Cartoon Network's digital series 'Mighty Magiswords' gets greenlight for linear TV
Cartoon Network is taking its digital, interactive series about a brother and sister team of warriors to linear TV.
Mighty Magiswords, which Cartoon Network debuted as a 15-second interactive series last year, will head to the TV this fall.
Here's an example of the 15-second short that is on the CN Anything App:
You May Also Like
"I think from the beginning we hoped this could develop into a fully realized world and become a full linear series," Rob Sorcher, Cartoon Network's chief content officer, told Mashable. "We decided to go slowly by incrementally expanding the world itself. It was an organic process of making new platform-specific content, and also using this iteration as the development process for the series. It was something we'd never done before."
"It was something we'd never done before."
The show, created by writer and animator Kyle A. Carrozza, has become popular on Cartoon Network's various platforms, including on the network's mobile app.
In addition to the linear show, nearly 400 pieces of platform-specific original content have been custom developed. They include shorts, video blogs, web and mobile games and interactive narrative content, all of which will "be enhanced with proprietary technology allowing fans to participate in the world," Cartoon Network said.
The Turner-owned network, which is the No. 1 rated network for kids aged 6 to 11, is already home to a wide slate of popular programming, including AdventureTime, Powerpuff Girls, Teen Titans Go!, We Bare Bears, Clarence, Regular Show, The Amazing World of Gumball and Steven Universe.
Sorcher said he feels Mighty Magiswords fits with Cartoon Network's core goal: Good storytelling.
"I believe the show is a good representation of a shift that's taking place in storytelling," he added. "The fact that it started as an interactive video and made its way to linear TV is really something that we'll see more of in the landscape, and certainly from our studio."
Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.
Saba was a Los Angeles-based reporter who covers all things digital entertainment, including YouTube, streaming services and digital influencers. Prior to that, she spent two years at the Los Angeles Times covering entertainment for the Calendar and Company Town sections. Saba grew up in Santa Monica and graduated from Boston University with a B.S. in journalism and B.A. in political science. When not reporting, she is usually binge watching shows online or looking for new coffee shops to frequent.
