Guide 06
Saturday morning cartoons: history and where to watch
The cultural history of Saturday morning cartoon blocks, iconic animated series by decade, the decline of broadcast animation, and where to revisit vintage cartoons today.
Open the cartoons channel or keep reading.
What were Saturday morning cartoons?
Saturday morning cartoons were a television programming tradition in which broadcast networks dedicated Saturday morning time slots to animated series aimed at children. The format began in the 1960s, peaked in the 1970s and 1980s, and declined through the 1990s and 2000s as cable television and streaming services offered on-demand animation. For decades, Saturday morning was the focal point of children's television, a weekly ritual where kids gathered in front of the television to watch hours of animated programming, complete with toy commercials, public service announcements and station bumpers.
The Saturday morning cartoon block was more than just a programming schedule; it was a cultural institution. It shaped childhoods, launched franchises, drove toy sales, and created shared media experiences that defined generations. The relationship between animated series, toy lines, and commercial advertising was symbiotic: shows were often created to support toy lines, and the commercials that aired during the shows promoted the toys that inspired the shows.
A history of Saturday morning cartoons by decade
1960s: the beginning
The 1960s saw the formalization of the Saturday morning cartoon block. Networks began scheduling animated series on Saturday mornings, drawing from theatrical cartoon libraries and producing original television animation. The decade established the format and audience expectation that would define Saturday morning for the next three decades.
1970s: the golden age begins
The 1970s saw the Saturday morning cartoon block reach full maturity. Networks produced original animated series based on existing properties, including comic book characters, Hanna-Barbera productions, and educational programming. The decade also saw increased regulatory attention to children's television content, which shaped what kinds of shows could be produced and how they were advertised.
1980s: the peak
The 1980s were the golden age of the Saturday morning cartoon block. Toy-driven animated series dominated the lineup, with shows created in tandem with toy lines. Action-adventure cartoons, science fiction series, and licensed character properties filled the schedule. The commercials that aired during these shows were as much a part of the experience as the shows themselves, and the relationship between animation and merchandising reached its peak. See our 1980s TV guide for more context.
1990s: the transition
The 1990s saw the beginning of the end for the traditional Saturday morning cartoon block. Cable networks launched dedicated animation channels that offered daily programming, reducing the unique value of the Saturday morning slot. At the same time, regulatory changes and shifting viewing habits led networks to reduce their commitment to original Saturday morning animation. The decade saw the rise of creator-driven animation, the influence of Japanese animation, and the beginning of the end of the traditional cartoon block.
2000s: the decline
The 2000s saw the Saturday morning cartoon block largely phased out. Broadcast networks reduced their animated programming, cable networks dominated children's animation, and the first wave of online video content began to offer alternatives to scheduled broadcast animation. By the end of the decade, the traditional Saturday morning cartoon block was largely a memory, replaced by on-demand viewing and dedicated animation channels.
How to watch Saturday morning cartoons online
- Open the Saturday morning cartoons channel or any decade page and select the Cartoons channel.
- Press Power to start playback. The player tunes an animated clip from the selected decade.
- Use Next or Random to move through different clips.
- Use the year buttons to narrow the pool to specific years.
- For a specific cartoon, search the video archive by title or year.
For a focused 1980s cartoon experience, open the 80s Saturday morning cartoons channel.
The relationship between cartoons and commercials
Saturday morning cartoons and toy commercials were inseparable. The shows were often developed to promote toy lines, and the commercials that aired during the shows promoted the toys that inspired the shows. This symbiotic relationship defined the Saturday morning viewing experience and shaped the way an entire generation experienced advertising. When you watch Saturday morning cartoons on Channel Surf Time Machine, you can also switch to the commercials channel to see the toy ads that accompanied the shows.
Saturday morning cartoons FAQ
Where can I watch Saturday morning cartoons online?
You can watch Saturday morning cartoons on Channel Surf Time Machine by opening the Saturday morning cartoons channel, selecting a decade, and pressing Power. The archive includes animated shorts, family programming and cartoon clips from the 1950s through the 2000s. No login is required.
When did Saturday morning cartoons end?
Saturday morning cartoon blocks declined through the 1990s and 2000s as cable networks offered daily animation programming, and the traditional broadcast Saturday morning block was largely phased out by the late 2000s. The format was replaced by dedicated animation channels and online streaming.
Why were Saturday morning cartoons important?
Saturday morning cartoons were a cultural institution that defined childhood media consumption for decades. The blocks featured original animated programming tied to toy lines, comics, and licensed properties, and the commercials that aired during them were as eagerly anticipated as the shows themselves.