There will be more Batwheels to come, as the animated show has just been officially renewed for a second season. Variety reports that the renewal follows the series shooting up at the No. 1 original preschool series with boys aged 2-5 on Cartoon Network. It is also the most-watched original preschool show on HBO Max, where it’s been made available for streaming. This high viewership was enough to secure a season renewal, even with many major changes happening behind the scenes at Warner Bros. Discovery.
The future of the show was not guaranteed, as programming changes have recently brought about many other programs getting the boot. Batman-based shows weren’t safe, as both upcoming titles Batman: Caped Crusader and Merry Little Batman were both canceled at HBO Max. Other animated projects have also been canceled, such as The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie, Bye Bye Bunny: A Looney Tunes Musical, Did I Do That to the Holidays: A Steve Urkel Story, and The Amazing World of Gumball: The Movie.
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Tuca & Bertie was another show that was recently axed at Adult Swim after it had been previously saved from a Netflix cancelation. The save meant giving Tuca & Bertie another two seasons before it was canceled again after season 3. Cartoon Network and Adult Swim president Michael Ouweleen spoke about the show getting axed, pointing out that two more seasons was better than none, and insisting that the idea isn’t to cancel shows.
“I was glad that we were able to give it two more seasons and be able to let that thing evolve in front of people,” Ouweleen explains. “We’re not looking to cancel shows. It’s just we have to allocate the money we have in ways that we think are going to have the biggest impact and please the most number of people. You want to keep those creative relationships with people and see what else you can do.”
Batwheels Is Part of a Plan to Compete with Disney
Ouweleen also said that there’s a plan to push more kids and family content through animation, as the idea is to “compete with Disney, frankly.” While many projects have been canceled, progress is moving forward on others that will be a part of this push. It’s noted that Cartoon Network has already greenlit more seasons of other shows like Craig of the Creek, We Baby Bears, and Teen Titans Go!, while more episodes have been ordered for Bugs Bunny Builders and Sesame Street Mecha Builders.
“I think that it makes sense to introduce young audiences to Warner Bros. Discovery IP through preschool,” Ouweleen says of focusing on preschool content. “Batwheels did OK with adults weirdly. I think there’s a way that fanboys and girls are watching Batwheels, as it’s really highly produced for preschool show. It’s really fun and cool. We still plan to keep doing that.”
You can stream Batwheels on HBO Max.
