The Checkerboard era was the first Cartoon Network era. It began at the launch of the network on October 1, 1992 and was CN's main branding image until June 1997, at which point the Starburst era bumpers, promos, and IDs started being phased in, but some traces of Checkerboard still remained. Both the Checkerboard and Starburst eras ended in March 1998, at which point the Powerhouse era had taken over as the main branding.
Description[]
"How do you create a distinctive logo for a channel that features the liveliest, brightest, and most colorful programming on television? This was our first challenge in designing the on-air identity for Cartoon Network, the only full-time, 24-hour cartoon channel in the world. The logo for this channel had to fit several criteria: it had to be clearly readable when used with bright colors, it had to stand apart from the cartoon palette, and it had to fit style-wise with a cartoon sensibility. Our first thought was to employ only the least-used cartoon colors - black or white - as a way to draw attention to the logo. The idea to set the letters into a checkerboard form grew out of a brainstorm in which we were trying to avoid using a drop shadow to distinguish type against like backgrounds. The idea became a major design element of the channel, with bright, cartoon-colored checkerboards of all types used as background elements for end pages, promo formats, and even the corporate stationery. The use of cartoon fonts to convey channel information seems obvious, but there are many typefaces employed in cartoons, and the choice to use these four fonts in particular was the result of a long process of trial and error, during which we tried many typefaces which would be recognized by true fans of cartoon animation. Even the interstitial transition devices have their roots in cartoon language. Rendered in a cartoony illustrative style, their movement is flexible and bouncy, and the accompanying sound effects serve to reinforce their comical animated movement. The resultant on-air look is a wild blend of bright color and constant movement, with a continuously changing palette of hue and texture, and a logo that can be placed over any image or background with a consistent 'Cartoon Network' result." - Hatmaker Studios[1]
Bumpers[]
The era was named, by fans, both for the black and white Cartoon Network logo that resembled a checkerboard and for its bumpers, which could feature tiles of characters featured on the network in a checkerboard pattern. This look was produced by Corey McPherson Nash, with additional bumpers being animated by DESIGNefx, Stretch Films, and other studios and individuals.
The theme song was written in C Major, and was rumored to be the inspiration for the punk rock theme song for the Nicktoons Film Festival by Bruce W. Kapler.
Programming[]
When the channel launched, it relied on older shows from the Hanna-Barbera, MGM and Warner Bros. libraries to fill out its schedule. The first cartoon shown on the network was a classic Merrie Melodies short, "Rhapsody Rabbit". In 1993, the network began producing original animation, with its first original series being The Moxy Show. Only a total of 4 original series were produced during this era.
During this era several notable programming blocks were introduced including: Boomerang, a classic animation block which became its own channel in April 2000; Super Chunk, a weekly marathon block that aired on CN from June 1994 to September 2000; and Toonami, a weekday action animation block that aired on CN from March 1997 to September 2008.
CN Original Series[]
- The Moxy Show (premiered November 6, 1993 and ended December 25, 1995)
- Space Ghost Coast to Coast (premiered April 15, 1994)
- What a Cartoon! (premiered February 20, 1995)
- Dexter's Laboratory (premiered April 27, 1996)
- Johnny Bravo (premiered July 7, 1997)
- Cow and Chicken (premiered July 15, 1997)
- I Am Weasel (premiered July 15, 1997)
Acquired Series[]
In Other Countries[]
The Checkerboard era began on Cartoon Network Europe in 1993 and was succeeded by the Powerhouse era in 1999.