Hasbro Moves New ‘Transformers’ Series To Cartoon Network

Back in June, Hasbro Studios, the Los Angeles-based entertainment division of toymaker Hasbro, announced the title of its newest Transformers animated series, Transformers: Robots In Disguise, and a spring premiere date on kids cable network Hub, Hasbro’s joint venture with Discovery Communications.

There has been a change of plans, with the series now going to Cartoon Network. The decision coincides with a major overhaul of Hub, which starting next week will be called Discovery Family as Discovery Communications is taking control of the joint venture by buying 10% of Hasbro’s ownership. It marks Hasbro’s first series since the launch of the joint venture five years ago not to go to the Hub. The move does not indicate a lack of faith in the network’s successor, Discovery Family, said Stephen Davis, president of Hasbro Studios. “We are 100% committed to our joint venture with Discovery,” he said, noting that the studio produces some of the network’s signature kids series based on some of their top toy brands, including My Little Pony, Littlest Pet Shop, Pound Puppies and Family Game Night and stressing that Transformers is being moved whether it would fit better. “We see that (Hub’s) kids schedule has traditionally skewed towards girls while Transformers is a very boy-centric show.” Cartoon Network is the top-rated primetime network for boys’ ages 6-11 and 9-14.

This marks Transformers’ return to Cartoon Network where the animated franchise aired before its move to Hub. Davis touted Robots In Disguise as “a brand new chapter in storytelling, filled with great humor, lots of fun adventure and animated in a cooler, lighter, brighter style.”

In Robots In Disguise, Bumblebee must step up to be leader in the years after we left the Autobots in the most recent Transformers series, Transformers Prime. Summoned by Optimus Prime to save Earth from a new faction of Decepticons, Bumblebee puts his light-hearted mettle to the test after assembling a rogue team of young Autobots action heroes. Here is a trailer: