Financed by McDonald 's , the special was originally simulcast on April 21 , 1990 on all three major American television networks : ABC , NBC , and CBS , most independent stations , as well as cable networks Nickelodeon and USA Network . Financed by McDonald 's , the special was originally simulcast on April 21 , 1990 on all three major American television networks ( by supporting their Saturday morning characters ) : ABC , NBC , and CBS , most independent stations , as well as cable networks Nickelodeon and USA Network .