ascheim Exits As President Of Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classic |url=https://deadline.com/2022/05/tom-ascheim-exits-warner-bros-president-global-kids-young-adults-and-classics-1235021790/ |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> On October 11, CNS and WBA consolidated their development and production teams as part of a restructuring by Warner Bros. Television, with Audrey Diehl overseeing kids and family, Peter Girardi overseeing adult animation, and Sammy Perlmutter overseeing animated long-form productions. The merger would not impact their output as labels, with CNS continuing to focus on original content and WBA used for classic franchises.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schneider |first=Michael |date=2022-10-12 |title=Warner Bros. TV Group Lays Off 82 Staffers, Consolidates Some Unscripted and Animation Departments in Belt-Tightening Restructure |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/warner-bros-tv-group-layoffs-82-staffers-channing-dungey-1235400286/ |access-date=2022-10-12 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>

On July 9, 2023, Miller announced via Twitter that the Cartoon Network Studios Burbank building would close its doors on August 1, with all operations being transferred to WBA as both CNS and WBA would be moving to the new Warner Bros. Second Century building. While unconfirmed, [[Amid Amidi]] of [[Cartoon Brew]] reported its production teams would move to the Second Century Development, a pair of buildings with over 800,000 square feet of office space,<ref name="Cornfield 2023 f235">{{cite web | last=Cornfield | first=Greg | title=Warner Bros. HQ, Designed by Frank Gehry, Crosses Finish Line | website=Commercial Observer | date=May 15, 2023 | url=https://commercialobserver.com/2023/05/la-warner-bros-frank-gehry-hq-burbank-worthe-second-century/ | access-date=July 10, 2023}}</ref> just adjacent to the Warner Bros. lot.<ref name="Amidi 2023 x525" /> On December 5, it was revealed that Hollywood Production Center had moved into the CN Burbank building. [[Brian A. Miller]] revealed that HPC has always owned the building, and Cartoon Network had a long-term lease.<ref>{{Cite tweet |author=Brian A. Miller |author-link=Brian A. Miller |user=bfredmuggs |number=1732194227168375081 |date=2023-12-05 |title=HPC always owned the building. We had a long term lease on it. This was inevitable.}}</ref>

== Filmography ==
{{main|List of Cartoon Network Studios productions}}

== See also ==
{{Portal|Cartoon Network|Animation|Television|California|Companies|United States}}
* [[List of programs broadcast by Cartoon Network]]
* [[List of animation studios owned by Warner Bros. Discovery]]
** [[Hanna-Barbera|Hanna-Barbera Productions]] - former owner and predecessor of Cartoon Network Studios
** [[Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe]] - former European sister studio of Cartoon Network Studios
** [[Warner Bros. Animation]] - parent of Cartoon Network Studios
** [[Williams Street]] - former sister studio of Cartoon Network Studios

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|https://www.cnstudiosstairwell.com/}}

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{{Cartoonito}}
{{Cartoon Network pilots, films and specials}}
{{Warner Bros. animation and comics}}
{{Warner Bros. Pictures Animation}}
{{Warner Bros. Discovery}}
{{Burbank, California}}
{{Animation industry in the United States}}
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[[Category:Cartoon Network Studios| ]]
[[Category:1994 establishments in California]]
[[Category:American animation studios]]
[[Category:Entertainment companies based in California]]
[[Category:Companies based in Burbank, California]]
[[Category:American companies established in 1994]]
[[Category:Mass media companies established in 1994]]
[[Category:Warner Bros. Television Studios]]
[[Category:Warner Bros. divisions]]
[[Category:Adult animation studios]]
[[Category:Warner Bros. Animation]]