Rooster Teeth Closes its Doors After 21 Years
Rooster Teeth is closing its doors after 21 years as its parent company has ceased efforts to secure a buyer for the organization.
American entertainment company Rooster Teeth Productions is closing its doors after nearly 21 years in the industry. Founded in 2003, Rooster Teeth was acquired by Fullscreen in 2014, which was a subsidiary of Otter Media owned by AT&T at the time. In 2019, the company had to make some tough decisions and laid off around 50 employees, about 13% of its workforce. Despite AT&T's efforts to sell Rooster Teeth before divesting TimeWarner to Discovery, the company ended up being part of Warner Bros. Discovery, which was established in April 2022 after AT&T decided to leave the entertainment sector after just four years.
Rooster Teeth Boss Announces Company Shutdown
Warner Bros. Discovery had been looking for a buyer for Rooster Teeth for the past two years. It's not clear when they stopped their search, but Rooster Teeth's General Manager Jordan Levin recently announced that the company will be shutting down. This news comes four and a half years after Levin took over from CEO Matt Hullum in 2019 after a round of layoffs. Co-founder Burnie Burns also stepped down as chief creative officer around the same time and left the company less than a year later.
Rooster Teeth New Branding
The Roost Podcast Will Outlive Rooster Teeth
Rooster Teeth is not going to be closed down abruptly. The process is expected to take several weeks to months. Levin mentioned that The Roost podcast will continue to run for now. The only remaining part of the company, which is now seen as a "growing asset" by its leaders, is still up for sale by Warner Bros. Discovery. It is unclear how much longer the conglomerate will keep looking for a buyer for the podcast.
Our legacy is not just a bunch of content but a history that has left a lasting impact on our screens, minds, and hearts. Rooster Teeth has made a significant mark in the media industry, and we should take pride in how we have led the way in connecting creators, content, and a loyal community.
The final season of the popular Halo web series Red vs. Blue will coincide with Rooster Teeth's closure, according to Levin. He mentioned that this was not planned, but he sees it as fitting. The shutdown was caused by industry trends like layoffs and advertising challenges. About 150 employees will lose their jobs, along with freelance contractors.
Rooster Teeth's closure will not only impact gaming culture but also the gaming industry. The company published three games and seven others since 2014. Some of these games, like Bendy and the Ink Machine, left a lasting impression.
Editor's P/S:
The closure of Rooster Teeth marks a bittersweet end to an era in entertainment. Founded by a group of passionate gamers, the company rose to prominence through its humorous and engaging content. Its flagship series, Red vs. Blue, became a cult classic, and its podcasts and other ventures expanded its reach to a global audience.
While it is sad to see Rooster Teeth go, it is important to celebrate its legacy. The company played a pivotal role in shaping the modern entertainment landscape, proving that digital content could be both entertaining and impactful. Its fans will undoubtedly cherish the memories it created, and its impact on the industry will continue to be felt for years to come.
