#RIPCartoonNetwork Is Trending And No, It’s Not Dead

This morning many of us were feeling hurt after seeing the hashtag #RIPCartoonNetwork. But now reports are saying that the Cartoon Network is not dead. #RIPCartoonNetwork started trending on X, (formerly known as Twitter) after a community page called Animation Workers Ignited posted that the Warner Brothers-owned network was dead.

From there, other accounts picked up on the trend and posted about it as if it were absolute truth, probably in response to Animation Workers Ignited encouraging everyone to “spread the word” about “what’s at stake for animation.” It turns out the community used the term “dead” loosely after the original Cartoon Network building was closed down.

Multiple sources reported that they wanted to start a conversation about the state of animation more broadly, specifically how difficult it is even for animators working with unionized studios to get enough work to pay their bills.

The Animation Workers Ignited movement posted a video voiced by Adam Conover (Adam Ruins Everything) and Alex Hirsh (Gravity Falls) to highlight the ongoing changes and disruptions in the industry. The video claimed that several animators have been unemployed for over a year after job losses.

It also stated that while the animation industry thrived during the pandemic due to its ability to operate remotely, studios have since canceled projects, outsourced jobs, and laid off artists in large numbers.

“When COVID first hit, animation was able to operate completely remotely, making it one of the only forms of entertainment that could continue production uninterrupted. However, studios decided to repay this resilience by cutting costs, outsourcing jobs, and laying off artists en masse," an excerpt from the video stated.

As the post gained attention and began trending on X, many people recalled their childhood memories of the network. Some people mentioned watching classic cartoons like Johnny Bravo, The Powerpuff Girls, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Steven Universe, Adventure Time, and others.

Fans also expressed their sadness and disappointment while hoping that the channel would not actually shut down. “It is absolutely insane that studios get away with this. I really hope we can do something with the survey results. There are so many Cartoons I would have loved to see given a proper sendoff, like Infinity Train, ROTTMNT, and The Owl House,” said one user.

It’s also worth mentioning that many of the tweets with the #RIPCartoonNetwork hashtag post photos of the former (iconic) Cartoon Network headquarters building, which closed its doors in 2023 amid the WBD rollout and blending of Cartoon Network and Warner Bros. Animation. 

Cartoon Network’s original, physical studio is gone, its lineup continues under the Warner Bros. Animation brand, and animation workers, like creators in other professions, are struggling. Cartoon Network has not issued any statement regarding the rumors of its shutdown.