Cartoon Network has been a kids cable staple for years, but in 2015 the network reinvented itself. First it revamped the old Cartoon Network app. The new app combines the best of both television and streaming, offering personalized and exclusive content in linear and video-on-demand forms. Mighty Magiswords, for example, aired 15-second episodes on the old, top-ranked Cartoon Network Anything app. But in the new app, the show changed formats to 2- to 3-minute segments, and it could feasibly become its own show on the broadcast channel; the app serves as a testing ground. This fluidity of content allows for limitless options as Cartoon Network continues to learn how children want to watch and engage with television.
Cartoon Network has always been known for edgy, boundary-pushing children's programming. In 2015, that took the form of Steven Universe, a coming-of-age fantasy story that features many queer and LGBT themes, as well as commentary on gender roles and sexuality. With such innovative creation and presentation, Cartoon Network is setting itself up to be relevant to a whole new generation of viewers.
