For years, animated shows on TV have been a paramount source of entertainment for children. Networks like Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, and Disney Channel were the shining light of joy and fun that kids once ran home to tune into. In recent years, this model has shifted greatly. There has been a noticeable decline in the quantity and quality of kids’ cartoons. Fewer original animated series are being created, classics are fading away, and the quality of spin-offs and reboots don’t reach the same highs of their predecessors. So, what exactly is causing this decline? Let’s take a closer look.
The Fall of Children’s Networks
The three pillars of kids’ TV entertainment have fallen into obscurity in recent years. Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and Disney Channel gave kids incredible shows in the 90s and 2000s. However, these once dominating networks have all run into challenges that have significantly damaged their popularity in the kids’ cartoon category.
Nickelodeon’s Struggles
- SpongeBob SquarePants, Rugrats, Hey Arnold!, and The Fairly OddParents are some of Nickelodeon’s most iconic shows. In the past decade, the network failed to launch new great hits. As a result, Nickelodeon heavily relied on Spongebob spin-offs and live-action series.
Cartoon Network’s Collapse
- Cartoon Network’s golden age was known for classics like Dexter’s Laboratory, The Powerpuff Girls, Ed, Edd n Eddy, Adventure Time, and Regular Show. However, the network has dramatically cut down on animation production. The 2022 Warner Bros. Discovery merger led to the cancellation of several planned animated projects.
Disney’s Shift Away from Animation
- The final powerhouse for animated series gave us Kim Possible, Gravity Falls, Phineas and Ferb, and DuckTales. Instead of creating more new traditional animated series, the network turned to focusing on its major film franchises and streaming service Disney+.
Why Are Kids’ Cartoons Disappearing?
There are several reasons why kids’ cartoons have faded away in recent years. Here are some of the biggest factors contributing to their decline:
Streaming Services Have Changed Viewing Habits
- The rise of streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Max have dramatically changed how kids watch TV. Instead of tuning in at a scheduled time, they can now watch whatever they want, whenever they want. As a result, networks have struggled to keep up, leading to the decline of traditional cartoon blocks.
Budget Cuts and Corporate Mergers
- The entertainment industry has faced major budget cuts, particularly in animation. Many networks and studios, like Warner Bros. Discovery, have canceled animated projects due to cost-saving measures. Animated projects, like Scoob!: Holiday Haunt and Coyote Vs. Acme, have been discarded as tax write-offs.
Preference for Established Franchises Over Original Shows
- Today animation studios, much like the movie industry, are more interested in expanding existing franchises than taking risks on new ideas. Networks and streaming platforms prioritize spin-offs and reboots rather than investing in brand-new animated series. This is why we see so many Teen Titans Go! episodes instead of a new superhero cartoon or why SpongeBob SquarePants has multiple spin-offs instead of an original Nickelodeon series.
Popular Cartoons Have Faded—And Nothing Has Replaced Them
Not only have networks stopped making as many original cartoons, but many beloved shows have ended without worthy successors. Adventure Time, Regular Show, Steven Universe, and The Amazing World of Gumball defined the 2010s, but Cartoon Network has struggled to replace them. Shows like Infinity Train were canceled or removed from streaming services before they could find a large audience. Aside from SpongeBob SquarePants, most of Nickelodeon’s beloved cartoons have either ended or faded into obscurity. The network hasn’t produced a breakout original cartoon in years. Gravity Falls and The Owl House were massive hits, but Disney hasn’t followed them up with equally successful animated series.
Without strong new cartoons taking their place, there is a noticeable gap in the animation industry. While there are some great animated series being made today like Bluey, The Owl House, The Ghost and Molly McGee, the overall volume of high-quality cartoons is much lower than in previous decades. While kids’ cartoons are struggling right now, animation is far from dead.
Streaming platforms still produce animated content such as Invincible, Arcane, and The Legend of Vox Machina, and independent creators are finding ways to keep animation alive like VivziePop’s Helluva Boss on YouTube. However, until networks and studios invest in new original cartoons rather than relying on reboots and spin-offs, the golden age of kids’ cartoons may remain a thing of the past. For now, fans of classic kids’ animation can only hope that networks will realize the value of great cartoons and bring them back to their former glory.