Cartoon Network panelists at Anime Weekend Atlanta indicated that they were interested in taking back Saturday nights for Adult Swim, most likely as a venue for anime movies.  Ratings for the third quarter of 2003 demonstrated the ratings power of the growing Sunday-through-Thursday Adult Swim audience.  The Adult Swim block led all cable channels in delivery of adults 18-34, adults 18-24, men 18-34, and men 18-24 during its time period.  As long as the Adult Swim block continues to garner such strong ratings, expansion, both in terms of additional days and late night hours, remains a distinct possibility.

The panelists also announced that the Cartoon Network will show 52 new episodes of Inu-Yasha (Episodes 53-104) during 2004.  The major commitment to Inu-Yasha demonstrates the confidence the Cartoon Network has in the property.  When discussing anime movies for Saturday night showings, Inu-Yasha was also the first property mentioned.  With Inu-Yasha DVDs and manga available from Viz, this is a property that retailers can concentrate on, knowing that broadcast support from the Cartoon Network will be there during 2004.