Taylor Will Perform Live Song From the Series at Insider ‘Table Read’ After Sneak Peak Animation Showing, December 16 at Chinese Theatre in Hollywood BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Dec. 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kartoon Studios (NYSE American: TOON), today announced that acclaimed musician, songwriter, performer, and educator, Livingston Taylor has been cast as the iconic voice of Winnie the Pooh in the Company’s upcoming animated franchise, Hundred Acre Wood’s Winnie and Friends, based on A.A. Milne’s iconic ...

Core Insights - Kartoon Studios is positioning itself for growth through the launch of its new animated franchise, "Hundred Acre Wood's Winnie and Friends," which is expected to become a significant long-term asset for the company [5][19] - The franchise is designed to appeal to a new generation of consumers while leveraging the beloved characters from A.A. Milne's classic, aiming for a billion-dollar global brand potential [4][12] Franchise Development - The franchise will include serialized short-form content with 208 episodes, aimed at broad distribution across various platforms including AVOD, FAST, and SVOD [9] - Major holiday specials are planned, starting with a Christmas premiere in 2026, along with additional specials for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Easter [10] - A comprehensive global consumer products program will encompass toys, apparel, home goods, and more, targeting various retail channels [10] - Experiential and live event extensions are in development, including themed activations and immersive family experiences [11] Creative Team and Production - The series features a unique yarn-based animation style, combining digital tools with handcrafted textures to create a warm, storybook aesthetic [15] - The creative team includes notable figures such as Linda Woolverton as Executive Producer and Danny Elfman as Composer, both bringing extensive experience from successful global franchises [16][17] Strategic Positioning - The franchise is structured as a 360° global initiative, with an integrated roadmap to maximize engagement and monetization while expanding its worldwide presence [9][19] - The overarching strategy aims to deepen family engagement across generations and establish the property as a sustainable growth engine for Kartoon Studios [19][22]

Core Viewpoint - Kartoon Studios has announced the addition of composer Danny Elfman to the creative team for the upcoming project "Hundred Acre Wood's Winnie and Friends," which aims to reimagine the classic franchise for a new generation [3][6][8]. Company Overview - Kartoon Studios (NYSE American: TOON) is a global leader in children's and family entertainment, delivering premium content and high-value intellectual property to millions of viewers worldwide [9]. - The company operates Mainframe Studios, one of North America's largest animation producers, with over 22,000 minutes of award-winning programming [9]. Project Details - The project will consist of 208 seven-minute episodes and five holiday specials, with the first special set to premiere in December 2026, and a sneak peek scheduled for Christmas Eve 2025 [6][8]. - The franchise is expected to be the most ambitious initiative in Kartoon Studios' history, aiming to create a long-term global franchise that will generate significant shareholder value [6][8]. Financial Impact - The "Winnie-the-Pooh" franchise has historically been commercially successful, generating approximately $80 billion in retail sales [8]. - Danny Elfman's contributions are anticipated to enhance the project's appeal, potentially driving further box office success and audience engagement [5][8]. Creative Team - Elfman joins Executive Producer Linda Woolverton, known for her work on "The Lion King" and "Beauty and the Beast," and Creative Director John Rivoli, recognized for his contributions to major franchises like "Harry Potter" and "Batman" [7][8]. - The collaboration is expected to blend nostalgia with fresh interpretations, appealing to both existing fans and new audiences [8].

Core Insights - Kartoon Studios has announced the addition of composer Danny Elfman to the creative team for the upcoming project "Hundred Acre Wood's Winnie and Friends," which aims to reimagine the classic franchise [3][6] - The project is described as the most ambitious franchise initiative in the company's history, launching with 208 seven-minute episodes and five holiday specials [6][9] - The first special is set to premiere in December 2026, with a sneak peek scheduled for Christmas Eve 2025, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of A.A. Milne's original publication [6][8] Company Overview - Kartoon Studios (NYSE American: TOON) is a global leader in children's and family entertainment, delivering premium content and high-value intellectual property [9] - The company operates Mainframe Studios, one of North America's largest animation producers, with over 22,000 minutes of award-winning programming [9] - Through its Toon Media Networks division, Kartoon Studios reaches audiences across various platforms, including linear television and streaming services [10] Financial Impact - The franchise of Winnie-the-Pooh has generated approximately $80 billion in retail sales, indicating its commercial success and potential for future revenue generation [8] - The collaboration with renowned figures like Elfman, Woolverton, and Rivoli is expected to enhance the creative quality and marketability of the new franchise [7][8]

Core Insights - Kartoon Studios has shown significant progress in 2024, with improvements in profitability and operational efficiency, positioning the company for continued growth in 2025 [3][12][14] Financial Performance - Total revenue for Q4 2024 increased by 8.2% compared to Q3 2024 and 7.0% compared to Q4 2023, marking the third consecutive quarter of revenue growth [5] - Mainframe Studios, the largest revenue-generating unit, achieved a 44.7% revenue increase in Q4 2024 compared to Q4 2023, driven by strong demand for high-quality animation [3][5] - Total operating expenses decreased by 66.0% in Q4 2024 compared to Q4 2023 and by 57.4% for the full year 2024 compared to 2023, reflecting effective operational efficiency initiatives [5] - Loss from operations improved by 88.0% in Q4 2024 compared to Q4 2023 and by 76.5% for the full year 2024 compared to 2023, indicating a strong path towards profitability [5] Business Segments - Kartoon Channel and Frederator Networks delivered strong results in 2024, benefiting from higher subscription revenues, distribution expansion, and increasing advertising revenue [4][7] - The family and kids' ad unit, Beacon Media Group, achieved profitability in 2024 through high-efficiency ads and data-driven strategies [12][14] - Upcoming animated series, including "Hundred Acre Wood's Winnie and Friends" and "Stan Lee Universe's The Excelsiors," are expected to launch in 2025 and 2026, contributing to future revenue streams [10][11] Market Position and Strategy - Kartoon Channel remains the 1 ranked streamer in the Apple App Store, surpassing competitors like YouTube Kids and Netflix, with a focus on children's safety [7] - The company is expanding its global content strategy, now present in over 61 territories, and plans to enter new markets in Asia, Europe, and Latin America in 2025 [8] - The emphasis on exclusive series, localized content, and ad-supported models has driven substantial revenue growth for Kartoon Channel [7][8] Future Outlook - The company is well-positioned for profitable growth in 2025, with over 90% of its 2025 revenue target already contracted and a backlog of orders expected to surpass 2025 levels [3][14] - Investments in infrastructure, technology, and key creators are expected to yield positive results, enhancing the company's ability to capitalize on growth opportunities [12][14]