• Kids' WB is doing unusually well in the summertime ratings. According to this press release [no longer available], The New Batman/Superman Adventures actually beat Nickelodeon's Doug in ratings. Here are the Saturday morning Kids aged 2-11 (unless otherwise noted) network ratings for the weekend of June 12th:
  
  1. NBC 2.1/15 (teens 12-17)
  2. Fox 2.1/13
  2. WB 2.1/13
  4. ABC 2.0/13
  5. UPN 1.7/9 (Sunday programming)
  6. CBS 0.5/4

• A new Animaniacs computer game is coming this fall. Click here [no longer available] for a description of the game, and then click here for a scan of the the very cool print advertisement, which includes some more game pictures. The file is 300K. Big thanks to dasbrain for the scan!

• Craig "Gookie" Crumpton has some more WB news reports: this one on the aforementioned Animaniacs computer game, this one on Batman Beyond comics and other items, this one on WB's upcoming animated feature "Iron Giant" and other merchandise, and this editorial on the current state of WB Studio Stores [no longer available].

• The following appeared on Cinescape Online:
  
  Sounds like Warner Bros. is already feeling pretty good about the potential success of their Osmosis Jones animated feature... they've also greenlighted an animated series based on it. According to a number of sources, the studio has put in an order for 13 episodes which will be broadcast on the Kids WB. The series will start after the theatrical release of the film.
  
  What is "Osmosis Jones"? Click here [no longer available] for a short description from The Daily Buzz.

• A Pokémon CD is being released on June 29th. This fall Kids' WB will be airing new segments of Pokémon called "Pikachu's Jukebox," which will feature songs from the CD. You can listen to samples of these songs by clicking here [no longer available].

• Read a fascinating interview with Paul Dini from anotheruniverse.com by clicking here, and follow that by reading this interview with Batman Beyond writer Stan Berkowitz.. After you've read those, check out this other Paul Dini interview [no longer available] from The Critical Eye, and then after that read this interview [no longer available] with Darwyn Cooke (creator of the Batman Beyond title sequence), also from The Critical Eye.

• The recently released video "Batman Beyond: The Movie" now has it's own website.

• Batman: The Animated Newsletter has reached a milestone of 1000 subscribers! Also, look for two special themed issues this summer: one on Batman Beyond and one on Superman.

• Hardees restaurants is now offering Pinky, Elmyra & The Brain toys.

• Click here for a quick bit of info about the expansion of Cartoon Network's Toonami.

Thanks to Gookie, dasbrain, Vincent (AWLalak@aol.com), Kelly, Dick Grayson, CornyDog and Eddie Beiles for all this news.

June 7, 1999

• Check out these two press releases: WBA Wins More Emmys Than Any Other Animation Studio; and Kids' WB Has Record Season [no longer available].

• Click here [no longer available] for an article from Variety on the performance of the Saturday morning lineups this past season. Thanks to Vincent for the link.

• A recent ZENtertainment newsletter reporetd the following: (thanks to PlopKat for this news)
  
  Animated BATMAN favorite Harley Quinn enters the DC Comics' universe with the August 11th release of BATMAN: HARLEY QUINN, a 48-page, prestige format one-shot written by Paul Dini, illustrated by Yvel Guichet and Aaron Sowd, and featuring a painted cover by Alex Ross (Earth X).The introductory story is similar to that of Harley's animated origin, with former Arkham Asylum doctor Harleen Quinn becoming the Joker's "girlfriend," and turning to Poison Ivy after that doesn't work out. Harley will then be featured in the 2-part "The Code" NO MAN'S LAND story arc, beginning August 18th, in BATMAN #570. http://www.dccomics.com

• Vincent (Ketchum151@aol.com) has another report on WB's upcoming primetime animated series, Baby Blues:
  
  I have received yet another email from Beth, The Baby Blues Webmistress which is similar from the original one I received from her. She and the writers of the series are committed to answering every email they receive, but it might take awhile.   "Baby Blues" might have it's title changed to "Bluesville," but that is only a rumor as of now. This is what she had to say:
  
  "WB hasn't scrapped the show... It was one of those good news/bad news situations: The good news being that they added more shows to our series order; the bad news being that they decided to move the episodes to a mid-Fall debut, and along with it, the Christmas special.
  
  So, the way it stands right now is that the series of 13 episodes will start sometime around January, mid-season,  with the Christmas special to run  in December. Sorry that the special was delayed, but it was not because of any problems with it or the network's commitment to it. Their commitment to it is actually stronger now. We've seen the finished animation back from overseas and we think it will be worth the wait!
  
  In the meantime, we're trying to get the WB to allow us to use a clip that aired on Access Hollywood on our web site. We hope that will happen very soon.
  
  Thank you for taking the time out to let us know how you feel about Baby Blues. Letters like yours just make our day! We love to hear when our strip really hits home.
  
  Beth, your Baby Blues webmistress'"
  
  Check out recent news updates on the Animation Blast news page for more info on Baby Blues (under the June 3rd and June 1st dates).

• Bryan Chaney has reported that:
  
  Flashback Records, a low price division of Rhino, has released two (not just one as reported on Toonzone) Animaniacs compilations.
  
  Animaniacs Wacky Universe (R2/R4 75634)
  
  Yakko's Universe
  Yakko's World
  Several Drops Of Rain
  Wakko's America
  Traveling Animaniacs
  The Presidents
  U.N. Me
  I'll Take An Island
  Panama Canal
  Animaniacs
  
  Animaniacs Goes Hollywood (R2/R4 75635)
  
  Variety Speak
  The Hello Song
  At The Big Wrap Party Tonight
  What Are We
  Yes, Brothers Warner We
  There's Only One Of You
  I'm The Very Model of a Cartoon Individual
  Pinky and The Brain
  I'm Cute
  Video Revue
  
  list price is $6.99 CD and $3.99 CS.