List of presidents of Cartoon Network

{{Short description|none}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}} The following are presidents of the American entertainment company The Cartoon Network, Inc. (TCN).

==Betty Cohen (1992–2001)==

Betty Cohen became the first president of The Cartoon Network, Inc. in 1992, a position she held until her resignation in 2001. Cohen had previously worked as the manager of marketing for the Cable Health Network in 1982, and as the director of on-air promotion and interstitial programming for Nickelodeon from 1984 to 1988. Under Cohen's leadership, Cartoon Network became a global phenomenon with asset value of nearly $3 billion.<ref name="paley">{{cite web|title=Betty Cohen|url=http://www.shemadeit.org/meet/biography.aspx?m=133|work=SheMadeIt.com|publisher=The Paley Center for Media|access-date=2015-10-17|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924101212/http://www.shemadeit.org/meet/biography.aspx?m=133|archive-date=2015-09-24}}</ref> Cohen resigned from her post on June 18, 2001, stating "I was afraid I would die the queen of cartoons."<ref name="paley"/> She was succeeded by Jim Samples.

Under Cohen's leadership, network brands such as Toonami, the Cartoon Cartoons, Cartoon Cartoon Fridays, and Cartoon Orbit were introduced, as well as original series such as ''Space Ghost Coast to Coast'', ''What a Cartoon!'', ''Dexter's Laboratory'', ''Johnny Bravo'', ''Cow and Chicken'', ''The Powerpuff Girls'', ''Ed, Edd n Eddy'', and ''Courage the Cowardly Dog''. ''Dexter's Laboratory'', in particular, was one of her favorite animated shows.<ref name="phyllis">{{cite web|title=Cartoon Network on Rise Popular Shows Put Nick in Rival's Edge|last=Furman|first=Phyllis|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19991115/2995265/popular-shows-on-cartoon-put-a-nick-in-rivals-edge|work=Daily News|location=New York|access-date=2012-05-25|date=November 8, 1999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023060502/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19991115&slug=2995265|archive-date=October 23, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Jim Samples (2001–2007)==

On August 22, 2001, Jim Samples was promoted to Executive Vice President and General Manager of The Cartoon Network, Inc., replacing founder and original president Betty Cohen. Under Samples's leadership, the network included successful original series such as ''Samurai Jack'', ''Codename: Kids Next Door'', ''The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy'', ''Star Wars: Clone Wars'', ''Teen Titans'', ''Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends'', ''Camp Lazlo'', ''Ben 10'', and ''Class of 3000''. He is also credited with the rollout and launch of Adult Swim, the leading late-night network for young men in the United States, and in 2003, acquired the rights to air reruns of ''Family Guy'' and became the anchor for the Adult Swim line-up, which caused 20th Century Fox to revive the show in 2005.

Under Samples's leadership, Cartoon Network also somewhat controversially began airing live-action "cartoon-inspired" movies in 2005, such as ''The Goonies'' and ''Who Framed Roger Rabbit''; this move was made in response to Cartoon Network's declining ratings due to competing live-action shows on Nickelodeon and Disney Channel. In 2006, the network produced their first live-action original movie, ''Re-Animated'', a collaboration between live-action and animation. When asked about the project, Samples stated "We think when it's done the 'Cartoon Network' way, kids will enjoy seeing animation and the real world collide."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2006/03/09/cartoon-network-goes-live-with-re-animated-20773/20060309cartoon01/#zKbbZxHq3x87oAoX.99 |title=Breaking News - Cartoon Network Goes Live with Re-Animated |publisher=TheFutonCritic.com |date=2006-03-09 |accessdate=2022-05-05}}</ref> While Cartoon Network intended to produce future shows that blend live-action with animation as well as "cartoony" live-action shows, Samples maintained "we're predominately an animated network and that's not changing anytime soon."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6394544.html |title=Cartoon Comes Alive - 11/27/2006 - Multichannel News |website=www.multichannel.com |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070514001546/http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6394544.html |archive-date=14 May 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Samples resigned from his post on February 9, 2007, following a bomb scare in Boston caused by packages left around the city that were part of an outdoor marketing campaign promoting the Adult Swim series ''Aqua Teen Hunger Force''.<ref name="Bomb Scare">{{cite news|title=Two held after ad campaign triggers Boston bomb scare|url=https://www.cnn.com/2007/US/01/31/boston.bombscare/|date=February 1, 2007|publisher=CNN|access-date=May 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202024022/http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/01/31/boston.bombscare/|archive-date=February 2, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Jim Samples Quits">{{cite web|url=https://money.cnn.com/2007/02/09/news/newsmakers/cartoon_network/|title=Cartoon Network Boss Quits Over Bomb Scare|date=February 9, 2007|publisher=CNN|access-date=May 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070211191250/http://money.cnn.com/2007/02/09/news/newsmakers/cartoon_network/|archive-date=February 11, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> On May 2, Stuart Snyder was named Samples' successor.<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/110859-Stuart_Snyder_The_Perfect_Combination.php| title= Stuart Snyder: The Perfect Combination| first= Allison| last= Romano| date= October 21, 2007| publisher= Broadcasting & Cable| access-date= August 13, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100218194456/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/110859-Stuart_Snyder_The_Perfect_Combination.php| archive-date= February 18, 2010| url-status= dead}}</ref> Samples made the decision "in recognition of the gravity of the situation that occurred under my watch", and with the "hope that my decision allows us to put this chapter behind us and get back to our mission of delivering unrivaled original animated entertainment for consumers of all ages".<ref>{{cite news | first=Harry R. | last=Weber | title=Cartoon Network Head Resigns After Scare | date=February 10, 2007 | url =https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=2863647 | work =ABC News|archive-date =April 3, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070403040220/https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=2863647 | access-date =August 24, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Stuart Snyder (2007–2014)== {{see also|History of Cartoon Network#2007–2009|Underfist: Halloween Bash|List of programs broadcast by Cartoon Network|Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 TV series)#Production|Chower (TV series)|2007 Boston Mooninite panic#Aftermath}} Following Samples's resignation in February 2007, Stuart Snyder was named his successor three months later on May 2, 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/110859-Stuart_Snyder_The_Perfect_Combination.php|title=Stuart Snyder: The Perfect Combination|first=Allison|last=Romano|date=October 21, 2007|publisher=Broadcasting & Cable|access-date=2010-08-13}}</ref> On September 14, the network's look was revamped, with bumpers and station IDs themed to The Hives song "Fall is Just Something That Grown-Ups Invented." 2007 saw the debut of ''Out of Jimmy's Head'', a spin-off of the movie ''Re-Animated'', and the first live-action Cartoon Network series. 2007 also saw the debut of the series ''Chowder''. In late 2007, The network began broadcasting programs from Canadian channels such as YTV and Teletoon, including ''George of the Jungle'', ''6teen'', ''Storm Hawks'', ''League of Super Evil'', ''Chaotic'', ''Bakugan Battle Brawlers'', ''Stoked'', and the ''Total Drama'' series. Each October from 2007 to 2009, Cartoon Network also aired reruns of the Fox Kids series ''Goosebumps''.

In June 2009, Cartoon Network introduced a block of live-action reality shows called "CN Real", featuring programs such as ''The Othersiders'', ''Survive This'', ''BrainRush'', ''Destroy Build Destroy'', ''Dude, What Would Happen'' and ''Bobb'e Says''.<ref name="CN Real">{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-jun-17-et-cartoon-reality17-story.html|title=Cartoon Network's new reality shows, kid style|first=Robert|last=Lloyd|date=June 17, 2009|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=July 30, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101201221241/http://articles.latimes.com/2009/jun/17/entertainment/et-cartoon-reality17|archive-date=December 1, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> The network also aired some limited sports programming, including basketball recaps and Slamball games, during commercial breaks. The lineup was universally panned for being live-action shows on a channel dedicated to cartoons, competing against Nickelodeon and Disney Channel. That year, it also started airing live-action feature films from Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema.

On March 31, 2014, Stuart Snyder was removed as president and COO of Turner's Animation, Young Adults & Kids Media division after a restructure.<ref>[https://variety.com/2014/tv/news/stuart-snyder-out-at-turner-amid-shuffle-under-new-tbs-boss-1201127256/ Stuart Snyder Out at Turner] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180525162225/http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/stuart-snyder-out-at-turner-amid-shuffle-under-new-tbs-boss-1201127256/ |date=May 25, 2018 }}. Variety.com Retrieved on March 18, 2014.</ref> On July 16, Christina Miller was named his successor as president and general manager of Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, and Boomerang.<ref name="awn.com">[https://www.awn.com/news/christina-miller-tapped-head-cartoon-network-adult-swim-boomerang Christina Miller Tapped to Head Cartoon Network, Adult Swim and Boomerang] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721103511/https://www.awn.com/news/christina-miller-tapped-head-cartoon-network-adult-swim-boomerang |date=July 21, 2018 }}. Animation World Network. Retrieved on July 16, 2014.</ref> At the end of the month, Cartoon Network's 8 pm ET/PT primetime hour was given to its night time block Adult Swim, causing new episodes of the network's programming to change timeslots.<ref name="adult swim on Twitter">{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/adultswim/status/430721100193230848|title=[adult swim] on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=March 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409171107/https://twitter.com/adultswim/status/430721100193230848|archive-date=April 9, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> On October 21, 2014, Cartoon Network, along with CNN and Boomerang, were taken off-air from US-based TV provider, Dish Network, due to contract disagreements.<ref name="Roger Yu, USA TODAY">{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/10/21/turner-networks-off-dish-lineup/17671019/|title=Turner networks taken off Dish lineup on contract row|author=Roger Yu, USA TODAY|date=October 21, 2014|work=USA TODAY|access-date=August 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710033651/https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/10/21/turner-networks-off-dish-lineup/17671019/|archive-date=July 10, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the channels were restored a month later.

==Christina Miller (2014–2019)==

On July 16, 2014, Christina Miller<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fastcocreate.com/3056276/cartoon-networks-christina-miller-unveils-new-digital-strategy-wants-you-to-hack-it|title=Cartoon Network's Christina Miller Unveils New Digital Strategy, Wants You To Hack It|date=February 4, 2016|access-date=March 17, 2017}}</ref> was named his successor as president and general manager of The Cartoon Network, Inc.<ref name="awn.com"/> At the end of the month, Cartoon Network's 8 pm ET/PT primetime hour was given to its night time block Adult Swim, causing new episodes of the network's programming to change timeslots.<ref name="adult swim on Twitter"/> On October 21, 2014, Cartoon Network, along with CNN and Boomerang, were taken off-air from US-based TV provider, Dish Network, due to contract disagreements.<ref name="Roger Yu, USA TODAY"/> However, the channels were restored a month later.

On November 27, 2019, it was announced that Christina Miller would be leaving WarnerMedia at the end of 2019. Michael Ouweleen served as interim president of The Cartoon Network, Inc., with Miller helping with the transition.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/christina-miller-president-cartoon-network-warnermedia-departure-1203418284/ |title=Christina Miller, President of Cartoon Network, to Leave WarnerMedia |last=Steinberg |first=Brian |date=2019-11-27 |website=Variety |access-date=2019-11-27}}</ref>

==Michael Ouweleen (2019–2020, 2022–present)== {{See also|History of Cartoon Network#2016–2019}}

=== Interim president (2019–2020)=== In 2014, Ouweleen was named CMO of The Cartoon Network, Inc. (Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, and Boomerang) at Turner Broadcasting System. On November 27, 2019, Ouweleen became the interim President of The Cartoon Network, Inc. due to the departure of Christina Miller.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/cartoon-network-president-exit-15-year-run-1258288|title=Cartoon Network President to Exit After 15-Year Run|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=27 November 2019|language=en|access-date=2020-01-01}}</ref> After Tom Ascheim took over the role on July 1, 2020, Ouweleen became the President of Adult Swim, reporting to Ascheim.<ref name="Deadline">{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=April 29, 2020 |title=Michael Ouweleen Named President Of Adult Swim |url=https://deadline.com/2020/04/michael-ouweleen-named-president-adult-swim-1202920395/ |access-date=October 30, 2020 |website=Deadline}}</ref>

=== Tom Ascheim (2020–2022) === Ascheim acted as the president of Freeform until April 2020, when he resigned to take the position of president of Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics, a division which had oversight over Cartoon Network, Cartoon Network Studios, Warner Bros. Animation and Turner Classic Movies; his first day at the position was July 1.<ref>{{cite web|last=Goldberg|first=Lesley|date=April 7, 2020|title=Freeform's Departing Tom Ascheim to Run Cartoon Network|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/freeforms-departing-tom-ascheim-run-cartoon-network-1289068|work=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lafayette|first=Jon|date=April 7, 2020|title=Warner Bros. Grabs Disney's Ascheim to Head Kids on may 11th 2022 he un signed as Cartoon Network president Unit|url=https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/warner-bros-grabs-disneys-ascheim-to-head-kids-unit|work=Broadcasting & Cable}}</ref> On May 11, 2022, following company-wide reorganizations after the Warner Bros. Discovery merger, Tom Ascheim's role was eliminated.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=2022-05-12 |title=Tom Ascheim Exits As President Of Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classic |url=https://deadline.com/2022/05/tom-ascheim-exits-warner-bros-president-global-kids-young-adults-and-classics-1235021790/ |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Return to The Cartoon Network, Inc. presidency ===

{{See also|History of Cartoon Network#2020–present: Warner Bros. Discovery/Rise of Streaming (Redraw Your World and Prism eras)}}

Once Ascheim's left following reorganizations of the Warner Bros. Discovery merger, Ouweleen became President of The Cartoon Network, Inc. once again on May 11, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=2022-05-13 |title=Warner Bros. Discovery: Nancy Daniels To Run T-Nets Programming As Kathleen Finch Lays Out Leadership |url=https://deadline.com/2022/05/warner-bros-discovery-nancy-daniels-to-oversee-t-nets-kathleen-finch-1235023484/ |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:Cartoon Network executives Presidents Category:Businesspeople in the mass media industry Category:Chief executives in the mass media industry Category:American chairpersons of corporations