Considering October is fast approaching, I was starting to wonder a bit about when we’d start hearing more official news about the Hub in general, and G.I. Joe: Renegades specifically.  Turns out that time is now.
During an advertiser upfront, the Hub officially announced their initial slate of animated programming, including G.I. Joe: Renegades, and MediaWeek.com even debuted a shot of Duke that we all saw at the Convention in Providence 2 weeks ago.  A pity it’s so small.
Information about G.I. Joe: Renegades is as follows:

“G.I. Joe Renegades” (Hub Original Series)
This action-packed animated series goes back to basics with the origins of G.I. JOE, the world’s most elite fighting force, and their evil nemesis, the Cobra organization.  Witness the emergence of the heroic G.I. JOE team as a cadre of highly-trained specialists who are forced to band together to prevent the nefarious forces of Cobra from achieving global domination. Produced by Hasbro Studios.”

Current hypothesis is that Cobra is a large, worldwide organization, and the G.I. Joe team is on the run.  Promising lots of cameos, adult-themed plots and action, G.I. Joe: Renegades could potentially be the animated series that the fans have been waiting for, which will please us, but also be approachable to the kids.
The Hub is slated to launch October 10th, 2010, and one would imagine G.I. Joe: Renegades would launch alongside the channel’s debut.  For a full transcript of the Press Release with all of the gory details click the “Read the rest of this entry” link below, or find it right here.
For full details on the Hasbro roundtable, featuring tons of information on G.I. Joe: Renegades, click here.  A big thanks to Toy News International and GeneralsJoes commentor 788 for the heads up!
FULL PRESS RELEASE
LOS ANGELES, Ca. – In preparation for its first advertiser upfront before the highly anticipated October 10^th launch (10/10/10), The Hub is announcing today a series of new programming pickups that includes a wide range of original, premiere and acquired series and specials from many of the top producers in the industry.
The series announcements, representing a partial list of the programs which will be featured on the new network, were made by Margaret Loesch, President and CEO of The Hub.  The Hub, which will be rated immediately upon launch and available to 60 million U.S. households, is a joint venture between Discovery Communications and Hasbro, Inc.
“I’m delighted with the caliber of programming – which includes some beloved and popular brands — that we are bringing to the network’s new lineup,” said Loesch. “We are focused on bringing together a diverse slate and a wide array of amazing creative talent to make The Hub a popular destination for children and their families.  At The Hub, viewers will find consistently entertaining, empowering and enriching programs, including programs designed to educate young viewers and their parents.”
Loesch also announced additional scheduling details, including the network’s specific programming blocks:  Pre-school (ages 2-5; 9 AM – 1 PM); Kids Afternoon/Kids Prime (ages 6-12; 1-6 PM); Family Prime Access (6-7 PM); and Family Prime (7-11 PM).
Among the animated and live-action series is a robust slate of six Hub Original Series along with seven U.S. Premiere Series.  Additional original and acquired programming and a full lineup schedule will be announced later.
Series announced today (in alphabetical order):
(Original Series)
“Dan Vs.” (Hub Original Series)
Meet Dan, a loveable misanthrope who, along with his reluctant sidekick Chris, haphazardly seeks revenge against the frustrations of modern life that – whether in reality or in his imagination – conspire against him. Produced by Film Roman Inc. (a Starz Media Company) in association with The Hatchery, LLC.
“Family Game Night” (Hub Original Series)
A live-action, original game show in which kids and adults play for points and prizes as teams.  Within each hour-long episode, families play a variety of classic and enduring Hasbro games including CRANIUM^TM, BOP-IT!^TM and CONNECT4^TM, challenging both contestants and viewers with strategy, creativity and pure luck. Produced by Hasbro Studios.
“G.I. Joe Renegades” (Hub Original Series)
This action-packed animated series goes back to basics with the origins of G.I. JOE, the world’s most elite fighting force, and their evil nemesis, the Cobra organization.  Witness the emergence of the heroic G.I. JOE team as a cadre of highly-trained specialists who are forced to band together to prevent the nefarious forces of Cobra from achieving global domination. Produced by Hasbro Studios.
“Pound Puppies” (Hub Original Series)
In this series, the mission of a team of fearless dogs is to find homes for puppies in need.  Their motto is “A pup for every person and a person for every pup.” The Pound Puppies appear to be “average dogs” keeping the humans who are running Shelter 17 in the dark while helping “dog-kind” find loving families. Once you’re a Pound Puppy, you’re always a Pound Puppy. Produced by Hasbro Studios.
“R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour” (Hub Original Series)
This half-hour live-action children’s anthology series is based on and inspired by the master of kid horror – R.L. Stine! Anthological storytelling returns at last to television in this series that embraces the thrill of the chill, the nervous page-turning giggle and the scream that only comes when someone – or something – touches your shoulder on a dark and stormy night. Produced by The Hatchery, LLC.
“The 99” (Hub Original Series)
Created by noted Middle East scholar and clinical psychologist Dr. Naif al-Mutawa and based on his popular and respected comic book, the animated series will follow the adventures of the comic’s superhero characters who must work together to maximize their powers. Each member of The 99 embodies one of 99 global values such as wisdom, mercy, strength or faithfulness, and they hail from 99 different countries on seven continents.  The series’ superheroes portray characters designed to be positive role models, representing diverse cultures, who work together to promote peace and justice. Produced by Teshkeel Media & Endemol Digital UK Production Group.
(U.S. Premiere Series)
“Animal Mechanicals” (U.S. Premiere)
An action/adventure series for preschoolers that combines the excitement of monster truck rallies with the fantastic world of mythical, transforming animals on cool quests. Produced by Halifax Film (a DHX Media Ltd. Company).
“Cosmic Quantum Ray” (U.S. Premiere)
Featuring the latest advances in CGI animation, this zany comedy-action-adventure series brings the strange, dark, freaky corners of the universe to the world of Earth teenager Robbie Shipton – a member of Team Quantum – an elite, eccentric team of intergalactic heroes that saves the Universe almost every day.  Developed in partnership with world-renowned quantum physicist Dr. Mani Bhaumik, the series also helps make quantum physics more engaging for kids. Produced by Moonscoop Entertainment, Inc.
“Deltora Quest” (U.S. Premiere)
This 52-episode anime series tells the saga of The Shadow Lord, an evil sorcerer who has taken over the kingdom of Deltora by destroying a magical object known as The Belt of Deltora.  Throughout the course of the series, young warrior Lief, his mentor Barda and young Jasmine travel around the land of Deltora to return the seven gems to the belt and save the kingdom. Based on the successful children’s book series written by Emily Rodda. Produced by Dentsu Inc.
“Family Movie Night” (Hub Premiere)
Special presentations of popular and entertaining feature films with broad family appeal, intended to provide a destination for children and their families to watch and enjoy television together. Titles to be announced.
“Fraggle Rock” (Hub Premiere)
Travel through a hole in the baseboard of Doc’s workshop to a world of underground caverns, grottos, lakes and streams and flora and fauna that is “Fraggle Rock,” the wildly popular series from The Jim Henson Company.  Home to enormous Gorgs, industrious Doozers and of course the Fraggles, the 18 inch colorful furry creatures who want nothing more than to dance their cares away, “Fraggle Rock” shows these inhabitants all learning how to get along in this beloved series that teaches themes of peace and friendship. Produced by The Jim Henson Company, Inc.
“Maryoku Yummy” (U.S. Premiere)
In the fantastical land of Nozomu, Maryoku and her Yummy friends nurture children’s playful wishes until they come true in this series for pre-schoolers. Produced by American Greetings Properties and DQ Entertainment in association with Telegael Media.
“Meerkat Manor” (Hub Premiere)
With film documentary footage and narration, the Emmy Award nominated “Meerkat Manor” tells the story of the Whiskers, one of more than a dozen families of meerkats in the Kalahari Desert being studied as part of the Kalahari Meerkat Project, a long-term field study into the ecological causes and evolutionary consequences of the cooperative nature of meerkats. Produced by Oxford Scientific Films.
“Strawberry Shortcake” (U.S. Premiere)
Strawberry Shortcake has been an inspiration to little girls for the past 30 years.  Now, 26 all new adventures in CGI animation will let girls join Strawberry and her friends in Berry Bitty City where there is no challenge too big for this high-spirited resourceful bunch. Produced by American Greetings Properties.
“The WotWots” (U.S. Premiere)
This pre-school series presents the delightful adventures of two soft, puppet-like aliens – a brother and sister – who come to explore planet Earth in their steam powered spaceship and land in a local zoo. Amazed by what they see, they scoot around in hover-chairs on a mission to discover all the exotic creatures that live there. From the creative minds at Richard Taylor’s Academy Award-winning Weta Workshop, “The WotWots” is produced by Pukeko Pictures LLP.
“Twisted Whiskers” (U.S. Premiere)
These stretched, squashed, pop-eyed pets are soon to be launched on an unsuspecting American public with brand new CGI entertainment! With hilarious characters that can warp even the most mundane of circumstances into something absurd, Twisted Whiskers is ready to give your world a massive case of the twists! Produced by American Greetings Properties, co-produced with DQ Entertainment Ltd. and Moonscoop.
The series announced today will join The Hub’s previously named original series “Transformers Prime” and “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,” both from Hasbro Studios.
About The Hub: Announced in April 2009, The Hub, a multi-platform joint venture between Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) and Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS) will entertain, enlighten, empower and educate children and their families.  The cable television network will feature original programming as well as content from Discovery’s library of award-winning children’s educational programming; from Hasbro’s rich portfolio of entertainment and educational properties built during the past 90 years; and from leading third-party producers worldwide.  The Hub lineup will include animated and live-action series, specials and game shows, and the network will extend its content through a robust and engaging online presence. The Hub will launch October 10, 2010 (10-10-10) reaching approximately 60 million U.S. households on what is currently Discovery Kids channel. The online home of The Hub is www.hubworld.com. The Hub logo and name are trademarks of DHJV Company, LLC.  All rights reserved.