The landscape of television is undergoing a seismic shift. As more viewers “cut the cord” and embrace streaming services, the traditional cable television model faces unprecedented challenges. Many long-standing cable networks are confronting an uncertain future, with significant changes already happening and the possibility of complete shutdown looming for some.
This industry transformation isn’t just theoretical; it’s actively reshaping media companies. Reports indicate widespread layoffs impacting the cable side of major companies like Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount, directly linked to declines in linear television viewership. Corporate strategies are shifting dramatically, with companies like Warner Bros. Discovery exploring splits and Paramount focusing heavily on its streaming service, Paramount+, often at the expense of its traditional networks.
Against this backdrop of financial pressure, strategic pivots, and evolving viewer habits, some cable networks appear more vulnerable than others heading into June 2025. While the cable news sector, particularly certain networks like Fox News, has shown some resilience or even growth in viewership year-over-year in segments, this isn’t the case across the board. Niche channels, particularly those targeting younger demographics who have rapidly migrated to digital platforms like YouTube and streaming services, are facing significant headwinds.
Here’s a look at ten cable networks identified as being among the most likely to face closure or drastic changes by mid-2025:
Networks Facing Declining Viewership and Strategic Shifts
Several networks are struggling as their target audiences abandon traditional linear TV.
Cartoon Network: Once a cable powerhouse, Cartoon Network has seen a notable drop in viewership. Its perceived value has decreased, evidenced by its exclusion from certain lower-tier cable packages like DirecTV’s new $34.99 entertainment package (which still includes Adult Swim) and its removal from Sling TV’s Sling Orange package, requiring subscribers to move to a more expensive tier to access it. As Warner Bros. Discovery continues to realign its assets amidst broader company layoffs impacting cable operations, observers anticipate the potential repurposing or restructuring of this iconic channel.
Teen Nick: This network, aimed squarely at the teenage demographic, has experienced one of the most significant ratings declines among all cable TV networks. Its viewership plummeted by 53% in 2024 compared to 2023, ranking it just 133 out of 153 networks in primetime viewership. With teens overwhelmingly choosing streaming platforms and social media for entertainment, Teen Nick is seen as a prime candidate for being cut as Paramount looks to streamline costs and potentially drive younger audiences to Paramount+.
Disney XD: Also targeting a younger audience, Disney XD saw its ratings drop by 44% in 2024 compared to the previous year. Its primetime viewership stands at a mere 18,000 viewers, placing it at a low 142 out of 153 networks. The dramatic shift of children’s content consumption to platforms like YouTube Kids and Disney+ puts Disney XD’s future in serious doubt as Disney prioritizes its streaming growth.
Disney Jr.: While slightly higher-rated than Disney XD (averaging 84,000 primetime viewers and ranking 93rd), Disney Jr. also experienced a significant viewership decline of 37% in 2024. Like Disney XD, its target audience is increasingly found on apps like Disney+. These audience shifts make children’s networks some of the most vulnerable in the cable ecosystem as parent companies like Disney focus on bolstering their direct-to-consumer streaming services.
Nick Jr.: Another children’s network from Paramount, Nick Jr. saw a 39% drop in ratings in 2024. Paramount has been actively pursuing budget cuts across its operations, including reports suggesting potential cuts to its cable networks, particularly in light of potential mergers. With Paramount aggressively promoting its Paramount+ streaming service to capture younger audiences, Nick Jr. is viewed as a likely target for consolidation or closure to push content exclusively to the streaming platform.
National Geographic Wild (Nat Geo Wild): This niche nature channel, owned by Disney, saw its ratings decline by 29% in 2024, ranking 79th in primetime. As Disney emphasizes growing its Disney+ service, which includes a substantial amount of National Geographic content, dedicated cable channels like Nat Geo Wild face increased scrutiny regarding their standalone value and could be consolidated or reduced as content migrates to streaming.
Networks Facing Direct Competition and Corporate Realignment
Competition from free alternatives or internal corporate restructuring poses distinct threats to other networks.
Boomerang: Also part of Warner Bros. Discovery, Boomerang is facing intense direct competition. WBD has partnered with MeTV to launch MeTV Toons, a free, over-the-air channel dedicated to classic cartoons – much of the same content previously aired on Boomerang. This move, combined with declining viewership, makes Boomerang’s future highly precarious. With WBD reportedly considering spinning off its cable assets, the rationale for keeping a struggling niche channel like Boomerang appears less compelling, making it arguably one of the most likely networks on this list to be discontinued.
Networks Under Pressure from Corporate Financials and Strategy
Larger corporate financial health and strategic decisions heavily influence the fate of these channels.
BET Networks (Specific Channels like BET Her, BET Hip-Hop, BET Soul): Paramount’s failed attempt to sell BET and its associated networks has left their future uncertain. Paramount is reportedly seeking a buyer again, but if a sale doesn’t materialize, some of the less profitable BET-branded networks, such as BET Her, BET Hip-Hop, and BET Soul, could face closure as Paramount seeks to cut costs amidst company-wide layoffs partly driven by linear TV declines. The potential acquisition of Paramount by new owners could also introduce strategic shifts that deprioritize certain cable holdings.
MTV Channels (Specific Channels like MTV2, MTV Classic): As younger demographics increasingly move online for music and entertainment content, the relevance of niche MTV cable channels diminishes. Paramount is exploring consolidation, potentially rolling content from smaller networks like MTV2 and MTV Classic into the main MTV channel or pushing it directly to Paramount+. The shutdown of MTV News in the previous year signaled this shift away from traditional platforms for the MTV brand. With Paramount under pressure to reduce expenses, these smaller MTV channels are potential candidates for closure or integration.
FXX: Positioned as a second-tier entertainment network, FXX is facing declining viewership and challenges securing carriage deals, notably being dropped by Spectrum, one of the largest cable providers. Disney’s strategy increasingly involves leveraging FX content to bolster subscriptions for its streaming service, Hulu. This focus on streaming raises questions about the long-term necessity and viability of FXX as a separate linear channel, especially as the parent company navigates industry-wide financial pressures and strategic shifts.
The ongoing evolution of the media landscape means that adapting to changing viewer habits and the dominance of streaming is critical for survival. For these ten networks, the combination of declining viewership, direct competition, and corporate financial pressures makes their future on traditional cable highly uncertain heading into mid-2025.
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