Television fans have expressed concerns that Cartoon Network is closing its doors after #RIPCartoonNetwork started trending on social media.
Animation Workers Ignited, which is seemingly associated with the animators’ union, took to X to raise awareness about issues in the animation industry and encouraged cartoon lovers to ‘spread the word about what’s at stake’.
The account told its followers to ‘post about your favorite Cartoon Network shows using #RIPCartoonNetwork’, prompting fears that the beloved brand would soon make a formal announcement about a studio closure.
Rumors of an official shutdown were further exacerbated as fans began to share a photograph of the network’s old headquarters, apparently taken last year after the company had relocated its offices.
However, there is no actual evidence to suggest that the Cartoon Network channel or Cartoon Network Studios – which did cancel a few programs following the pandemic – are shutting down.
Animation Workers Ignited, which is seemingly associated with the animators’ union, took to X to raise awareness about issues in the animation industry and told its followers to ‘post about your favorite Cartoon Network shows using #RIPCartoonNetwork’, prompting fears that the beloved brand would soon make a formal announcement about a studio closure
Animation Workers Ignited’s latest post seemingly aimed to highlight the issues the animation industry is battling as a whole, but the verbiage used in the now-viral post and its accompanying animated short resulted in rumors that Cartoon Network specifically was shutting down. Pictured: Cartoon Network’s former studios in Burbank, California
Animation Workers Ignited’s latest post seemingly aimed to highlight the issues the animation industry is battling as a whole, including layoffs and project cancellations.
But the verbiage used in the now-viral post and its accompanying animated short resulted in rumors that Cartoon Network specifically was shutting down.
‘Cartoon Network is essentially dead,’ the animated video claimed, warning that ‘other big animation studios are not far behind’.
There is no actual evidence to suggest that the Cartoon Network channel or Cartoon Network Studios are shutting down
The video went on to discuss layoffs across the animation industry, alleging that workers are being ‘unemployed in record numbers’ and that ‘many have been unemployed for upwards of a year’.
The union’s post argued that animators also had to ‘carry the industry during the pandemic’, but despite their hard work were still let go by studio execs.
‘When Covid first hit animation was able to operate completely remotely making one of the only forms of entertainment that could continue production uninterrupted,’ the union said. ‘But studios decided to pay them back by canceling projects, outsourcing jobs, and laying off artists on mass.’
The union further slammed studios for their ‘greed’, alleging that executives were making ‘finances look better by reducing spending and cutting staff’.
‘CEOs and executives reaping the monetary benefits for themselves. So they want to reap, huh? I’ll show them. Reap,’ the union said before launching its call for action.
‘I don’t think you’ll be doing much with a plastic sigh, but you can help by spreading the word post about your favorite Cartoon Network shows you wish were still around using hashtag RIP Cartoon Network and stay tuned for more ways to help tag by following this account. Animation is under attack. Which side are you on?’
Cartoon Network lovers rallied behind the union’s call and crafted posts with featuring clips from their favorite shows and using #RIPCartoonNetwork. But they took it too far, pushing the narrative that the network would no longer be producing content
Cartoon Network boss Michael Ouweleen speaks onstage during New York Comic Con 2022 on October 9, 2022
Cartoon Network lovers rallied behind the union’s call and crafted posts with featuring clips from their favorite shows and using #RIPCartoonNetwork.
But they took it too far, pushing the narrative that the network would no longer be producing content.
‘It’s the end of an era, Cartoon Network has officially shut down,’ one fan tweeted. ‘Here are all the shows that made our childhood.’
‘Cartoon Network must be saved at all costs!!!,’ one X user wrote.
Another echoed: ‘It is really end of era on the iconic childhood memories in Cartoon Network.’
Some fans even started re-sharing a photograph of Cartoon Network’s Burbank headquarters with the CN logo being removed, saying it was ‘sad to see the most iconic building in everybody’s childhood’ closed.
However, the photograph was actually taken last year when after Carton Network’s long-term lease at the Hollywood Production Center building ended, 80LV reported. The firm then relocated its team and operations to the Warner Bros. buildings.
DailyMail.com has approached Cartoon Network and Warner Bros. for comment.
