Beta Cartoon

Beta Cartoon (also just known as Beta on their screen bug) is an American cable and satellite television network focused on animation, mostly western. The channel is host to original and acquired shows, as well as anime licensed by Firebasket Media Publishing & Distribution and Venga Animation Team.

The channel shares its space with the AnimeCore Classics Saturday late night block showcasing classic anime from AuraAnime and Beta After Dark, a Sunday through Thursday late night block, showcasing original and acquired shows that lean towards older teens and young adults (16-31).

On March 7, 2020, Silver Warrior Animation bought 20% of the channel, 10% from Firebasket Broadcasting, and 10% from Aura International. Zachary Jordan, head of SWA, will also be appointed as head of original programming for Beta Cartoon starting March 30th.

On July 29, 2020, they announced the Beta Awards, an award show targeted towards ages 13-18. The awards will focus on music, movies, television, games, and comic/graphic novels. It will be co-produced by Moonlit Productions, a joint venture between NEP Group, Live Nation Entertainment, and LiveStyle.

History
After three months of SurgeAnime Plus's relaunch as SurgeAnime Classics, RaGE Media Broadcasting (the controller of all things SurgeAnime) has noticed that ratings were lower than usual. They kept monitoring ratings and in September of 2018, they reported that over the course of 8 1/2 months, a decline from 600k on average for the months of October/November 2017 to just 100-200k on average for July/August 2018. In late September, RaGE Broadcasting announced a rebrand and refresh to a more modern animation network.

Over time, the channel grew bigger and bigger, with new original series, and a afternoon block. Currently, Beta Heroes (produced by Silver Warrior Animation) is Beta Cartoon's highest-rated show.

On March 1, 2020, it was announced that Silver Warrior Animation, Zachary Jordan's production company, will be buying 20% of the channel and will be co-producing future shows. Jordan will also be appointed as head of original programming for Beta Cartoon. The previous head, Deshawn Davis, will be moved to the creative head of Beta Cartoon Productions.

On May 15, 2023, the company announces an upfront, with a refreshed logo and look, with a new slate of original and acquired programming as well.

Original programming

 * Beta Presents: The Coalition of Heroes
 * Sixth season about to air, currently renewed through season eleven.
 * Dimension Draw
 * Currently airing it's fourth season. Season 5 to air in the fall of 2023.
 * Fantasy High 2023
 * Currently in development for a Fall 2023 release.
 * Future's Past
 * Airing as a six episode limited series in September of 2023.
 * Galaxy Razor 2023
 * First season currently airing, renewed TBD.
 * Legacy of the Hades
 * Airing it's first season in August of 2023.
 * Light Gear
 * To air it's first season in April. Renewed for a second and third season.
 * Magicduo
 * Currently airing Season 1A, a "1B" will air in July with Season 2 airing in October. Currently renewed for a third season.
 * Medieval
 * Airing it's first season in July of 2023. Renewed for a second and third season for 2024 and 2025, respectively.
 * School In Session
 * To air third season in July. Fourth season renewed for a 2024 airing.
 * Sketch Station
 * Currently in it's final season.
 * Spies of the World
 * To air it's final season in September of 2023.
 * Time Warriors
 * Currently airing it's second season. Third season renewed for 2024.
 * Verses Reboot
 * Currently in it's first season, renewed TBD.
 * Vigilantes in the City
 * Currently in it's third season.
 * Wizard School
 * To air it's final season in August of 2023.

Acquired programming/libraries
TBA

Programming blocks
TBA

BnBeta
The first look was produced by Platige Image and featured a basic room that looked like a Bed and Breakfast. The look had about 15 minutes of footage and lasted from October 28, 2018, to November 30, 2018.

The logo was made in house by RaGE Cartoon designer Weis Bliss, who also produced the branding.

World of Beta
This second look was produced by Weis Bliss and implemented Animal Logic, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Scanline VFX, and Hydraulx as lead visual effects companies. The look started in December of 2018 and is slated to end on April 2, 2023.

Cyberspace & Galaxy
A third branding produced by Weiss Bliss and Tony Smith (another Beta designer), Cyberspace & Galaxy, is the "primetime/nighttime" on-air branding for the channel. This branding is shown from 6p until 11p on most days, with some days ending the branding at 9 or 10pm. On Fridays, this looks lasts until 1am. This look started in January of 2020 and is slated to end on April 2, 2023.

Cyber Universe
A fourth branding produced by Weiss Bliss (who is producing his final on screen look) and Tony Smith, Cyber Universe is the spiritual successor to Cyberspace & Galaxy. It has inspirations from Y2K, Metalheart, and other aesthetics from the early 2000s with an overall space theme. This look will start on April 3, 2023, taking over from the previous two. Firebasket Animation and Sony Pictures Imageworks are the lead visual effects companies for this look.