More and more internet history is being lost. It’s a good reminder that though websites seem like permanent fixtures, they can be gone in the blink of an eye. The latest website death is that of CartoonNetwork.com. Warner Bros. Discovery has shut down the Cartoon Network website and is instead redirecting users to Max to view the Cartoon Network properties they’d like to see. Of course, Max comes with a subscription fee and a price tag that seems to rise all the time, whereas the Cartoon Network website once offered free episodes of some of our favorite shows. But alas, we must say RIP CartoonNetwork.com.
Cartoon Network’s website once offered full episodes and clips for shows including Teen Titans GO!, Adventure Time, Steven Universe and more. It also featured fun games tied to users’ favorite Cartoon Network properties. Anyone who grew up in the late ’90s and early oughts will remember these kinds of fun show-adjacent extras. But alas, these offerings are all gone with the shutdown of Cartoon Network’s website.
Instead, the landing page for CartoonNetwork.com redirects to “https://www.max.com/channel/cartoon-network” and notes, “Come on in! Spend some quality time with your kids’ favorites. Stream larger-than-life animated shows and specials your whole family will enjoy. Plans start at $9.99/month.” The page sorts Cartoon Network offerings into Max categories. Additionally, a pop message shares, “Looking for episodes of your favorite Cartoon Network shows? Check out what’s available to stream on Max (subscription required). Sign up for Max, where you can also create a Kids Profile with ratings restrictions and additional privacy protections to keep it fun and kid-friendly! Cable subscribers, continue to enjoy your favorite CN programming on your TV and connected apps as well!” And thus, the Cartoon Network website is gone.
It seems this move by Warner Bros. Discovery is intended to funnel users into Max and likely is done as a cost-cutting measure of some kind. Warner Bros. Discovery isn’t the only company to have shut down previously accessible websites. Recently, Paramount Global removed the MTV News archive (and other sites) from the internet to great public outcry. But it sure is sad every time it happens. We seem to be losing our online legacy, bit by bit. And so we say goodbye to the Cartoon Network website. You rocked!
