Warner Bros. Discovery has shut down CartoonNetwork.com, as first spotted by Variety.
Those who head the website now will be met with a redirect to the company’s Max streaming service. Instead of free clips and episodes of Cartoon Network shows, the page now simply represents the network’s Max offerings. A pop-up notification now reminds audiences that they’ll need a Max subscription if they want access to their favorite cartoons.
Cartoon Network’s linear TV side will continue to operate as normal.
“We are focusing on the Cartoon Network shows and social media where we find consumers are the most engaged and there is a meaningful potential for growth,” a spokesperson told Variety.
Warner Bros. Discovery gave no prior warning that it would soon shutter the Cartoon Network website, which has served as an outlet for younger viewers and game players for decades. However, Gizmodo notes that certain international versions of the site remain active for those who want to experience some of its offerings, though it’s unclear if they will eventually meet the same fate.
The shutdown follows news that the company would sunset its throwback show service, Boomerang, on September 30. These fundamental shifts in its cartoon offerings arrive as Warner Bros. Discovery reportedly toys with the idea of splitting its business in half. For the last two years, the company has also moved to shutter a handful of projects very late into their development, which include DC’s live-action Batgirl film, Scoob! Holiday Haunt, and the infamous Coyote vs. Acme. Genndy Tartakovsky’s Fixed may also suffer the same fate after Warner Bros. dropped it from its upcoming slate, although it's now back with Sony to find distribution.
Meanwhile, the company’s gaming division, Warner Bros. Games, is also looking to streamline costs with a series of shakeups that could see it licensing out franchises like Harry Potter, Games of Thrones, and Batman. The branch reported a net loss of $10 billion earlier this week.
Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.
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