We're all familiar with Cartoon Network, the very first channel to air cartoons 24/7, but I'm curious as to how many of you know of USA Cartoon Express. Airing on the USA Network between the years of 1982 and 1996, it was the first animation block to ever air on cable TV, and was a home for many Hanna-Barbera cartoons during this time.
Over a dozen of their shows played on the block, making their characters a pillar of Cartoon Express. The characters even appeared in the block's bumpers, further demonstrating their importance to it. Below is a 1988 bumper advertising an airing of Huckleberry Hound and His Friends. I particularly love the ending of the ad, featuring several of the characters featured on Cartoon Express together. You gotta love Mr. T standing alongside Fred and Pac-Man!
It actually launched in 1982. In regards to H-B, this program is where I saw the Loopy De Loop theatrical shorts for the first time, and believe this to be their American TV debut, despite what Wikipedia states.
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right in regards to 1982 being when it started. A silly typo on my part!
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