ArobaCentral

ArobaCentral is an American pay television channel owned by Aroba Animation, in association with the NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment Group division of NBCUniversal. Launched on July 1, 2007, the channel is a replacement of the weekend program block Aroba Invasion following agreements with Universal to expand the said block. The network primarily airs animated television series, produced in-house by Aroba, ranging from action to comedy. It also airs programming from third-party sources and reruns of certain shows that were part of the original Aroba Invasion lineup.

As of September 2018, ArobaCentral is available to 84.9 million households in America.

Background

 * See also: Aroba Invasion

Aroba Invasion (formerly named Animation Invasion from 1994 to 1999) was a made-for-syndication weekend program block that airs productions from Aroba Animation and other third-party sources, with feeds broadcasting on local Fox, UPN, The WB, and other independent stations.

In 2000, Vivendi Universal Entertainment signed a multiplatform deal with Aroba; as part of the deal, Universal was given a 50% ownership stake in the block and under the head of Domestic Blocks and Asian Channels, Margaret Loesch. The block debuted mega-hits Dr. Slump and Pretty Cure, opening to a boost in ratings. However, in the mid-2000s, Vivendi Universal (now NBCUniversal) and Aroba were looking at launching a digital cable channel, originally suggested by the latter to be an expansion of the block in an attempt to regain ratings. They brought in DIC Entertainment and Corus Entertainment's Nelvana to become minority owners in the new channel.

On July 27th, 2005, a deal was made, and NBCUniversal, Aroba, DIC, Nelvana, and Zuniga/Schreiber announced the development of ArobaCentral, intending to compliment with the NBCU-owned sister channel Gingo. Also announced was the network's nighttime identity Underbelly, specializing in programming for teenagers and adults. The Aroba Invasion block's identity was changed from late 2006 to early 2007 to an urban, neon-lit style, which will be the basis of that of ArobaCentral's.

Launch, 2007-2010
At 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time on July 1, 2007, the channel launched with the Wackballs episode "Life Goes On", therefore bringing an end to the Aroba Invasion brand after 13 years. Of the programs migrated from the block were Madmen, Mercenaries: Side-Missions, Midnight Maestro, and Vegas Moptops.

Coming soon

"Fuelled by..." brand identity, 2010-2014
Shortly after a month-wide press conference between Aroba, Corus Entertainment and DHX Media, on January 29th, 2010, Aroba Animation announced it would now hold an additional 40% stake previously held by Corus and DHX; NBCUniversal therefore holds a 40% stake of the joint venture. To coincide with this, ArobaCentral unveiled the vivid "Fueled by..." brand identity on May 1st, 2010.

Programming

 * See also: List of programming broadcast by ArobaCentral

ArobaCentral's original programming currently consists of original animated series, produced by Aroba Animation; series of note include Wackballs, Camp of Eternal Youth, Feisty Cuffs, ASAP, Neo Asage and Picture Show; as well as acquired programming from third-party affiliates, which as of September 2020 includes RWBY Chibi and The Beatles.

In addition, ArobaCentral frequently reruns certain shows from the Aroba Invasion block, including Vegas Moptops, Madmen, Mana Galactic and Ethan's Guide to the World.

Compared to Aroba Invasion, the launch of ArobaCentral and the funds that came with it allowed Aroba to expand its TV production unit, therefore allowing the studio to accept more ideas from aspiring creators.

Current

 * Underbelly - ArobaCentral's nighttime identity targeted to young adult audiences, broadcast daily from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Contrasting from ArobaCentral's programming, Underbelly airs original series produced by Aroba under the Cartunatics pseudonym, programming from co-owned Rooster Teeth and Glitch Productions, and acquired programming including short films and Japanese anime.
 * ArobaCentral Theater - A block broadcasting movies airing every Saturday at 8:00 p.m.
 * Aroba on Overdrive - A block on Friday night from 7 to 10 p.m. that shows new episodes of ArobaCentral series.

Yearly

 * Peanuts Celebration - Based on the annual event at Knott's Berry Farm, every January since 2018, ArobaCentral shows non-seasonal Peanuts TV specials and episodes from The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show