Not exactly. BTAS was created out of the success of Tiny Toons, after which WB wanted to create more animated series from their properties. Sure, the Burton movie was a continued motivator, but it wasn’t reason why the series existed. Source: Batman: The Animated Series (1992) — Art of the Title
Obviously, the Burton film had some influence, the creators have openly stated they were directly inspired by the Fleischer Superman cartoons with their art deco elements.
But, yes, WB loved the synergy. The first release was the Catwoman episode, but that series had such an odd release schedule. The Catwoman episode was on its Saturday morning release, but On Leather Wings was released the next day, Sunday, in prime time with heavy promotion behind it. Not trying to make a point other than things were strange.
I do use the comparison of Star Wars and Batman to Ghostbusters because there are people here who are seemingly comparing it to larger frachises. You yourself compared Afterlife getting a cartoon to Batman Returns. If that want your intention, sorry.
If people viewed the franchise as it is, they might have a better idea why Sony is making the decisions they are with it. I would love new stuff to come out regularly, but the market isn’t there for it. You might think that doing an animated series and movie isn’t that much of a commitment. To Sony, it might be.
When ATC came out, I am sure Sony was prepping a continued GB rollout of new media. Since the film didn’t work the way they were hoping, Sony has been gunshy. Afterlife came out and did okay, but I can’t blame them if they wanted to wait to see if it had legs before doing a more sustained thing and prioritized a sequel.
Could they have made a cartoon. Yes, absolutely. I am a proponent of the belief that the only reason anybody cares about GB today is because of RGB. But Sony clearly didn’t feel that was the way to go (and who knows what behind the scenes shenanigans were going on). Whereas Disney will throw money at a new Star Wars show, Sony didn’t want to take that risk.
But it is here now, so here’s hoping kids will get into it.
That may have worked back then. But now in the world of streaming? Take for example Masters of the Universe. It had three animated series within the franchise in the last decade - two of which were high profile - and the new movie is bombing (despite generally good reviews).
I also look at the last TMNT movie which underperformed (though that movie was saved by merch), and TMNT is an evergreen property.
Wow, I almost forgot about all those movie tie-in cartoons banking that the movie would be successful. That was definitely a trend in the 90s, likely started by the success RGB. That said, most failed, which is why there trend has largely gone away.