What Does Adult Swim Mean?
In a literal sense, Adult Swim is a programming block of cartoons and comedy exclusive to the Turner Broadcasting System’s Cartoon Network, airing between 10 pm and 6 am in the United States. This part of the broadcast schedule was created in 2001 in response to low ratings, and is aimed at a more mature audience than the daytime programming, with content ranging from adult-oriented action and anime to original programming and reruns of classic series.
What Content Can You Find on Adult Swim?
Adult Swim’s content is broadly divided into two categories – cartoons and comedy. Cartoon content includes reruns of popular series from the past such as ‘Samurai Jack’ and ‘Futurama’, as well as original series like ‘Rick and Morty’ and ‘Robot Chicken’. Comedy includes talk shows such as ‘The Eric Andre Show’ and sketch comedy like ‘Infomercials’.
Significance and Cultural Impact of Adult Swim
Adult Swim quickly found a place among young adult viewers – it was the first TV network to bring the internet culture of meme-making and meme-sharing to television. It was also the first network to recognize the potential of shows with adult themes such as ‘Aqua Teen Hunger Force’ and ‘The Venture Bros.’
Following its success in the United States, Adult Swim expanded internationally, launching in the UK, Australia, Canada and more. It has since become a global phenomenon, with syndication deals in places like Norway, Germany and Japan.
Adult Swim has been a major factor in the modern renaissance of cartoons, allowing talented creators to bring their ideas to life without having to worry about the usual restrictions of daytime television. By taking risks, it has been instrumental in the revival of genres like anime and anthology comedy, and has also helped to popularize animation as a format for adult audiences. Its influence can be seen in many mainstream shows today, from ‘BoJack Horseman’ to ‘Archer’ and ‘Rick and Morty’.
Adult Swim’s success is due in part to its willingness to take risks and challenge the status quo. While it may not always hit the mark, its continued commitment to pushing boundaries makes it a valuable asset to the broadcast landscape.