(Originally Posted on June 11th, 2023)

As certain shows are made more available through streaming services, it is a wonder how so many shows are being cancelled. This mostly applies to animated properties. Titles such as The Midnight Gospel and Inside Job have been stripped of their second seasons for various reasons, with other shows being canned too soon. Fans of these shows and others are discouraged, as they fear for the future of animation.

This all may have started with the merges of large companies such as Warner Bros. and Discovery, as well as changes that many other streaming services have undergone. It is true that, as the companies were negotiation and finalizing plans to merge, there were many things done to cut costs, such as firing employees and disregarding existing properties. As streaming services became more popular, the need for consistency increased. Due to this, company executives have made questionable choices when it comes to the properties they have allowed on their platforms. In recent years, for example, Netflix has seen a decrease in subscribers. Shows were therefore cut in an attempt to “break even” and save more money. These have included cancelling certain shows and laying off workers and/or reducing their pay.

(Source: Netflix)

Animation is quite costly. It takes many people in many positions to create single episodes, and the process for each may take months, or even years. Considering this, major streaming companies may not see them as priorities. Dozens if not hundreds of layoffs and cancellations have littered these companies with very little end in sight. The demand for these shows are more apparent on social media platforms, notably Twitter. Fans have praised shows such as those mentioned above for being innovative and original, and the following has only increased since their release. However, the need for financial profit outweighed critical acclaim, thus they were not given the chance to continue.

Audiences have speculated whether or not there is a future for animation on streaming services due to the challenges that many shows face. It is uncertain what direction media corporations will take in order to produce longer-lasting animated series. With the WGA writing strikes, however, there is hope that compromises can be made for better treatment and pay of animation staff. Perhaps, some time from now, streaming may be a better fit for animation.