"Looney Tunes Shorts Pulled from HBO Max During Movie Premiere Weekend"

The removal of the entire catalog of original Looney Tunes shorts from HBO Max by Warner Brothers has left fans devastated. These iconic shorts, which spanned nearly 40 years from 1930 to 1969, are considered part of animation's "golden age" and played a pivotal role in establishing Warner Brothers as a powerhouse in the entertainment industry. The decision to pull these beloved classics was confirmed by Deadline, stemming from a strategic shift by the company to focus on adult and family programming. This move underscores a troubling trend of prioritizing viewership numbers over cultural significance, as children's programming, despite its educational value, is no longer seen as a priority.

The impact of this decision is highlighted by HBO's cancellation of its deal with Sesame Street at the end of 2024, a show that has been a cornerstone of childhood education since 1969. While some newer Looney Tunes spinoffs remain available on HBO Max, the essence of the franchise has been stripped away. This comes at a peculiar time, coinciding with the theatrical release of the new film, "The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Story," on March 14. Originally commissioned by Max, the project was sold to Ketchup Entertainment after the Warner Brothers and Discovery merger, with a limited marketing budget resulting in a modest box office performance of just over $3 million on opening weekend across over 2,800 theaters.

The outcry over the handling of last year's "Coyote Vs. Acme" suggests that there would be significant interest in "The Day the Earth Blew Up" if awareness of its release was higher. Warner Brothers Discovery's choice to shelve "Coyote Vs. Acme" despite its completion due to distribution costs has been met with widespread criticism from the artistic community. In February, actor Will Forte labeled the decision as "f—king bulls—t," expressing frustration and anger over the studio's inexplicable choice, which he said made his "blood boil."