Cartoon Network Powers Up With 'Powerpuff Girls' Special

Cartoon Network  will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its popular 1990s’ animated cartoon series The Powerpuff Girls with an original 30-minute special premiering Jan. 19, the network announced Tuesday.

The 78-episode series, created by Craig McCracken (Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends) features three kindergarten-age superhero girls doing battle against the forces of evil, premiere on Cartoon Network from 1998 to 2004.

To help recognize the 10th anniversary of the franchise – which has grossed more than $1 billion in merchandising sales – the network will run a 14-hour marathon Jan. 19 leading up to the original special’s premiere.

“What started as a clever seven-minute student film, The Powerpuff Girls helped establish Cartoon Network as a creative force around the world,” said Rob Sorcher, chief content officer of Cartoon Network, in a statement. “Today, Cartoon Network celebrates 10 years of the now-iconic brand and the brilliance of Craig McCracken, who continues to bring us the classic cartoons of tomorrow.”

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.