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Cartoon Network’s Most Iconic Shows Officially Find a New Free Streaming Home After HBO Max Exit
Tubi is continuing to build out its free streaming library of classic Cartoon Network shows, adding a fresh batch of titles from 1 August 2026 as older ones cycle off the platform. This follows HBO Max's removal of most Cartoon Network content in recent years, with the ad-supported streamer stepping in to preserve access to the animated back catalogue after finding strong audiences for its earlier Looney Tunes and Warner Bros animation acquisitions.
The new wave includes The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy and its Christmas special, ¡Mucha Lucha!, and Freakazoid! (created by Bruce Timm and Paul Dini, executive produced by Steven Spielberg), alongside the Beetlejuice animated series, Green Lantern: The Animated Series, Looney Tunes: 3D Shorts and Codename: Kids Next Door – Operation Z.E.R.O. Tubi previously acquired rights to more than 100 Warner Bros shows this year as part of its "cartoon era" push, and has also greenlit Yokoso Scooby-Doo!, a new anime-style Scooby-Doo series featuring returning voice actors Frank Welker and Matthew Lillard.
In short
- Tubi adds more classic Cartoon Network shows free from 1 August 2026
- Titles include Billy & Mandy, Freakazoid!, Beetlejuice and Green Lantern
- Move follows HBO Max removing much of its Cartoon Network library
Explained simply
Cartoon Network is a television channel owned by Time Warner that has broadcast animated shows for decades, building a devoted fanbase over the years. Many of its classic animated series were historically available on streaming platforms, but their availability has changed significantly in recent times.
HBO Max, a subscription streaming service also owned by Time Warner, removed most Cartoon Network content in recent years, making those shows difficult to access for viewers seeking them online. Tubi, a free ad-supported streaming platform, has stepped in to acquire the rights to many of these classic animated programmes from the Warner Bros back catalogue.
This arrangement matters because it keeps beloved classic animated shows accessible to viewers who might otherwise struggle to find them, whilst also helping Tubi establish itself as a destination for nostalgic animation content. The move reflects how streaming platforms are reshuffling which companies control access to older media, and demonstrates Tubi's strategy of competing against paid services by offering free ad-supported alternatives.