What's laughable is pretending it was being exploited even near the level of post Force Awakens. Again, I get that they were doing Clone Wars and selling Merch since Revenge of the Sith, but nothing compares to a theatrical release of a major "episode" in the saga. Those are what get people going.
Do people know Darth Revan or Darth Bane? No, they know Darth VADER. Do they know Darth Maul survived and got spider cybernetic legs and fought his brother? No, Darth Maul is dead...
Do most people even know Ahsoka exists?
Put it this way. Disney isn't going to release Episode 9 and then wait 10 years for Episode 10 because they're doing some pet projects. Mainstream media gets people excited...not Clone Wars.
I stand by my statement because I live in reality. The merchandise sold for Stars Wars had MUCH more to do with the first 6 episodes than any animated series, EU, novels, etc. Star Wars was BUILT on the movies, period.