RJ Writing Ink

A Look at Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and Disney’s Streaming Services

This past week saw a lot of big news regarding the ongoing streaming wars. First, Disney entered the fight with their new streaming service, Disney+. Hot on the heels of that, Nickelodeon announced their own long-term deal with Netflix. With Cartoon Network slated to join HBO Max’s lineup at launch next year, the message is clear. The Big Three have joined the streaming wars.

For an entire generation of kids, the Big Three of Animation were the ones who made the best cartoons on TV. As a result, the news of the trio joining the streaming wars was big news on social media. As a fan of shows made by all three of these entities, I couldn’t resist giving my two cents. So, I’ll be giving my thoughts and opinions on each company, their streaming service, and how I think they’ll do.

Nickelodeon and Netflix

When I was a kid, Nickelodeon seemed like the best place to watch cartoons; or rather, Nicktoons. They had so many great shows, like Spongebob, Fairly Oddparents, Rugrats, and of course, Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nickelodeon looked like a cartoon giant, but then they started focusing more on their sitcoms. After that, I lost interest. However, this deal with Netflix could breathe new life into the Nicktoons.

Unlike the other Big Three of Cartoons, Nickelodeon’s not using an in-house streaming service. Instead, they’re formally teaming up with Netflix, which is the best possible move they can make. Firstly, Netflix’s still the top dog in the streaming business, and with Disney+ up and HBO Max to come next year, they want to stay that way. By relying on the lineup of Nicktoons beloved by millions as kids, they’ll be able to compete with Warner and Disney’s bigger library of cartoons. Both Nick and Netflix will win.

Cartoon Network and HBO Max

I didn’t start watching Cartoon Network until later in my childhood. However, once I started, I couldn’t stop watching. They’ve been churning out good cartoons for the last twenty plus years. As a result, I kept coming back to Cartoon Network long after I left Nickelodeon. In fact, I credit shows like Adventure Time and Regular Show for keeping me interested in cartoons. It feels natural that Warner would put them on their roster for HBO Max.

Next to Disney, Cartoon Network has access to the biggest library of cartoons, and one that’s not limited to their original shows. As part of Warner, CN can use the works of Hanna Barbera and Looney Tunes. Technically, Adult Swim also falls under Cartoon Network. While its currently unknown if they’ll bring any shows, Rick and Morty’s confirmed to join HBO Max. In other words, Cartoon Network’s got a lot to bring to streaming. However, given how much the subscription for HBO Max is said to be, this may cause them suffer.

Disney and Disney+

The last of the Big Three that I got into, I didn’t start watching Disney cartoons in earnest until Phineas and Ferb. My timing couldn’t have been better. The 2010’s saw Disney create its fair share of great cartoons; several of which I’ve written about. From the looks of things, they plan on heading into 2020 with even more great cartoons.

Disney’s library of cartoon shows is as impressive as their films, and that extends to the new Disney+. I haven’t seen much of it yet, but it seems they got most of the classic Disney Afternoon block on there, so that’s a big win. I actually went on Twitter and found Darkwing Duck to be trending! In addition to their original content, Disney+ has shows from properties that Disney owns, like Marvel, Fox, and Star Wars. All of these hit shows, in addition to how a subscritption only $6.99 a month, make for a tough combination to beat.

Which of the Big Three Will Come Out on Top?

Given everything that we know, I think it’s too soon to tell which of the Big Three will win the streaming wars. They each have really good cartoons that they bring to their respective streaming service. It may not seem like much, but since the millenials are now adults with money to spend, the cartoons they watched as kids could be a big factor in their companies’ success. As much as I love all three, I think the one that may come out on top will be Cartoon Network.

While HBO Max will be far more expensive than Netflix or Disney+, it partially justifies this given how much content they have planned. Regarding Cartoon Network, though, I think they’ve done the best job at consistently making good cartoons. Their famous line of “Cartoon Cartoons” lasted from 1996 to 2009 with the finale to Ed Edd n’ Eddy. In fact, Ed Edd n’ Eddy lasted for more than ten years. That’s superhuman by cartoon standards. In addition, the channel’s unbelievably successful cartoons this past decade. Regular Show became their first property to have an official movie since the end of Ed Edd n’ Eddy; Adventure Time spawned a generation-spanning fanbase; and need I say more about Steven Universe?

Given everything I’ve seen, and despite the high price of HBO Max, I think that Cartoon Network may come out on top in the Streaming Wars. However, I personally don’t mind who wins, as its the fans who win in the end. The Big Three are giving us a chance to see the shows we loved as a kid again, and maybe give us hope for reboots. That’s enough to make me happy, and I hope it’s enough for others out there. Besides, I’ve learned to stay out of this stuff.

Do you agree with my choice? Which of the Big Three did you enjoy the most growing up? Who do you think will win the streaming wars? Let me know in the comments down below.

Click here to see my other animation stuff.

Jay’s Month of Screams, Day 24-Gravity Falls

If I had to choose the most important TV shows of the decade, Gravity Falls would be near the top. Its one of the best cartoons in living memory, and I’d argue it kick-started Disney’s slew of great cartoons. It’s quirky and imaginative, yet also filled with mysteries. Just ask Nostalgia Critic: the guy loves the show! Best of all, its perfect for both summertime and the season of Halloween because it mixes the appeal of both. While the entire show’s worthy of a Halloween binge-watch, there are actually two episodes that are proper Halloween specials. Tonight, we cover the first one, Summerween.

Summerween

In the town of Gravity Falls, the people love Halloween so much, they celebrate it twice a year. For someone whose loved Halloween all their lives, this would be like a dream come true; it certainly is for the Pines Twin, who can’t wait to get free candy.

That is, until Dipper learns that his unattainable crush, Wendy, is going to a Summerween party. Not wanting to look bad in front of her, he tries ditching Mabel and her friends and trick-or-treating by faking being sick. When Mabel finds out he’s lied to her, she’s understandably upset. Especially since she takes it as a sign that Dipper’s too old to enjoy Halloween anymore.

A big part of Gravity Falls is that it’s a coming-of-age story in which Dipper and Mabel must mature to face the dangers in the town. However, as Alex Hirsch says in the real life Gravity Falls Journal 3, “growing old isn’t the same as growing up.” In other words, getting older doesn’t mean people have to wholly abandon the quirks and wonder of their childhood. In addition, I fail to see why Dipper would think he’s too old to go trick-or-treating.

Teens Can Enjoy Halloween, Too

In my personal experience, I fail to see why getting older doesn’t mean one can’t enjoy trick-or-treating. I kept doing it until I was well into my teens, and I wasn’t ashamed of it. Firstly, it’s fun dressing up and seeing all the costumes and decorations. Furthermore, it’s free candy! Who would say no to free candy?

Alex Hirsch Likes Anime

My favorite part of “Summerween”, though, was the monster of the week, the Summerween Trickster. It’s a local monster that punishes kids who lack the spirit of the holiday, and demands the kids give him 500 pieces of candy before the night is done or it’ll eat them. They almost succeed, but then Dipper messes up, causing the Trickster to shift into a monstrous form.

The Summerween Trickster’s shape and movement resembles the character No-Face from Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away. In that film, No-Face was a spirit that took on a monstrous appearance after eating other spirits. I loved that in the movie, and seeing it in the show was fun.

It turns out, though, that the Trickster is all the discarded holiday candy no one eats. Its bitter over this fact, so it eats all the kids. At least, until Soos eats its candy heart. If it weren’t for the fact that its made of candy, that would be messed up. Way to dodge the PG rating, Hirsch!

A Delightful Gravity Falls Episode

Like Nostalgia Critic says, there’s really no bad episode of Gravity Falls. I was a casual fan of it, and I kept up with it until the show ended, but this was one of its best episodes. It’s got a great plot, it makes some great allusions to pop culture, and if it weren’t a kids show, it would be very gruesome to watch! This episode is perfect for Halloween! Plus, we got these cute meme’s of Waddles.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Click here to see the FANDOM Article I did for Halloween last year.

Click here to see my other animation stuff. Or here to see all holiday related posts.

Mystery Shack Plug-In

If you’re a big fan of Gravity Falls or other cartoons like I am, then I have the perfect store for you. Introducing the Mystery Shack; a real-life one! Located somewhere in Georgia, this is the one-stop-shop for fans of western animation. They’ve got merchandise from all the great cartoons and anime of our time. They’ve got everything from Star vs., Rick and Morty, Steven Universe, and of course, Gravity Falls. I shop from them a lot, and they make quality merchandise.

If you’re interested, then click the link below to go check out their website. They’ve got plenty of cool stuff!

PS- I’m not doing this because I was paid to. I’m doing this because they’re awesome and you should buy their stuff.