The removal of Warner Brothers' entire catalog of original Looney Tunes shorts from HBO Max is a significant blow to fans and animation enthusiasts. These iconic shorts, spanning from 1930 to 1969, represent a "golden age" of animation and have been fundamental in establishing Warner Brothers' reputation.
Deadline reported that this move aligns with HBO Max's strategy to focus on adult and family programming, sidelining children's content due to its lower viewership numbers. This decision seemingly overlooks the cultural significance of the Looney Tunes series. For instance, HBO also ended its deal with "Sesame Street" for new episodes at the end of 2024, despite its longstanding role in childhood education since 1969. While some newer Looney Tunes spinoffs are still available on HBO Max, the essence of the franchise has been removed.
This development comes at an odd time, coinciding with the theatrical release of "The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Story" on March 14. Initially commissioned by Max, the project was sold to Ketchup Entertainment after the Warner Brothers and Discovery merger. With a modest marketing budget, the film managed just over $3 million at the box office during its opening weekend across more than 2,800 theaters nationwide.
The public's reaction to Warner Brothers' handling of "Coyote Vs. Acme" last year suggests there could have been greater interest in "The Day the Earth Blew Up" if awareness had been higher. Warner Brothers Discovery opted not to release "Coyote Vs. Acme," despite its completion, citing high distribution costs. This decision drew widespread criticism from the artistic community and animation fans. In February, actor Will Forte condemned the move as "f—king bulls—t," expressing frustration and anger over the choice not to release the film.
