Cartoon Network is the TV channel that lives to prove that cartoons are for everyone, from ages two to a hundred and two. You don’t need cable to toon in to some Tom & Jerry, though. Keep reading to see all your options.
In a hurry? You want toons? You got ’em. These top-recommended streaming services all carry Cartoon Network:
- DIRECTV STREAM: Makes it easy to switch from cable to streaming with their 75+ channel Entertainment plan and options for much more. A 5-day free trial is now available for DIRECTV STREAM.
- Sling TV: The top low-cost streaming service provides a great base channel lineup in both its plans. Save 50% with Sling TV.
- Hulu + Live TV: This total entertainment streaming service provides a great on-demand selection and all the essential live TV channels.
If you can’t watch your favorite movies and shows because of your location, try ExpressVPN to get access to the content you deserve.
Table Of Contents
How to Watch Cartoon Network
As part of the Turner family of channels (TBS, TNT, etc), which in turn is owned by Warner Bros Discovery (HBO, Discovery, etc), Cartoon Network is widely available.
Live TV Streaming Services
It would be shorter to list the services that don’t carry Cartoon Network. Of the major streaming services, only Fubo doesn’t carry the Turner networks (including Cartoon Network).
- Sling TV: 40+ channels in the lowest-priced cable-replacement service out there. Tons of room for add-ons at $40.00/mo. (Sling TV review)
- DIRECTV STREAM: 75+ channels, unlimited streaming devices and DVR storage. Get it starting at $79.99/mo. (DIRECTV STREAM review)
- Hulu + Live TV: Over 100 well-selected channels, as well as Disney+ and ESPN+. All for $76.99/mo. (Hulu Live review)
- YouTube TV: Get 100+ channels for $72.99/mo.
Other Ways to Watch Cartoon Network
- Max: Max, formerly HBO Max, is also owned by Warner Bros. Discovery (formerly WarnerMedia), and carries most Cartoon Network series, including favorites like Courage the Cowardly Dog, The Powerpuff Girls, Ed, Edd n Eddy, and Regular Show. (Max review)
- Hulu (On-Demand): Hulu’s cheaper on-demand service also offers plenty of Cartoon Network, such as The Amazing World of Gumball, Regular Show, Adventure Time, Teen Titans Go!, Steven Universe, and Chowder. (Hulu on-demand review)
- Website: Cartoon Network’s website, cartoonnetwork.com, in addition to full episodes with a TV Everywhere login, also features games and other content with Cartoon Network characters.
- YouTube.com: As of this writing, the Cartoon Network channel on YouTube starts with a 15-minute compilation of Every Beast Boy Song ever. Ever. There are other Teen Titans Go! videos, plus clips and shorts from Tiny Toons Looniversity, Craig of the Creek, We Baby Bears, and more.
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What Is Cartoon Network?
In 1991, Turner Entertainment (as in, Turner Broadcasting System, or TBS) in Atlanta, Georgia, bought out Hanna-Barbera’s animation library. In 1992, Cartoon Network was launched as a home for all these popular classic animated series. It was the first channel dedicated to cartoons 24/7.
Currently, Cartoon Network is one of the most popular kids’ channels, along with Disney and Nickelodeon. After over thirty years on the air, the kids who grew up on Cartoon Network shows are having kids of their own, and are sharing the CN classics like The Powerpuff Girls and Scooby-Doo with them.
Cartoon Network Programming
Despite its origins as a collection of old Hanna-Barbera cartoons, the majority of current Cartoon Network programming is original. Notable titles, old and new, include:
- Adventure Time
- The Amazing World of Gumball
- Apple & Onion
- Ben 10
- Clarence
- Craig of the Creek
- Ed, Edd n Eddy
- The Heroic Quest of the Valiant Prince Ivandoe
- The Looney Tunes Show
- The Powerpuff Girls
- Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?
- Steven Universe
- Summer Camp Island
- Teen Titans Go!
- We Bare Bears
Cartoon Network is also known for its various themed programming blocks, generally aimed at different ages.
Cartoonito
Cartoonito is for preschoolers (ages 2-6). It used to air all day long, from 6 am to 2 pm, but, over the years, it’s been cut several times and now only runs between and on weekdays. It’s down to three original shows:
- Bugs Bunny Builders
- Batwheels
- Jessica’s Big Little World
There are also several Max exclusives:
- Bea’s Block
- Hop
- Little Baby Bum
- Mo Willems Storytime Shorts
- Sesame Street
- Vlad and Niki
Since 2016, new episodes air first on Max, then move to PBS Kids after 9 months. You can also find several old Cartoonito shows on Max:
- Blippi Wonders
- Cartoonito Shorts
- Lellobee City Farm
- Lucas the Spider
- Sesame Street Mecha Builders
Among other planned new programming, a new CGI Barney series (yes, the big purple dinosaur) is set to launch in 2024.
Adult Swim
Adult Swim is what happens to Cartoon Network when the sun goes down. It was recently expanded to start at and runs through the night to around .
The block features content ranging from nostalgia-laden CN classics (from around 5-7, called “Checkered Past”), to shows aimed at teens and older (Bob’s Burgers, American Dad), to really off-the-wall experimental stuff (Rick and Morty, Off the Air, Superjail) and mature anime on its Saturday night “Toonami” block.
Adult Swim is usually treated as a separate channel from Cartoon Network, even in the Nielsen ratings, and we also give Adult Swim its own page.
More Options for Cartoon Network Fans
You like Cartoon Network, but you’re getting just a little bored of Teen Titans Go!? Here are some alternatives:
Boomerang
When Cartoon Network started showing more original programming (starting with Space Ghost Coast to Coast in 1994), it moved the classic animation to its own programming block, which eventually became its own channel in 2000.
These days, Boomerang has its own originals, typically reboots or sequels of the classics it started out with, such as Looney Tunes and Scooby-Doo. It’s also available as an on-demand streaming service.
Discovery Family
Discovery Family mostly airs reruns of its own original shows plus other Warner and Discovery kids shows. These include:
- The Adventures of Chuck and Friends
- Baby Looney Tunes
- Kids Baking Championship
- My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
- Paddington Bear
- The Smurfs (2023)
- Super Monsters
- Too Cute
Wrapping Up
So if you are a little (or big!) fan of Cartoon Network, you don’t have to shell out the big bucks for cable. Sling TV‘s got you covered in their base package for just $40.00/mo. Or, if you want a bigger channel selection, you could go with Hulu + Live TV, which includes Disney+ and the entire Hulu on-demand collection for only $76.99/mo.
FAQs
What is the current schedule for Cartoon Network?
A typical weekday on Cartoon Network starts at about , with an hour of Cartoonito for the littlest viewers (ages 2-6). At , it switches over to various shows, usually starting with an hour of The Amazing World of Gumball. From to is “Checkered Past,” shows from the 1990s and 2000s such as Dextor’s Laboratory and Samurai Jack.
At starts primetime animated shows like King of the Hill and Bob’s Burgers that are primarily aimed at adults. At , Rick and Morty starts, and it’s all down the surreal animation rabbit hole from there.
Did Cartoon Network change names?
No, Cartoon Network has always been Cartoon Network, or CN for short. But it has had many, many programming blocks and branding changes over its 30+ year history. You can read more above about Cartoon Network’s programming blocks, like Cartoonito and Adult Swim, or its spinoff channels (most of which started out as program blocks) such as Boomerang.
Why did Cartoon Network stop old shows?
There are only so many hours in the day. But don’t despair, you can find full episodes of many, many old Cartoon Network shows — including most Cartoon Cartoons — on Max or Hulu, with some even on Netflix. Or, try tuning into Cartoon Network between and for “Checkered Past,” where they’ll shamelessly tug on those nostalgic heartstrings by playing your old faves.
What are the newest shows on Cartoon Network?
There are several new shows out for 2024 on Cartoon Network, most also streaming on Max as well. This list includes some titles that have been announced for this year, but aren’t out yet.
- The Amazing World of Gumball: The Series (2024)
- Barney’s World
- Invincible Fight Girl
- Iyanu: Child of Wonder
- Total Drama Island (2024)
Other recent additions include Tiny Toons Looniversity and The Heroic Quest of the Valiant Prince Ivandoe and the Adult Swim series Unicorn: Warriors Eternal and My Adventures with Superman.
How can I watch other kids or family channels?
There are many TV channels that specialize in kids shows and family-friendly programming. Check out some of our guides to watching below!
- All-Ages Kids
- Babies & Toddlers
- Preschoolers
- Tweens & Teens
- Family
- Animal Planet
- BYU TV
- Classic Reruns
- Cozi TV
- Dove Channel
- FETV
- Freeform
- Game Show Network
- getTV
- Great American Family
- Great American Faith & Living
- Hallmark Channel
- INSP
- National Geographic
- PixL
- UPtv
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