Time Warner Inc.



From: http://static.neatorama.com/images/2008-07/tv-timewarner.gif
A picture to represent all of the networks that fall under Time Warner Inc.

            Whenever one considers the television networks such as Cartoon Network, CNN, Adult Swim, and Boomerang, he or she may think that these networks are either their own media companies or at least only under the Turner Broadcasting System. This was the impression I was under. However, after doing extensive research on Cartoon Network, I found that these companies do not just fall under the Turner Broadcasting System, but also the massive media company of Time Warner. In total, Time Warner owns some major television networks such as HBO, Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Adult Swim, and CNN (“About Us”, n.d.). Time Warner is the largest media conglomerate with business in film, television networks, and TV entertainment (“Time Warner” September 13, 2014., Para 1 ).

From: http://cdn.phys.org/newman/gfx/news/hires/2009/thetimewarne.jpg
A visual showing the major media company name, "Time Warner Inc."



            Time Warner Inc. has a long history which dates back to 1923. Time Warner Inc.’s origins start with Time Magazine. In 1960, ninety percent of a company’s revenue came from their magazines. However, this obviously eventually changed. According to a timeline done by CNN on CNN.com, by 1969, “Time’s bottom line takes a beating as television becomes a major threat.” It was not until 1980 that Time was seen as a cable company. The timeline goes on to say that in 1989, “Time merges with Warner Communications, setting the stage for a string of media consolidations.” By 2000, Time Warner and America Online merged (“Time Warner Timeline”, n.d.). According to cjr.org, “On February 13, 2014, Comcast announced plans to purchase Time Warner (just Time Warner cable) for $45 billion, pending FCC approval” (“Resources”, 2014).This being said, it is unknown if the statistical information in the first paragraph will still be relevant in a year from now. A further article written by Alex Rogers states, “Comcast on Wednesday sought to win over lawmakers reviewing its proposed $45-billion merger with Time Warner Cable, arguing to an audience without many vocal critics of the politically-connected cable giant that the corporate marriage would be good for consumers” (Alex Rogers, 2014). A major concept that I have learned from this particular blog entry is the fact that major media companies are constantly changing. There seem to be three major media companies; The Walt Disney Company, Comcast, and Time Warner Inc. Time Warner has been very successful and has received many awards such as Emmy awards, Peabody awards, annual GLAAD media awards, and academy awards (“About Us”, n.d.).

From:http://assets.worldwildlife.org/photos/1759/images/partnership_listing/New_Line_Cinema_08.08.2012_Partner.jpg?1345602516
One of the major movie companies that falls under Time Warner Inc.

From:https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxleUDFZ8EU-W2UIdJmXwzRL-vpWPwWFbSm3fRxg4ol12pG6-oINTnbIXP1tVg0vkjyaPUQcOnXHKBF5qNw9XOYaZYTUOiu-yqmJIClnkY7cQdogado5K_iwoAgt-8dtdpt0t7seaoRio/s3200/Warner_Bros_Pictures.jpg
Another major movie company under Time Warner Inc. 

            One of the major subcategories of Time Warner Inc. that I wanted to focus on was Cartoon Network because it has always been a programming station that I have watched growing up. It is a television program which is primarily aimed at young children and teens. I always enjoyed Cartoon Network because of its creativity and ability to stand out as different and genuinely funny and witty. Chuck Ross states, “Cartoon Network, in exploding from 38 million to 54 million homes passed this year, hit its stride as a major marketing vehicle, becoming the darling of many children's advertisers and a top destination for kids ages 6 to 11.” Time Warner Inc. has most likely been so successful because even though it is a mass company, it has divisions within it that apply to every type of person. Its humor and appeal to kids, allows Cartoon Network to be successful and contribute to the success of Time Warner Inc. Ross goes on to quote the president of Turner Entertainment Sales and Marketing, Joe Uva, stating, ``If Nickelodeon is about empowering kids, Cartoon Network is about freedom to be wacky and zany,'' Ross also states, “Cartoon is a part of Time Warner's Turner Broadcasting System family of cable channels” (Chuck Ross, 1998). Cartoon Network as well as HBO and CNN are all successful because they are generated towards a particular audience. Additionally, Cartoon Network has been very successful because of products associated with the media company being made and sold such as video games, toys, and books.

From: http://static.planetminecraft.com/files/resource_media/screenshot/1250/cartoon_network_wallpaper_attempt_by_randyadr-d56sviy_4391340_lrg.jpg
A visual representing a very popular part of Time Warner Inc.  

From: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4BgBQ3ru89bHIXDNO-sdDYX0U7ICjKe0Gf7f-Nvu6Px7L4Nnbn9DkUhYJfTN4ZJz1y1Y2SGYrr3R46M-O0n50bho3pgjpqDlkes8tin5Lu7AqSN53IuG0Tab-j2PG3q0nd4qurCbraU/s1600/1.jpg
An image showing all the major media companies.

            Something which I found interesting while conducting this research was the fact that even though Time Warner Inc. is the major media company over many networks, there is still a large amount of power to be had by the companies under it. This is demonstrated by an article written by Dan McGraw. His article states, “If Johnson's chart tracked the current deal-making efforts of CNN creator Ted Turner, it would reveal mountainous spikes today. The mastermind behind a $3 billion media and entertainment empire that includes movies, sports and cartoons in addition to cable TV, Turner is now busily trying to gain control of a major television network. Owning one of the three big broadcast properties — ABC, CBS or NEC — has been a commercial obsession for Turner over the past decade” (Dan McGraw, 1995). These statement is representative of Turner’s success and power. Although Turner Broadcasting System (Ted Turner’s company) is under Time Warner Inc., Ted Turner is still a very wealthy man. Part of Time Warner Inc.’s success comes from the power which each network under this media company possesses.

From: http://econ651spring2009.wikispaces.com/file/view/Rahman2.jpg/69810045/Rahman2.jpg
A representation of where Time Warner Inc.'s revenue comes from.  

            This assignment allowed me to gain an ample amount of information on some of the major media companies, particularly Time Warner Inc. I leaned that Time Warner Inc. is a major company which not only provides television, but also movie companies (New Line Cinema) and even franchise from particular networks like Cartoon Network (“About Us”, n.d.). This was an important assignment for me to complete because it has helped to further my knowledge of mass media and mass communication.    
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YErU9Y-_gXk

Works Cited

About Us. (n.d.). Retrieved September 15, 2014.

McGraw, D. (1995). Ted Turner’s TV quest. U.S. News & World Report, 118(14), 56. Retrieved September 14, 2014.

Resources. (2014, March 19). Retrieved September 15, 2014.

Rogers, A (2014). Comcast Urges Congress to Back Time Warner Cable Merger. Time.com, 1 Retrieved September 14, 2014.

Ross, C. (1998). Cartoon Network: Cable TV Marketer of the Year. Advertising Age, 69(48), S1-S16. Retrieved September 14, 2014.

TIME WARNER TIME LINE. (n.d.). Retrieved September 15, 2014.

Time Warner. (2014, September 13). Retrieved September 15, 2014.