What Happened to Cartoon Network?

Cartoon Network, launched in 1992, established itself as a cornerstone of animated entertainment for children. However, the 2020s have brought profound changes, largely driven by the evolving media landscape and corporate decisions by Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). The primary challenge has been the dramatic decline in linear television viewership, as children increasingly migrate to on-demand streaming services. By July 2024, the channel reportedly averaged only 74,000 viewers per broadcast day, ranking 43rd overall, and its annual advertising revenue plummeted 80% from $668.3 million in 2014 to $133.7 million in 2024.

A significant turning point occurred in October 2022 when Cartoon Network Studios merged with Warner Bros. Animation, leading to substantial layoffs and the closure of the Cartoon Network Studios building in Burbank by August 2023, with operations moving to the new Warner Bros. building. Further layoffs impacted Cartoon Network and Adult Swim staff in June 2025. The network's digital presence also diminished, with CartoonNetwork.com shutting down on August 8, 2024, redirecting users to the Max streaming service, thereby removing an archive of clips, free series access, and beloved Flash games.

Warner Bros. Discovery's strategy has involved a significant content purge from its streaming service, Max (formerly HBO Max), starting in 2024 and continuing into 2025. Many classic Cartoon Network shows were removed, with WBD opting to license its library titles to other platforms like Tubi and Hulu. For instance, in February 2026, Tubi announced it would become home to 100 animated series from the Warner Bros. umbrella, including many Cartoon Network classics. This move reflects WBD's prioritization of adult and family programming over children's content on Max, which has struggled to attract young viewers compared to competitors like Netflix and Disney+.

As of 2026, Cartoon Network's programming strategy has largely shifted towards established intellectual property (IP), focusing on revivals, sequels, and spin-offs rather than new original series on the linear channel. Recent announcements at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in 2026 highlighted upcoming projects like a new 'Powerpuff Girls' theatrical film and animated series, 'Adventure Time: Bubblegum & Marceline' for HBO Max, and 'Regular Show: The Lost Tapes' which premiered in May 2026. However, some new spin-offs, like 'Adventure Time: Side Quests,' have premiered on other platforms such as Disney+ and Hulu in June 2026, further diversifying content distribution.

The most significant structural change is Warner Bros. Discovery's planned split into two separate publicly traded companies by mid-2026. One entity, 'Warner Bros.,' will focus on streaming and studios (including Warner Bros. film, television, video games, DC Studios, HBO, and Max), while the other, 'Discovery Global' (or 'Global Linear Networks'), will encompass linear networks like Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, CNN, and Discovery channels. This separation raises questions about Cartoon Network's future, particularly regarding content acquisition from the 'Warner Bros.' studio, as it will no longer be under the same direct umbrella. The Cartoon Network Hotel also closed on January 1, 2026. Despite these challenges, Cartoon Network president Michael Ouweleen has indicated a shift away from full reboots towards continuations and new projects with original creators, emphasizing the value of the weekly release model for animated properties.