Cartoon Network (UK & Ireland) late night slot. On 27 May 2000, the channel Boomerang was launched by Cartoon Network in the UK and Ireland, and most "classic" cartoons were moved from Cartoon Network to the new channel, which initially broadcast from 6am to 12am. On 1 October 2001, Boomerang became a 24-hour channel and the remaining "classic" cartoons (except for Looney Tunes, Tom and Jerry shorts, Thunderbirds, Danger Mouse, Scooby Doo, and The Flintstones, which remained until November 2002) like The Smurfs, also moved to Boomerang. On 24 May 2007, Cartoonito was launched as a pre-school channel replacing Toonami. The channel aired from 4am
Hero of the Hour 11.7 million viewers on its debut broadcast, becoming one of the channel's highest rated new dramas of the year. The BBC later reported in 2002 that the film had been Kemp's most successful project for the channel, following a poor start for his action drama series "Ultimate Force", which suffered badly in direct competition with "Waking the Dead". An extended version of the film was released on VHS on 19 June 2000, containing footage not broadcast on television, as well an exclusive behind-the-scenes documentary; but has yet to be released on DVD. Filming for "Hero of the Hour" commenced in