Cartoon Gets a Princess from AOL

America Online Inc.’s Princess Natasha is heading from the PC screen to the TV screen.

AOL and Cartoon Network reached a deal Thursday to bring the Internet-service provider’s original “Webisode” series to the cable network.

Princess Natasha is a series of 20 original animated short cartoons developed for AOL’s “KOL” kids’ service by Animation Collective.

“We feel strongly that these deals represent a major shift in the way original Internet programming is being perceived by the entertainment industry," AOL senior vice president and general manager for kids and teens programming Malcolm Bird said in a prepared statement.

“With the increased adoption of broadband, the time is right for innovative online video programming to set a new bar,” he added. “We are excited to be the innovators and leaders in the area of original online programming and believe that this is just the start for a strong Web series like Princess Natasha in extending beyond the Web."

Cartoon senior VP of programming and original animation Bob Higgins added, “Princess Natasha will be a great addition to Cartoon Network's lineup of girl-power series like Atomic Betty and Totally Spies. We think it's a fun cartoon that kids can relate to with exciting characters, adventurous plot lines and a unique look.”