HBO Max has been systematically dropping a number of longstanding shows and movies from the platform, and as 2023 dawns it seemed that the purge had hit the iconicLooney Tunescollection. Warner Bros'. 90-year-oldLooney Tunescartoons have been loved by generations, bringing the likes of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Road Runner and many more to life to entertain children and adults alike.While some of the shorts have dropped off the radar over the years due to out-dated stereotyping and racial connotations, 31 seasons of the animated shorts were available on HBO Max totaling 511 episodes. Earlier today it was believed that seasons 16 through to 31, constituting 256 episodes, had silently been dropped from HBO Max as they continue to clear out content from the platform. However, CCN on Twitter have since confirmed that the removal of the titles is only a temporary “maintenance check.”
The merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery, Inc has led to six months of upheaval that has been felt across all genres, mediums and platforms, and it doesn’t seem to be something is about to stop anytime soon, even if it doesn’t look like theLooney Tuneswill be part of it. The last few months have seen the likes ofWestworld, The Nevers, Finding Magic Mike, Raised by Wolves, Legendary, FBOY IslandandThe Time Traveler’s Wifebeing dumped from the without too much fanfare. Exactly what will happen to the content being removed from HBO Max is unclear, but as the company continues to write off costs as part of the “post-merger restructuring” the chopping block may not be done with other fan favorites just yet.
Related:George R. R. Martin Says Warner Bros. HBO Max Changes Have Impacted Game of Thrones Spin-Offs
Warner Bros. Discovery Will Purge More Content Before The Launch of Max.
This spring, HBO Max will become Max, a merged streaming service that will carry content from across the Warner Bros. Discovery combined catalog of content. There has been no official word on what will still be on the platform when it launches, but recent purges mean many are still bracing for the loss of more well-known shows in the coming months.
Recently, the changes at WBD have seen the collapse of the DCEU, the cancelation of many planned and completed DC projects such asBatgirland a potentially long-running Black Adam vs Superman storyline. In addition to this, the creation of DC Studios has seen the installation of James Gunn and Peter Safran as new heads of DC content, including a reboot of the DCU and a yet-to-be-revealed plan for new TV shows, movies, video games and more.
Overall, the disruption caused by the merger at Warner Bros. Discovery has been one that has alienated many fans, especially due to the many cancelations of popular shows on HBO Max. From here on out, there are lot of bridges to me mended with audiences, especially when it comes to the DCU, but perhaps there are yet more bridges still being burned before any kind of healing can begin.
