Boomerang (British and Irish TV channel)

Boomerang UK began as a block in 1993.

Boomerang launched on 27 May 2000,[1] airing between 06:00–00:00, on Sky Digital and certain cable systems. Cartoon Network at the time had a tight schedule and so the channel was created by Turner Broadcasting to broadcast classic cartoons from the Hanna-Barbera, MGM and Warner Bros archive programme library, as well as freeing its sister network of many classics in the schedule.[2]

In May 2001 the channel became the second highest rated children's channel. It was beaten only by sister channel Cartoon Network. In July that year the channel was launched on UK cable operator Telewest network, thus increasing viewers. James Greville, head of Cartoon Network UK at the time, said, "The channel launched barely a year ago and yet it's already beaten established kids' channels in terms of ratings and share".[3] By November the channel was launched on NTL platform.[4]

Boomerang increased its library of old cartoons by acquiring rights to other animated shows such as Danger Mouse, The Pink Panther and Garfield and Friends.[5] By the end of 2003 the channel started to move away from its original purpose, and moved to broadcast more recent programming.

A one-hour timeshift channel known as Boomerang +1 was launched on 6 March 2006.

Boomerang rebranded with the new international graphics package developed by UK based graphic design agency Art&Graft on 16 February 2015.[6][7] The channel switched to 16:9 Widescreen on 1 June 2015. A HD feed known as Boomerang HD was launched on 24 June 2015.[8]

On 3 September 2018, the channel was rebranded and gained a new look.[9]

Between 23 July 2007 to 1 August 2009, the channel started airing live action programming, starting with Fraggle Rock (which also began airing on Cartoonito the same day).[10]

Other live action series included Life with Derek,[11] popular sitcom The Latest Buzz and the spy show My Spy Family.