Warner Brothers' decision to remove its entire catalog of original Looney Tunes shorts from HBO Max is a significant blow to fans and animation enthusiasts alike. These iconic shorts, which ran from 1930 to 1969, represent a "golden age" of animation and have been instrumental in shaping the studio's identity. The removal aligns with Warner Brothers' strategy to focus on adult and family programming, sidelining children's content despite its cultural importance. This shift in priorities was also evident when HBO ended its deal with Sesame Street for new episodes at the end of 2024, a series pivotal to childhood education since 1969. While some newer Looney Tunes spinoffs remain available, the essence of the franchise has been lost from the streaming platform.
The timing of this move is particularly puzzling, 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 following the Warner Brothers and Discovery merger. With a limited marketing budget, the film managed only a modest $3 million at the box office during its opening weekend across over 2,800 theaters. This lackluster performance could be attributed to insufficient promotion, especially considering the public's reaction to the handling of "Coyote Vs. Acme" last year. Warner Brothers Discovery's decision not to release the completed "Coyote Vs. Acme" film due to distribution costs sparked widespread criticism from the artistic community. Actor Will Forte, a star in the film, condemned the decision as "f—king bulls—t" and expressed his frustration and anger over the studio's choice.
