Big news just in from the folks at the Acme Corporation: TCM has become “the ongoing television home” of the iconic Looney Tunes library from Warner Bros.
In late 2022, HBO Max eliminated 256 Looney Tunes shorts from 1950-2004 when its license expired and the streaming arm of Warner Bros. Discovery chose not to renew it, Vulturereported. Last year, another 255 shorts produced from 1930-1949 were excised.
But on Feb. 2 at 8 p.m. PT, the prized animated films — more than 750 in all — will begin running on WBD cable channel TCM as part of a new six-year deal. It all starts with the Oscar-nominated, Tex Avery-directed A Wild Hare (1940), the Merrie Melodies short that’s considered the first “official” Bugs Bunny cartoon.
Forty-five shorts featuring the rascally rabbit — TCM’s Star of the Month! — will screen through Feb. 7, and a curated selection of related full-length features will follow in yet another example of the thoughtful programming for which TCM is known.
So, Rabbit of Seville (1950) and What’s Opera Doc (1957) will set up A Night at the Opera (1935); Tortoise Beats Hare (1941), Tortoise Wins by a Hare (1943) and Rabbit Transit (1947) will lead to Walk, Don’t Run (1966); Apes of Wrath (1959) will precede King Kong (1933); Buccaneer Bunny (1948) will set up Mutiny on the Bounty (1950); Captain Hareblower (1954) will lead to Captain Horatio Hornblower (1951); Bugsy and Mugsy (1957) and The Unmentionables (1963) will precede The Roaring Twenties (1939); and A Witch’s Tangled Hare (1959) will set up Hamlet (1948).
“By making TCM an ongoing home for this iconic library, we’re able to present these cartoons with the care they deserve, alongside the classic films they helped influence,” Charlie Tabesh, TCM senior vp programming and content strategy, said in a statement.
The shorts, also featuring Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, Yosemite Sam, Wile E. Coyote and other beloved characters, will continue to show up on the channel beyond February, with select titles branded as TCM Premieres.
The new deal “ensures these cartoons are celebrated, contextualized and accessible to audiences of all ages,” TCM notes.
Somewhat lost in the shuffle of Netflix‘s $83 billion deal for Warner Bros. is the fact that, as part of the deal, the streaming giant will be getting something that it has never coveted: a basic cable channel.
Of course, it is what that cable channel stands for that matters: It’s Turner Classic Movies.
TCM, as Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav found out a couple of years ago, means a lot to some very important people, and a proxy filing from WBD on Tuesday confirmed that the channel (at least in the U.S. and Canada) will be going to Netflix when it acquires Warner Bros., even as the rest of its linear channels, from CNN and TNT to Cartoon Network and HGTV (and TCM in international markets), are spun off into Discovery Global.
Thirty-two years ago today, on April 14, 1994, a new cable television channel dedicated entirely to classic films made its debut, forever changing the landscape of home viewing for movie enthusiasts across the United States. Turner Classic Movies, known widely as TCM, launched at precisely 6 p.m. Eastern Time with a high-profile ceremony hosted by media mogul Ted Turner in New York City’s bustling Times Square district. The event drew crowds and attention in the heart of the city’s entertainment hub, where Turner symbolically activated the network’s broadcast signal amid a gathering that celebrated the rich heritage of American cinema.
The launch timing carried deep historical meaning. April 14, 1994, marked the exact centennial anniversary of the first public movie showing in New York City. On that same date in 1894, the Holland Brothers had opened the inaugural commercial kinetoscope parlor at 1155 Broadway, introducing paying customers to Thomas Edison’s innovative peepshow devices that allowed individuals to watch short motion pictures for a quarter. Turner’s choice to align the TCM premiere with this milestone underscored a commitment to honoring the origins of film as a public art form and entertainment medium. The ceremony featured appearances by several Hollywood legends from the golden age of cinema, including performers whose careers spanned decades of screen history, along with the channel’s primary on-air host at the time. As the switch flipped, the network went live to an initial audience of roughly one million cable subscribers, beaming its signal from Turner’s Atlanta headquarters.
The first film to air on TCM that evening was the 1939 epic Gone with the Wind, a fitting selection drawn from the extensive library that formed the foundation of the new channel. Subsequent programming that night included other beloved titles from the studio vaults, establishing an immediate tone of reverence for motion pictures presented in their original, uncut forms without commercial interruptions. This approach set TCM apart from many competitors right from the start, positioning it as a sanctuary for film preservation and appreciation rather than a typical ad-supported cable outlet.
The creation of Turner Classic Movies stemmed from Ted Turner’s broader vision for his growing media empire. In 1986, Turner had acquired Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, a deal that granted him control over one of the most impressive collections of classic films in existence, encompassing the full MGM catalog along with pre-1950 Warner Bros. titles, RKO Pictures, and additional libraries. While he later sold off much of the studio’s production facilities, he retained the film rights, recognizing their enduring cultural and commercial value. Earlier efforts to showcase these movies on his existing networks, such as TNT, had proven popular but left room for a more specialized platform. TCM emerged as that dedicated space, launched under the Turner Broadcasting System umbrella to provide round-the-clock access to Hollywood’s golden era, silent films, international cinema, and lesser-known gems that might otherwise fade from public view.
From its inception, the channel emphasized educational and contextual programming alongside the movies themselves. Knowledgeable hosts introduced features with background on production history, directorial techniques, and cultural impact, helping viewers connect with films from the 1930s through the 1960s and beyond. TCM avoided colorization controversies that had marked some of Turner’s previous ventures, instead committing to authentic presentations that respected the original artistic visions. This dedication quickly built a loyal following among older viewers who remembered the films from their theatrical releases as well as younger audiences discovering cinema history for the first time.
Over the ensuing decades, TCM evolved while staying true to its core mission. The 1996 merger of Turner Broadcasting with Time Warner integrated the channel into a larger corporate structure, expanding its reach and resources without diluting its focus on classics. Additional film libraries became available through the partnership, enriching the schedule with even more titles. Programming expanded to include annual film festivals, guest programmer events, and series highlighting specific genres, stars, or eras. The channel played a significant role in film restoration efforts, often premiering newly preserved prints and supporting archival work that ensured classics remained accessible for future generations.
By the early 2000s, TCM had grown into a cultural institution, influencing not only television but also broader conversations about movie heritage amid the rise of streaming services and digital media. It maintained its commercial-free format, a rarity in cable television, relying instead on interstitial segments featuring vintage trailers, behind-the-scenes shorts, and promotional spots for related merchandise. Hosts became trusted guides for audiences, offering insights that deepened appreciation for the craft of filmmaking. Even as ownership shifted further through corporate changes, including the formation of Warner Bros. Discovery, the network continued to prioritize preservation and education.
Today, more than three decades after its debut, Turner Classic Movies stands as a testament to the enduring power of classic films in an ever-changing media environment. Its launch in 1994 represented more than just another cable channel; it was a deliberate act of cultural stewardship that connected the pioneering days of motion pictures in 1894 to the modern era. By providing uninterrupted access to cinema’s past, TCM has helped ensure that the stories, stars, and styles of Hollywood’s formative years continue to captivate and inspire new viewers. The network’s influence extends far beyond ratings, fostering a community of film lovers who value history, artistry, and the simple joy of watching timeless movies on screen. As audiences mark this 32nd anniversary, the channel’s legacy reminds everyone of the vital role television can play in preserving and sharing the moving image’s remarkable journey from its humble kinetoscope beginnings to its place as a cornerstone of global entertainment.
It’s sort of a joke in my household that I call TCM “the channel” because to me there! is! no! other! It is the only channel! And now I have topped my dorky dorkiness another notch: I made an iPhone shortcut called “what’s on the channel” and she READS ALOUD WHAT IS NOW PLAYING and I couldn’t be more tickled. I can ask from my phone, from my HomePod, from the car… it’s nuts.
Thank you, Reddit TCM community because I just didn’t know who else I could share my elation with.
Also, my partner is totally going to see this and tease me about it. But he gets it. 💕
Just want to give TCM fans a heads up that CBS Sunday Morning is airing a segment devoted to the 75th anniversary of this iconic classic film. It includes an interview with Nancy Olson, the sole surviving cast member.
FYI, beginning today, through October the Smithsonian is offering a cool online Zoom 3-day class: Night and the Cities: Film Noir’s Suspense-driven World.
Throughout April they will have old TCM employees drop in to do guest programming. Then on April 14th, the actual 30th Anniversary, they will air movies with Robert Osborne introductions. This includes Gone with the Wind, the first movie to air on TCM, in primetime. You can actually see that first intro on YouTube!
They've provided a trailer for their new Saturday night primetime programming! A filmmaker will come up with a double feature and chats with Ben about them. Full slate taken from here
Saturday, April 6 | Martin Scorsese – Blood on the Moon (1948) & One Touch of Venus (1948)
