MeTV Toons Expands Saturday Morning Block with Two Classic Hanna-Barbera Series

MeTV Toons will add two 1970s Hanna‑Barbera cartoons to its Saturday morning lineup beginning June 20. The network will air fresh episodes of "The Pebbles and Bamm‑Bamm Show" at 11:30 a.m. Eastern (10:30 a.m. Central) followed by "Hong Kong Phooey" at 12:30 p.m. Eastern (11:30 a.m. Central). The move is part of the channel’s strategy to broaden its catalog of vintage animation and offer families a continuous block of nostalgic programming.

"The Pebbles and Bamm‑Bamm Show" follows teenage Pebbles Flintstone and Bamm‑Bamm Rubble as they navigate school, friendships, and family life in the prehistoric town of Bedrock. The series originally aired on CBS from September 11, 1971 to January 1, 1972 and was the first spin‑off of "The Flintstones". According to its Wikipedia entry, the show ran for 16 episodes and was later revived as part of "The Flintstone Comedy Hour".

"Hong Kong Phooey" centers on Penrod "Penry" Pooch, a police‑station janitor who transforms into a bumbling superhero when he jumps into a filing cabinet. The show debuted on ABC in September 1974 and ran through December 1976, with later repeats in the 1980s. Wikipedia notes that the series featured a canine hero who relied on a copy of "The Hong Kong Book of Kung Fu" and a sidekick cat named Spot.

MeTV Toons launched on June 25, 2024 as a spin‑off of MeTV, the classic‑TV network owned by Weigel Broadcasting. The sister network is partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery and focuses on hand‑drawn animation from the 1930s to the 2010s, including Hanna‑Barbera, Ruby‑Spears, and pre‑1986 Metro‑Goldwyn‑Mayer libraries. The new Saturday block is scheduled to run regularly, giving viewers multiple opportunities to catch episodes over the coming weeks.

Industry observers note that the revival of these series aligns with a broader trend of retro programming on linear and streaming platforms. Families seeking alternatives to contemporary digital content often turn to channels that offer positive, creative storytelling without the intensity of modern animation. "The Pebbles and Bamm‑Bamm Show" and "Hong Kong Phooey" exemplify Hanna‑Barbera’s ability to produce accessible stories that remain relevant.

MeTV Toons has promoted the premieres on social media with promotional artwork and character highlights. The network emphasizes that the shows will run without commercial interruption, allowing audiences to experience the programs as they were originally intended. The channel’s programming team has stated that the additions will strengthen its position as a destination for classic cartoons.

The inclusion of these two series also underscores the enduring appeal of hand‑drawn animation in an era dominated by computer‑generated imagery. Viewers can expect the limited‑animation techniques, bold color palettes, and orchestral scores that defined Saturday morning television in the 1970s. Parents and grandparents may find particular enjoyment in sharing these programs with younger viewers, fostering intergenerational conversations about television history.

As the premiere date approaches, MeTV Toons encourages viewers to check local listings for exact availability and to explore the full schedule for other beloved Hanna‑Barbera titles. The channel’s expansion of its Saturday morning block demonstrates a continued commitment to preserving and sharing nostalgic cartoon treasures with contemporary audiences.