Warner Brothers has made a significant move by removing its entire catalog of original Looney Tunes shorts from HBO Max, a decision that has left fans and animation enthusiasts reeling. These iconic shorts, which were produced from 1930 to 1969, represent a "golden age" of animation and have been instrumental in shaping Warner Brothers' legacy.

According to Deadline, this removal aligns with Warner Brothers' strategy to focus on adult and family programming, as children's content reportedly does not attract substantial viewership on the platform. This shift in focus has led to the exclusion of culturally significant material, including the cancellation of new episodes of 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.

The timing of this decision is particularly poignant, coinciding with the theatrical release of "The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Story" on March 14. Originally commissioned by Max, the film was sold to Ketchup Entertainment through the American Film Market following the Warner Brothers and Discovery merger. With a limited marketing budget, the film has only managed to earn slightly over $3 million during its opening weekend across more than 2,800 theaters nationwide.

The public's reaction to the handling of last year's "Coyote Vs. Acme" suggests that there would be a strong demand for "The Day the Earth Blew Up" if awareness were higher. Warner Brothers Discovery's decision not to release "Coyote Vs. Acme," despite its completion, due to distribution costs, sparked widespread criticism. In February, actor Will Forte expressed his frustration, calling the decision "f—king bulls—t" and stating that it was both inexplicable and infuriating.

This series of events underscores a troubling trend for fans of Looney Tunes and animation in general, as Warner Brothers continues to prioritize financial considerations over cultural and artistic value.