Cartoon Network website dies amid Warner Bros. Discovery cost cuts

Cash-strapped media giant Warner Bros. Discovery has pulled the plug on Cartoon Network’s website.

The David Zaslav-led company — which on Wednesday reported a massive net loss of nearly $10 billion, driven by a shocking $9.1 billion writedown on its cable television network — was redirecting users of cartoonnetwork.com to a landing page for Max, its streaming service.

“Looking for episodes of your favorite Cartoon Network shows? Check out what’s available to stream on Max (subscription required),” reads a pop-up on the new Max landing page.

Screenshot of Warner Bros. Discovery's Cartoon Network website closure notification redirecting visitors to Max's website — Customers looking for the Cartoon Network website are redirected to the Max website and greeted with the above dialog box encouraging them to sign up for the company’s flagship streaming service. Maximum

WBD — owner of the Warner Bros. film studio, Food Network, HBO and CNN — shut down cartoonnetwork.com on Thursday, Variety reported.

A Cartoon Network spokeswoman declined to provide a specific closure date or information on possible layoffs, but confirmed that the website had been shut down.

“We are focused on Cartoon Network programming and social media where consumers are most engaged and the growth potential is significant,” a spokeswoman said.

“While we have closed some digital products, fans can still interact with Cartoon Network through the Cartoon Network app, as well as select TV provider apps on platforms including mobile and connected devices like Roku, Apple TV and Amazon, as well as through social media platforms YouTube, Instagram and Facebook,” the representative added. “Of course, fans can also continue to tune in to the Cartoon Network channel to enjoy 11 hours of their favorite Cartoon Network shows every day from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m..”

Before its closure, Cartoon Network’s website offered full episodes and video clips for its shows, including Adventure Time, Craig of the Creek, The Amazing World of Gumball, Teen Titans Go!, Steven Universe, We Bare Bears, and Clarence.

The service also offered access to free games, including “Teen Titans GO!”, “Adventure Time” and “Gumball,” Variety reports.

The closure of cartoonnetwork.com comes a week after the media giant informed subscribers it would shut down its Boomerang Classic Toon streaming platform as of September 30 — and move customers and its content catalog to Max.

David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, speaks to press upon arrival at the Sun Valley Media and Technology Conference, wearing sunglasses and a striped jacket — Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav laid off 1,000 workers last month as the company reported a net loss of $10 billion in the latest quarter. Reuters Agency

The latest moves are part of a cost-cutting initiative at Warner Bros. Discovery.

The struggling company reported a 6 percent decline in second-quarter revenue to $9.71 billion.

Last month, WBD laid off nearly 1,000 workers, and analysts urged Zaslav to consider strategic options.