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With New Slate, Cartoon Network Moves Into Reality

  • Variety, Thursday, March 26, 2009 9:30 AM

Cartoon Network is reaching beyond animation and getting into the live-action reality business. Executives announced a slate of six reality shows at Cartoon's upfront presentation this week. The cabler's programming lineup also includes seven new animated series and four original animated telepics.

In addition to the reality shows, Cartoon has launched a partnership with the NBA with the program "My Dad's a Pro," starring Jalen House, son of Celtics player Eddie House. The NBA tie-in is likely a response to Disney XD's partnership with ESPN, designed to wrest 6-to-11-year-old boys from Cartoon, traditionally the most lucrative kid demographic for advertisers.

Many of Cartoon's live-action series appear to be tween-friendly versions of adult reality fare: There's "Head Rush," a game show set on a roller coaster; "Survive This," an outdoors adventure show that focuses on teamwork; and "Dude, What Would Happen," a series of answers to oddball questions.

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