Comic Con Analysis for TV Watchers and Wannabes Part Two

So, continuing where I left off yesterday, let's talk cable. Cable networks have really raised the bar in terms of their presence at Comic Con. It's completely understandable too. Cable is all about niche programming, finding a target audience and catering to it fully. Genre programming and niche are twins, so it makes sense to go after your potential audience for your genre shows at the Con. The number and type of shows being promoted really expanded a lot this year, and I can honestly say I was exposed to some shows I might not have given much attention to had it not been for their presence at Comic Con. Let's start with basic cable nets first.

By the way, where I can, I'll link to the Comic Con panels for mentioned shows. I'll do the same for yesterday's post, so revisit for the network shows. Bonus points to NBC for putting all of their show panels online!

ABC Family ABC Family has been a staple at Comic Con for a few years, since Kyle XY was a big genre hit for the network. This year they were there to really promote The Middleman and Samurai Girl [Transcript of Panel in Comment Form is here], both shows with young female protagonists who kick butt. Both shows got panels, which were reasonably attended. I think the increased female presence at Comic Con this year helped boost both shows. ABC Family's booth was the same as last year, but I dig it, because they have COUCHES! When you get tired of being knocked around in the exhibit hall, having a couch available to crash on for a few minutes is pretty sweet, and I certainly don't mind watching the TV in front of that couch for the promos for their shows if it means giving my poor tired feet a few moments of rest. The temporary tattoos for "Samurai Girl" were pretty nice, and there was quite a melee for "Middleman" pins (why I'm not sure, but to each his own). Grade: B+

Cartoon Network This year was all about adult swim, as far as I could tell. That's not to say there wasn't some presence for the network at large (Powerpuff Girls 10th Anniversary panel, for starters) but most of the attention was focused on Aqua Teen Hunger Force, (and their search for a live action Carl) Venture Bros and Robot Chicken. The booth must have been really popular because I never got near it. I hear there were some decent giveaways, but I never saw any, except a "Robot Chicken" flyer. I know the panels for the adult swim shows were packed, as was Powerpuff Girls, who I did see in the flesh as they did the voices for some camera crew. That was cool. Grade: B Comic Con Panels online!

Robot Chicken

Venture Bros.

Coming next: SciFi, Spike, G4, FX, Showtime, HBO, History Channel/Discovery Channel(!), BBC America and BET.