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 Universal Home Entertainment, Mill Creek Entertainment, and Shout Factory animated series. As well as anime licensed by Firebasket Media Publishing & Distribution. Original programming, as well as original programming from Landshade Media will also appear.

The channel shares its space with the SurgeAnime Classics overnight block.

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.

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.

Original programming

 * Storm Wave {A} [TV-PG V]
 * Fall Camp {C-Ad} [TV-PG DV]
 * The Motel {C} [TV-PG D]
 * Drive In {C} [TV-PG D]
 * Space Team Seven {A-Ad} [TV-PG V]
 * One House of Friends {C-Ad} [TV-PG]
 * Totally Flashback {C-A-Ad} [TV-Y7 FV]
 * Spies of the World {C-A} [TV-PG V]
 * Electric City Blues {Ad}[TV-PG LS]
 * Viva Vegas [TV-PG LV] {Drama, Sports}
 * Fantasy High {A-Ad} [TV-PG LV]
 * Cyberwave {A} [TV-14 LV]
 * Dice Master Akira {A-Ad-K} [TV-Y7 FV]
 * Disc Capture Squad {A-Ad-K} [TV-Y7 FV]
 * Beta Heroes [TV-PG V] {Superhero, Drama, Action}
 * Camp Beta [TV-PG DV]
 * Pilot Station [TV-PG] {Anthology}
 * Life on Beta [TV-PG] {Anthology, Comedy, Drama, Action}

Bxx

 * My esport story {Slice of life, Drama} [TV-14 LV]
 * Universal Warfare {A-Ad} [TV-14 V]
 * Brothers in Arms {A-Ad} [TV-14 V]

Upcoming programming

 * World Of Our Own {Fantasy, Adventure}
 * June 2019
 * Defenders of the Universe (Adventure, Superhero, Drama, Action)
 * June 2019
 * The Other Defenders (Adventure, Superhero, Comedy-drama, Action)
 * July 2019
 * The Wrestler {Sports, Drama}
 * July 2019
 * Wizard School
 * September 2019
 * Battle of the Bands
 * September 2019
 * Legend of One
 * September 2019
 * Warriors of the Future
 * October 2019

Former programming

 * Land of a Million Hells [TV-PG DLV] {October 2018-January 2019}
 * DriverZ {October 2018-January 2019}

Former specials

 * World of Beta Kickoff
 * November 30, 2018
 * 10-10:30pm (repeats 4:30a-5a)

Key

 * A - Action
 * C - Comedy
 * Ad - Adventure
 * K - Kids

Acquired programming/libraries

 * Mill Creek Entertainment cartoon library
 * Shout Factory cartoon library
 * Firebasket Media Publishing & Distribution anime library (shared rights with SurgeAnime Network).
 * Aniplex of America (shared rights with SurgeAnime Network).
 * Sentai Filmworks (first refusal right, shared rights with SurgeAnime Network).

Programming blocks
(All times Eastern)
 * The City
 * Weekdays from 6a-9a. Repeats from 1p-3p. Friday nights/Saturday mornings from 11p-1a. Repeats Saturday mornings from 7a-9a.
 * Beta Classics
 * Weekdays from 9a-1p
 * Beta Final Bell
 * Weekdays from 3p-5p.
 * Beta Action
 * Weeknights from 5p-7p.
 * Beta Primetime
 * Monday to Thursday from 7p-8p. Repeats from 11p-12a.
 * Beta Fridays
 * Friday nights from 7p-11pm. Repeats from 11p-2am.
 * SurgeAnime Classics
 * Early mornings, daily, 4a-6a
 * Beta Collection
 * Saturday nights from 5p-8p.
 * Sunday nights from 4p-7p.
 * Beta Anime
 * Saturday nights from 8p-11p
 * Beta Sunday
 * Sunday nights from 6p-9p

Former programming blocks

 * Beta Detox
 * Weekdays from 1p-2p (October 2018)
 * Classic animated shows mixed in with new ones.
 * Beta Action Mornings
 * Weekdays from 8a-10a. (October-November 2018)
 * Action animation for two hours.

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 used Animal Logic, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Scanline VFX and Hydraulx as visual effects company. The look lasted from late winter 2018 to the spring of 2020, where it was replaced by Cyberspace and Galaxy. World of Beta will still be used as a secondary branding.