Warner Brothers has made a heart-wrenching decision to remove its entire catalog of original Looney Tunes shorts from HBO Max, leaving fans devastated. These legendary shorts, spanning from 1930 to 1969, are considered a cornerstone of the "golden age" of animation and played a pivotal role in shaping Warner Brothers into the powerhouse it is today.

According to Deadline, this move is part of a broader company strategy to focus on adult and family programming, sidelining children's content due to its lower viewership numbers. This decision seemingly overlooks the immense cultural significance of these shorts. For instance, HBO Max also ended its deal with Sesame Street for new episodes at the end of 2024, a show that has been foundational in childhood education since 1969. While some newer Looney Tunes spinoffs remain available on the platform, the essence of the franchise has been stripped away.

The timing of this decision is particularly jarring as it coincides with the theatrical release of the new film, "The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Story," which hit theaters on March 14. Originally commissioned by Max, the film was sold to Ketchup Entertainment following the Warner Brothers and Discovery merger. With a modest marketing budget, the film managed to earn just over $3 million at the box office during its opening weekend, despite being shown in over 2,800 theaters nationwide.

The public outcry over last year's decision not to release "Coyote Vs. Acme," another completed Looney Tunes film, due to high distribution costs, has not subsided. This decision has drawn significant criticism from the creative community and animation enthusiasts. In February, star Will Forte publicly condemned the move, calling it "f—king bulls—t" and expressing his frustration and anger over the choice to withhold the film from audiences.

The removal of these iconic shorts from HBO Max, coupled with the mishandling of recent Looney Tunes projects, underscores a troubling trend that could alienate long-time fans and diminish the legacy of one of animation's most beloved franchises.