'90s kids are fearful over the future of Cartoon Network following huge changes at Warner Bros.
The company, which owns the network, is laying off 82 members of staff across its scripted, unscripted and animation divisions, as well as opting not to fill 43 additional vacant positions, according to Variety.
The elimination of 125 jobs represents 19 percent of the studio's workforce, and Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios will now merge because of it.
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On social media, fans are greeting the news with fear and sadness. One person wrote: "Rip Cartoon Network, yal had the 90s n early 2000s in a headlock"
Another said: "wouldnt be doin s**t for s**t if i wasnt obsessively fascinated with watchin cartoon network all day at my grandmas house RIP [sic]."
A third added: "I have no words to describe or disguise the depth of sorrow that dwells within the pits of my ever-slower beating heart at the passing of this most harrowing news. RIP Cartoon Network."
However, despite all the RIP Cartoon Network tweets, Variety reports that the networks output will be unchanged.
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It states: "Despite the changes, output will remain the same as Cartoon Network Studios continues to produce original animated fare for internal outlets including Cartoon Network, Adult Swim and HBO Max."
LADbible has contacted Warner Bros. for comment.
The news comes in the wake of the network's 30th birthday.
It launched back in 1992 and played a formative role in many childhoods with shows such as Dexter's Laboratory, Cow and Chicken, I Am Weasel, Johnny Bravo, and The Powerpuff Girls.
Reflecting on its success last year, Sam Register – President of Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios – said, as per ComicBook.com: "The characters, artists and storytellers that make up Cartoon Network Studios and Warner Bros. Animation are some of the strongest in the industry.
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"While each studio continues in the footsteps of their own proud legacy, they unite with a shared passion to create programming that will draw in audiences of all ages and be the engine that drives WarnerMedia to the top of the kids and family space."
Tricia Melton, chief marketing officer of Warner Bros. kids, young adults and classics, added: "The world can be a pretty challenging place at times, but rather than wallowing in the world we're given, let's draw the world we want.
"At Cartoon Network, we create wildly original and diverse worlds every day and that just may be the inspiration kids need to redraw their own world."
Topics: TV and Film, News