HBO Max and Cartoon Network are getting in gear together.
In a sign of WarnerMedia’s increasing commitment to shared resources, HBO Max and Cartoon Network have picked up animated preschool show Batwheels to series. The company’s streamer and linear cable network will share the show, though it’s unclear if it will debut concurrently or in a windowing pattern. Cartoon Network will retain global rights to the series.
Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios topper Sam Register exec produces the series, with Doc McStuffins’ Michael G. Stern set as a co-EP. Simon J. Smith (Baymax Dreams) will supervise, while Steven Fink of Bang Zoom produces.
The action-adventure show features the most heroic and iconic vehicles from the DC universe as they defend Gotham City alongside Batman, Robin, Batgirl and other DC heroes.
Batwheels is among the first series greenlit by Tom Ascheim, who joined WarnerMedia in the summer as president of Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics. The former Freeform president on Tuesday also picked up We Baby Bears, the latest incarnation of We Bare Bears, which recently spawned a movie. Register, for his part, was given oversight of Cartoon Network Studios in August as the division shifted to Asheim’s purview.
“Batwheels is the perfect show to headline our new foray into preschool,” said Ascheim. “I can’t wait for all the aspiring super heroes out there to meet this whole new batch of crime-fighters.” Added Register: “From Batman: The Animated Series to Teen Titans Go!, superhero storytelling has definitely been one of our superpowers here at Warner Bros. Animation. We are so excited to bring that expertise over to the preschool space and take something that all kids love, cool vehicles, and give it a turbo boost with Batman!”
However the rollout pattern works for Batwheels, the deal represents the latest ways in which WarnerMedia’s linear networks are working in unison with company’s recently launched HBO Max, as the company looks to bulk up its streaming platform while servicing its traditional outlets.
HBO Max is already home to a number of DC programs including originals from the likes of J.J. Abrams and Greg Berlanti as well as library shows and feature films.
