Adult Swim, (usually stylized
swim with its signature square
brackets), is an adult-oriented
television network sharing channel space with
Cartoon Network in the
United States.
[Adult Swim/CN Split Cements Strategy. ICv2. March 3, 2005.] The programming features animated shows, including original programming,
syndicated shows, and Japanese
anime, generally with minimal or no editing for content. The shows are geared toward a 17+ audience, in contrast to the child and pre-teen daytime programming on Cartoon Network. The shows and commercial breaks are usually interrupted by "
bumps", or moments where short jokes or Internet fan feedback (which they sometimes respond to in a sarcastic manner when it is negative) are broadcast in simple white letters over a black screen.
History
Adult Swim began as a
"spin-off" of Cartoon Network, premiering on September 2, 2001 with the airing of
Home Movies. The name is derived from public swimming pools often having designated times when children are restricted from using the facilities in favor of adults. These times are often referred to as "adult swim". The first
anime broadcast on Adult Swim was
Cowboy Bebop. On March 28, 2005,
Atlanta-based
Turner Broadcasting, split Adult Swim from Cartoon Network so
Nielsen Media Research could treat it as a separate channel for ratings purposes.
Some Adult Swim programming is available on demand on the Internet via
Adult Swim Video, a free, ad-supported
streaming video service.
Originally a Sunday-only block with
reruns on Thursdays, Adult Swim now airs Monday through Saturday from 11pm-6am Eastern Standard Time, and Sundays from 10pm to 6am.
