This is the day we’ve been dreading. It was pre-announced a few days ago that WB Discovery’s head ghoul, David Zaslav, would be turning his chainsaw on Cartoon Network, and based on the man’s track record, we expected nothing but the worst. We had doubts the network would even exist by Friday. Turns out….it’s not the worst-case scenario, but it’s still bad.
Up to this point, WB Animation and Cartoon Network Studios have been two separate divisions of the company. The reasons for this go back decades to when WB acquired everything Ted Turner owned, which included Hanna-Barbera Studios. Even though Fred Flintstone and Bugs Bunny were now under the same umbrella, WB decided to leave things as-is and operate both studios separately. H-B was renamed Cartoon Network Studios for its new purpose, creating original content for the new Cartoon Network.
Zaslav comes around, sees the two buildings, knows nothing of their history and thinks “that makes no sense, so there’s one way I can save money.” Contrary to what the rumormongers on Twitter might have told you today, Cartoon Network Studios is not dead. It’s just being merged with WBA to form one division that will handle all animation output at WB.
But the fact that there’s still technically a CN is the only good side of this development. Naturally this change also means less jobs for people. Around one-fourth of the combined workforce of WBA and CNS are being removed. It’s part of a massive slash-and-burn strategy at the company that is also targeting TV, movie and unscripted divisions. A full list of cuts and restructures can be found through this Deadline article.
What it means for the next few years is fewer shows, less original ideas and cheaper, blander versions of what does get produced. But at least CN is still there….for now.
