MeTV to start Cartoon Channel

Those of us in the Generation X distinction are probably one of, if not the last to have regular Saturday morning cartoons – specifically on the “Big 3” networks – NBC, ABC, & CBS.

After a while, when the local TV stations started putting airing blocks of news on Saturday mornings, the cartoons moved over to cable channels which eventually evolved into the Cartoon Network with the classic toons. Classic toons were phased out as new cartoons were created which brought to light another channel called Boomerang which became the new home for the classics. But if you are a member of the Cord Cutter Society* you no longer have access to those (and a myriad of other bandwidth-eating) channels which now seem to thrive on airing reruns of classic sitcoms ad nauseum.

Over-the-air viewers as well as those who subscribe to cable just for local reception have been treated to channels such as MeTV with myriads of classic TV programs. The Chicago-based channel operated by Weigel Broadcasting Company is carried by local stations over-the-air on digital subchannels throughout the country. In PIttsburgh it is carried on WPXI’s 11.2 channel.

A few years ago MeTV brought back the Saturday morning cartoon block to their line-up apparently to the delight of many. Beginning at 6:00 a.m. Tuesday (6/25/24) they will offer a brand new channel – MeTV Toons. Viewers will be treated to over 60 different classic animation series each week – from Bugs Bunny to Speed Racer. Weigel Broadcasting has worked with Warner Brothers and other well-known animation companies to put this channel together.

What remains to be seen is whether or not the channel will be carried on one of Pittsburgh’s subchannels. PBRTV has contacted WPXI but has not heard back as of this writing. But WPXI’s four channels are taken up at present – other than the main signal, 11.2 is Me-TV; 11.3 is Laff; and 11.4 is the Pittsburgh Cable News Channel.

The nearest o-t-a channel will be WTOO-CD 50.6 in Johnstown, PA. (We remind viewers that you will have to rescan your TV antenna to pick up the new signal.) For everyone else in the region, if you subscribe to Frndly or Philo streaming services you will be able to watch the new channel there on Tuesday.

*As far as we know there is no official group or organization called the “Cord Cutter Society”. If not, there should be!