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A pioneer in the creation of digital content is leaving. Rooster Teeth, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery Global Streaming & Interactive Entertainment, announced this morning that it will cease operations after 21 years. The process begins today and is expected to last several months.
The news was announced at a company general meeting and shared in an internal memo by Rooster Teeth general manager Jordan Levin.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce that Rooster Teeth will close due to the challenges facing digital media as a result of fundamental changes in consumer behavior and monetization across platforms, advertising and sponsorship,” Levin said in the email (can read it in its entirety). below).
Roost Podcast Network will remain in operation “as WBD evaluates outside interest in acquiring this growing asset,” Levin said.
There is Rooster Teeth-branded content in WBD’s portfolio that will also remain, including a film that Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will release soon.
WBD will also explore options for Rooster Teeth catalog content and intellectual property, such as Red vs Blue, RWBY and Gen:LOCK.
Founded in 2003 by Burnie Burns, Matt Hullum, Geoff Ramsey, Jason Saldaña, Gus Sorola and Joel Heyman, Rooster Teeth went through a series of owners, including Fullscreen and Otter Media, and became part of WBD following TimeWarner’s acquisition of AT&T. .
Levin noted that WBD “continued its investment in our company, content and community” after the merger.
WBD also continued the Rooster Teeth digital creator program, aimed at supporting underrepresented talent, which had been launched by WarnerMedia.
In an effort to increase revenue by moving consumers to a sponsorship model, Rooster Teeth moved its content from YouTube to its own website last fall. A possible sale of the company was also explored, but many of the companies that had been interested in the brand are no longer in business as the digital entertainment space has been going through unprecedented upheaval.
“Changes in monetization, platform algorithms, advertising challenges, and the ebb and flow of sponsorship – all of these converging factors have led to many closures in the industry,” Levin noted in his memo.
After exploring other options, WBD decided to close.
“Warner Bros. Discovery thanks Rooster Teeth’s innovative creators and partners, and strong management team, for its many years of success,” the company said in a statement. “Your passionate and loyal followers are a testament to your achievements.”
In his memo, Levin highlighted Rooster Teeth’s legacy.
“We set a standard for what a digital-first brand could be,” he said. “We boldly take our content beyond screens and into community-driven experiences.”
Rooster Teeth’s career is marked by Red versus blue, the company’s first production. The show, which launched in April 2003 and is one of the longest-running episodic web series in history, is also coming to an end.
“Although unintentional, it is fitting that our final season of Red versus blue “It is fitting that we navigate this shutdown together,” Levin said.
Here is his note:
Dear Rooster Teeth,
Since our founders created and uploaded their first video to the World Wide Web in 2003, Rooster Teeth has been a source of creativity, laughter and lasting innovation in the wildly volatile media industry.
We’ve read the headlines about layoffs and closures across the industry, and you’ve heard me give my perspective and updates on the rapidly changing state of media and entertainment during each of our monthly All Hands meetings.
Since inheriting ownership and control of Rooster Teeth from AT&T following its acquisition of TimeWarner, Warner Bros. Discovery has continued its investment in our company, content and community. Now, however, it is with a heavy heart that I announce that Rooster Teeth will close due to the challenges facing digital media as a result of fundamental changes in consumer behavior and monetization across platforms, advertising and sponsorship.
Please note that the Roost team is not currently affected by this action. Roost Podcast Network will continue to operate and meet its obligations while WBD evaluates outside interest in acquiring this growing asset.
In the coming days and weeks, we will have many questions to answer and the opportunity to work together to implement the best way to reduce things for us and our community. We are working on what comes next in real time and will be as open, direct and accessible as possible. Thank you all in advance for your patience and mutual support.
Let’s take a moment to celebrate our 21-year contribution to the zeitgeist, driving creativity and surpassing many of our peers since the early days of online video and digital content.
TO A CREATIVE LEGACY
From a garage in Buda, TX, to global screens large and small, our teams of dreamers and entrepreneurs have introduced and developed what made Rooster Teeth stand out: animation, comedy and games. From new forms of machinima-animated comedy to countless viral memes, including Immortal Snail (aka Snail Assassin), to an American-born animated series adopted by Japan as anime and record-breaking (at the time) crowdfunded films. . You have achieved a lot and made dreams come true here. You’ve turned original intellectual property into video games, comics, and VTubers. You have directed short videos, mo-caps and films. He has been a puppeteer, a podcast host, and has built a thriving community that spans the world. Your creativity has no limits and you will continue to contribute significantly to culture wherever your path takes you.
TO THOSE WHO ARRIVED FIRST
Despite passing through many corporate owners, Rooster Teeth transcended a media business and was a dynamic movement that shaped the bond between communities, creators and storytelling. Our founders didn’t have a plan for a media empire, but they came close to building one along with a community that fueled its remarkable growth. In its early days, RT relied on community sponsorship through time, money, and unwavering passion. Volunteers became staff and the snowball effect grew, resulting in new relationships, marriages, births, and shared life-changing experiences.
TO THE CREATION OF PIONEERING CONTENT
Our approach to creating content on emerging platforms paved the way for new media models. We inspire generations of creators through streaming, machinima, animation, let’s play, merch releases, touring, podcasting and more. Companies like GameStop, YouTube, Facebook, Spotify and TikTok asked us to collaborate with them early on because we set a standard for what a digital brand could be. We boldly take our content beyond screens and into community-driven experiences.
TO AN INDUSTRY IN CHANGE
Each story reaches its final pages. The closure of Rooster Teeth is not simply an end; reflects broader business dynamics. Monetization changes, platform algorithms, advertising challenges, and the ebb and flow of sponsorship – all of these converging factors have led to many closures in the industry. As we learn about programming updates day by day, we will soon share our plans for programs, franchises, partnerships and products and share those updates with teams internally and with the community on RoosterTeeth.com.
TO OUR FINAL SEASON
Although unintentional, it is fitting that our final season of “Red vs. Blue” coincides with us navigating this closure together. Our legacy is not just a collection of content, but a story of pixels etched into our screens, minds and hearts. Rooster Teeth has left an indelible mark on the media industry and we should be very proud of the countless ways we pioneered a business that connects creators and content with a dedicated community.
With respect, gratitude and sincere appreciation,
Jordan Levin