Warner Brothers has made a significant move by removing its entire catalog of original Looney Tunes shorts from HBO Max, a decision that has left fans and animation enthusiasts reeling. These iconic shorts, produced between 1930 and 1969, are considered a cornerstone of the "golden age" of animation and have been instrumental in building the Warner Brothers brand.
According to Deadline, this removal is part of a strategic shift at the company to focus on adult and family programming. Children's content, despite its cultural significance, is no longer a priority due to lower viewership numbers. This shift in focus is evident in HBO's decision to cancel its deal with Sesame Street for new episodes at the end of 2024, a show that has been a fundamental part of childhood education since 1969. While some newer Looney Tunes spinoffs are still available on HBO Max, the absence of the original shorts is a significant loss to the franchise's legacy.
This decision comes at an odd juncture, coinciding with the release of the new film, "The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Story," which hit theaters on March 14. Initially ordered by Max, the project was sold to Ketchup Entertainment after the Warner Brothers and Discovery merger. The film, distributed by a smaller company with limited marketing resources, managed to earn just over $3 million at the box office during its opening weekend across more than 2,800 theaters.
The timing of these moves is particularly perplexing given the recent backlash over the handling of "Coyote Vs. Acme," another Looney Tunes film that Warner Brothers Discovery chose not to release last year despite its completion, citing high distribution costs. The decision not to release "Coyote Vs. Acme" has drawn sharp criticism from the creative community, with actor Will Forte labeling it as "f—king bulls—t" and expressing his frustration over the studio's inexplicable choice.
The removal of the Looney Tunes shorts from HBO Max, combined with the lukewarm reception to "The Day the Earth Blew Up" and the controversy surrounding "Coyote Vs. Acme," paints a troubling picture for the future of this beloved franchise. It remains to be seen how these decisions will affect the legacy and ongoing popularity of Looney Tunes.
