Warner Bros. Discovery has made a significant move by shutting down the Cartoon Network website, leaving many fans of the iconic channel surprised and nostalgic. As of August 8, visitors to cartoonnetwork.com are now being redirected to a landing page on the Max streaming service, where they are encouraged to subscribe to continue enjoying their favorite Cartoon Network shows.
The decision to close the Cartoon Network website comes on the heels of Warner Bros. Discovery’s recent announcement that it would also be sunsetting Boomerang, another beloved platform for classic Warner Bros. cartoons. The Boomerang service is set to be folded into Max by September 30.
The Cartoon Network website, once a hub for full episodes, video clips, and interactive games featuring popular shows like “Adventure Time,” “Steven Universe,” “Teen Titans GO!,” and “Craig of the Creek,” has now been stripped of its content. The site now only displays a pop-up message encouraging visitors to sign up for Max, where they can stream these shows and more.
The message on the new landing page reads: “Looking for episodes of your favorite Cartoon Network shows? Check out what’s available to stream on Max (subscription required). Sign up for Max, where you can also create a Kids Profile with ratings restrictions and additional privacy protections to keep it fun and kid-friendly! Cable subscribers, continue to enjoy your favorite CN programming on your TV and connected apps as well!”
A spokesperson for Cartoon Network explained that the shift is part of Warner Bros. Discovery’s broader strategy to focus on platforms and areas where they see the most consumer engagement and growth potential. The spokesperson emphasized that Cartoon Network will continue to offer 11 hours of programming daily on linear TV from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This move is seen as part of Warner Bros. Discovery’s ongoing cost-cutting measures, which have included the removal of content from other websites and platforms. For instance, earlier this year, Paramount Global similarly pulled content from Comedy Central’s site and erased the archives of MTV News and CMT from the internet.
The timing of these changes is notable as Warner Bros. Discovery recently reported disappointing Q2 results, with a 6% drop in revenue to $9.71 billion and a staggering net loss of nearly $10 billion. The company attributed this loss to a $9.1 billion impairment charge, which reflects the declining value of its cable TV networks amid shrinking advertising revenue and uncertainties around sports broadcasting rights.
In 2022, Warner Bros. Discovery had already begun merging Warner Bros. Animation with Cartoon Network Studios, a move that was seen as watering down the Cartoon Network brand. The latest decision to shutter the website further diminishes the once-dominant presence of Cartoon Network in the digital space, pushing fans to Max as the new home for their favorite animated content.
As Warner Bros. Discovery continues to streamline its operations and focus on its subscription-based streaming service, the future of Cartoon Network’s identity and accessibility remains in question, especially for those who cherished the free access to episodes and games that the now-defunct website once provided.
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