Cartoon Network Dispels Trending Shutdown Rumors

Cartoon Network clarified on Friday, October 14, 2022, that it wouldn't be shutting down after a flurry of rumors on the internet. 

Earlier last week on Tuesday, the network's parent company Warner Bros. Discovery laid off 82 employees in its animation department, causing a frenzy among netizens that Cartoon Network would be no more after three decades of operation.

Cartoon Network fans flooded Twitter to express their sentiments towards the home of cartoons that have shaped Millennials and generation Zs, spiraling the trend ‘RIP Cartoon Network’. 

“To everyone at Cartoon Network, thank you for 30 years of great storytelling and characters. You will be missed. RIP Cartoon Network.”

“Cartoon Network is closing down guys. Only #90skid will understand the loss.”

“RIP Cartoon Network our childhood will forever cherish you.”

'I haven't watched CN since I was a child, but damn… this s*** still hurts. RIP Cartoon Network.'

The Network dispelled the exaggerated news through its Twitter post, “Y’all we're not dead, we're just turning 30. To our fans, we're not going anywhere. We have been and will always be your home for beloved, innovative cartoons. More to come soon!'

The staff layoff is part of Warner Bros. Discovery’s $13 billion strategy to cut costs. In April 2022, Warner Bros. conglomerated with Discovery, a move that impacted HBO and HBO Max by slashing jobs and removing programming in August. 

As reported by Variety, Channing Dungey, Warner Bros. TV Group chairman, forwarded a memo to employees saying that the company is foreseeing a new streamlined system for animation but did not indicate plans to cancel any shows.

Cartoon Network was founded on October 1 1992 by Ted Turner and has housed many cartoons that generations of kids grew up watching and adoring so much, including the originals, The Powerpuff Girls, Dexter’s Laboratory, Johnny Bravo, Cow and Chicken, I Am Weasel, Courage the Cowardly Dog Show, Ed, Edd and Eddy, Samurai Jack, Grimm the Adventures of Billy and Mandy among others. 

It also hosted cartoon classics such as Scooby Doo, Tom and Jerry, The Flintstones, The Jetsons and Looney Toons. 

Fans can now breathe a sigh of relief. Cartoon Network is here to stay.