Is Cartoon Network Shutting Down? #RIPCartoonNetwork Trends on X Thanks to Viral Post That Took a Dig at How Channel Treats Its Employees!

Back in October 2022, there were strong rumours going on that Cartoon Network, one of globally most beloved channels for animated shows, was shutting down. At that time, #RIPCartoonNetwork was trending on X, with fans using the hashtag to share their fond memories of the channel and also their favourite shows. The rumour became so strong that Cartoon Network had to issue a statement to confirm they were still in the business. Now it looks like the channel has to issue another statement of the same context two years later, with #RIPCartoonNetwork again rearing its head on the Elon Musk-owned social media platform. Cartoon Network Just Shut Down Rumours of the Channel Closing; Tweets, ‘We’re Not Dead, We’re Just Turning 30’!

From the morning of July 9, 2024, the hashtag has been getting major traction on X, with users wondering if the platform is shutting down for good. Once again, fans are remembering the channel with dewy-eyed memories and sharing their favourite shows and tunes from the channel.

Check Out Some of the Posts That Used #RIPCartoonNetwork:

'End of an Era'

'Rest in Peace'

'This Era was Generational'

'Trying to Understand'

The thing is, like in October 2022, there is no confirmation that Cartoon Network is shutting down its business or stopping airing the channel. In fact, this whole X trend began for some other reason; a user put out a post that was critical of how the channel was behaving with their animation employees.

Animation Workers Ignited

Animation Workers Ignited, whose handle is @AWorkersIgnited, calls itself a 'community-run account sharing info about the animation industry' in its bio. The handle had put out an animated clip, created by Adam Conover and Alex Hirsh, in a post drafted on July 9, where it satirically shows how channels like Cartoon Network are allegedly laying off employees on a mass scale while denying them their benefits. The clip begins with the building of Cartoon Network, with a man admiring it with a nostalgic fervency before another person gives him a reality check on how 'Cartoon Network is Dead'. Old OG Early 2000s Cartoon Network Shows in Newspaper Clipping Make Netizens Nostalgic; See Viral Post.

The post used the hashtag in its caption, as the handle wrote, "Spread the word about what’s at stake for animation!!! Post about your favourite Cartoon Network shows using #RIPCartoonNetwork" (sic).

Is Cartoon Network Really Dead?

As far as we know, the channel isn't shutting down. The trend began when the above post went viral, with the 'Cartoon Network is Dead' part actually a dig at how the channel has not been taking care of its animators and employees. Cartoon Network isn't going anywhere for now, but its management needs to seriously examine the employee concerns if people are already writing obituaries about the channel.

Cartoon Network, now owned by Warner Bros Discovery, began its transmission on October 1, 1992. During the initial run, its association with Hanna-Barbera, Warner Bros, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, et al, allowed it to stream beloved cartoon shows like Tom & Jerry, Scooby Doo, Yogi Bear, Looney Tunes, The Flintstones and more. Later, it began producing and streaming original shows that earned cult status like Dexter's Laboratory, Courage The Cowardly Dog, Johnny Bravo, The Powerpuff Girls and more.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 09, 2024 12:44 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).