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After just two years on the CW, it's time to start saying farewell to Vortexx - http://www.toonzone.net/2014/05/exclusive-traditional-saturday-morning-programming-ends-fall-saban-brands-pulls-plug-vortexx/

Exclusive: Traditional Saturday Morning Programming Ends This Fall as Saban Brands Pulls the Plug on the Vortexx

Traditional Saturday morning programming on U.S. broadcast television will come to an end this September when the Vortexx programming block on the CW Network will be replaced with One Magnificent Morning, a five-hour E/I programming block geared toward teens and their parents. The block will contain inspirational and entertaining live-action programming that focuses on family-friendly topics; based on the shows scheduled to air, the block is probably being produced by Litton Entertainment. Throughout its two-year run, Nielsen ratings indicate that Vortexx has had trouble establishing an audience against heavy competition from cable.

Children’s programming on Saturday mornings rose to prominence on the broadcast networks in the early 1960’s with the likes of Captain Kangaroo, Mighty Mouse Playhouse, Top Cat, and The Bugs Bunny Show. Saturday mornings became the only time for children to catch their favorite programs, creating aggressive ratings battles between ABC, CBS, and NBC right up through the end of the 1980’s. However, with the rise of syndication, cable, and now streaming content, the broadcast networks began phasing out traditional Saturday morning programming in the early 1990’s when NBC introduced the T-NBC lineup in 1992. The Vortexx on the CW was the last remaining traditional Saturday morning programming block containing a mix of live-action and animated, non-E/I children’s programming on any U.S. broadcast television network.

One Magnificent Morning will be Litton Entertainment’s third E/I programming block on broadcast television: Litton’s Weekend Adventure on ABC replaced ABC Kids in September 2011 and CBS Dream Team replaced DHX Media’s Cookie Jar TV on CBS last season.

According to syndicated sales information, the following programs will air on One Magnificent Morning:

• EXPEDITION WILD: Follow wildlife expert Casey Anderson on a series of breathtakingly wild American adventures.
• DOG WHISPERER – FAMILY EDITION: Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan helps dogs—and their families—overcome behavioral problems.
• ROCK IN THE PARK: Jack Steward explores every National Park in America.
• THE BRADY BARR SHOW: Join the adventures of Brady Barr as he gets up close to some of the world’s wildest and most dangerous creatures.
• DR. POL: Join Dr. Pol as he gives viewers a unique look into the care and treatment of farm animals.
• AMERICA’S FLAVORS: Expert Chefs travel the country, pitting variations of the American dishes against each other.
• TASTE OF HOME: An upbeat cooking experience where audience members give dishes a special homemade twist.
• RELUCTANTLY HEALTHY: Comedy actress Judy Greer shares special tips and advice on how to stay healthy while on-the go.
• SWAG: Release your inner fashionista with the help of celebrity super stylist Mandi Lane.
• SOCIAL MEDIA MANIA: A new series that focuses on the biggest social media moments of each week.

The fate of many of the shows currently on the Vortexx lineup is unknown at this time. Digimon Fusion and Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal also air on the Nicktoons cable channel and will most likely continue to premiere new episodes there. Toonami recently announced the acquisition of Dragon Ball Z Kai for its late-night, Saturday morning block on Adult Swim.

Last year, Saban Brands announced the acquisition of the Spanish animated series Sendokai Champions for broadcast on its Vortexx lineup. However, the show has yet to premiere on the block, and its ultimate broadcast fate is unknown.

No official announcement has been made by either Saban Brands or Litton Entertainment on Vortexx or One Magnificent Morning.

Toonami recently announced the acquisition of Dragon Ball Z Kai for its late-night, Saturday morning block on Adult Swim.

I was wondering when they were going to do that. I never watched Vortexx, but this here sounds like a silver lining if I ever heard one. I hope they air the uncut stuff.

EDIT: Also it's not a Saturday morning block if it begins at, what, 11:30 at night? If anything it's a Sunday morning block.

I remember back when there used to be toons on from 6am to 12 Saturday mornings on all 3 (back then) major networks (ABC, CBS & NBC)...

Wow, the times they are a changin'.

Really sad to hear but then again when KidsWB went off the air a few years back, that was the end for me.

Been forever since I've seen cartoons on Saturday mornings. Doesn't help that I sleep past that timeframe now. Of course now you can DVR and watch things on the channel's website.

I don't know... but for me, when the 80s and 90s passed, Saturday morning cartoons as we of that generation know effectively ended. I'm not sure, I just don't feel that today's cartoons provide as much entertainment quality as the old days.

It's a shame that kids today won't get to experience what our childhoods were like. Saturday morning cartoons were a staple. They were a welcome balance to the crappy week prior. Something to look forward to.

But, if you notice, today's kids really don't have much to look forward to. We work them too hard and take all the fun out of everything and then give them electronic internet appliances to entertain them for hours on end and then we wonder why they aren't social, have no idea what this or that is, you get the idea...

In some ways, sad times we live in, truly...

Autobot032 wrote:It's a shame that kids today won't get to experience what our childhoods were like. Saturday morning cartoons were a staple. They were a welcome balance to the crappy week prior. Something to look forward to.

I'm pretty sure Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Disney, etc. etc. have this covered.

Autobot032 wrote:But, if you notice, today's kids really don't have much to look forward to. We work them too hard and take all the fun out of everything and then give them electronic internet appliances to entertain them for hours on end and then we wonder why they aren't social, have no idea what this or that is, you get the idea...

He says on an internet forum...

Shadowman wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:It's a shame that kids today won't get to experience what our childhoods were like. Saturday morning cartoons were a staple. They were a welcome balance to the crappy week prior. Something to look forward to.

I'm pretty sure Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Disney, etc. etc. have this covered.

Fair point, but not everyone has cable. A lot of people are still quite poor and/or live in rural areas that can't get connected. For those who do OTA, it will affect their children. Still, it's a sad thing to see come to an end. Brings back memories.

Shadowman wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:But, if you notice, today's kids really don't have much to look forward to. We work them too hard and take all the fun out of everything and then give them electronic internet appliances to entertain them for hours on end and then we wonder why they aren't social, have no idea what this or that is, you get the idea...

He says on an internet forum...

Just because it's said on an internet forum, doesn't mean it has any less value. It's still the truth.

Shadowman wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:It's a shame that kids today won't get to experience what our childhoods were like. Saturday morning cartoons were a staple. They were a welcome balance to the crappy week prior. Something to look forward to.

I'm pretty sure Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Disney, etc. etc. have this covered.

You might wanna check out the current programming lineup on those particualr three channels.

To me nothing was better than waking up on Saturday morning and watching all of the great cartoons. I wouldn't be on this website right now if it wasn't for Saturday morning cartoons.
Most of todays cartoons are nowhere near as entertaining as the cartoons from years back.
Sad.

Autobot032 wrote:It's a shame that kids today won't get to experience what our childhoods were like. Saturday morning cartoons were a staple. They were a welcome balance to the crappy week prior. Something to look forward to.

But, if you notice, today's kids really don't have much to look forward to. We work them too hard and take all the fun out of everything and then give them electronic internet appliances to entertain them for hours on end and then we wonder why they aren't social, have no idea what this or that is, you get the idea...

In some ways, sad times we live in, truly...

LOL. Alright there "old timer" ...

Kids today have it made! Cartoons are on 24 hours a day now. And if the cartoons that are currently airing aren't good enough on the hundreds of TV channels we have in our household on DirecTV, then my daughter has a massive library of her favorite shows on our DVR that have been recorded, or can download episodes from OnDemand, or can go to Netflix or YouTube or one of her library of DVDs of her favorite shows. There's no need for "Saturday morning cartoons" any more now that there are an endless way for that content to be viewed 24 hours a day.

Your comments sound like comments our Grandparents would have made back in the day about "color tv" or "touch tone phones" or "Commodore 64" or "power windows and locks in your car" or "freezers" or "video games" or "air conditioning" or "internet" or "indoor plumbing" or "cars", let alone all of the other wonderful things that became standard fare for all of us who grew up in the 1980s.

I'm fascinated that my daughter is growing up in a world where we don't even have a home phone and that she has had an iPad for 3 of her 5 years (i.e. probably has had it for as long as she can remember).

Times are all always changing. The next generation always has something better or can get something easier thanks to advancements.

Seibertron wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:It's a shame that kids today won't get to experience what our childhoods were like. Saturday morning cartoons were a staple. They were a welcome balance to the crappy week prior. Something to look forward to.

But, if you notice, today's kids really don't have much to look forward to. We work them too hard and take all the fun out of everything and then give them electronic internet appliances to entertain them for hours on end and then we wonder why they aren't social, have no idea what this or that is, you get the idea...

In some ways, sad times we live in, truly...

LOL. Alright there "old timer" ...

Kids today have it made! Cartoons are on 24 hours a day now. And if the cartoons that are currently airing aren't good enough on the hundreds of TV channels we have in our household on DirecTV, then my daughter has a massive library of her favorite shows on our DVR that have been recorded, or can download episodes from OnDemand, or can go to Netflix or YouTube or one of her library of DVDs of her favorite shows. There's no need for "Saturday morning cartoons" any more now that there are an endless way for that content to be viewed 24 hours a day.

Your comments sound like comments our Grandparents would have made back in the day about "color tv" or "touch tone phones" or "Commodore 64" or "power windows and locks in your car" or "freezers" or "video games" or "air conditioning" or "internet" or "indoor plumbing" or "cars", let alone all of the other wonderful things that became standard fare for all of us who grew up in the 1980s.

I'm fascinated that my daughter is growing up in a world where we don't even have a home phone and that she has had an iPad for 3 of her 5 years (i.e. probably has had it for as long as she can remember).

Times are all always changing. The next generation always has something better or can get something easier thanks to advancements.

I might sound old fashioned, but we grew up appreciating what we recieved and the escape Saturday mornings brought us. Now, kids are having their senses assaulted by all the crap thrown their way digitally. I'm tired of having to pry the remote out of my daughter's hand. I'd probably cry tears of joy if she'd go read a book or watch cartoons one day a week.

Our times were simpler, they were good times.

Autobot032 wrote:I'd probably cry tears of joy if she'd go read a book or watch cartoons one day a week.

Well, it sure is a good thing that Reading Rainbow is coming back for a new generation of children. That's right, LeVar Burton is starting a new iteration of Reading Rainbow to help encourage children to get interested in reading books in this digital-based day and age.

Sabrblade wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:I'd probably cry tears of joy if she'd go read a book or watch cartoons one day a week.

Well, it sure is a good thing that Reading Rainbow is coming back for a new generation of children. That's right, LeVar Burton is starting a new iteration of Reading Rainbow to help encourage children to get interested in reading books in this digital-based day and age.

We need more LeVar Burtons. Sadly, RR will be digital only, from what I read.

Autobot032 wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:I'd probably cry tears of joy if she'd go read a book or watch cartoons one day a week.

Well, it sure is a good thing that Reading Rainbow is coming back for a new generation of children. That's right, LeVar Burton is starting a new iteration of Reading Rainbow to help encourage children to get interested in reading books in this digital-based day and age.

We need more LeVar Burtons. Sadly, RR will be digital only, from what I read.

Well, kids aren't watching as much public television these days anymore, so better to reach them via today's most ubiquitous media method.

Not to mention that elementary school classrooms will have free access to it as well.

Sabrblade wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:I'd probably cry tears of joy if she'd go read a book or watch cartoons one day a week.

Well, it sure is a good thing that Reading Rainbow is coming back for a new generation of children. That's right, LeVar Burton is starting a new iteration of Reading Rainbow to help encourage children to get interested in reading books in this digital-based day and age.

We need more LeVar Burtons. Sadly, RR will be digital only, from what I read.

Well, kids aren't watching as much public television these days anymore, so better to reach them via today's most ubiquitous media method.

Not to mention that elementary school classrooms will have free access to it as well.

Oh, I get it. I absolutely agree, I'm just sad that our ways are dying. The free access thing is awesome. Did you hear that Seth MacFarlane is apparently going to match donations dollar for dollar? It was on The Morning Zoo in Columbus. Pretty cool, if true.

Autobot032 wrote:Did you hear that Seth MacFarlane is apparently going to match donations dollar for dollar? It was on The Morning Zoo in Columbus. Pretty cool, if true.

Yes indeed. The intended goal was $1 million, they raised $5.4 million. With McFarlane's donation that makes $6.4 million! Faith in humanity: Restored.

Sabrblade wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:Did you hear that Seth MacFarlane is apparently going to match donations dollar for dollar? It was on The Morning Zoo in Columbus. Pretty cool, if true.

Yes indeed. The intended goal was $1 million, they raised $5.4 million. With McFarlane's donation that makes $6.4 million! Faith in humanity: Restored.

A very kind thing to do. MacFarlane is a man of many talents.

I'm going to say something that may not be wildly popular but I'm throwing it out there anyway. I mean it generally, not personally, as I know of none of your kids or even who all has kids (with staff exception.) Saturday morning cartoons were special, as were afternoon cartoons, because that was all most of us got. So it was to be looked forward to. The bombardment of media on our children is not at fault for the problems of the world, it is all in HOW PARENTS HANDLE THE ONSLAUGHT. As a parent, you control your child's media consumption. Period. If your kid is encountering media 12 hours a day, I'm sorry, but that is YOUR fault. I had a kid who was TV obsessed. And I mean obsessed. He loved watching anything and everything and he was allowed way too much.

One day, we decided it was time to stop. We imposed limitations on his viewing time, and set limits for how much he got. That included all screens--tablets, TV, video games, et al. Was it easy? NO! He screamed and cried and threw fits for more media. But guess what? As his parents, we knew we were doing the right thing, so we bore it. We explained what we were doing, and he probably didn't understand, but we kept at it. It took hold, and now he rarely ever watches more than a show or two before he says, "I'm done, I'm ready to go play now!" and he does.

TV doesn't turn kids into couch potatoes. Streaming video, constant availability of media, and onslaught of programming doesn't turn kids into brats, bullies, or TV zombies. Parents who are more concerned with never upsetting their kids do. And parents would would rather read Facebook, etc than interact with their kids do. Parents who let their kids do whatever they want to do. When the focus shifts from imaginative play, outdoor time, books, manners, learning, and caring for others, THAT is what turns kids into little jerks. You want Saturday morning cartoons? Fine! Make your own. Make it a special time to watch a couple programs they like. Sit with them, watch, discuss what they're watching. When it's over, TURN IT OFF. Go outside, take a walk, sit in nature, play at the park, read a book, have a conversation.

That is what will help turn kids into mindful adults. NOT letting media dictate what your kids eat, think, learn, and enjoy.

ScoutBumblebee wrote:I'm going to say something that may not be wildly popular but I'm throwing it out there anyway. I mean it generally, not personally, as I know of none of your kids or even who all has kids (with staff exception.) Saturday morning cartoons were special, as were afternoon cartoons, because that was all most of us got. So it was to be looked forward to. The bombardment of media on our children is not at fault for the problems of the world, it is all in HOW PARENTS HANDLE THE ONSLAUGHT. As a parent, you control your child's media consumption. Period. If your kid is encountering media 12 hours a day, I'm sorry, but that is YOUR fault. I had a kid who was TV obsessed. And I mean obsessed. He loved watching anything and everything and he was allowed way too much.

One day, we decided it was time to stop. We imposed limitations on his viewing time, and set limits for how much he got. That included all screens--tablets, TV, video games, et al. Was it easy? NO! He screamed and cried and threw fits for more media. But guess what? As his parents, we knew we were doing the right thing, so we bore it. We explained what we were doing, and he probably didn't understand, but we kept at it. It took hold, and now he rarely ever watches more than a show or two before he says, "I'm done, I'm ready to go play now!" and he does.

TV doesn't turn kids into couch potatoes. Streaming video, constant availability of media, and onslaught of programming doesn't turn kids into brats, bullies, or TV zombies. Parents who are more concerned with never upsetting their kids do. And parents would would rather read Facebook, etc than interact with their kids do. Parents who let their kids do whatever they want to do. When the focus shifts from imaginative play, outdoor time, books, manners, learning, and caring for others, THAT is what turns kids into little jerks. You want Saturday morning cartoons? Fine! Make your own. Make it a special time to watch a couple programs they like. Sit with them, watch, discuss what they're watching. When it's over, TURN IT OFF. Go outside, take a walk, sit in nature, play at the park, read a book, have a conversation.

That is what will help turn kids into mindful adults. NOT letting media dictate what your kids eat, think, learn, and enjoy.

ScoutBumblebee wrote:I'm going to say something that may not be wildly popular but I'm throwing it out there anyway. I mean it generally, not personally, as I know of none of your kids or even who all has kids (with staff exception.) Saturday morning cartoons were special, as were afternoon cartoons, because that was all most of us got. So it was to be looked forward to. The bombardment of media on our children is not at fault for the problems of the world, it is all in HOW PARENTS HANDLE THE ONSLAUGHT. As a parent, you control your child's media consumption. Period. If your kid is encountering media 12 hours a day, I'm sorry, but that is YOUR fault. I had a kid who was TV obsessed. And I mean obsessed. He loved watching anything and everything and he was allowed way too much.

One day, we decided it was time to stop. We imposed limitations on his viewing time, and set limits for how much he got. That included all screens--tablets, TV, video games, et al. Was it easy? NO! He screamed and cried and threw fits for more media. But guess what? As his parents, we knew we were doing the right thing, so we bore it. We explained what we were doing, and he probably didn't understand, but we kept at it. It took hold, and now he rarely ever watches more than a show or two before he says, "I'm done, I'm ready to go play now!" and he does.

TV doesn't turn kids into couch potatoes. Streaming video, constant availability of media, and onslaught of programming doesn't turn kids into brats, bullies, or TV zombies. Parents who are more concerned with never upsetting their kids do. And parents would would rather read Facebook, etc than interact with their kids do. Parents who let their kids do whatever they want to do. When the focus shifts from imaginative play, outdoor time, books, manners, learning, and caring for others, THAT is what turns kids into little jerks. You want Saturday morning cartoons? Fine! Make your own. Make it a special time to watch a couple programs they like. Sit with them, watch, discuss what they're watching. When it's over, TURN IT OFF. Go outside, take a walk, sit in nature, play at the park, read a book, have a conversation.

That is what will help turn kids into mindful adults. NOT letting media dictate what your kids eat, think, learn, and enjoy.

Totally agree with you. And it's not a new concept. My parents did the same thing with us.

To me it seems the reasons are commercial more than anything else. Perhaps the lobbyists tied up with corporations who want to change the kiddie programming, or want the "immoral cartoons" removed. Well, whatever, at least there are still cartoons to watch.

Also, I'm kinda reminded of video games that became cartoons. Some appeared on Saturday morning. Although, yeah, this ain't a flattering video.

I'm hesitant to click that when it's displaying a picture of SatAM, which was a really good cartoon.

Shadowman wrote:I'm hesitant to click that when it's displaying a picture of SatAM, which was a really good cartoon.

Same here. The unwarranted hate it gets tends to come from it being so different from its source material (the games), when that really didn't matter back then since practically all of those American-made video game cartoons deviated from their own games, and SatAM was still genuinely entertaining and well made.