The 13 “Deaths” of Cartoon Network (Editorial)

[cartoonnetworkpoke]

Pokemon left in 2017 actually.

I guess I should've said the announcement of Pokémon leaving CN. Man I was so disappointed that day lol.

 

[Stumpos]

2019/20 could also be argued as a point of transition.

It was the year that Miller left and got replaced by Tom Ascheim. That was also when primetime premiere blocks had come to an end, with every show usually premiering new episodes on Saturday mornings (for comedies) or Sunday mornings (for action) at that point, ending 25 years of primetime premiering.

2020 was also when they more or less began dumping their new content on Max such as later seasons of Summer Camp Island (though that returned in 2023) and Infinity Train and new shows such as The Fungies, Tig N Seek, Jellystone, Tom and Jerry in New York, and Looney Tunes Cartoons. And also when they stopped doing miniseries.

2019 also saw a lot of original shows ending at that time. Steven Universe, Gumball (or technically production hiatus if season 7 really happens), OK KO, Mighty Magiswords, and The Powerpuff Girls 2016 ended that year and 2020 saw the end of We Bare Bears, Steven Universe Future, and Mao Mao. The only originals left by the end of 2020 were Ben 10 2017, Craig of the Creek, Victor and Valentino, and Apple & Onion. Even including WB originals and third party stuff, that only left Teen Titans Go, DC Super Hero Girls, and Total DramaRama.

 

[Stumpos]

I notice how Miller was probably the one who acknowledged the classic and older content the least out of the CN heads.

Under Miller, the pre-2010 CN originals almost never aired (not even for the 25th anniversary) and Looney Tunes, Tom & Jerry, and Scooby Doo were phased out.

While Ascheim and Oulween have their flaws, at least they're acknowledging and airing the older stuff again.

 

[cartoonnetworkpoke]

I notice how Miller was probably the one who acknowledged the classic and older content the least out of the CN heads.

Under Miller, the pre-2010 CN originals almost never aired (not even for the 25th anniversary) and Looney Tunes, Tom & Jerry, and Scooby Doo were phased out.

While Ascheim and Oulween have their flaws, at least they're acknowledging and airing the older stuff again.

100%

 

[Antiyonder]

Warner Brothers didn't actually buy Sesame Street. It's still owned by Sesame Workshop. WB acquired the broadcasting rights to the show so that the new episodes would debut on HBO and would then air on PBS 6 months later. Nonetheless, your point is still a valid one.

Like I said before: If my streaming service had Scooby Doo, Tom and Jerry,, The Flintstones, Hanna-Barbera and the freakin' Looney Tunes on it, I would mention it.

Warner has so little faith in it's brand that their streaming service is just Max rather than Warner Bros. Max. Previously, they thought HBO was a stronger brand than Warner. Probably the last time Warner Bros. had a lot of recognizability as an animation brand was when Kids' WB ran. The thing is that before the steaming wars, the general public probably didn't associate Cartoon Network with Warner and recognized Cartoon Network as its own brand. Paramount+ does seem to heavily advertise Nickelodeon's presence, but Max doesn't seem to advertise Cartoon Network/Adult Swim much at all. Most Max commercials seem to not even acknowledge they have cartoons. Paramount+ seems like they already are the Nickelodeon replacement (although what happened with Star Trek Prodigy is still fresh in people's minds), but Max doesn't seem want to advertise themselves as the Cartoon Network/Adult Swim replacement. Warner seems embarrassed by their animation and seems to want to advertise themselves as a live action streaming service.

This post right here is just the most heartbreaking thing ever. If WARNER BROS is not associated with animation WHAT THE HELL IS!? Disney may have earned more than 9 Oscars for their animation shorts, but it wasnt Disney who came to refine the soul of cartoons. Animated movies yes but not cartoons. I know they do live action movies and are a famous Live Action studio with HUNDREDS of acclaimed and famous movies, but if its animation side is not EVEN IMPLIED then something here has FAILED.

And this is from someone who DIDNT love Warner Bros until becoming an adult and reappraising them with the gift of hindsight. I am not saying this because I am just nostalgia goggle'd their way into loving their cartoons.

Well the sad truth is, that as higher ups never consider that the product handling is an issue,, fans as unfair as the situation need to be a little proactive in helping to elevate what is distributed.

If you can find affordable DVDs for yourself, some of which includes web debuted stuff like My Adventures Of Superman or heck Strawberry Shortcake Berry in the Big City. Or Adventure Time Distant Lands.

And if you do subscribe to the paid services, binge like no tomorrow or put on your favorite show if you need noise in the background while cleaning and reading.

Thing that shocks me is lack of hype for a lot of freebies that are legally out there. TubiTV?

The Flintstones, The Jetsons, 60s and 80s Johnny Quest, Scooby-Doo Where Are You?, Yogi Bear, The Smurfs, The New Scooby-Doo Movies, The Scooby-Doo Show, What's New Scooby-Doo?, Scooby-Doo Laff-A-Lympics, Shaggy and Scooby Get a Clue.

That's only the tip of the cartoon iceberg:

Spoiler

- Speed Racer
- Inspector Gadget
- Filmation's Flash Gordon
- The New Adventures of Flash Gordon (1996)
- Defenders of the Earth
- Care Bears
- Danger Mouse
- Rupert
- Madeline
- MASK
- Transformers G1, Beast Wars, Animated
- Jem and the Holograms
- G.I.Joe G1 and Renegades
- Reboot
- Conan The Adventurer
- The Legend of Prince Valiant
- Garfield & Friends
- The Super Mario Bros Super Show
- Cool McCool
- Beetle Bailey
- Galaxy High
- C.O.P.S.
- ALF The Animated Series
- ALF Tales
- Cadillacs and Dinosaurs
- WildC.A.T.S
- Skysurfer Strike Force
- Ultraforce
- Captain Simian and the Space Monkeys
- Extreme Dinosaurs
- Dino Riders
- The Magical Adventures of Quasimodo
- Pippi Longstocking (1997)
- Dumb Bunnies
- Toxic Crusaders The Series
- Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, plus SatAM
- The Magic School Bus
- Bruno the Kid
- Dog City
- Sam & Max
- Street Shark
- Where On Earth is Carmen Sandiego
- Legend of Calamity Jane
- Jumanji
- Sabrina The Animated Series
- Donkey Kong Country
- Kong the Animated Series
- The Critic
- 6teen
- Class of Titans
- The Oblongs
- Roswell Conspiracies: Aliens, Myths and Legends
- Mission: Odyssey
- Galaxy Racers
- Horseland
- Eloise
- Legend of the Dragon
- SheZow
- Sonic Boom
- Dan VS
- Magic Knight Rayearth
- Ronin Warriors
- Virtua Fighter
- Any Dubbed Yu-Gi-Oh content.
- Cardcaptor Sakura
- Monster Ranchers
- Medabots
- Duel Masters
- Dinosaur King
- Sonic X
- Monsuno
- Tenkai Knights
- Toradora

Also Pee-Wee's Playhouse and alternatively Subbed Tokusatsu programs.

Even cartoons we might not have heard of when they were new in the 2000s. Due to Netflix and TubiTV, I've watched Horseland.

Hasbro has not only added My Little Pony Friendship is Magic episodes on their MLP channels, but they're slowly adding Seasons not on Netflix like Six and Nine.

Wildbrain has a channel for Liberty Kids episodes.

Jim Henson's Family Hub has all of The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin.

Plus all of the Beyblade episodes up to the Mid-2000s.

Not to mention any hidden stuff we didn't know about. Going to be checking out a cartoon from 2004 called Bibi and Tina soon (Based off a German radio show I believe).

Again, free.


But also anytime positive development happens animation wise, share it with other forums or private discussions or any social outlet like Tumblr.

 

[Stumpos]

So how we feeling knowing the Cartoon Cartoon shorts program got cancelled?

Between that and the fact Craig of the Creek, We Baby Bears, and Prince Ivandoe are on their last legs, not looking too good. Even looking at stuff airing right now outside those three:

• Teen Titans Go: Still ongoing with a ninth season in the works, but not the quite the number 1 show it was before.
• Tiny Toons Looniversity: Technically premieres on Max first, with network premieres after the Max release.
• Gumball: Airs a lot and has a seventh season in the works, but not known if that's gonna premiere on CN or Max first.
• Regular Show: Also surprisingly airs a lot despite ending years ago, doubt the Lost Tapes revival is gonna be on Cartoon Network though.
• Bugs Bunny Builders: Recently released its latest 5 episodes on Max first over Cartoon Network, only has 35 episodes left in season 2 with no season 3 renewal and probably could be ending since Cartoonito's dying and down to just 1 hour on weekdays
• Batwheels: Usually premieres on Max first, with network premieres after the Max release.
• Total Drama: Both reboot seasons already premiered in other countries before USA aired them.
• Lu & the Bally Bunch, Silly Sundays, Let's Go Bananas, and Barney's World: Kinda feel they launched in October to add some life back in the Cartoonito block when it was down to just two shows. Probably doesn't have much time before getting pulled due to Cartoonito shrinking. Plus, all of them got released on Max first and premiere on Cartoon Network second.
• Adventure Time: Only in reruns right now, with Fionna & Cake on Max instead. There is that BMO series set to be on Cartoonito though, but not known if Side Quests will be on Cartoon Network or Max first.
• Uncle Grandpa: Only reruns, ended years ago.
• Apple & Onion: Reruns only.
• Various modern Scooby Doo and Tom & Jerry shows from post-2000: Reruns only, unknown if Go Go Mystery Machine will premiere on Max or Cartoon Network first.
• The Looney Tunes Show & New Looney Tunes: Reruns only.
• Totally Spies: Season 7 premiered in other countries before USA.
• Foster's Funtime: Set to premiere on Cartoonito.
• Iyanu: Currently set for Cartoon Network, unless they move it to Adult Swim.

Seems most of their line-up now is either reruns, network premieres of stuff that was on Max first, or premiered months after other countries aired them. Only exceptions are Teen Titans Go and maybe Iyanu. At most there's spin offs or revivals of the older CN originals, but only the preschool ones are guaranteed to premiere on the network first.

 

[theredninja2003]

Sorry to bump an old thread but damn you guys are some tough critics lol. I totally understand your points tho, but wow I've never heard anyone say 1999 or 2001 were the years the channel started to die, that's a bit harsh haha. I'm a corporate critic too, so I understand where you all are coming from with those opinions because all of those decisions back then eventually lead to the channels ultimate downfall in the 2010s and 2020s. However, I'll argue this, based purely on shows, the aesthetics of the channel, and just the general experience of being a kid watching the channel, Cartoon Network did not have a truly awful year until around 2015 or 2016.

Even dark age years like 2007, 2008, and 2009 still had things to like. Older fans probably don't appreciate shows like Total Drama, Ben 10: Alien Force, Chowder, or Johnny Test. I completely understand, some of the Canadian shows and late 2000s shows are not everyone's cup of tea. But we really should be thanking the Canadian shows for carrying the channel during the dark age. If they didn't bring in TDI or 6teen, we may not have had the Check It era classics. CN Real might have dealt a death blow to channel fully if we didn't have those shows or the Noods bumpers to preserve the spirit of the channel.

I know some argued that the channel kind of tried to become a standard kids network in the 2000s, however I really don't feel that way at all about the Noods or Check It era. A lot of the shows brought in a lot of older teens because they were a bit more mature. Even tho I was 7, I felt like an edgy badass watching Generator Rex and Ben 10 instead of Sponge Bob haha.

I really didn't start to fall of the channel until after 2013. That was when all of the action shows were cancelled and when CN began to lose it's variety. I still tuned in through around 2015 for Regular Show and Adventure Tim. But the channel completely lost me when they started spamming Teen Titans Go all day. To me that is when they became a Nickelodeon-esque network with their own SpongeBob. Even then, there was still a lot of good stuff premiering all the way until 2019. The second wave 2010s shows were still solid.

I would say 2021, 2022, and 2023 were probably the worst years on record for the channel. I know we are officially calling this the Pastel Era but it really should be called something like the "Dismantled Era". The last few years have just been awful for the channel. CN is basically being sold for parts to the point where it is just a brand logo. It's basically a dead channel. It still flickers on to life every day but there's no soul behind it anymore. It doesn't feel like there is a human running it. The bumpers are just random clips from shows of the past with no cohesion at all. And up until like 2024, 2025, and this year there were hardly any new shows worth watching. I feel like this year, despite everything CN has gone through since 2020, there is beginning to be a little flicker of life. It feels like CN might wake up from its coma soon. Hopefully Regular Show: The Lost Tapes is proving that premieres are still viable. I hope so at least.

 

[PicardMan]

The so-called late 2000s "dark age" gave us Batman: The Brave and the Bold and Star Wars: The Clone Wars, two of the greatest Cartoon Network shows ever. I still stand by my belief that Cartoon Network died with the action cartoon purge of the early 2010s.

 

[zakawer2]

We do not know if the pending merger of Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount, a Skydance Corporation, if successfully completed, will actually lead to a death #14 for Cartoon Network or not. Only time will tell.

 

[Spacething7474]

Something I'd personally consider a death is May 17, 2013, as the standard definition feed for CN (and several other Turner networks) was eliminated for a downscaling of the high definition feed, which sucked since they stretched 4:3 programs to widescreen on the HD feed (and took until over a decade later on October 18, 2023 to unstretch everything), and was unfair since (alongside Boomerang having only an SD feed until March 4, 2019), they had barely pillarboxed any 16:9 shows to fullscreen on the SD feed for years (they stopped doing so around Fall 2009/Spring 2010, which is where one could say it started dying).

 

[theredninja2003]

The so-called late 2000s "dark age" gave us Batman: The Brave and the Bold and Star Wars: The Clone Wars, two of the greatest Cartoon Network shows ever. I still stand by my belief that Cartoon Network died with the action cartoon purge of the early 2010s.

That's exactly how I feel!! Ben 10 was what made me a frequent viewer of the channel alongside all the other action shows. I think the Noods era gets a bad rap because of CN Real. That overshadows all the amazing shows we got otherwise. It's fair to say that CN Originals weren't as prevalent during this time outside of Chowder and FlapJack. However, the acquired programs have always been important for the channel. We should be thanking TDI and Johnny Test for carrying during the CN Real era lol.