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Kartoon Studios Inc. (TOON - Free Report) has taken another step in its strategic transformation by divesting Frederator Networks' Channel Network business in an all-cash transaction, while retaining the ownership of several of its most valuable intellectual property assets.

The transaction generated cash proceeds of $500,000 and reflects the company's broader effort to streamline operations around higher-value segments, including premium intellectual property, franchise development, animation production, global distribution and consumer products licensing.

Importantly for investors, the company is keeping the ownership of several notable Frederator Studios properties, including Bee and PuppyCat, Bravest Warriors, Castlevania, and Catbug. Kartoon Studios also retains Frederator Studios' creative talent and selected channels that support growth and distribution of its franchise portfolio.

Management indicated that the divestiture separates businesses with differing operating characteristics and strategic priorities. While the Channel Network business operated under a different business model and margin profile, the retained assets are expected to remain central to Kartoon Studios' long-term strategy of expanding revenues through intellectual property commercialization and licensing opportunities.

Chairman and chief executive officer Andy Heyward said that the transaction is intended to create a more focused organization by concentrating resources on businesses that align with the company's strategic direction. He added that retaining the core creative assets and intellectual property positions the company to continue building and monetizing its franchise portfolio.

From an investor perspective, the sale underscores Kartoon Studios' continued emphasis on becoming a more IP-centric entertainment company. By exiting a non-core operating business while preserving the ownership of established franchises, the company aims to allocate capital and management attention toward higher-margin opportunities tied to content ownership, licensing and brand expansion.

Although the cash proceeds from the transaction are relatively modest at $500,000, the strategic significance lies in simplifying the company's operating structure and reinforcing its focus on assets that have the potential to generate recurring revenues through distribution, licensing and consumer products initiatives.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., July 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kartoon Studios, Inc. (NYSE American: TOON) ("Kartoon Studios" or the "Company"), a global entertainment company creating, producing, distributing and licensing children's and family content, today announced that it has received the initial cash payment of approximately $39.2 million from its previously announced litigation settlements.

Following receipt of the initial settlement payment, Kartoon Studios has more than $40 million in cash and cash equivalents and no debt as of June 30, 2026, providing one of the strongest balance sheets in the Company's history. Importantly, the settlement proceeds were entirely non-dilutive, strengthening the Company's financial position without issuing a single additional share of stock or incurring debt. As a result, the Company is confident in its ability to execute its current strategic growth initiatives without any present need for additional equity financing or other dilutive capital.

"This is a transformational moment for Kartoon Studios," said Andy Heyward, Chairman and CEO of Kartoon Studios. "Our balance sheet has been strengthened with non-dilutive capital, allowing us to significantly increase our financial flexibility while preserving shareholder ownership. With more than $40 million in cash and cash equivalents and no debt as of June 30, 2026, we believe we have the resources necessary to execute our strategic plan from a position of strength while maintaining our disciplined approach to capital allocation."

Heyward continued, "The timing of this capital could not be more important. After more than five years of creative development and investment in precious key IP, we are approaching what we believe will be the two most significant franchise launches in Kartoon Studios' history.

 Copyright Kartoon Studios, Inc. 2026 

Hundred Acre Wood is our reimagining of the original A.A. Milne stories that introduced the world to Winnie-the-Pooh, one of the most beloved and commercially successful children's properties ever created. Alongside it, we have launched the Stan Lee Universe, beginning with Stan Lee's Superhero Pets, inspired by the imagination of the legendary Stan Lee, creator or co-creator of many of the world's most iconic superheroes, and one of the most commercially successful creators in entertainment history.

 Copyright Kartoon Studios, Inc. 2026

These are not simply new productions. They represent the culmination of years of investment in building enduring entertainment franchises with global licensing, merchandising, publishing, and distribution potential. Together with our expanding consumer products business and our owned streaming platforms, including Kartoon Channel! and Ameba, these launches represent the foundation of the Company's next phase of growth. We now have the financial strength to invest behind these launches from a position of confidence and stability and maximize their long-term value for our shareholders."

As previously disclosed on June 17, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York entered the settlement agreements reached to date in the shareholder action Augenbaum v. Anson Investments Master Fund LP et al. (Case No. 1:22-CV-00249-AS). Under those settlements, Kartoon Studios is entitled to receive aggregate settlement proceeds of approximately $78.5 million, before counsel fees and other advisor costs.

The remaining settlement proceeds are held in escrow pending payment of final counsel fees and other advisor costs, after which the Company expects to receive the remaining net balance from escrow.

The Company believes its strengthened balance sheet positions Kartoon Studios to accelerate investment across its growing portfolio of owned intellectual property as it prepares for the commercial launch of Hundred Acre Wood and the Stan Lee Universe over the coming year. Combined with expanding licensing and merchandising initiatives, strategic global distribution relationships, and owned digital distribution platforms, the Company believes it is well positioned to build higher-margin recurring revenue streams and execute its long-term strategy of becoming a scaled global children's and family entertainment company centered on valuable, wholly owned franchises with enduring worldwide appeal.

About Kartoon Studios
Kartoon Studios (NYSE American: TOON) is a global, vertically integrated children’s and family entertainment company turning owned and controlled intellectual property into enduring, multi-platform franchises. The Company develops, produces, distributes, licenses and monetizes content across the full value chain, creating multiple revenue opportunities and long-term brand value.

Kartoon Studios’ growth portfolio includes Hundred Acre Wood’s Winnie & Friends and the Stan Lee Universe, alongside established brands and an extensive programming library. The Company operates Mainframe Studios and Toon Media Networks, as well as Beacon Media Group, a full-service marketing, communications, and media agency subsidiary of Kartoon Studios focused on children and family. Together, these assets provide production capabilities, direct audience access and distribution across linear television, AVOD, SVOD, FAST channels and streaming platforms in more than 60 territories. Kartoon Studios is focused on converting its intellectual property, infrastructure and global reach into scalable franchise growth and long-term shareholder value.

For more information, visit www.kartoonstudios.com.

Important Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release that are not historical facts may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning executing the Company’s current strategic growth initiatives without any present need for additional equity financing or other dilutive capital, having the resources necessary to execute the Company’s strategic plan from a position of strength while maintaining a disciplined approach to capital allocation, approaching the two most significant franchise launches in Kartoon Studios' history, the launches representing the foundation of the Company's next phase of growth together with its expanding consumer products business and owned streaming platforms, investing behind these launches from a position of confidence and stability and maximize their long-term value for the Company’s shareholders, being positioned to accelerate investment across a growing portfolio of owned intellectual property as the Company prepares for the commercial launch of Hundred Acre Wood and the Stan Lee Universe over the coming year, the Company being well positioned to build higher-margin recurring revenue streams and execute its long-term strategy of becoming a scaled global children's and family entertainment company centered on valuable, wholly owned franchises with enduring worldwide appeal and converting the Company’s intellectual property, infrastructure and global reach into scalable franchise growth and long-term shareholder value. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “project,” “should,” “will” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These statements are based on the Company’s current plans, estimates, assumptions and expectations and are not guarantees that such plans, estimates or expectations will be achieved. Actual events, results and performance may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements due to various risks, uncertainties and other factors, including the Company’s ability to execute its business strategy and growth initiatives; changes in general economic, financial, market and industry conditions, the Company’s ability to execute its current strategic growth initiatives without any need for additional equity financing or other dilutive capital, having the resources necessary to execute the Company’s strategic plan from a position of strength, the ability to successfully launch the Company’s franchises, the Company's ability to enter its next phase of growth together and expand its consumer products business and owned streaming platforms, the ability to maximize long-term value for the Company’s shareholders, the ability to accelerate investments across a growing portfolio of owned intellectual property, the ability to obtain financing when needed; the Company’s ability to keep pace with technological advances; the Company’s ability to protect its intellectual property and other risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available at www.sec.gov. Additional risks and uncertainties that are not currently known to the Company or that the Company currently considers immaterial may also cause actual events, results or performance to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Kartoon Studios undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT:
Lytham Partners, LLC
Robert Blum
602-889-9700
[email protected]

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
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June 17, 2026 09:00 ET  | Source: Kartoon Studios

Court Enters All Settlements Reached to Date in Short-Swing Profit Recovery Action

Company Well-Capitalized to Execute A.A. Milne and Stan Lee IP-Driven Growth Strategy

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., June 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kartoon Studios (NYSE American: TOON) (“Kartoon Studios” or the “Company”) today announced that the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York has entered all settlement agreements reached to date in the shareholder action Augenbaum v. Anson Investments Master Fund LP et al. (Case No. 1:22-CV-00249-AS). Pursuant to those settlements, the Company will receive aggregate settlement payments of approximately $78.5 million, before plaintiff’s counsel fees and expenses.

The action was brought on behalf of the Company under Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act, commonly known as the “short-swing profit” recovery statute, seeking to recover profits realized from certain transactions in the Company’s securities. With the Court’s latest ruling, all settlement agreements reached to date with settling defendants have now been entered. The action remains ongoing against the two remaining defendants.

The settlements represent a significant milestone in Kartoon Studios’ financial evolution. The aggregate recovery materially strengthens the Company’s balance sheet, providing a substantial capital base to execute and accelerate its children and family intellectual property-driven growth strategy without reliance on external financing, or dilution.

“This is a watershed moment for Kartoon Studios and, most importantly, for our shareholders,” said Andy Heyward, Chairman and CEO of Kartoon Studios. “These recoveries are non-dilutive, and return substantial value directly to the Company and its shareholders.

“For years, we have invested in building a platform supported by a portfolio of world-class children and family based intellectual property. This enhanced financial position will enable us to accelerate the commercialization of our flagship franchises, including Hundred Acre Wood and the Stan Lee Universe, while also pursuing strategic opportunities that were previously beyond our reach,” concluded Heyward.

The Company intends to deploy its enhanced financial resources to accelerate the development, commercialization, and monetization of its owned intellectual property portfolio; expand and strengthen its distribution platforms, including Kartoon Channel! and Ameba; and pursue strategic growth opportunities across content production, licensing, consumer products, and related initiatives. The Company intends to deploy these proceeds with the same financial discipline that has significantly reduced operating expenses and improved its operating results, supporting its continued progress toward sustained positive cash flow.

About Kartoon Studios

Kartoon Studios (NYSE AMERICAN: TOON) is a global leader in children’s and family entertainment, delivering premium content and high-value animated intellectual property to millions of viewers worldwide. The Company’s portfolio features globally recognized brands, as well as holding a controlling interest in Stan Lee Universe, and operates Mainframe Studios, one of North America’s largest animation producers, with more than 22,000 minutes of award-winning programming delivered.

Through its Toon Media Networks division including Kartoon Channel!, Ameba, Kartoon Channel Worldwide and Frederator, Kartoon Studios reaches audiences across linear television, AVOD, SVOD, FAST channels, and top streaming platforms. Kartoon Channel! is consistently rated the #1 kids’ streaming app on the Apple App Store. With a global distribution footprint in over 60 territories, and a robust content pipeline, Kartoon Studios is being positioned for sustained growth and long-term shareholder value.

For more information, visit www.kartoonstudios.com

Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue,” “predict,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “intend” or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements and include statements regarding: the settlement providing a substantial capital base to execute and accelerate Kartoon Studios’ children and family intellectual property-driven growth strategy without reliance on external financing, or dilution; building a platform supported by a portfolio of world-class children and family based intellectual property; the enhanced financial position enabling the acceleration of the commercialization of Kartoon Studios’ flagship franchises, including Hundred Acre Wood and the Stan Lee Universe, while also pursuing strategic opportunities that were previously beyond the Company’s reach; deploying Kartoon Studios’ enhanced financial resources to accelerate the development, commercialization, and monetization of its owned intellectual property portfolio; expanding and strengthening the Company’s distribution platforms, including Kartoon Channel! and Ameba, and pursuing strategic growth opportunities across content production, licensing, consumer products, and related initiatives; deploying the proceeds from the settlements with the same financial discipline that has significantly reduced operating expenses and improved Kartoon Studios’ operating results, supporting its continued progress toward sustained positive cash flow; and being positioned for sustained growth and long-term shareholder value. While the Company believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation the Company’s ability to execute its transition to an intellectual property-driven growth model; the Company’s ability to advance its flagship franchise initiatives; the Company’s ability to leverage prior investments in platform, content, and infrastructure, to support a more scalable operating foundation and the broader commercialization of the Company’s intellectual property portfolio; the Company’s ability to continue the momentum across its Company’s distribution business; the Company’s ability to advance its flagship franchises as multi-platform initiatives extending across content, licensing, and consumer products; the Company’s ability to bring properties to market and convert its franchises into scalable, higher-margin revenue opportunities to drive long-term value; the Company’s ability to launch and expand Hundred Acre Wood and the Stan Lee Universe in the US and globally as planned; the Company’s ability to capture value across the full lifecycle of its intellectual property by combining production capabilities, owned distribution platforms, marketing infrastructure, and licensing operations; the Company’s ability to move quicker and with purpose faster than its competitors; the Company’s ability to execute against its platform while continuing to expand higher-margin, IP-driven revenue streams; the Company’s ability to improve operating performance and margin profile over time as its initiatives scale; the Company’s ability to benefit from its investments in infrastructure and IP; the Company’s ability to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms, if at all; fluctuations in the results of the Company’s operations from period to period; general economic and financial conditions; the Company’s ability to anticipate changes in popular culture, media and movies, fashion and technology; competitive pressure from other distributors of content and within the retail market; the Company’s reliance on and relationships with third-party production and animation studios; the Company’s ability to market and advertise its products; the Company’s reliance on third parties to promote its products; the Company’s ability to keep pace with technological advances; the Company’s ability to protect its intellectual property and those other risk factors set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 and in the Company's subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Thus, actual results could be materially different. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

MEDIA CONTACT:
[email protected]

INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT:
[email protected]