Comcast, one of the nation’s leading cable providers, has announced a significant change to its channel lineup, sparking debate among subscribers. Starting August 12, 2025, Cartoon Network, the beloved home of animated series like Adventure Time, The Amazing World of Gumball, and classic shows from the Warner Bros. Animation library, will no longer be included in Comcast’s core cable TV packages. Instead, the channel will be moved to a new premium add-on package called the Sports & Entertainment Package, priced at an additional $9.95 per month.
Update: A Comcast spokesperson sent Cord Cutters News this statement: “We regularly evaluate our channel lineups to ensure we’re offering customers a wide variety of content at the best value. Based on several factors, Cartoon Network will be available as part of the More Sports & Entertainment package beginning August 12.”
This decision follows Comcast’s recent move to relegate Cartoon Network to its Ultimate tier, the provider’s most expensive cable package, earlier this year. The shift to the add-on package marks a further departure from the channel’s long-standing presence in basic and mid-tier plans, frustrating fans who have enjoyed its programming for decades. The Sports & Entertainment Package will bundle Cartoon Network with channels like Big Ten Network, CBS Sports, NBA TV, NFL RedZone, and the Military History Channel, aiming to appeal to a broad audience with varied interests.
This news comes as DIRECTV recently also did not add Cartoon Network to its cheaper entertainment only package. Instead they only offer Adult Swim and the channel is blank when Cartoon Network is on.
Cartoon Network, launched on October 1, 1992, by Turner Broadcasting System, revolutionized television by becoming the first 24-hour channel dedicated exclusively to animated programming. Initially airing classic Hanna-Barbera cartoons like The Flintstones and Scooby-Doo, it quickly expanded its library with acquisitions from Warner Bros. and MGM, captivating audiences with a nostalgic yet innovative approach. The 1990s and 2000s saw the network pioneer original programming with iconic series like Dexter’s Laboratory, The Powerpuff Girls, and Adventure Time, blending humor and creativity that appealed to both children and adults. Cartoon Network also introduced Adult Swim in 2001, a late-night block featuring mature animated and live-action content, further broadening its demographic. Over the decades, the channel has remained a cultural touchstone, adapting to streaming platforms like Max while continuing to produce groundbreaking animation.
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