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| Network | Various networks (as of 2025,Channel 4,E4 andE4 Extra) |
|---|---|
| Launched | 8 July 2006 (original launch) 10 September 2015 (first relaunch) 15 February 2019 (second relaunch) |
| Closed | August 2013 (original launch) 1 September 2017 (first relaunch) |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom Ireland |
| Headquarters | London, England,United Kingdom |
| Format | 576i (SDTV16:9) 1080i (HDTV16:9) |
| Official website | http://www.adultswim.co.uk |
Adult Swim is a late night programming block which has sporadically aired on various channels in theUnited Kingdom andIreland since 2006. As of 2025, Adult Swim programmes are broadcast onE4,E4 Extra and available for streaming on theChannel 4 streaming service.
The block first launched on 8 July 2006 before closing in August 2013. It was later relaunched on 10 September 2015 before closing again on 1 September 2017. The block was later relaunched for the second time on 15 February 2019 on E4 and E4 Extra.
In addition, Adult Swim also maintains a website and a mobile TV service which are run separately from its sister channel,Cartoon Network, unlike its American counterpart.
Adult Swim is an American channel block that airs on theUnited States cable networkCartoon Network after thewatershed, and features a mix of original and syndicated programming geared towards an adult audience. ACanadian version was launched as the late night counterpart toCartoon Network Canada in 2012.[1]
Some early Adult Swim programmes, notablySpace Ghost Coast to Coast, appeared on Cartoon Network UK, predominantly in the late-90s evening block "AKA Cartoon Network" alongside older-skewing CN fare and UK productions such as Cult Toons; however, for Adult Swim's more edgy shows which followed, alternative homes had to be found.[citation needed]
Many of Adult Swim's original programmes have been aired in the UK on channels aimed at older audiences, having either been sold individually or as part of designated AS program blocks.[citation needed]
In the past, such blocks have aired onBravo,[2]TCM 2,FX (later Fox), andComedy Central.
In June 2010, Turner Broadcasting had announced that they signed a deal with Adult Swim to debut on FX UK, and the block debuted at 10pm on 5 June 2010.
In January 2012, Adult Swim began a one-hour weekly broadcast on Turner's TCM 2 channel, marking the first time that Adult Swim has aired on one of Turner's own channels in the UK and Ireland. The programming block ended in August 2013, due to the closure of TCM 2.[citation needed]
Adult Swim returned to UK and Irish television with a new block onFox starting 10 September 2015 at 23:00.[3] In late 2016, the Fox block began airing on Thursday nights between midnight and 01:00. During late 2016 this ran concurrently with a Friday-night block ontruTV, then owned by Turner, making several series available toFreeview users.[4] The TRUTV block stopped at the end of 2016, Turner selling the channel toSony Pictures Television in early 2017. The AS programming block ceased on Fox on 1 September 2017. Following the demise of the Fox and truTV blocks,Rick and Morty was sold toComedy Central UK, which premiered the show's third season in the UK, andNetflix.
It was announced in January 2019 thatChannel 4 had partnered with Adult Swim to introduce a new one-hour Adult Swim programming block would be introduced onE4 from February 2019. It was also revealed thatChannel 4 would air numerous episodes of AS content on its online streaming and catch-up platform,All 4 as well as exclusively airing the upcoming fourth season ofRick and Morty on Channel 4. On 1 February, it was announced that Adult Swim would be coming to E4 on 15 February. It teased shows likeAqua Teen Hunger Force,Mr. Pickles,Rick and Morty,Robot Chicken, and more.[5] On 15 February 2019, E4 started airing the Adult Swim programming block by airingRick and Morty Season 1 and theRobot Chicken Walking Dead Special: Look Who's Walking. The next week, they replaced theRobot Chicken Walking Dead Special: Look Who's Walking.
On 8 March 2019, E4 started airing Season 2 ofDream Corp LLC, replacing the second episode ofRobot Chicken Season 9 that aired on the Adult Swim programming block.[citation needed]
On 27 April 2019, E4 started airing Season 2 ofRick and Morty.[citation needed]
On 3 May 2019, E4 started airing the Adult Swim programming block, Fridays on early mornings. The early morning block airs the previous episode ofRick and Morty Season 2 and two episodes ofRobot Chicken Season 8. The late night block airs the next episode ofRick and Morty Season 2,Robot Chicken Season 9,Dream Corp LLC Season 2 andRick and Morty Season 1. On the same day,Samurai Jack came to All 4. TheRobot Chicken: Star Wars special aired on E4 on 4 May 2019 at midnight. From June 2019,The Eric Andre Show replacedDream Corp LLC in the E4 block.[citation needed]
On 15 May 2019, it was announced at the WarnerMedia Upfront 2019 that Season 4 ofRick and Morty would premiere in November 2019.[citation needed]
Adult Swim in the UK has been broadcast on various channels since its inception in 2006 with various programming.
(E) indicates shows which received a linear scheduled broadcast on E4.Rick and Morty episodes were loaded to All 4 in tandem with their E4 broadcast.
| Network | Air dates | Programming |
|---|---|---|
| Bravo | 2006–2008 | |
| FX/Fox | 2010, 2015–2017 | |
| TCM2 | 2012–2013 | |
| TruTV | 2016 | |
| Comedy Central | 2017–2018 |
|
| Channel 4 E4 E4 Extra | 2019–present |
|
The Adult Swim website, like its American counterpart, offers free access to full episodes of shows includingSquidbillies,Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law,Tom Goes to the Mayor,Minoriteam,Stroker & Hoop,Moral Orel,12 oz. Mouse,Perfect Hair Forever,Metalocalypse, andFrisky Dingo. As of Wednesday 11 July 2012, the UK site started redirecting visitors to the U.S site. It has since been redesigned, showing a clip ofRick and Morty viaYouTube, their social media sites, and their TV guide for the UK blocks.[6]
Revolver Entertainment recently began distributing some original Adult Swim series onDVD in the UK and Ireland.[7]