The cable television landscape is undergoing a dramatic transformation as cord-cutting accelerates and streaming services continue their rise to dominance. Many cable networks are facing an uncertain future, with some forced to make drastic changes or face a potential shutdown. This comes as reports are out that cable TV networks could lose up to 20 million subscribers over the next few years pushing some networks to be forced to shutdown.
This all comes as Universal Kids shut down earlier last month and at the end of February, another cable TV will shut down.
Other big changes have happened as Cartoon Network has been moved around or not included in new packages.
With all of this happening here’s a look at some of the most vulnerable networks in as of September 2025:
Cartoon Network
Recently, Cartoon Network has seen its viewership drop. DirecTV did not include it in its new $34.99 entertainment package but did include Adult Swim. Sling TV is also removing it from the Sling Orange package and moving it to a more expensive package. Comcast has also removed Cartoon Network from its core packages moving it to an add-on only package.
Keep an eye for Warner Bros. Discovery to repurpose this channel
Boomerang:
Facing Competition: Warner Bros. Discovery, the owner of Boomerang, is parnered with MeTV to launch MeTV Toons, a free, over-the-air channel featuring classic cartoons, many of which were previously shown on Boomerang. This direct competition, coupled with declining viewership, puts Boomerang’s future in question.
Recently news broke that Warner Bros. Discovery will be spinning off its cable TV networks. With this and the growth of MeTV Toons it makes the need for Boomerang to drop even faster. Making this network our new most likely network to be shutdown in 2025.
MTV Channels:
- Consolidation and Decline: Paramount may consolidate smaller MTV channels, like MTV2 and MTV Classic, into MTV and Paramount+ as the younger audience increasingly migrates to online services. The shutdown of MTV News last year further signals the challenges faced by the MTV brand.
- Paramount is facing a need to cut costs right now and that could put many MTV channels on the chopping block.
This all comes as Paramount canceled several awards show they are running and are getting funding to finish up coming movies.
Teen Nick
Ratings Drop: In 2024 Teen Nick saw some of the biggest drop in TV ratings of all cable TV networks. After seeing viewership drop 53% in 2024 vs 2023 the network is now ranked just 133 out of 153 in primetime.
As teens ditch traditional TV, look for Teen Nick to be a prime target to be cut.
Disney XD
- Ratings Drop: In 2024, Disney XD saw its ratings drop by 44% vs 2023, according to a report from Variety. This leaves many to wonder what the future of the channel is. During primetime, just 18,000 people watch Disney XD, making it the 142 most watched network out of 153.
- Changing Viewership Haabbits: Kids channels are some of the most impacted by the growth of streaming. Most kids now don’t watch cable TV networks, instead focusing on YouTube Kids or streaming services.
Because of all of this, Disney XD is one of the most vulnerable networks right now in 2025.
Disney Jr:
- Ratings: Much like Disney XD, ratings for Disney Jr. have dropped 37% in 2024. During primetime only 84,000 people on average watched Disney Jr. In 2024 Disney Jr. was the 93rd most watch TV network out of 153 ranked by Variety.
As kids increasingly move to apps like Disney+, networks like Disney Jr are being hit hard. Look for these networks to be some of the most likely to shut down in 2024.
Nick Jr.
- Budget Cuts: For some time now Paramount has been making budget cuts as it deals with the growing and it has been reported that cuts to its cable networks could be possible after its merger with Skydance.
- Ratings Drop: In 2024 Nick Jr. saw its ratings drop 39% vs the same time in 2023.
With Paramount+ push to grow its Paramount+ streaming service, look for Nick Jr. to be a prime target to be cut to push parents to subscribe to Paramount+ for this content.
National Geographic Wild
Ratings: The channel is also known as Nat Geo Wild, and in 2024 saw its ratings drop 29%. This comes as Disney has been pushing Disney+ with all of that, Nat Geo Wild is now the 79th-ranked primetime channel out of 153.
BET Networks:
- Financial Challenges: After a failed attempt to sell BET and its associated networks, Paramount is reportedly seeking a buyer once again. If a sale doesn’t materialize, some of the less profitable BET networks, such as BET Her, BET Hip-Hop, and BET Soul, could face closure.
- There are also questions over how dedicated the soon-to-be new owners of Paramount would be to their cable networks.
FXX:
- Second-Tier Struggles: FXX, like other second-tier cable networks, is facing declining viewership. Disney’s focus on using FX content to bolster Hulu subscriptions raises questions about FXX’s long-term viability, especially after being dropped by Spectrum, the largest cable TV provider in the U.S.
Evolving Landscape:
The cable TV industry is in a state of flux, with networks struggling to adapt to changing viewer habits and the rise of streaming. As cord-cutting continues and competition intensifies, more cable networks may face significant changes or even closure in the coming months and years.
This ongoing evolution highlights the dynamic nature of the media landscape and the need for cable networks to innovate and adapt to survive in the streaming era.
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