Warner Bros. Discovery Nixes Classic Cartoons From Hbo Max: What It Means For Fans on OnlyLikeFans

Farewell to Saturday Morning Classics

Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has sent shockwaves through the animation-loving community by pulling all classic Boomerang cartoons off HBO Max. Iconic shows like 'Scooby Doo' and 'The Jetsons' have been removed with little fanfare, leaving fans scrambling to relive their childhood favorites. This abrupt move follows the recent removal of the entire Looney Tunes library, now accessible on Tubi, in a clear pivot away from children's programming toward adult-focused content.

Strategic Shifts Amid Financial Pressures

The removal of these beloved series, many of which were born out of collaborations with Cartoon Network, leaves a gaping hole in HBO Max's lineup of kids' entertainment. This content purge is part of a broader pattern of cost-cutting measures that WBD has pursued since the 2022 merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery Inc. CEO David Zaslav has made no secret of focusing resources on more profitable, adult-oriented content offerings. Back in August 2025, the shutdown of HBO Family further cemented this direction due to diminishing viewers for family-centered programming.

“Survival in the streaming world means making tough choices, and it seems WBD is prioritizing adult content over its rich animated legacy,” noted an industry insider.

Where Have All the Cartoons Gone?

The Looney Tunes saga serves as a stark reminder of WBD's current strategy—earlier this year, over 500 classic shorts were quietly licensed to Tubi, drawing licensing revenue while reducing overhead. This move underscores a willingness to part with family-friendly assets in a bid to cut costs. As HBO Max’s content continues to mature, subscribers might find themselves turning to platforms like Tubi for their animation fixes. Meanwhile, Netflix and Disney+ maintain their stronghold on kids' streaming, with Netflix snapping up 'Sesame Street' after WBD opted out of renewing their agreement in late 2024.

Implications for the Streaming Landscape

HBO Max’s transformation into a more mature platform is evident in its recent acquisition of a 20-title adult animation package from GKIDS, featuring hits like 'Your Name' and 'Shin Godzilla'. For WBD, the decision to sideline its animated legacy raises questions about the preservation of its cultural heritage. As beloved characters like Bugs Bunny and the Powerpuff Girls fade from the platform, fans are left wondering how these timeless classics will be viewed in the future.

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