Press Release - Cartoon Network Acquires Global Rights to Transformers: Robots In Disguise

Wednesday, January 14th, 2015 4:38am CST

Categories: Cartoon News, Company News
Posted by: Va'al Views: 37,990

Topic Options: View Discussion · Sign in or Join to reply

While it does not come as a surprise - we had already heard from Hasbro Studios about Cartoon Network being the channel for Transformers: Robots in Disguise in October - another press release has been circulated concerning the global broadcast rights for the upcoming animated series featuring beast-like Decepticons, Drift and mini-cons, and the main cast of Bumblebee, Grimlock, Sideswipe and Strongarm. Read up below!

CARTOON NETWORK ACQUIRES GLOBAL RIGHTS TO HASBRO STUDIOS’ NEWEST SERIES, TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE

Next Series in Beloved Franchise to Air on Cartoon Network Channels in Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East Following Earlier U.S. Deal

Los Angeles, Jan. 13, 2015 – Cartoon Network has acquired the global rights to start airing the brand new series, TRANSFORMERS: Robots in Disguise, beginning in 2015. The agreement follows Cartoon Network’s previous U.S. deal for the show with Hasbro Studios, the Los Angeles-based entertainment division of Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS). Stephen Davis, Chief Content Officer of Hasbro, Inc., made the announcement today.

“We are thrilled to have expanded our ongoing international relationship with Cartoon Network, freeing them to unleash our Transformers characters to the entire world starting early this year,” Davis said. “Fans everywhere will now be able to experience the humor, fun, adventure and cooler, lighter, brighter animated style that our Autobots and Decepticons deliver as we open up the next storytelling chapter in this beloved franchise on Cartoon Network around the globe, from hubs in the U.S. and Europe to Latin America, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

Finn Arnesen, senior VP of global distribution and development for Hasbro Studios, added, “Cartoon Network makes a tremendous launch pad for TRANSFORMERS: Robots in Disguise. Complemented by additional Turner channels, Cartoon Network provides the ideal fit across the board for our series, reaching a core demographic of boys 6-11 and kids of all ages.”

The mission begins as Bumblebee must step up to be leader in the years after we left the Autobots in Transformers Prime. Summoned by Optimus Prime to save Earth from a new Decepticon threat, Bumblebee puts his light-hearted mettle to the test after assembling a rouge team of young Autobot action heroes. Bumblebee must balance his job fighting off evil with being equal parts squad leader and coach to a rascally band that needs constant coaxing to learn how to work together. The results are comical when the cool rebel, elite guard cadet, bombastic dinobot and overly excited mini-con must balance team-building with chasing and capturing their new enemies in every episode packed full of action, fun and adventure.

The highly innovative TRANSFORMERS franchise is one of the biggest brands in the world, spanning television, film and digital entertainment (including the 2014 global blockbuster, TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION, the fourth in the hit film series); as well as gaming; apps; publishing; transmedia events; toys, games and licensing.

Credit(s): Hasbro Studios

Got Transformers News? Let us know here!

Most Recent Transformers News

HobbyLink Japan Sponsor News - New MP Preorders & In-Stock WFC

Posted 23 hours ago

RobotKingdom.com Newsletter #1579

Posted 23 hours ago

New Video Review of Netflix Transformers War for Cybertron Voyager Class Optimus Primal and Rattrap

Posted 1 day ago

Click here to post your comment about this news story!

Re: Press Release - Cartoon Network Acquires Global Rights to Transformers: Robots In Disguise (1638970)
Posted by Sabrblade on January 14th, 2015 @ 9:12am CST

So much hype in one announcement, yet STILL no airdate given.

Re: Press Release - Cartoon Network Acquires Global Rights to Transformers: Robots In Disguise (1638972)
Posted by rpetras on January 14th, 2015 @ 9:18am CST

Great!

The first three episodes will be on an endless loop for 3 weeks, then the show will be off air for 4 months, then return to the juicy 5:30 AM Sunday morning time slot.

TFA all over again.

Re: Press Release - Cartoon Network Acquires Global Rights to Transformers: Robots In Disguise (1638975)
Posted by Sabrblade on January 14th, 2015 @ 9:23am CST

rpetras wrote:Great!

The first three episodes will be on an endless loop for 3 weeks, then the show will be off air for 4 months, then return to the juicy 5:30 AM Sunday morning time slot.

TFA all over again.

This is news how?

Re: Press Release - Cartoon Network Acquires Global Rights to Transformers: Robots In Disguise (1638976)
Posted by Shockwave7 on January 14th, 2015 @ 9:50am CST

Gone crawling back to CN, eh? Looks like "the HUB" isn't the cat's meow they thought it would be. Oh wait - the "HUB" doesn't exist anymore, it's 'Discovery Kids' or some such thing. I guess they couldn't make a go of having a network that was little more than reruns of cancelled 80s cartoons.

They'd have done better to just stay with CN and carry on Transformers Animated for a couple more seasons. The toys were better, and the show was good.

Re: Press Release - Cartoon Network Acquires Global Rights to Transformers: Robots In Disguise (1639023)
Posted by kaijuguy19 on January 14th, 2015 @ 12:22pm CST

Shockwave7 wrote:Gone crawling back to CN, eh? Looks like "the HUB" isn't the cat's meow they thought it would be. Oh wait - the "HUB" doesn't exist anymore, it's 'Discovery Kids' or some such thing. I guess they couldn't make a go of having a network that was little more than reruns of cancelled 80s cartoons.

They'd have done better to just stay with CN and carry on Transformers Animated for a couple more seasons. The toys were better, and the show was good.

Seeing as how CN's record of canning certain action shows over the years such as He-Man,Thundercats,Young Justice etc due to them saying those shows not having good ratings,girls watching them more then boys,not having a toyline,etcAnimated would still be canned before it's time even if Hasbro didn't try to make their own station and CN would still be trying to screw Hasbro over a lot of times.

I'm honestly now nervous for Hasbro's future when it comes to future TF shows since it's very likely that RID15 will be put in a bad time slot and killed off not to mention that kids are more into electronics nowadays more then toys and that it could leave the brand and Hasbro even in a pretty rough state.

Though I guess CN would probably let RID15 live since it may want to compete with Nick with it's TMNT 2012 series since CN's ratings have been down due to obvious reasons or maybe this time Hasbro has a back up plan in case RID15 does get taken off air which let's face it will likely happen. Guess we'll find out eventually.

Re: Press Release - Cartoon Network Acquires Global Rights to Transformers: Robots In Disguise (1639054)
Posted by Shockwave7 on January 14th, 2015 @ 1:09pm CST

It is true that CN has been treating their franchise related shows with about as much care and respect as a peasant shows to his compost fork. Look what they did with "Beware The Batman", heck, with most of their DC showcase. Thundercats was another excellent demonstration of how CN totally botched a really good show. Transformers Animated lasted a little longer than that, though it was also ended prematurely.

That doesn't bode well for RID.

Re: Press Release - Cartoon Network Acquires Global Rights to Transformers: Robots In Disguise (1639068)
Posted by Sabrblade on January 14th, 2015 @ 1:47pm CST

For Hasbro, it's "darned if they do, darned if they don't" with airing RID on CN. CN was notoriously unfair in its treatment of the whole Unicron Trilogy and Animated, but the Hub wasn't reaching as wide an audience as it needed. CN can reach more viewers than Discovery Family can, but it's still being unfair to action shows, even the ones it make in-house. But Hasbro needs RID to air on a channel that boys will watch, and that's why they went with CN.

So in a way, Hasbro's choices were "Air the show on a channel that can guarantee the show a full and lasting broadcast, but can't reach a large enough audience (Discovery Family)" or "Air the show on a channel that can reach a large enough audience, but can't guarantee the show a full and lasting broadcast (Cartoon Network)".

Re: Press Release - Cartoon Network Acquires Global Rights to Transformers: Robots In Disguise (1639096)
Posted by dreadwing95 on January 14th, 2015 @ 2:16pm CST

if i could run cartoon network i would try so hard to get it back to its former glory but i doubt i ever will run it and so the story will remain the same as always. the good shows will get canceled and the terrible ones will keep coming. this show will die before it even leaves the ground

Re: Press Release - Cartoon Network Acquires Global Rights to Transformers: Robots In Disguise (1639097)
Posted by Sabrblade on January 14th, 2015 @ 2:19pm CST

dreadwing95 wrote:if i could run cartoon network i would try so hard to get it back to its former glory

Like how Boomerang is now?

Re: Press Release - Cartoon Network Acquires Global Rights to Transformers: Robots In Disguise (1639099)
Posted by Va'al on January 14th, 2015 @ 2:20pm CST

The official Transformers Facebook page has uploaded a new clip to promote the arrival of animated series Robots in Disguise - and the spotlight falls upon the Decepticon prisoners! Check out the embedded clip below for just a little more on Steeljaw, Underbite and more devious cons.

Who are the villains that the new team of Autobots will be tackling when Transformers: Robots in Disguise debuts on Cartoon Network this year? We're glad you asked! Check out an inside look at Steeljaw and his dastardly Decepticons!

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=773847379352125&permPage=1

Re: Press Release - Cartoon Network Acquires Global Rights to Transformers: Robots In Disguise (1639102)
Posted by Sabrblade on January 14th, 2015 @ 2:24pm CST

Nice to see this video again. We saw it on Hasbro's website with six other clips, but it's still awesome.

Steeljaw's looking and sounding as cool as ever. Can't wait to see him as the Cons' new de facto leader.

Re: Press Release - Cartoon Network Acquires Global Rights to Transformers: Robots In Disguise (1639110)
Posted by Va'al on January 14th, 2015 @ 2:46pm CST

Sabrblade wrote:Nice to see this video again. We saw it on Hasbro's website with six other clips, but it's still awesome.

Steeljaw's looking and sounding as cool as ever. Can't wait to see him as the Cons' new de facto leader.

Yeah, I realised it showed up once before as I clicked Submit on the news, but a reminder is good and we hear some of the voices again rather than the Chinese dub/just stills.

Re: Press Release - Cartoon Network Acquires Global Rights to Transformers: Robots In Disguise (1639112)
Posted by shockblast2 on January 14th, 2015 @ 2:48pm CST

Strange that Hasbro choose a cast of beast only Deceptions. But, since the crash site seems to be in a forest, I assume they scan the wildlife for their alt modes? Makes sense.

For some strange reason I really like Thunderhoof. He is kinda goofy looking with the horns and all, but I like him for some reason. I hope they make a one step out of it. Definitely loving Steeljaw, but my boys are not getting the concept that while they were multiple robotic wolves in AOE, it is now just one character with a personality. I tried to use the 80's Kraang and the new hive minded Kranng from the new TMNT series as a comparison, but I am not sure they followed....they are really little and the multiverses in the TF fandom seems to confuse them.

Re: Press Release - Cartoon Network Acquires Global Rights to Transformers: Robots In Disguise (1639115)
Posted by Sabrblade on January 14th, 2015 @ 2:53pm CST

shockblast2 wrote:Strange that Hasbro choose a cast of beast only Deceptions.

Except for Fracture, whose robot mode is the only non-beast-like one we've seen so far.

Re: Press Release - Cartoon Network Acquires Global Rights to Transformers: Robots In Disguise (1639145)
Posted by psj333 on January 14th, 2015 @ 3:48pm CST

Here's what we do know so far about the alt-modes for the Decepticons so far:

Steeljaw: Futuristic Monster Truck
Underbite: F1 Racer/Tank Hybrid
Hammerstrike: Submarine
Bisk: Muscle Car
Fracture: Motorcycle
Thunderhoof: Tractor
Quillfire: Armored Pickup Truck
Springload: Ford Bronco Pickup Truck
Clampdown: Boyracer Coupe

The Decepticons that have altmodes, but not confirmed, yet are as follows:

Terrashock: Futuristic Van Resembling A Ram Promaster
Filch: Drone Fighter
Ped: Construction-type Vehicle

What are your thought?

Re: Press Release - Cartoon Network Acquires Global Rights to Transformers: Robots In Disguise (1639150)
Posted by Sabrblade on January 14th, 2015 @ 3:58pm CST

psj333 wrote:Filch: Drone Fighter

Filch is a bird in altmode. She has a robot mode.

Re: Press Release - Cartoon Network Acquires Global Rights to Transformers: Robots In Disguise (1639188)
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on January 14th, 2015 @ 6:58pm CST

That one dude has antlers. $#!+ just got real.

Re: Press Release - Cartoon Network Acquires Global Rights to Transformers: Robots In Disguise (1639189)
Posted by Sabrblade on January 14th, 2015 @ 7:06pm CST

Nemesis Maximo wrote:That one dude has antlers. $#!+ just got real.

Thunderhoof.

Turns into this bad boy:

Re: Press Release - Cartoon Network Acquires Global Rights to Transformers: Robots In Disguise (1639193)
Posted by Fires_Of_Inferno on January 14th, 2015 @ 7:19pm CST

*hears SteelJaw's voice*

Oh hai Mark

I mean, Knockout.

Re: Press Release - Cartoon Network Acquires Global Rights to Transformers: Robots In Disguise (1639199)
Posted by Sabrblade on January 14th, 2015 @ 7:49pm CST