Summary

Cartoon Network has been trending on social media, with rumors spreading that the channel may shut down.
The merger between Cartoon Network and Warner Bros. Animation has caused speculation among fans.
Industry changes and decline in viewership pose challenges for Cartoon Network, but new programs are in the works.

Cartoon Network, founded in 1992, is a cherished cable channel for many audiences who grew up with it, with iconic TV shows like Adventure Time, Ben 10, and Courage and the Cowardly Dog occupying many childhood memories. Even though the network has changed over the years, the quality of some of its programming has stood the test of time.

A rumor regarding the shutdown of Cartoon Network has been spreading on social media platforms such as X, causing many fans to be concerned. It’s reasonable, given how many people still turn to Cartoon Network for nostalgia and new television series, but is the studio actually shutting down? If not, how did the rumor begin to spread online?

Cartoon Network Is Not Shutting Down

If you open the X app on your phone, chances are you will find the RIPCartoonNetwork hashtag trending with over 100,000 posts. The surprising trend gained popularity after a handle named ‘Animation Workers Ignited’ posted a video captioned “Cartoon Network is dead?”

Eventually, the video went viral, and people began sharing it more and more, leading to speculation that Cartoon Network might shut down soon. Following a similar rumor from the past, in October 2022, which resurfaced on social media, fans of the cable channel have reached the same conclusion. The video posted by ‘Animation Workers Ignited’ discusses the following:

“Cartoon Network is essentially dead. And other big animation studios are not far behind. When Covid first hit, animation was able to operate completely remotely, making it one of the few forms of entertainment that could continue production uninterrupted. But studios decided to pay them back by canceling projects, outsourcing jobs, and laying off artists en masse.”

The video explains how this might lead to the studio’s indefinite shutdown. However, the preceding news of Cartoon Network’s merger with Warner Bros. Animation also significantly affected the current trend. Back in October 2022, Cartoon Network agreed to merge with its sister studio, Warner Bros. Animation, prompting fans to fear it was shutting down permanently after becoming part of Warner Bros.

In response to the old rumor, Cartoon Network studios assured fans that they were not going anywhere and would continue to entertain them with innovative cartoons in the future. While this declaration from the official organization reassured fans at the time, many people are still concerned that it may shut down. So, will Cartoon Network withstand the sudden changes in the industry despite its merger with Warner Bros. Animation?

Can Cartoon Network Survive in the Changing Industry?

Certainly, COVID and subsequent issues in the industry have affected numerous studios, even leading to the collapse of a handful, notably Disney’s Blue Sky Studios. Even large enterprises such as Warner Bros. and Cartoon Network have seen enormous changes in recent years. While the merger occurred in 2022, it will likely have long-term consequences for both studios.

According to Collider, the acquisition happened in the face of major layoffs at Warner Bros. Television Group (WBTVG), which included 82 scripted, unscripted, and animation employees, accounting for 26% of the company’s staff. This sudden development by Cartoon Network was termed a “strategic realignment” to ensure a greater output of programs, as both studios would be using the same resources, unlike before.

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Even though CN has merged with WBA, they will continue to operate as independent labels, led by Sam Register, President of the three labels (CN, WBA, and Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe). Everything stated in the video shared by ‘Animation Workers Ignited’ makes sense, given the industry’s rapid changes. To address these issues, Cartoon Network must avoid making the same mistakes that led several studios to bankruptcy. Fortunately, its merger with Warner Bros. Animation has already resolved some of its problems, and Cartoon Network has seen its fair share of ups and downs. In 2023, the channel was the 76th most popular channel, averaging 146,000 viewers during primetime hours, a decline of 19% from the year before, according to Variety.

With more scheduled programs like Go-Go Mystery Machine, Barney’s World, and The Amazing World of Gumball: The Series, it seems as though Cartoon Network is on the right track, but based on the output they have delivered over the last two years, it is also clear that the studio has been caught up in a few unfortunate chains of events. Due to some short-lived initiatives to ensure Warner Bros. saves money amid the industry’s economic slump, Cartoon Network is running out of original content, but since show reruns have proven to be a favorite, it is clinging to its viewership.

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In other words, Cartoon Network can endure for a time despite the industry’s rapid changes, but if we’re talking about its future, Warner Bros. must make some substantial changes to ensure that consumers who have switched to streaming platforms like Max and YouTube return to the channel.