Is Cartoon Network closing down? Heartbroken fans’ RipCartoonNetwork hashtag explained

Mass panic has been sparked among Cartoon Network viewers after a tweet suggested the animation house had been shut down.

On X, account Animation Workers Ignited tweeted that ‘Cartoon Network is dead’ and encouraged the animation house’s fans to share their favourite shows under the hashtag RIPCartoonNetwork.

Thousands of Cartoon Network stans posted devastated tributes on social media, including @jeffre_, who said it was ‘an end of an era’, resulting in RIPCartoonNetwork becoming a trending term.

However, fear not, Cartoon Network is not closing its doors.

The tweet was designed to raise awareness of the plight of animation companies like Cartoon Network, struggling to survive as the industry declines.

Unemployment among animators is another growing concern and has been exacerbated by the proliferation of AI, according to a recent report by The Animation Guild.

It said that workers will be ‘facing an era of disruption, defined by the consolidation of some job roles, the replacement of existing job roles with new ones, and the elimination of many jobs entirely.’

@AWorkersIgnited full tweet said: ‘Cartoon Network is dead?!?! Spread the word about what’s at stake for animation!!!

‘Post about your favorite Cartoon Network shows using #RIPCartoonNetwork Active members of TAG can help by filling out your survey! Today (7/8) is the last day!’

Responding to the tweet, @jeffre__ wrote: ‘Well, it’s the end of an era. Heard Cartoon Network has officially shut down. And here are my Top 4 all time best show(s) that made childhood lit 1. TOP CAT 2. COURAGE THE COWARDLY DOG 3. SAMURAI JACK 4. THe FLINTSTONES.’

@BipolorGhosty also mistakenly believed Cartoon Network was over, writing: ‘It is really end of era on the iconic childhood memories in Cartoon Network #RIPCartoonNetwork.’

@SumitHansd lamented: ‘It’s sad to see the most iconic building in everybody’s childhood Rest in peace cartoon network studios. So weird and painful to say goodbye to an iconic piece of history Thanks for the memories #RIPCartoonNetwork.’

Despite many misinterpreting the tweet, Animation Workers Ignited succeeded in turning the global conversation towards the difficulties those working in animation faced.

Founded by American businesswoman Betty Cohen, Cartoon Network was launched as a cable channel on October 1, 1992.

Owned by Warner Bros Discovery, the Cartoon Network stable includes offshoots Boomerang, Cartoonito, Discovery Family, Adult Swim and Toonami.

It airs shows including Dexter’s Laboratory, The Powerpuff Girls, Johnny Bravo, and Adventure Time.

Animation is not the only sector in TV facing existential problems. The rise of global streaming platforms and the scaling back of advertising has affected the broadcasting landscape.

In the UK, Channel 4 has recently seen a major shake-up following a new five-year plan announced by bosses in January, which focuses more on streaming rather than traditional television.

Several shows including Greg James’s Rise and Fall, Danny Dyer’s reality series Scared of the Dark and Steph’s Packed Lunch were subsequently axed.

Five music channels, Kerrang!, Magic, Kiss, 4 Music and The Box, were also shut down by the broadcaster due to the cuts.

As part of its plan, Channel 4 will have ‘fewer, stronger new titles that generate more scale and impact’, increase YouTube content, and ‘reduce headcount by 18%’ which will mean around 200 redundancies and the closure of around 40 unfilled roles.

It comes after the Broadcasting, Entertainment, Communications and Theatre Union (Bectu) found that 68% of TV workers in the UK were unemployed.

Metro.co.uk has contacted Cartoon Network for comment.

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