Since its launch on October 1, 1992, Cartoon Network has become one of cable's greatest success stories, gaining distribution across all major MSOs and direct-to-home suppliers in all top U.S. markets. The network has become an original programming powerhouse, driving it to the top of the ratings pack for all of basic cable. The Cartoon Network brand has become a strategic ally to advertisers and marketing partners, while numerous brand extensions have also been successful. In addition to numerous marketing, promotions and programming awards, the network also claims an Academy Award(r) nomination.

"Fueled by enormously popular original programming like The Powerpuff Girls, Dexter's Laboratory and Sheep in the Big City, Cartoon Network has become a favorite of the cable industry and an entertainment phenomenon," said Heller. "As the network nears full distribution in the U.S., we expect that it will continue to provide tremendous value for our customers. We also look forward to the equal success of Boomerang, Cartoon's new sister network, which recently crossed the two million-subscriber mark in less than one year."

"It is remarkable how far we've come in just eight short years, especially when you consider the crowded marketplace when we launched with just two million homes," said Cohen. "The size of our average audience confirms our belief in the value of animated entertainment, in all its forms. With so many exclusives among our offerings-all of The Looney Tunes, the complete Hanna-Barbera and MGM libraries, Batman and Superman, plus all of our marquee original productions-Cartoon Network is simply a 'must have, must see' network." The network concluded 2000 with a number of record achievements, including finishing the year's prime time ratings race in third place among all ad-supported cable networks, while taking second place in total day ratings. Cartoon Network now delivers the largest prime time kids audience of any network - broadcast, pay or basic cable. Other recent ratings highlights include:

• First-place finishes last year in prime time ratings among all ad-supported cable networks for the third Quarter, the summer (June-August) and the individual months of August and October. Holding the position of second-highest-rated ad-supported cable network in total day ratings for a network-record 22 weeks.
#149	Growing prime time original programming household ratings by 19 percent last year vs 1999.
#149	Driving average prime time household delivery up 27 percent to nearly 1.2 million HH.
#149	Dramatic teen delivery increases with Cartoon Network ORIGINAL series in 2000, gaining 57 percent in ratings and 66 percent in delivery compared to 1999. Kids 6-11 ratings for ORIGINAL series grew a full point, from a 3.0 in 1999 to a 4.0 - a 33 percent increase.

On the programming and production front, Cartoon Network will commit $500 million toward original series and specials, most of which will be produced at the new Cartoon Network Studios located in Burbank, Calif. One of its key properties, The Powerpuff Girls, earned a 2000 prime time Emmy Award for Individual Achievement, scored the highest household rating and delivery (Sept. 8, 2000) in the history of the network and soon will become a major motion picture, to be distributed by Warner Bros. Meanwhile, CartoonNetwork.com, the network's branded Web site, consistently ranks as one of the Internet's top three kids entertainment Web sites, averaging more than two million unique visitors per month and nearly 30 minutes on the site per visit.

Cartoon Network's marketing, branding and original programming success has led to the network garnering critical acclaim and numerous awards, including Advertising Age's "Cable Marketer of the Year" Award in 1998; 86 PROMAX/BDA Awards; 19 CTAM "Mark" Awards; 19 awards from The New York Film Festivals; 16 Kidscreen "Golden Marbles" Awards; six prime time Emmy(r) Award nominations; three PMAA "Reggie" Awards; three "World Promo Awards of Excellence; and an Academy(r) Award nomination for "The Chicken From Outerspace," (a theatrical pilot for Courage the Cowardly Dog).

Cartoon Network, now seen in 70 million U.S. homes, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s 24-hour, ad-supported cable service offering the best in animated entertainment. Drawing from the world's largest cartoon library, Cartoon Network also showcases unique original ventures such as Courage the Cowardly Dog, Mike, Lu & Og, The Powerpuff Girls, Ed, Edd n Eddy, Johnny Bravo, Cow and Chicken, Dexter's Laboratory and Cartoon Cartoons. Cartoon Network's Web site is located at http://CartoonNetwork.com.

Source: Turner Entertainment Research from Nielsen Media Research data.

Contact Info:
"Joe Swaney, Cartoon Networ"
404/885-0657 502522
joe.swaney@turner.com