Turner Broadcasting announces the return of the international phenomenon; worldwide debut in 2016 with all-new television series and licensing program.
Turner Broadcasting announced the global return of one of its most beloved franchises, the Emmy-winning The Powerpuff Girls. Slated for a 2016 launch, this reboot will include an all-new television series produced by Cartoon Network Studios and a full licensing program that will roll out across all regions. The announcement was made today by Rob Sorcher, to kick off the 2014 Licensing Expo in Las Vegas.
“The original Powerpuff Girls was a franchise phenomenon for Cartoon Network, paving the way for a new generation of innovative storytellers and enthusiastic fans worldwide,” said Rob Sorcher, chief content officer, Cartoon Network. “We are calling these girls back into action based upon an overwhelming demand for sugar, spice and Chemical X."
One of Cartoon Network’s most enduring original series, The Powerpuff Girls has earned two Emmy Awards along with five nominations, as well as countless animation honors throughout its 78-episode run. The series also inspired a feature film in 2003, a tenth anniversary special, and a re-imagined CG special, The Powerpuff Girls: Dance Pantsed, which will air in the UK on Boomerang on Thursday, June 26 at 4pm. To celebrate this special episode launch, former Beatle Ringo Starr has written and produced a song titled “I wish I was a Powerpuff Girl,” which will air as a stand-alone feature alongside The Powerpuff Girls special.
The Powerpuff Girls is one of the top-grossing Cartoon Network brands of all time, with more than $2.5 billion in retail sales generated since its debut, and has endured as a global fashion brand with a range of apparel partners and fashion collections around the world.
“As the original ambassador of ‘girl power,’ The Powerpuff Girls brand continues to resonate with people of all ages and there is tremendous excitement around introducing Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup to a new generation,” said Pete Yoder, vice president of consumer products for North America, Cartoon Network Enterprises. “With proven success and great content plans in place, there’s so much potential that we’re looking forward to explore with our licensing partners in the coming weeks.”
The Powerpuff Girls, which debuted on Cartoon Network in 1998, was created by Craig McCracken and centers on three sugar-coated superheroes whose mission in life alternates between going to school, fighting crime and winning at hopscotch.
Source: Turner Broadcasting
Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.
