Programming changes: Boomerang Latin America removes classic Hispanic-American programming to cater to a younger audience.
LISBON/EUROPE - Boomerang Latin America began removing classic cartoons in January 2008, starting with the official Brazilian and Mexican channels. Claims such as low viewership or a strategy to completely modify the channel for a new target audience were two of the many reasons cited on various websites.
And here's some interesting news for those wondering why the channel removed its classics from the schedule: this didn't happen everywhere. Boomerang Latin America has three feeds (Argentina, Colombia, and Chile), and Brazil and Mexico each have their own. For other countries, the Clásico TV block, a nighttime programming block aimed solely at young adults, had its classic cartoons removed from the Brazilian and Mexican channels since January 2008. Only now, in June of this year, will the same happen in Hispanic America.
Just as Brazilians are nostalgic, Latin were not at all happy with this decision, which primarily affected Brazilians and Mexicans who are still upset about it. Unlike our Boomerang Latin America, the Latin signal only has two or three series, and their biggest complaint is precisely that: besides the bad programs, they also have to endure this type of production that, luckily, wasn't bought for the Brazilian version of the channel.
It seems that Mr. Barry Koch's (the big boss of the channels on the continent) idea is precisely to invest in co-productions and telenovelas, which, according to him, are to the public's liking. Another channel is also developing a similar project. Nickelodeon Latin America also started with the idea of series and is already producing one in Chile; whether it will come here or not is unknown.
Unlike the executive's thinking, the public is dissatisfied and longs for the return of old cartoons to the channel's programming. Our opinions confirm everything we've already said here on this subject: Boomerang Latin America has lost its way and only shows Australian canned shows that are, incidentally, successful with a considerable number of people. Have you ever tried to criticize H2O: Just Add Water? Well, don't try.
Furthermore, Boomerang Latin America knew how to differentiate itself from any other channel when it was still in its classic version. Nobody knows what's going on with Turner Broadcasting System Latin America in this regard; they know they're losing audience but aren't bothered by it at all, even though their flagship channels (Cartoon Network Latin America, TNT Latin America, CNN en Español, etc.) are below what they once were and, in the opinion of many, completely disorganized, and the graphics of the children's channel, which has been operating since April 3, 2006, are not pleasing anyone.
The public will continue to be ignored, whether through emails or protests, unless they eventually realize where they're going wrong and that changes. But considering this is a company that doesn't care about its subscribers, that seems unlikely.