A pioneer in digital content creation is leaving. Rooster teetha subsidiary of Discovery Warner Bros. Global Streaming & Interactive Entertainment announced this morning that it is ceasing operations after 21 years. The process starts 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 CEO Jordan Levin.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the closure of Rooster Teeth due to the challenges facing digital media resulting from fundamental changes in consumer behavior and monetization across platforms, advertising and patronage,” Levin said in the email (you can read it in full). below).
The Roost Podcast Network will remain operational “while WBD evaluates outside interest in acquiring this growing asset,” Levin said.
There is some Rooster Teeth-branded content in the WBD pipeline, which will also remain in place, including a soon-to-be-released film from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.
WBD will also explore options for catalog content and Rooster Teeth intellectual property, such as Red vs. Blue, RWBY And Generation: 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 the acquisition from TimeWarner to AT&T. .
Levin noted that WBD “continued its investments in our business, our content and our community” after the merger.
WBD also continued the Rooster Teeth Digital Creators program, aimed at supporting underrepresented talent, which had been launched by WarnerMedia.
In an effort to increase revenue by directing consumers to a sponsorship model, Rooster Teeth moved its content from YouTube to its own website last fall. A potential sale of the company was also explored, but many companies interested in the brand are no longer in business as the digital entertainment industry undergoes unprecedented upheaval.
“Monetization changes, platform algorithms, advertising challenges, and the ebb and flow of patronage: all of these converging factors have led to many closures across the industry,” Levin noted in his note.
After exploring other options, WBD proceeded with a shutdown.
“Warner Bros. Discovery thanks Rooster Teeth’s groundbreaking creators and partners, as well as the strong management team, for their many years of success,” the company said in a statement. “Your passionate and loyal fans are a testament to your accomplishments.”
In his note, Levin highlighted the legacy of Rooster Teeth.
“We set a standard for what a digital-first brand could be,” he said. “We boldly took our content beyond screens and into community experiences. »
Rooster Teeth's run 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 ever, is also coming to an end.
“While unintentional, it is only fitting that our final season of Red versus blue coincides with us going through this shutdown together,” Levin said.
Here is his memo:
Dear Rooster Teeth,
Since our founders created and uploaded their first video to what was then called the World Wide Web in 2003, Rooster Teeth has been a source of creativity, laughter and lasting innovation in the extremely volatile media industry .
We've read the headlines about industry-wide layoffs and shutdowns, and you've heard me give my views and updates on the rapidly changing state of media and entertainment during each of our monthly All Hands meetings.
Since AT&T inherited ownership and control of Rooster Teeth following its acquisition of TimeWarner, Warner Bros. Discovery continued its investment in our business, our content and our community. However, it is now with a heavy heart that I announce the closure of Rooster Teeth due to the challenges facing digital media, resulting from fundamental changes in consumer behavior and monetization across platforms, advertising and marketing. patronage.
Please note that the Roost team is currently not impacted by this action. The Roost Podcast Network will continue to operate and fulfill its obligations while WBD evaluates outside interest in acquiring this growing asset.
In the days and weeks ahead, we will have many questions to answer and the opportunity to work together to implement the best way to end things for us and our community. We are working on what happens 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 years of contributing to the zeitgeist, advancing creativity and outlasting many of our peers since the early days of online video and digital content.
TO A CREATIVE LEGACY
From a garage in Buda, Texas, to big and small screens around the world, our teams of dreamers and doers introduced and expanded what made Rooster Teeth different: 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 bankrolled films record participation (at the time). You have accomplished so much and made dreams come true here. You've turned the original IP into video games, comics, and VTubers. You have made short videos, mo-caps and films. You've been a puppeteer, hosted podcasts, and built a thriving community that spans the world. Your creativity knows no bounds and you will continue to contribute meaningfully to culture wherever your path takes you.
TO THOSE WHO COME FIRST
Although it passed through many business owners, Rooster Teeth transcended the media industry and was a dynamic movement that shaped the connection between communities, creators, and storytelling. Our founders didn't have plans for a media empire, but they were about to build one alongside a community that fueled its remarkable growth. In its early days, RT relied on community sponsorship in terms of time, money and unwavering passion. Volunteers became staff and the snowball effect grew, leading to new relationships, marriages, births and shared experiences that changed lives.
TO PIONEER CONTENT CREATION
Our approach to creating content on emerging platforms has paved the way for new media models. We've inspired generations of creators in streaming, machinima, animation, gaming, merchandise, 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-first brand could be. We boldly took our content beyond screens and into community experiences.
TO AN EVOLVING INDUSTRY
Each story reaches its final pages. Rooster Teeth's closure isn't just an end; this reflects broader business dynamics. 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 sector. As we learn programming updates day by day, we will soon share our plans for shows, franchises, partnerships and spin-off products and share these updates with the teams internally and with the community on RoosterTeeth.com.
IN OUR LAST SEASON
While unintentional, it's only fitting that our final season of “Red vs. Blue” coincides with us going through this shutdown together. Our legacy is not just a collection of content but a story of pixels etched into our screens, our minds and our hearts. Rooster Teeth has left an indelible mark on the media industry, and we should be very proud of the countless ways we've launched a business connecting creators and content with a dedicated community.
With respect, gratitude and sincere appreciation,
Jordan Levin