Cartoon Network’s website has officially been shut down. Visitors to CartoonNetwork.com are met with a message as of Friday redirecting them to Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming service, Max, where they can stream their favorite shows. The notice further reminds cable subscribers that they can watch via the traditional channel and connected apps.
Additionally, closing the popup on CartoonNetwork.com redirects users to the Cartoon Network page on Max, further encouraging them to sign up for the streaming service.
However, as of now, Cartoon Network is the only Warner Bros. Discovery cable channel affected by this change. Other sites, including those for Adult Swim, TNT, TBS, HGTV, Discovery, and smaller networks like American Heroes and Science Channel, were still operational as of Friday morning.
A Cartoon Network rep said in a statement, “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. While we have closed some digital products, fans can continue to interact with Cartoon Network via the Cartoon Network app as well as select TV providers apps on platforms including mobile and connected devices like Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon and via social platforms YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. And of course, fans also can continue to tune in to the Cartoon Network channel to enjoy 11 hours of their favorite Cartoon Network series from 6 a.m.- 5 p.m. daily.”
In its latest quarterly earnings, the closure of Cartoon Network’s website comes in the wake of Warner Bros. Discovery, largely tied to its networks division, including Cartoon Network and other cable channels. The company attributed the financial setback in part to a weakened advertising market.
Additionally, in a similar cost-cutting measure Paramount took a comparable step in June, stripping down the websites for Comedy Central, which housed extensive archives of The Daily Show, along with TV Land and several other cable channels. Both Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount have made these changes as part of broader efforts to reduce expenses.