Rooster Teeth, the production company best known for creating the animated series Red vs. Blue and RWBY, is shutting down after 21 years.
In a memo obtained by IGN and published on the Rooster Teeth official website, General Manager Jordan Levin revealed that the company was shutting down after its parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, had failed to sell the company.
As early as 2021, Rooster Teeth’s parent company sought to sell off the production company.
“[I] t’s with a heavy heart I announce that Rooster Teeth is shutting down due to challenges facing digital media resulting from fundamental shifts in consumer behavior and monetization across platforms, advertising, and patronage,” Levin wrote in the memo. “Our legacy is not just a collection of content but a history of pixels burned into our screens, minds, and hearts.”
You can read the full memo below.
Dear Rooster Teeth,
Since our founders created and uploaded their first video on the then-called 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 industry-wide layoffs and closures, 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 continued its investment in our company, content and community. Now however, it’s with a heavy heart I announce that Rooster Teeth is shutting down due to challenges facing digital media resulting from fundamental shifts in consumer behavior and monetization across platforms, advertising, and patronage.
Please note, the Roost team is not currently impacted by this action as the Roost Podcast Network will continue operating and fulfilling its obligations while WBD evaluates outside interest in acquiring this growing asset.
We have many questions to answer in the coming days and weeks, and the opportunity to work together to implement the best way to wind things down for us and our community. We’re working through what comes next in real time, and we will be as open, direct, and accessible as possible. Thank you all in advance for your patience and support of one another.
Let’s take a moment to celebrate our 21-year contribution to the zeitgeist, advancing creativity and outlasting many of our peers from the early days of online video and digital-first content.
**** TO A CREATIVE LEGACY ****
From a garage in Buda, TX, to global screens large and small, our teams of dreamers and doers have introduced and grown what made Rooster Teeth stand out: animation, comedy, and gaming. From new forms of animated comedy with machinima to countless viral memes, including the Immortal Snail (aka Snail Assassin), to a US-born animated series embraced by Japan as anime, and record-breaking (at the time) crowdfunded movies. You’ve accomplished so much and made dreams come true here. You’ve turned original IP into video games, comic books, and VTubers. You’ve directed short videos, mo-cap, and films. You’ve puppeteered, hosted podcasts, and have built a thriving community that spans the globe. Your creativity knows no bounds, and you’ll continue contributing significantly to culture wherever your paths may take you.
**** TO THOSE WHO COME 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 blueprint for a media empire, but they got close to building one alongside a community that fueled its remarkable growth. In its earliest days, RT relied on community sponsorship through time, dollars, and unwavering passion. Volunteers evolved into staff, and the snowball effect grew, resulting in new relationships, marriages, births, and shared experiences that have changed lives.
**** TO TRAILBLAZING CONTENT CREATION ****
Our approach to content creation on emerging platforms paved the way for new media models. We inspired generations of creators across streaming, machinima, animation, let’s plays, merch drops, touring, podcasting, and more. Companies like GameStop, YouTube, Facebook, Spotify, and TikTok asked us to collaborate with them in their earliest days because we set a standard for what a digital-first brand could be. We boldly took our content beyond screens and into community-driven experiences.
**** TO A CHANGING INDUSTRY ****
Every story reaches its final pages. Rooster Teeth’s closure isn’t merely an end; it reflects broader business dynamics. Monetization shifts, platform algorithms, advertising challenges, and the ebb and flow of patronage—all these converging factors have led to many closures in the industry. While we learn about updates on programming day by day, we will share our plans for shows, franchises, partnerships, and merch soon and share those updates with teams internally and with the community on RoosterTeeth.com
**** TO OUR FINAL SEASON ****
Though not intentional, It’s only appropriate that our last season of “Red vs. Blue” coincides with us navigating this closure together. Our legacy is not just a collection of content but a history of pixels burned into our screens, minds, and hearts. Rooster Teeth has made an indelible mark on the media industry, and we should be so proud of the countless ways we pioneered a business connecting creators and content with a dedicated community.
With respect, gratitude, and sincere appreciation,
Jordan Levin
Regarding the fate of some Rooster Teeth content, WB Discovery is in talks with selling the rights to its animated series, including Red vs. Blue, RWBY, and gen:LOCK, with Red vs. Blue, set to release a final full-length feature film later this year. Additionally, The Roost, a podcast network with podcasts spanning various genres, will continue to operate, but WB Discovery is also looking to sell off the division.
Following the announcement of its closure, several fans and Rooster Teeth employees took to X/Twitter to express their sadness about the company shutting down. This includes former employees Ashley Burns and Lawrence Sonntag, who left Rooster Teeth in 2019.
Gutted to hear @roosterteeth is ending. I had some of the best adventures of my life there. They supported me making content outside their usual parameters and celebrated with me when it succeeded.
The wider industry will be lucky to get the amazing talent Warner is giving up. pic.twitter.com/P3ITn2P6R7
— Ashley Burns (née Jenkins) (@ashleyburns) March 6, 2024
Mixed feelings about this for sure… my time at RT was one of the worst of my life, but I also met many incredible people I still consider friends to this day.
I obviously want the best for them so this sucks. All I can do is hope and work for better outcomes for everyone. https://t.co/bUWO9DxQkx
— Lawrence Sonntag (@SirLarr) March 6, 2024
Hi! I, along with everyone at Rooster Teeth have just lost our jobs. I have over a decade of experience in editorial & as a Post Production Producer. It’s a little out of date, but here’s a reel of some of my work. If you’re looking for editorial assistance, please reach out! pic.twitter.com/bAquIhtC0B
— Peyton McLeod (@PeytonMcLeod_) March 6, 2024
So like, Rooster Teeth staff were told they were shutting down like only a few hours before the fact? That’s so fucked, man. https://t.co/d0naCes1Fw pic.twitter.com/E593Qf10v1
— Ultima Rebirth (@UltimaShadowX) March 6, 2024
goodbye rooster teeth 🙁 thank you for them 🙁 pic.twitter.com/O2P4ACOJGT
— bambs! (@corvophobia) March 6, 2024
me after finding out about rooster teeth pic.twitter.com/NuzxHz7pQK
— rebecca💖geoff+gavin (@geoffslaugh) March 6, 2024
Rooster Teeth basically kickstarted my interest in pursuing a career in the arts. Just a small group of people creating things together because they enjoyed it. I hope that I’m able to accomplish a fraction of what they were able to. Feels hard to say goodbye. I hate goodbyes. https://t.co/QhW8P0qqp7 pic.twitter.com/WcskXGnVK2
— Eōin J. Leahy (@EoinJLeahy) March 6, 2024
Rooster Teeth Productions was founded in 2003 by Burnie Burns, Matt Hullum, Geoff Ramsey, Jason Saldaña, Gus Sorola, and Joel Heyman before being acquired by Fullscreen in 2014. Rooster Teeth eventually became part of Warner Bros. Discovery after AT&T and & Chernin Group joint venture Otter Media in 2018. It remained under the Warner Media umbrella until 2022, when Discovery, Inc., and WarnerMedia merged to form Warner Bros. Discovery.
Its first production, Red vs. Blue, is a web series set in the same universe as the sci-fi shooter series Halo, and it quickly became a hit for the company. Alongside producing animated shows and podcasts, Rooster Teeth expanded into other forms of media, from Let’s Plays to video game development programming, live-action shows, and even full-length feature films, including its debut film, a sci-fiction comedy titled Lazer Team.
Rooster Teeth was also the subject of controversy, most infamously accusations of harboring a toxic work environment, which included low pay and unpaid overtime, crunch culture, and some former employees speaking out about bigotry and harassment they endured while employed at Rooster Teeth.
Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.
