Kartoon Studios, Inc. (TOON) — 10-K

Filed 2026-03-31 · Period ending 2025-12-31 · 83,930 words · SEC EDGAR

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# Kartoon Studios, Inc. (TOON) — 10-K

**Filed:** 2026-03-31
**Period ending:** 2025-12-31
**Accession:** 0001683168-26-002452
**Source:** [SEC EDGAR](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1355848/000168316826002452/)
**Origin leaf:** dc0546dc2e88939523c165ec90d014d39f19bbef6733b2dcf586e9a029abdc9d
**Words:** 83,930



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**| 
Table of
Contents | |
UNITED STATES**
**SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION**
**WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549**
**FORM 10-K**
| 
x | 
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |
**For the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2025**
| 
o | 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |
**For the transition period
from ___________**to ___________
**Commission file number:
001-37950**
**KARTOON STUDIOS, INC.**
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| 
Nevada | 
20-4118216 | |
| 
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
**190 N. Canon Drive****, 4th FL**
**Beverly Hills, CA 90210**
(Address of principal executive
offices and zip code)
Registrants telephone
number, including area code: **310-273-4222**
______________________________
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b)
of the Act:
| 
Title of each class | 
Trading Symbol(s) | 
Name of exchange on which registered | |
| 
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share | 
TOON | 
The NYSE American LLC | |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g)
of the Act:
**Series C Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per
share.**
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a
well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not
required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
(1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months
(or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
has submitted electronically, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding
12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes x
No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.
See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer, smaller reporting company,
and emerging growth company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| 
Large accelerated filer | 
o | 
Accelerated filer | 
o | |
| 
Non-accelerated filer | 
x | 
Smaller reporting company | 
x | |
| 
| 
| 
Emerging growth company | 
o | |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check
mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting
standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
has filed a report on and attestation to its managements assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial
reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or
issued its audit report. o
If securities are registered pursuant to Section
12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction
of an error to previously issued financial statements. o
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error
corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrants
executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to 240.10D-1(b). 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o No x
The aggregate market value of the registrants
voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant (without admitting that any person whose shares are not included
in such calculation is an affiliate) computed by reference to $0.74 per share, which is the price at which shares of the registrants
common stock was last sold, as of the last business day of the registrants most recently completed second fiscal quarter was $33,826,939.
As of March31, 2026, the registrant had
56,336,035 shares of common stock outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None.
| | | | |
**Kartoon Studios, Inc.**
**FORM 10-K**
**Table of Contents**
| 
PART I. | 
| 
Page Number | |
| 
Item
1. | 
Business | 
1 | |
| 
Item
1A. | 
Risk Factors | 
9 | |
| 
Item
1B. | 
Unresolved Staff Comments | 
21 | |
| 
Item
1C. | 
Cybersecurity | 
21 | |
| 
Item
2. | 
Properties | 
22 | |
| 
Item
3. | 
Legal Proceedings | 
22 | |
| 
Item
4. | 
Mine Safety Disclosures | 
22 | |
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
PART II. | 
| 
| |
| 
Item
5. | 
Market For Registrants Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities | 
23 | |
| 
Item
6. | 
[Reserved] | 
23 | |
| 
Item
7. | 
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 
24 | |
| 
Item
7A. | 
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 
39 | |
| 
Item
8. | 
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data | 
39 | |
| 
Item
9. | 
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure | 
39 | |
| 
Item
9A. | 
Controls and Procedures | 
39 | |
| 
Item
9B. | 
Other Information | 
41 | |
| 
Item
9C. | 
Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections | 
41 | |
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
PART III. | 
| 
| |
| 
Item
10. | 
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance | 
42 | |
| 
Item
11. | 
Executive Officer and Director Compensation | 
49 | |
| 
Item
12. | 
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters | 
62 | |
| 
Item
13. | 
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence | 
64 | |
| 
Item
14. | 
Principal Accounting Fees and Services | 
65 | |
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
PART IV. | 
| 
| |
| 
Item
15. | 
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules | 
67 | |
| 
Item
16. | 
Form 10-K Summary | 
70 | |
| 
Signatures | 
| 
71 | |
****
| | i | | |
**CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS**
This Annual Report on Form 10-K (including the
sections regarding our Business and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations) contains forward-looking
statements regarding our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Words such as "expects," "anticipates,"
"intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates" and similar expressions or variations
thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not deemed to represent an all-inclusive means of identifying forward-looking
statements as denoted in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Additionally, statements concerning future matters are forward-looking statements.
These statements include, among other things, statements regarding:
| 
| Our ability to generate revenue or achieve profitability | |
| 
| | | |
| 
| Our anticipated needs for working capital, and our ability to obtain additional financing on acceptable
terms, if at all | |
| 
| | | |
| 
| Our ability to continue as a going concern | |
| 
| | | |
| 
| Fluctuations in the results of our operations from period to period | |
| 
| | | |
| 
| General economic and financial conditions | |
| 
| | | |
| 
| Consumer acceptance of our content and demand for our products | |
| 
| | | |
| 
| Our 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 | |
| 
| | | |
| 
| Our reliance on and relationships with third-party production and animation studios | |
| 
| | | |
| 
| Our ability to market and advertise our products | |
| 
| | | |
| 
| Our reliance on third parties to promote our products | |
| 
| | | |
| 
| Our ability to keep pace with technological advances | |
| 
| | | |
| 
| Performance of our information technology and storage systems | |
| 
| | | |
| 
| A disruption or breach of our internal computer systems | |
| 
| | | |
| 
| Our ability to retain key personnel | |
| 
| | | |
| 
| Our ability to successfully identify appropriate acquisition targets, successfully acquire identified
targets and successfully integrate the business of acquired companies | |
| | ii | | |
| 
| The impact of federal, state or local regulations on us or our vendors and licensees | |
| 
| | | |
| 
| Our ability to protect and defend against litigation, including intellectual property claims | |
| 
| | | |
| 
| The volatility of our stock price | |
| 
| | | |
| 
| The marketability of our stock | |
| 
| | | |
| 
| Our broad discretion to invest or spend the proceeds of our financings in ways with which our stockholders
may not agree and may have limited ability to influence | |
| 
| | | |
| 
| Other risks and uncertainties, including those listed in Item 1A, Risk Factors | |
Although forward-looking statements
in this Annual Report on Form 10-K reflect the good faith judgment of our management, such statements can only be based on facts and factors
currently known by us. Consequently, forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties and actual results and
outcomes may differ materially from the results and outcomes discussed in or anticipated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that
could cause or contribute to such differences in results and outcomes include, without limitation, those specifically addressed under
the heading *Risk Factors* in Item 1A. below, as well as those discussed elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Readers are urged not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Annual Report
on Form 10-K. We file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and our electronic filings with the SEC
(including our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to these
reports) are available free of charge on the SECs website at *http://www.sec.gov*.
We undertake no obligation
to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any event or circumstance that may arise after the date of this
Annual Report on Form 10-K, except as required by law. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made
throughout the entirety of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which are designed to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that
may affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
| | iii | | |
PART I
| 
Item 1. | Business | |
Overview
Kartoon Studios, Inc. (formerly,
Genius Brands International, Inc.) (the Company, Kartoon Studios, we, us or our)
is a global content and brand management company focused on the creation, production, licensing, and distribution of multimedia animated
content for children. Led by experienced industry personnel, the Companys core business includes original intellectual property
(IP) development, third-party IP production services, media agency, and content monetization through licensing and owned
distribution platforms.
Kartoon Studios owned
and produced titles include *Stan Lees Superhero Kindergarten*(starring Arnold Schwarzenegger), *Llama Llama* (starring
Jennifer Garner), *Rainbow Rangers*, *KC! Pop Quiz*, and *Shaqs Garage* (starring Shaquille ONeal). The Companys
library also includes titles such as *Baby Genius*, *Thomas Edisons Secret Lab*, *Warren Buffetts Secret Millionaires
Club*, *Team Zenko Go!*, *Reboot*, *Bee & PuppyCat: Lazy in Space*, and *Castlevania*. The Company maintains
a strategy of leveraging owned IP and third-party relationships to expand distribution and consumer product licensing.
Kartoon Studios also owns
Wow Unlimited Media Inc. (Wow), through which the Company operates Mainframe Studios - one of the *largest* animation
production studios globally. Mainframe Studios is a producer-for-hire for several major streaming platforms and IP holders. To date, Mainframe
has produced over 1,200 television episodes, 70 movies, and 3 feature films, including titles such as *Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures*,
*Octonauts: Above & Beyond*, *Cocomelon*, *SuperKitties*, *Its Andrew!,* and *Unicorn Academy*, in
partnership with leading global media companies. In addition, Wow owns Frederator Networks Inc. (Frederator). Frederator
operates a leading animation-focused creator network, Channel Frederator Network, on YouTube encompassing over 2,500 channels. Frederator
Studios has developed and produced original programming in partnership with Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Netflix, Sony Pictures
Animation, and Amazon.
The Company distributes its
content across streaming platforms, linear television, and its ad-supported and subscription-based video-on-demand (VOD)
services and apps, including *Kartoon Channel!* and *Ameba TV*. Distribution partners include YouTube, YouTube Kids, Amazon
Prime Video, Amazon Fire, Roku, Apple TV, iOS, Android TV, Android mobile, Pluto TV, Xumo, Tubi, Samsung TV Plus, Google TV, Cox, DISH,
Sling TV,KartoonChannel.com, and smart TVs from Samsung and LG. The Company also licenses content to third-party networks and streaming
services globally, including Netflix, Paramount+, HBO Max, and Nickelodeon.
The Company also owns The
Beacon Media Group, LLC and The Beacon Communications Group, Ltd. (collectively, Beacon), a specialized media and marketing
agency focused on childrens and family audiences. Beacon represents over 20 established and emerging brands across the toy, consumer
products, and family entertainment sectors, including Bandai Namco, Moose Toys, Bazooka Brands, Goliath Games, Playmates Toys, and Cepia
LLC. The agency has developed a strong reputation within the toy industry, supported by long-standing client relationships, deep category
expertise, and a consistent track record of campaign execution. We believe that Beacons positioning within a niche, relationship-driven
market provides barriers to entry and supports durable demand for its services.
The Company owns Ameba Inc.
which operates Ameba TV, a subscription streaming service with a focus on educational and entertainment content for younger children.
As a cornerstone of the Companys subscription offerings, Ameba delivers a vast library of engaging and educational content, accessible
across multiple platforms.
| | 1 | | |
Through its investment in
Germany-based Your Family Entertainment AG (YFE), a publicly listed company on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (RTV: FWB),
the Company holds a strategic interest in one of Europes leading independent childrens content providers, with a catalog
of approximately 150 titles and 3,500 half-hour episodes.
The Company holds a controlling
interest in Stan Lee Universe, LLC (SLU), which owns the IP rights to Stan Lees name, likeness, signature, and associated
IP assets.
Our Products
Our main sources of revenue
are derived from animation production services provided to third parties, the sale of licenses for the distribution of films and television
programs, advertising revenues, and merchandising and licensing sales.
**Production Services**
Our production services business
is centered on delivering original and third-party commissioned animated content with a focus on production efficiency and scalability.
Mainframe Studios, our primary production entity, is undertaking operational enhancements through the adoption of flexible production
workflows, strategic outsourcing, and the integration of new technologies. These initiatives aim to optimize cost structures and streamline
the production pipeline. To date, Mainframe has produced over 1,200 television episodes, 70 movies, and three feature films, including
titles such as *Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures*, *Octonauts: Above & Beyond, Cocomelon, SuperKitties*, and *Unicorn Academy*,
in partnership with leading global media companies.
During 2025, we entered into
active development and production on *Hundred Acre Woods Winnie and Friends,* an animated franchise series inspired by *Winnie-the-Pooh*
by A.A. Milne. Structured as a serialized short-form series, the production is engineered for broad multi-platform distribution across
AVOD, FAST, SVOD, in-store, and international platforms. Developed as a cornerstone franchise for Kartoon Studios, the series features
an original yarn-based animation style combining digital tools with handcrafted textures to create a warm, storybook aesthetic enhanced
by music and dance. The franchise includes a multi-phase rollout, consisting of major holiday specials, including Christmas, Halloween,
Thanksgiving, and Easter, and is supported by an integrated global consumer products program spanning toys, apparel, home goods, publishing,
collectibles, and retail partnerships. The series is scheduled to premiere in Fall 2026, with a Christmas holiday special debuting in
2026.
During 2025, we also produced
numerous owned IP and for-hire projects including:
*SuperKitties Season 2,
3 and 4: SuperKitties Su-Purr Charged* is a top performing computer-generated animation show for Disney Junior. Mainframe Studios produces
this content on a service basis for Sony TV Kids. Through 2025, the final 6 episodes of *SuperKitties Season 2* were delivered and
27 x 11-minute episodes of *SuperKitties Season 3* were delivered with the remaining 23 x 11-minute episodes expected to be delivered
by the third quarter of 2026. In addition, 10 supplementary animated shorts of 2 minutes were also delivered in 2025. The series was greenlit
for a fourth season in March 2025, and Mainframe Studios started production on this fourth season in the third quarter of 2025, with delivery
of content expected to commence in the second quarter of 2026. This fourth season will include 3 x 60-minute specials, 20 x 11-minute
episodes and 6 x 2 minute shorts.
*Phoebe & Jay:*This
2D Preschool series for PBS Kids, which first aired in February 2026, began full production in 2024. *Phoebe & Jay* follows the
adventures of 6-year-old twins Phoebe and Jay Yarber, who live with their family in the fantastical Tobsy Towers. The series is designed
to support early literacy skills for preschoolers by showcasing the various kinds of texts they see in their everyday lives, helping them
understand, navigate, and participate in the world around them. This series has an overall order of 80 x 11-minute episodes, with deliveries
ongoing with completionexpected by the third quarter of 2026.This series also includes 20 interstitials and 5 web games.
| | 2 | | |
*Its Andrew!:*
This vibrant, funny, and heart-filled preschool animated series bursting with creativity and imagination is following the adventures of
a young rhino living as a very big unicorn in the whimsical town of Hornsby Downs. In 2024, Mainframe Studios began co-production of the
series, working alongside Pirate Size Productions and Infinite Studios. The series consists of 40 x 7 minutes episodes, and is targeted
at preschool audiences, blending visually imaginative storytelling with themes of individuality and self-acceptance. The production was
commissioned by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, CBC (Canada), and Socit Radio-Canada (Canada), with Kartoon Studios
retaining international distribution, licensing, and merchandising rights. The series premiered in December 2025 on CBC Kids, Radio-Canada,
CBC Gem, and ICI TOU.TV in Canada, and is expected to premiere on ABC Kids and ABC iview in Australia in 2026.
*Unicorn Academy:*Netflix
greenlit a second season of this children's fantasy-adventure series from Spin Master Entertainment. *Unicorn Academy* is set on
Unicorn Island, a fictional environment where students attend a boarding school to train as protectors of a magical realm. The narrative
follows a core teen protagonist and her peers as they form bonds with unicorns, develop magical capabilities, and confront threats to
the islands stability. The series is designed and marketed primarily for the childrens and pre-teen audience, generally
aligning with the ages 712 demographic. It features age-appropriate storytelling, adventure-driven narratives, and positive social-emotional
messages. Mainframe Studios started production on these 16 x 22-minute episodes in 2024 with deliveries ongoing and final delivery due
the first quarter of 2026.
Consumer Products and Licensed Content
A source of our revenue is
our licensing and merchandising activities from our underlying IP content. We work directly in licensing properties to a variety of manufacturers
and occasionally to retailers. We currently have, across all brands, multiple licensees and a variety of licensed products either in development,
in market or scheduled to enter the market. Products bearing our trademarks can be found in a wide variety of retail distribution outlets
reaching consumers in retailers such as Barnes & Noble, Kohls, Amazon.com, and Hot Topic. License agreements that we enter
into often include financial guarantees and commitments from the manufacturers guaranteeing a minimum stream of revenue for us. In some
cases, we can earn additional revenue once retail sales of licensed merchandise exceed the value of these advances or minimum guarantees.
Current strategic priorities center on commercializing the Stan Lee IP portfolio and launching the *Hundred Acre Wood: Winnie &
Friends* property, with emphasis on digital and physical consumer products as well as location-based fan experiences.
*Content Distribution*
Todays global content
marketplace has evolved such that ubiquity is essential to success. Kids now expect to watch what they want, when they want, wherever
they want. As a result, content creators must deliver access across multiple distribution touchpoints. Our strategy spans both traditional
linear broadcast in key international territories and a broad range of digital platforms. We actively pursue placement of our content
and branded channels with leading distribution partners and maintain hands-on management of our digital presence. This includes partners
and platforms such as Netflix, Apple TV, Roku, Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Cox, DISH, Sling, Xumo, iOS,
Android/Google Play, LG and Samsung smart TVs, Tubi, and Pluto TV. Our content distribution strategy is focused on scaling audience reach
and monetization across our proprietary networks, including Kartoon Channel!, Kartoon Channel! Worldwide, Channel Frederator Network and
Ameba TV.
*Kartoon Channel! Network:*In June 2020, we launched the *Kartoon Channel!,*a digital family entertainment destination that delivers enduring childhood
moments of humor, adventure, and discovery and is available across multiple AVOD, SVOD and linear streaming platforms, including Cox,
DISH, Sling TV, Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Fire, Roku, Apple TV, Apple iOS, Android TV, Android mobile, Pluto TV, Xumo, Tubi, YouTube,
YouTube Kids, and Samsung and LG smart TVs. *Kartoon Channel!* has achieved significant domestic penetration, being widely available
to U.S. television households through Internet-based streaming services. *Kartoon Channel!* delivers numerous episodes of carefully
curated family-friendly content featuring animated classics for little kids, including *The Ghostly Adventures of Pac-Man, Mother Goose
Club, Llama Llama shorts, Om Nom Stories,* as well as content for bigger kids, such as *Angry Birds, Talking Tom and Friends*and
*Yu-Gi-Oh!*and original programming like *Rainbow Rangers* and *Stan Lees Superhero Kindergarten,* starring Arnold
Schwarzenegger. The *Kartoon Channel!* also offers STEM-based content and Spanish language programming.
| | 3 | | |
*Kartoon Channel! Worldwide:*We expanded the distribution footprint of *Kartoon Channel!*by rolling out *Kartoon Channel! Worldwide in 2023. Kartoon Channel!
Worldwide*has a distribution footprint of over 61 territories across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. *Kartoon Channel!
Worlwide* is on Pay TV, Branded block, and FAST services. The channel includes original *Kartoon Channel!* programming, as well
as animated content from YFEs animation catalogue, and other content acquisitions.
*Channel Frederator Network:
Channel Frederator Network,*owned by Frederator, is the largest animation focused creator network on YouTube with over 2,500 channels.
Frederator also owns Frederator Studios, focused on developing and producing shorts and series for and with partners. Over the past 20
years, Frederator Studios has partnered with Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Netflix, Sony Pictures Animation and Amazon.
*Ameba TV*: We also own
the Canadian company Ameba Inc., which operates *Ameba TV*, a premier subscription-based streaming service specializing in younger
children's entertainment. As a cornerstone of TOON Media Networks' subscription offerings, *Ameba TV* delivers a vast library of
engaging and educational content, accessible across multiple platforms. *Ameba TV* is comprised of 14,000+ episodes and 2,800+ hours
of kids shows. The streaming service features educational shows, including *Alphablocks*, *Numberblocks*, *Sooty, Karl,
Dino the Dinosaur,* and *Alphabuddies*. There are hundreds of kids music videos, including *Wee Sing*and *Ukulele
U,* and a catalog of classic content, such as *Babar* and *Franklin and Friends. Ameba TV* significantly enhances our digital
footprint and revenue streams and is available in the U.S. and Canada. It is being distributed in the United States onthe Companys
wholly-owned subscription andadvertisement supported service, which includes video ondemand andstreaming linear. Distribution
platforms include Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Fire, Roku, Apple TV, Apple iOS, Android TV, Android mobile, XBox, as well as Samsung andLG
smart TVs.
*Media and Advisory Services*
Beacons media advisory
and advertising operations are structured to generate recurring and diversified revenue through a combination of retainer-based engagements
and commission-driven media planning and buying. This blended revenue model affords client flexibility and supports margin optimization
through efficient resource utilization. Beacon has continued to invest in higher-value service offerings, including influencer-driven
marketing programs, data-informed media planning, and customized campaign development. These capabilities have increased the scope and
duration of client engagements and strengthened customer retention. Beacon provides services to a range of clients in the toy, gaming,
and consumer products industries including Moose Toys, Goliath Games, Bandai Namco, Just Play, and Bazooka Candy Brands, and more. Beacon
also plans and purchases advertising across a broad mix of digital and connected television platforms, including YouTube, Paramount, Disney+,
Hulu, Roku, Tubi, Amazon, Blockboard, Future Today, Kidoodle, Precisify, Facebook, and TikTok. As our services scale, we expect to benefit
from operating leverage, as incremental revenue can be generated with comparatively limited increases in fixed costs.
Marketing
Our marketing mission is to
generate awareness and consumer interest in the brands of Kartoon Studios via a 360-degree approach to reach audiences through all touchpoints.
Successful marketing campaigns for our brands have not only included traditional marketing tactics but now also include utilizing social
media influencers (individuals with a strong, existing social media presence who drive awareness of our brands to their followers), strategic
social media marketing, and cross-promotional consumer product campaigns. We also deploy digital and print advertising to support the
brands, as well as work with external media relations professionals to promote our efforts to both consumer and industry. We consistently
initiate strategic partnerships with brands that align and offer value to us. Our *Kartoon Channel!* platform, being widely available
to U.S. television households through Internet-based streaming services, provides additional reach to promote our content and consumer
products.
| | 4 | | |
Competition
The industry in which we operate
is highly competitive. We compete against other creators of childrens content including Disney, Nickelodeon, Netflix, Hulu, PBS
Kids, and Sesame Street, as well as other small and large creators. In the saturated childrens media space, we compete with these
other creators for both content distribution across linear, VOD, and digital platforms, as well as retail shelf space for our licensed
products. We also compete with other media and entertainment companies, independent production companies and VOD services for creative
and performing talent, story properties, show concepts, scripted and other programming and advertiser support.
Many of our competitors enjoy
competitive advantages such as greater brand recognition, legacy operating histories and larger marketing and content budgets, as well
as greater financial, technical, marketing, distribution, human and other resources. To compete effectively, we are focused on our strategic
positioning of content with a purpose, which we believe is a point of differentiation embraced by the industry, as well
as parents and educators. Additionally, the *Kartoon Channel!* enables us to increase the awareness of our brands through an owned
platform.
Customers and Licensees
In the year ended December
31, 2025, we partnered with 35 consumer products licensees. During the same period, we licensed our content to over 60 broadcasters in
more than 150 countries worldwide, as well as a number of VOD and online platforms that have a global reach. This broad cross-section
of customers includes companies such as Comcast, Netflix, Sony, YouTube, Mattel, Target, Penguin Publishing, Manhattan Toys, Roku, Apple
TV, Amazon, Google, Bertelsmann Music Group, Discovery International, Hot Topic and others both domestically and internationally.
During the years ended December31,
2025 and 2024, we had four customers who accounted for 81.9% and 75.7% of our total revenue. respectively. The loss of any such customer
could have a material negative impact on our financial condition and operating results.
Government Regulation
The FCC requires broadcast
networks to air a required number of hours of educational and informational content (E/I). We are subject to online distribution regulations,
namely the Federal Trade Commissions (the FTC) Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA),
which regulates the collection of information from children younger than 13 years old. The FTC has sought to expand its authority in this
area through various rulemakings related to general privacy, targeted advertising and childrens privacy. There has been an increased
focus on childrens privacy at both the state and federal levels within the United States, as well as internationally.
Consumer Products Safety
Licensed toy products are
subject to regulation under the Consumer Product Safety Act and regulations issued thereunder. These laws authorize the Consumer Product
Safety Commission (the CPSC) to protect the public from products which present a substantial risk of injury. The CPSC can
require the manufacturer of defective products to repurchase or recall such products. The CPSC may also impose fines or penalties on manufacturers
or retailers. Similar laws exist in some states and other countries in which we plan to market our products. Although we do not manufacture
and may not directly distribute toy products, a recall of any of the products may adversely affect our business, financial condition,
results of operations and prospects.
Because our products are manufactured
by third parties and licensees, we are not significantly impacted by federal, state and local environmental laws in connection with the
manufacture of our consumer products and do not have significant costs associated with compliance with such laws and regulations.
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Other Regulatory Considerations
We are currently subject to
regulations applicable to businesses generally, including numerous federal and state laws that impose disclosure and other requirements
upon the origination, servicing, enforcement and advertising of credit accounts, and limitations on the maximum amount of finance charges
that may be charged by a credit provider. Although credit to some of our customers is provided by third parties without recourse to us
based upon a customers failure to pay, any restrictive change in the regulation of credit, including the imposition of, or changes
in, interest rate ceilings, or imposition of tariffs could adversely affect the cost or availability of credit to our customers and, consequently,
our results of operations or financial condition. As an international production company, we are also subject to country-specific requirements
such as federal and provincial content regulations and tax credit guidelines in Canada.
We also maintain websites
which include our corporate website located at *www.kartoonstudios.com*and many brand websites. These websites are subject to laws
and regulations directly applicable to internet communications and commerce, which is a currently developing area of the law. The United
States has enacted internet laws related to information and network security, childrens privacy, governmental access to data, copyrights
and taxation, among other things. Many of these laws and regulations are still evolving and could be interpreted, updated, or new laws
passed in ways that could harm our business. The growth of the market for internet commerce may result in more stringent consumer protection
laws, both in the United States and abroad, that place additional burdens on companies conducting business over the internet. We cannot
predict with certainty what impact such laws will have on our business in the future. In order to comply with new or existing laws regulating
internet commerce, we may need to modify the manner in which we conduct our website business, which may result in additional expense.
Intellectual Property
We derive substantial value
from the development, acquisition, exploitation, and protection of intellectual property. We own, directly and through our subsidiaries,
and license from third parties, a portfolio of copyrights, trademarks, service marks, trade names, and other proprietary rights used in
connection with our content, distribution platforms, and consumer products.
Owned and Controlled
Properties
As of December 31, 2025, we
owned and controlled properties and related trademarks, including *Rainbow Rangers*, *SpacePop*, *Secret Millionaires Club*,
*Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, Baby Genius, Kid Genius, Wee Worship, KC! Pop Quiz, KC Play Mix: Surviving Roblox, Kidaverse: Roblox Rumble,
Shaq's Garage, Bravest Warriors, Bee and PuppyCat, Castlevania, Stan Lee's Mighty 7,*and *Hundred Acre Woods: Winnie and
Friends*, together with various additional character, brand, and program names and marks developed in connection with our content and
brands. We also hold trademark registrations and pending trademark applications in the United States and certain foreign jurisdictions
for a number of our brands, including *Kartoon Channel!,* the name and signature of Stan Lee, and the titles of several of our owned
animated series. The foregoing is not intended to be an exhaustive list of our intellectual property assets.
Stan Lee Rights
Through our controlling interest
in Stan Lee Universe LLC, we control certain rights associated with Stan Lee, including all rights in the name, image, likeness, signature,
and unique personal characteristics of the late comic book icon. Additionally, we control social media accounts pertaining to Stan Lee,
the websites and certain related domains, the YouTube channels *Stan Lee Presents* and *The Real Stan Lee,* various word marks
in the name *Stan Lee* and design marks in Stan Lee's stylized signature, and the consumer product licensing to the iconic Stan Lee.
| | 6 | | |
Trademark Portfolio
As of December 31, 2025, Kartoon
Studios, Inc. directly held 15 registered trademarks in the United States, 5 in the United Kingdom, 2 in Australia, and 1 in New Zealand,
as well as registrations in additional jurisdictions. Mainframe Studios, Inc. held 4 registered trademarks in the United States, 7 in
Canada, and 1 in the United Kingdom. Frederator Networks, Inc. held 3 registered trademarks in the United States, 1 pending registration
in Canada, and 1 registration in Australia. Stan Lee Universe LLC held 29 registered and 2 pending trademark registrations in the United
States, 1 registration in Canada, 3 registrations in the United Kingdom, and more than 50 related registrations in other jurisdictions,
each relating to the Stan Lee name, image, and likeness.
Content Library
and Other Rights
As of December 31, 2025, we
held distribution rights to more than 225 motion pictures and more than 750 television series licensed from more than 175 content partners.
These rights support the programming of *Ameba and Kartoon Channel!,* our owned and operated streaming platforms, as well as a portfolio
of branded channels distributed across multiple third-party platforms in AVOD, SVOD, and FAST formats. We also held 270 sound recordings
and multiple literary work copyrights related to our video, music, and written work products.
Jointly Owned
Properties
We have 50/50 ownership agreements
in place with Martha Stewart and her related brand *Martha & Friends* and Gisele Bndchen and her related brand *Gisele
& the Green Team.*
Protection and
Enforcement
We protect our intellectual
property rights through a combination of copyright and trademark law and contractual protections embedded in our licensing, distribution,
and commercial arrangements, including provisions that limit grants of rights to specific territories, media, and terms. We also actively
monitor online platforms and vendors for unauthorized use of our content and brands, and in certain cases we deploy third-party scanning
and takedown services as conditions warrant. We have taken enforcement action in the past, including with respect to the Stan Lee brand,
and we will not hesitate to do so in the future. While the scope and enforceability of intellectual property protections vary by jurisdiction,
we believe our approach to monitoring and enforcement positions us to respond effectively to infringement wherever it occurs. From time
to time, we may nonetheless be subject to claims challenging the scope or validity of our rights, and any such proceedings could result
in costs or diversion of management attention that could adversely affect our business, results of operations, or financial condition.
Environmental, Social and Governance Strategy
We are attempting to shape
culture, social attitudes and societal outcomes with our animated content and consumer products that touch the lives of young people and
their families. As a global content company that reaches millions of people, we aim to be a positive force in the world.
We are committed to advancing
and strengthening our approach to environmental, social and governance topics to help serve our partners, audiences, employees and stockholders,
and to enhance our success as a business.
Human Capital Management
As of December31, 2025,
we employed 294 full-time employees and 40 independent contractors. The decrease in headcount relative to the prior year was primarily
due to leveraging third-party partnerships to support certain active projects and to decrease our overhead costs.
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We aim to build a culture
that attracts and retains the best employees and a workplace where everyone feels welcome, safe and inspired. In furtherance of this goal,
we have enacted policies addressing harassment, discrimination and other behaviors that could create a hostile workplace. We make training
on preventing sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation available to our employees. Additionally, we expect employees to report
any violations of Company policies, including sexual harassment, they witness. To encourage our employees to report their concerns without
fear of retaliation, employees are able to report incidents of harassment using our anonymous complaint and reporting hotline.
Social Impact and Corporate Social Responsibility
We believe that the content
we produce, primarily directed at young people and their families, both reflects and influences how our young viewers perceive and understand
important issues. We endeavor to earn our viewers trust through a variety of practices, and we are focused on using our platforms
to create positive social impacts.
By way of just a couple of
examples: in our show *Rainbow Rangers*, a diverse cast of girls works to save animals and protect the environment, while demonstrating
the power of teamwork; and in our *Llama Llama* series, we teach kindness and inclusion, and feature a differently abled character,
which we have been told is appreciated by moms and kids who deal with physical challenges.
To further evidence our Corporate
Social Responsibility initiatives, we support educational programming through our creative and production involvement in the PBS preschool
animated series *Phoebe & Jay*. The series features fraternal twins intentionally designed to reflect underrepresented minority
communities, reinforcing our commitment to diversity and inclusive representation in childrens media. Built around a foundational
literacy curriculum, the program promotes early literacy and functional reading skills by encouraging young viewers to engage with everyday
texts, problem-solving, and life skills, contributing to positive early childhood learning and development outcomes. *Its Andrew!*,
a preschool animated series, was designed to promote positive social and emotional learning for young audiences, including themes of self-acceptance,
empathy, and resilience. Through the main characters experiences, the series encourages children to embrace individuality and develop
confidence in their unique abilities.
Our mission statement says
it all: *Content with a Purpose*. Social justice, caring about the environment and modeling appropriate and inclusionary behavior
for kids has been part of our company for many years and we are constantly seeking ways to improve on what we have already been doing.
Smaller Reporting Company
We are a smaller reporting
company as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). As a result, we may take
advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations available to smaller reporting companies, including the exemption from compliance
with the auditor attestation requirements pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2022, reduced disclosure about our executive compensation
arrangements and the requirements to provide only two years of audited financial statements in our annual reports and registration statements.
We will continue to be a smaller reporting company as long as (1) we have a public float (i.e., the market value of our
American Depositary Shares held by non-affiliates) less than $250 million calculated as of the last business day of our most recently
completed second fiscal quarter, or (2) our annual revenues are less than $100 million for our previous fiscal year and we have either
no public float or a public float of less than $700 million as of the end of that fiscal years second fiscal quarter. Decreased
disclosures in our SEC filings due to our status as a smaller reporting company may make it harder for investors to analyze
our results of operations and financial prospects.
Company Information
The Company was incorporated
in California on January 3, 2006 and reincorporated in Nevada in October 2011. We commenced operations in January 2006, assuming all of
the rights and obligations of our then Chief Executive Officer under an Asset Purchase Agreement between us and Genius Products, Inc.,
in which we obtained all rights, copyrights, and trademarks to the brands Baby Genius, Kid Genius, 123 Favorite Music and Wee Worship,
and all then existing productions under those titles. In October 2011, we (i) changed our domicile to Nevada from California, and (ii)
changed our name from Pacific Entertainment Corporation to Genius Brands International, Inc. (the Reincorporation). In connection
with the Reincorporation, we changed our trading symbol from PENT to GNUS. In June 2023, we changed our name
Genius Brands International, Inc. to Kartoon Studios, Inc., along with our trading symbol from GNUS to TOON.
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Our principal executive offices
are located at 190 N Canon Drive, 4th Floor, Beverly Hills, California 90210. Our telephone number is 310-273-4222. We maintain an Internet
website at www.kartoonstudios.com. The information contained on, connected to or that can be accessed via our website is not part of this
Annual Report.
Available Information
We are subject to the informational
requirements of the Exchange Act, and in accordance therewith, we file reports, proxy and information statements and other information
with the SEC. You can read our SEC filings over the Internet at the SECs website at www.sec.gov. Our filings with the SEC are also
available free of charge through the investor relations section of our website www.kartoonstudios.com. Reports are available free of charge
as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file them with, or furnish them to, the SEC.
Information contained on or
accessible through our website is not incorporated by reference in, or otherwise a part of, this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and any references
to our website are intended to be inactive textual references only.
| 
Item 1A. | Risk Factors | |
*The following discussion
of risk factors contains forward-looking statements. These risk factors may be important to understanding any statement in this Annual
Report on Form 10-K or elsewhere. The following information should be read in conjunction with Part II, Item 7, Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the consolidated financial statements and related
notes beginning on F - 5 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.*
*You should consider carefully
the risks and uncertainties described below, in addition to other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including
our consolidated financial statements and related notes. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Our
business, financial condition and operating results can be affected by a number of factors, whether currently known or unknown, including
but not limited to those described below. Any one or more of such factors could directly or indirectly cause our actual results of operations
and financial condition to vary materially from past or anticipated future results of operations and financial condition. Any of these
factors, in whole or in part, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and stock
price. References to past events are provided by way of example only and are not intended to be a complete listing or a representation
as to whether or not such factors have occurred in the past or their likelihood of occurring in the future.*
*Because of the following
factors, as well as other factors affecting our financial condition and operating results, past financial performance should not be considered
to be a reliable indicator of future performance, and investors should not use historical trends to anticipate results or trends in future
periods.*
RISKS RELATING TO OUR FINANCIAL POSITION
We must raise additional capital to
fund our operations in order to continue as a going concern.
As of December31, 2025,
we had an accumulated deficit of $763.8 million and total stockholders equity of $27.5 million. As of December31, 2025, we
had total current assets of $35.8 million, including cash of $2.9 million and marketable securities of $4.0 million, and total current
liabilities of $33.5 million. We had working capital of $2.3 million as of December31, 2025, compared to working capital of $1.2
million as of December 31, 2024. Management has evaluated the significance of these conditions in relation to our ability to meet our
obligations and concluded that there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least one
year subsequent to the issuance of the accompanying consolidated financial statements. In order to address our capital needs, we will
need to raise further capital through the sale of equity or debt securities, financing arrangements or by entering into collaborative,
strategic, and/or licensing transactions. There can be no assurance that we will be able to complete any such financing, collaborative
or strategic transactions in a timely manner or on acceptable terms, or at all. Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent
upon our ability to generate revenue and raise additional capital. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in accomplishing
these objectives. Without such additional capital, we may be required to curtail or cease operations and be required to realize our assets
and discharge our liabilities other than in the normal course of business which could cause investors to suffer the loss of all or a substantial
portion of their investment.
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We have incurred net losses since
inception.
We have a history of operating
losses and incurred net losses in each fiscal quarter since our inception. For the year ended December31, 2025, we generated net
revenues of $39.4million and incurred a net loss attributable to Kartoon Studios Inc. of $24.5million, while for the previous
year, we generated net revenue of $32.6million and incurred a net loss attributable to Kartoon Studios Inc. of $20.7million.
These losses, among other things, have had an adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, stockholders equity,
net current assets and working capital.
The financial statements included
elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets
and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The financial statements do not include any adjustments relating
to the recoverability and classification of asset amounts or the classification of liabilities that might be necessary should we be unable
to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the financial statements are issued.
We will need to generate additional
revenue and/or reduce costs to achieve profitability. We are generating revenues derived from our existing properties, properties in production,
and new brands being introduced into the marketplace. However, the ability to sustain these revenues and generate significant additional
revenues and reduce our expenses or achieve profitability will depend upon numerous factors some of which are outside of our control.
Limits on our ability to sell securities
under the October 2025 Purchase Agreement may make it difficult for us to procure additional financing. If we are not able to obtain sufficient
capital, we may not be able to continue our growth.
Pursuant to the terms of the
Securities Purchase Agreement that we entered into in connection with the registered direct offering and concurrent private placement
that closed on October 22, 2025 (the October 2025 Purchase Agreement), we agreed, subject to limited exceptions, for a period
from October 20, 2025 until October 20, 2027, not to issue, enter into any agreement to issue or announce the issuance or proposed issuance
of any shares of our common stock or common stock equivalents involving a variable rate transaction; provided however, that commencing
October 20, 2026, we are allowed to enter into, and issue shares pursuant to, an at the market offering. The October 2025
Purchase Agreement further provides that the investor thereunder (the October 2025 Investor) has the right to participate
in certain subsequent financings by us in an amount equal to 50% of such subsequent financings for 12 months following October 22, 2025.
To the extent we require additional
funding, we will therefore be limited in the types of fundraising transactions that we are able to pursue in compliance with the October
2025 Purchase Agreement. If we require additional funding while these restrictive covenants remain in effect, we may be unable to effect
a financing transaction on terms acceptable to us, or at all, while also remaining in compliance with the terms of the October 2025 Purchase
Agreement, or we may be forced to seek a waiver from the October 2025 Investor, which the October 2025 Investor is not obligated to grant
to us. If adequate additional debt and/or equity financing is not available on reasonable terms or at all, we may not be able to fund
or expand our business, and we will have to modify our business plans accordingly. These factors could have a material adverse effect
on our future operating results and our financial condition.
Our revenues and results of operations
may fluctuate from period to period.
Cash flow and projections
for any entertainment company producing original content can be expected to fluctuate until the animated content and ancillary consumer
products are in the market and could fluctuate thereafter even when the content and products are in the marketplace. There is significant
lead time in developing and producing animated content before that content is in the marketplace. Unanticipated delays in entertainment
production can delay the release of the content into the marketplace. Structured retail windows that dictate when new products can be
introduced at retail are also out of our control. While we believe that we have mitigated this in part by creating a slate of properties
at various stages of development or production as well as representing certain established brands which contribute immediately to cash
flow, any delays in the production and release of our content and products or any changes in the preferences of our customers could result
in lower than anticipated cash flows.
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As with our cash flows, our
revenues and results of operations depend significantly upon the appeal of our content to our customers, the timing of releases of our
products and the commercial success of our products, none of which can be predicted with certainty. Accordingly, our revenues and results
of operations may fluctuate from period to period. The results of one period may not be indicative of the results of any future period.
Any quarterly fluctuations that we report in the future may not match the expectations of market analysts and investors. This could cause
the price of our common stock to fluctuate.
Production costs are amortized
according to the individual film forecasting methodology. If estimated remaining revenue is not sufficient to recover the unamortized
production costs, the unamortized production costs will be written down to fair value. In any given quarter, if we lower our previous
forecast with respect to total anticipated revenue, we would be required to adjust amortization of related production costs. These adjustments
would adversely impact our business, operating results and financial condition.
The value of our investments is subject
to capital markets risk as well as other investment risks, which may adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition or
cash flows.
Our results of operations
may be affected, to a limited extent, by the performance of our investment portfolio. Our excess cash is invested by an external investment
management service provider under the direction of the Companys management in accordance with the Companys investment policy.
The investment policy defines constraints and guidelines that restrict the asset classes in which we may invest by type, duration, credit
quality and concentration. Our marketable securities portfolio is composed of high-grade, investment-quality securities intended to preserve
capital and maintain liquidity rather than generate significant returns. As a result, the portfolio is designed to limit exposure to market
risk. These investments remain subject to general market fluctuations and risks inherent in particular securities. While we do not expect
such risks to have a significant impact, adverse market conditions could affect the value or returns of these investments and may impact
our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. If we reposition or realign portions of our investment portfolio and sell
securities in an unrealized loss position, we will incur a credit loss. Any such loss may have a material adverse effect on our results
of operations and business.
In addition, we maintain an
investment in foreign equity, the securities of YFE that we hold, which is inherently volatile and subject to greater market risk. The
value of this investment may be significantly affected by changes in equity market conditions, foreign currency exchange rate movements,
and economic or geopolitical developments in the relevant jurisdictions. For example, we recognized a loss on revaluation of our equity
investment in YFE of approximately $9.8million and $1.6million for the years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024,
respectively, as a result of decreases in YFEs stock price during the respective reporting periods. For the year ended December
31, 2025, we incurred net realized and unrealized investment gains and losses, as described in Item 8, Financial Statements and
Supplementary Data included herein.
We have incurred indebtedness that
could adversely affect the profitability of our business operations and financial condition.
As of December31, 2025,
we and our subsidiaries have production loan facility obligations (production facilities) of approximately $11.8million.
Any borrowings under the production facilities are collateralized by a security interest in substantially all of the relevant production
companys tangible and intangible assets, including primarily federal and provincial tax credits and other government incentives,
as well as production service agreements and license agreements. As of December31, 2025, we recorded $16.8
million in tax credit receivables related to Wows film and television productions, net of $0.4
million in allowance for credit loss. If the production entities default on their obligations under the production facilities,
the lender could foreclose on certain assets held by our subsidiaries and related entities that are parties to those facilities; however,
such foreclosure would only apply to the extent any outstanding amounts exceed the related tax credit receivables securing those obligations.
As the amounts currently outstanding do not exceed the associated tax credit receivables, these assets are not presently at risk. In addition,
the existence of these security interests may adversely affect our financial flexibility. The production facilities and the margin loan
are generally repayable on demand and are subject to customary default provisions, representations and warranties, and other terms and
conditions.
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RISKS RELATING TO OUR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
The loss of one or more significant
customers could have a material adverse effect on us.
A small number of customers
have in the past, and may in the future, account for a significant portion of our revenues in any one year or over a period of several
consecutive years. During the year ended December31, 2025, four customers each accounted for more than 10% of our total consolidated
revenue. These customers accounted for an aggregate of 81.9% of our total revenue. As of December31, 2025, we had three customers,
the accounts receivable for each of which exceeded 10% of our total accounts receivable. These customers accounted for an aggregate of
54.5% of the total accounts receivable as of December31, 2025. The loss of business from a significant customer could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Inaccurately anticipating changes
and trends in popular culture, media and movies, fashion, or technology can negatively affect our sales.
While trends in the toddler
to tween sector change quickly, we respond to trends and developments by modifying, refreshing, extending, and expanding our product offerings
on an on-going basis. However, we operate in extremely competitive industries where the ultimate appeal and popularity of content and
products targeted to this sector can be difficult to predict. We believe our focus on content with a purpose serves an underrepresented
area of the toddler to tween market; however, if the interests of our audience trend away from our current properties toward other offerings
based on current media, movies, animated content or characters, and if we fail to accurately anticipate trends in popular culture, movies,
media, fashion, or technology, our products may not be accepted by children, parents, or families and our revenues, profitability, and
results of operations may be adversely affected.
We face competition from a variety
of content creators that sell similar merchandise and have greater resources than we do.
The industries in which we
operate are competitive, and our results of operations are sensitive to, and may be adversely affected by, competitive pricing, promotional
pressures, additional competitor offerings and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. Indirectly through our licensing arrangements,
we compete for retailers as well as other outlets for the sale and promotion of our licensed merchandise. Our primary competition comes
from competitors such as The Walt Disney Company, Nickelodeon Studios, and the Cartoon Network.
We have sought a competitive
advantage by providing content with a purpose which are both entertaining and enriching for children and offer differentiated
value that parents seek in making purchasing decisions for their children. While we do not believe that this value proposition is specifically
offered by our competitors, our competitors have greater financial resources and more developed marketing channels than we do, which could
negatively impact our ability, through our licensees, to secure shelf space, thereby decreasing our revenues or affecting our profitability
and results of operations. In addition, new technological developments, including the development and use of generative artificial intelligence
(AI), are rapidly evolving. If our competitors gain an advantage by using such technologies, our ability to compete effectively
and our results of operations could be adversely impacted.
The production of our animated content
is accomplished through third-party production and animation studios around the world, and any failure of these third parties could negatively
impact our business.
As part of our business model
to manage cash flows, we have partnered with a number of third-party production and animation studios around the world for the production
of our new content in which these partners fund the production of the content in exchange for a portion of the revenues generated in certain
territories. We rely on our partners to produce and deliver the content on a timely basis meeting the predetermined specifications for
a specified product. The delivery of inferior content could result in additional expenditures by us to correct any problems to ensure
marketability. Further, delays in the delivery of the finished content to us could result in our failure to deliver the product to broadcasters
to which it has been pre-licensed. While we believe we have mitigated this risk by aligning the economic interests of our partners with
ours and managing the production process remotely on a daily basis, any failures or delays from our production partners could negatively
affect our profitability and reputation.
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We cannot assure you that our original
programming content will appeal to our distributors and viewers or that any of our original programming content will not be cancelled
or removed from our distributors platforms.
Our business depends on the
appeal of our content to distributors and viewers, which is difficult to predict. Our business depends in part upon viewer preferences
and audience acceptance of our original programming content. These factors are difficult to predict and are subject to influences beyond
our control, such as the quality and appeal of competing programming, general economic conditions and the availability of other entertainment
activities. We may not be able to anticipate and react effectively to shifts in tastes and interests in markets. A change in viewer preferences
could cause our original programming content to decline in popularity, which could jeopardize renewal of agreements with distributors.
Low ratings or viewership for programming content produced by us may lead to the cancellation, removal or non-renewal of a program and
can negatively affect future license fees for such program. If our original programming content does not gain the level of audience acceptance
we expect, or if we are unable to maintain the popularity of our original programming, we may have a diminished negotiating position when
dealing with distributors, which could reduce our revenue. We cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain the success of any of
our current original programming content or generate sufficient demand and market acceptance for new original programming content in the
future. This could materially adversely impact our business, financial condition, operating results, liquidity and prospects.
Failure to successfully market or
advertise our products could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our products are marketed
worldwide through a diverse spectrum of advertising and promotional programs. Our ability to sell products is dependent in part upon the
success of these programs. If we or our licensees do not successfully market our products or if media or other advertising or promotional
costs increase, these factors could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
The failure of others to promote our
products may adversely affect our business.
The availability of retailer
programs relating to product placement, co-op advertising and market development funds, and our ability and willingness to pay for such
programs, are important with respect to promoting our properties. In addition, although we may have agreements in place for the advertising
and promotion of our products through our licensees, we are not and will not be in direct control of those marketing efforts and those
efforts may not be done in a manner that will maximize sales of our products and may have a material adverse effect on our business and
operations.
We may not be able to keep pace with
technological advances.
The entertainment industry
in general, and the music and motion picture industries in particular, continue to undergo significant changes, primarily due to technological
developments, such as AI. Because of the rapid growth of technology, shifting consumer tastes and the popularity and availability of other
forms of entertainment, it is impossible to predict the overall effect these factors could have on potential revenue from, and profitability
of, distributing entertainment programming. As it is also impossible to predict the overall effect these factors could have on our ability
to compete effectively in a changing market, if we are not able to keep pace with these technological advances, our revenues, profitability
and results from operations may be materially adversely affected.
We are exposed to investment risk
with the ownership of an equity interest in Your Family Entertainment AG.
During the year ended December
31, 2021, we acquired a material equity interest in YFE, a company publicly traded on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. With an ownership
stake of 32.5% as of December31, 2025, we are exposed to the risk of success of the YFE business. We are also exposed to risk of
adverse reactions to the transaction or changes to business relationships; competitive responses; inability to maintain key personnel
and changes in general economic conditions in Germany. Germany was in a recession for most of 2025 and 2024, largely due to persistent
high inflation and falling household spending. Continued inflation, volatility or recessionary risks in Germany could adversely affect
YFEs business, results of operations and stock price. If YFE fails to perform to our expectations, it could have a material adverse
effect on our results of operations or financial condition and liquidity. For example, the fair value of the investment as of December31,
2025 decreased by net $9.8 million, as compared to December31, 2024. The net decrease is comprised of the net impact of a decrease
in YFEs stock price, the share sale and exchange transactions completed in the quarter, and the effect of foreign currency remeasurement
from EURO to USD. The total change in fair value is recorded within Other Income (Expense), net on the Companys consolidated statements
of operations.
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We operate internationally, which
exposes us to global economic, financial and political risks.
We have expanded into international
operations, including as a result of our acquisitions of Wow and Ameba, our launch of *Kartoon Channel! Worldwide* and our investment
in YFE. As part of our growth strategy, we intend to continue to evaluate potential opportunities for further international expansion.
Operating in international markets requires significant resources and management attention, and subjects us to legal, regulatory, economic
and political risks in addition to those we face in the United States. We have limited experience with international operations, and further
international expansion efforts may not be successful.
In addition, we face risks
in doing business internationally that could adversely affect our business, including:
| 
| Fluctuations in currency exchange rates, which could increase the price of our products outside of the
United States, increase the expenses of our international operations and expose us to foreign currency exchange rate risk; | |
| 
| | | |
| 
| Currency control regulations, which might restrict or prohibit our conversion of other currencies into
U.S. dollars; | |
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| | | |
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| Restrictions on the transfer of funds; | |
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| | | |
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| Difficulties in managing and staffing international operations, including difficulties related to the
increased operations, travel, infrastructure, employee attrition and legal compliance costs associated with numerous international locations; | |
| 
| | | |
| 
| Our ability to effectively price our products in competitive international markets; | |
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| | | |
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| New and different sources of competition; | |
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| | | |
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| The need to adapt and localize our products for specific countries; | |
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| Challenges in understanding and complying with local laws, regulations and customs in foreign jurisdictions; | |
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| | | |
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| International trade policies, tariffs and other non-tariff barriers, such as quotas; | |
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| The continued threat of terrorism and the impact of military and other action; and | |
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| | | |
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| Adverse consequences relating to the complexity of operating in multiple international jurisdictions with
different laws, regulations and case law which are subject to interpretation by taxpayers, including us. | |
Wow's functional currency
is the Canadian dollar; therefore their financial results are translated into U.S. dollars, our reporting currency, upon consolidation
of our financial statements. We are exposed to more significant currency fluctuation risks as a result of our acquisition of Wow in 2021.
Fluctuations between the foreign exchange rates, and in particular the Canadian dollar and the U.S. dollar, affect the amounts we record
for our foreign assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and could have a negative effect on our financial results.
| | 14 | | |
Further, each entity conducts
a growing portion of their businesses in currencies other than such entity's own functional currency. Therefore, in addition to the foreign
currency translation risk, we face exposure to adverse movements in currency exchange rates with each transaction made outside of the
entities' functional currency, including our investment in YFE. If the functional currency of the entity weakens against the foreign currencies
in which transactions are being made, the remeasurement of these foreign currency denominated transactions will result in increased revenue,
operating expenses and net income or loss. However, if the functional currency of the entity weakens against the foreign currencies in
which transactions are being made, the remeasurement of these foreign currency denominated transactions will result in decreased revenue,
operating expenses and net income (or loss). As exchange rates vary, sales and other operating results, when remeasured, may differ materially
from expectations. We continue to review potential hedging strategies that may reduce the effect of fluctuating currency rates on our
business, but there can be no assurances that we will implement such a hedging strategy or that once implemented, such a strategy would
accomplish our objectives or not result in losses.
Our failure to manage any
of these risks successfully could harm our international operations, and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial
condition.
A decrease in the fair values of our
reporting units may result in future intangible assets impairments.
When an entity is acquired,
a portion of the purchase price may be allocated to intangible assets. We conduct impairment tests on our intangible assets at least annually
based upon the fair value. We assess intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their
carrying amounts may not be recoverable. This evaluation considers factors such as expected future cash flows, profitability, market conditions,
and industry trends. If we determine such an impairment exists, we adjust the carrying value of the asset by the amount of fair value
in excess of the carrying value. The impairment charge is recorded in our income statement in the period in which the impairment is determined.
If we are required in the future to record additional asset impairments, our financial condition and results of operations would be negatively
affected. In connection with fair value measurements and the accounting for intangible assets, the use of generally accepted accounting
principles requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions. Significant judgment is required in making these estimates and
assumptions, and actual results may ultimately be materially different from such estimates and assumptions.
RISKS RELATED TO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, LITIGATION
AND CYBERSECURITY
Protecting and defending against intellectual
property claims may have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our ability to compete in
the animated content and entertainment industry depends, in part, upon successful protection of our proprietary and IP. We protect our
property rights to our productions through available copyright and trademark laws and licensing and distribution arrangements with reputable
companies in specific territories and media for limited durations. Despite these precautions, existing copyright and trademark laws afford
only limited, or no, practical protection in some jurisdictions, especially jurisdictions outside of the United States. It may be possible
for unauthorized third parties to copy and distribute our productions or portions of our productions. In addition, although we own most
of the music and IP included in our products, there are some titles for which the music or other elements are in the public domain and
for which it is difficult or even impossible to determine whether anyone has obtained ownership or royalty rights. It is an inherent risk
in our industry that people may make ownership or royalty claims with respect to any title already included in our products, whether or
not such claims can be substantiated. If litigation is necessary in the future to enforce our IP rights, to protect our trade secrets,
to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others or to defend against claims of infringement or invalidity. Any
such litigation could result in substantial costs and the resulting diversion of resources could have an adverse effect on our business,
operating results or financial condition.
| | 15 | | |
Failure in our information technology and storage systems
could significantly disrupt the operation of our business.
Our ability to execute our
business plan and maintain operations depends on the continued and uninterrupted performance of our information technology (IT)
systems. IT systems are vulnerable to risks and damages from a variety of sources, including telecommunications or network failures, malicious
human acts and natural disasters. Moreover, despite network security and back-up measures, some of our and our vendors servers
are potentially vulnerable to physical or electronic break-ins, including cyber-attacks, computer viruses and similar disruptive problems.
These events could lead to the unauthorized access, disclosure and use of non-public information. The techniques used by criminal elements
to attack computer systems are sophisticated, change frequently and may originate from less regulated and remote areas of the world. As
a result, we may not be able to address these techniques proactively or implement adequate preventative measures. If our computer systems
are compromised, we could be subject to fines, damages, litigation and enforcement actions, and we could lose trade secrets, the occurrence
of which could harm our business. Despite precautionary measures to prevent unanticipated problems that could affect our IT systems, sustained
or repeated system failures that interrupt our ability to generate and maintain data could adversely affect our ability to operate our
business.
Our internal computer systems, or
those of our collaborators or other contractors or consultants, may fail or suffer security breaches, which could result in a material
disruption and cause our business and reputation to suffer.
In the ordinary course of
business, our internal computer systems and those of our current and any future collaborators and other contractors or consultants are
vulnerable to damage from computer viruses, unauthorized access, natural disasters, terrorism, war and telecommunication and electrical
failures. We and many of the third parties we work with rely on open source software and libraries that are integrated into a variety
of applications, tools and systems, which may increase our exposure to vulnerabilities. Additionally, outside parties may attempt to induce
employees, vendors, partners, or users to disclose sensitive or confidential information in order to gain access to data. Any attempt
by hackers to obtain our data (including member and corporate information) or intellectual property (including digital content assets),
disrupt our service, or otherwise access our systems, or those of third parties we use, if successful, could harm our business, be expensive
to remedy and damage our reputation. We have implemented certain systems and processes to thwart hackers and protect our data and systems.
However, the techniques used to gain unauthorized access to data and software are constantly evolving, and we may be unable to anticipate,
detect or prevent unauthorized access or address all cybersecurity incidents that occur. On December 13, 2024, we experienced a cybersecurity
incident involving unauthorized access to one of our management systems. The findings indicated that the unauthorized access incurred
due to leaked credentials of an employee from our partner studio. Although this incident was deemed by us to be immaterial we cannot guarantee
that we can safeguard our assets while maintaining and protecting client trust through robust security measures and risk management practices.
Further, access to, disclosure of, loss of and
misuse of personal or proprietary information could result in legal claims or proceedings.
Litigation may harm our business or otherwise distract
management.
Substantial, complex or extended
litigation could cause us to incur large expenditures and could distract management. For example, lawsuits by licensors, consumers, employees
or stockholders could be very costly and disrupt business. While disputes from time to time are not uncommon, we may not be able to resolve
such disputes on terms favorable to us.
| | 16 | | |
RISKS RELATED TO INFLATION, INTEREST RATES,
AND OTHER ADVERSE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
Changes in the United States, global or regional economic
conditions could adversely affect the profitability of our business.
A decrease in economic activity
in the United States or in other regions of the world in which we do business could adversely affect demand for our products, thus reducing
our revenue and earnings. A decline in economic conditions could reduce demand for and sales of our products. In addition, an increase
in price levels generally, or in price levels in a particular sector, could result in a shift in consumer demand away from the animated
content and consumer products we offer, which could also decrease our revenues, increase our costs, or both.
Further, recent global events
have adversely affected and are continuing to adversely affect workforces, organizations, economies, and financial markets globally, leading
to economic downturns, inflation, and increased market volatility. Military conflicts and wars (such as the ongoing conflicts between
Russia and Ukraine, Israel and Hamas, and the Red Sea crisis and its impact on shipping and logistics), terrorist attacks, other geopolitical
events, high inflation, increasing interest rates, bank failures and associated financial instability and crises, trade wars, and supply
chain issues created by tariffs threatened or imposed by the current U.S. Administration on imports can cause exacerbated volatility and
disruptions to various aspects of the global economy. The uncertain nature, magnitude, and duration of hostilities stemming from such
conflicts, including the potential effects of sanctions and counter-sanctions, or retaliatory cyber-attacks on the world economy and markets,
have contributed to increased market volatility and uncertainty, which could have an adverse impact on macroeconomic factors that affect
our business and operations.
Regulatory requirements or
government action against our service, whether in response to enforcement of actual or purported legal and regulatory requirements or
otherwise, could result in disruption or non-availability of our services or particular content or increased operating costs in the applicable
jurisdiction and foreign intellectual property laws, such as the EU copyright directive, or changes to such laws, among other issues,
may impact the economics of creating or distributing content, anti-piracy efforts, or our ability to protect or exploit intellectual property
rights.
Changes in U.S. trade policy, including
current and proposed tariffs on foreign-produced content, could adversely impact our business operations, particularly due to our reliance
on animation production services based in Canada and Asia.
The U.S. government has indicated
its intent to adopt, and in certain cases has implemented, a new approach to trade policy and in some cases to renegotiate, or potentially
terminate, certain existing bilateral or multilateral trade agreements. It has initiated or is considering the imposition of tariffs on
certain foreign goods. Changes in U.S. trade policy could result in one or more U.S. trading partners adopting responsive trade policies,
making it more difficult or costly for us to conduct our international and domestic operations. As an example, on May 4, 2025, President
Trump announced an intention to impose tariffs on films made outside of the United States, which he reiterated in September 2025. Although
our parent company is based in the United States, our primary animation production operations are located in Canada. The scope and the
extent of the proposed tariffs is not yet finalized and there is a risk that such measures could be extended to include animated content
produced internationally. Our business operations, financial condition, and results of operations could be significantly affected by such
a measure and the potential expansion of existing tariffs or implementation of new tariffs, trade restrictions, or retaliatory measures
by other countries that could disrupt our established operations. This in turn could require us to increase prices to our customers, which
may reduce demand, or, if we are unable to increase prices, result in lowering our profit margin on certain services.
We cannot predict future trade
policy or the terms of any renegotiated trade agreements and their impact on our business. The adoption and expansion of trade restrictions,
the occurrence of a trade war, or other governmental action related to tariffs or trade agreements or policies has the potential to adversely
impact demand for our services, our costs, our customers, our suppliers, and the U.S. economy, which in turn could adversely impact our
business, financial condition, and results of operations.
| | 17 | | |
RISKS RELATED TO REGULATORY MATTERS
Changes in foreign, state and local
tax incentives may increase the cost of original programming content to such an extent that they are no longer feasible.
Original programming requires
substantial financial commitment, which can occasionally be offset by foreign, state or local tax incentives. However, there is a risk
that the tax incentives will not remain available for the duration of a series. If tax incentives are no longer available or reduced substantially,
it may result in increased costs for us to complete the production, or make the production of additional seasons more expensive. If we
are unable to produce original programming content on a cost effective basis our business, financial condition and results of operations
would be materially adversely affected.
Further we are subject to
ordinary course audits from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and Provincial agencies. Changes in administrative policies
by the CRA or subsequent review of eligibility documentation may impact the collectability of these estimates. We continuously review
the results of these audits to determine if any circumstances arise that in managements judgment would result in previously recognized
tax credit receivables to be considered no longer collectible. While we believe our estimates are reasonable, we cannot assure you that
final determinations from any review will not be materially different from those reflected in our financial statements. Any adverse outcome
from any examinations may have an adverse effect on our business and operating results, which could cause the market price of our securities
to decline.
Changes in, or interpretations of,
tax rules and regulations, and changes in geographic operating results, may adversely affect our effective tax rates.
We are subject to income taxes
in Canada, the U.S. and foreign tax jurisdictions. We also conduct business and financing activities between our entities in various jurisdictions
and we are subject to complex transfer pricing regulations in the countries in which we operate. Although uniform transfer pricing standards
are emerging in many of the countries in which we operate, there is still a relatively high degree of uncertainty and inherent subjectivity
in complying with these rules. In addition, due to economic and political conditions, tax rates in various jurisdictions may be subject
to significant change. Our future effective tax rates could be affected by changes in tax laws or regulations or the interpretation thereof,
(including those affecting the allocation of profits and expenses to differing jurisdictions), by changes in the amount of revenue or
earnings that we derive from international sources in countries with high or low statutory tax rates, by changes in the valuation of our
deferred tax assets and liabilities, by changes in the expected timing and amount of the release of any tax valuation allowance, or by
the tax effects of stock-based compensation. Unanticipated changes in our effective tax rates could affect our future results of operations.
Further, we may be subject
to examination of our income tax returns by federal, state, and foreign tax jurisdictions. We regularly assess the likelihood of outcomes
resulting from possible examinations to determine the adequacy of our provision for income taxes. In making such assessments, we exercise
judgment in estimating our provision for income taxes. While we believe our estimates are reasonable, we cannot assure you that final
determinations from any examinations will not be materially different from those reflected in our historical income tax provisions and
accruals. Any adverse outcome from any examinations may have an adverse effect on our business and operating results, which could cause
the market price of our securities to decline.
A shutdown of the U.S. federal government
may adversely affect our business.
A recurring shutdown of the
U.S. federal government may adversely affect our business operations and regulatory compliance. During such shutdowns, while the SECs
EDGAR system remains operational, the unavailability of SEC staff to review filings, issue comments, or declare registration statements
effective may delay our ability to complete public offerings, respond to comment letters, or obtain timely regulatory approvals. These
delays could impact our access to capital markets, hinder strategic transactions, and create uncertainty around our disclosure obligations.
Additionally, the lack of interpretive guidance or exemptive relief during a shutdown may increase legal and compliance risks. There can
be no assurance that any future shutdowns will not materially affect our operations or financial condition.
| | 18 | | |
Our vendors and licensees may be subject
to various laws and government regulations, violation of which could subject these parties to sanctions which could lead to increased
costs or the interruption of normal business operations that could negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations.
Our vendors and licensees
may operate in a highly regulated environment in the U.S. and international markets. Federal, state and local governmental entities and
foreign governments may regulate aspects of their businesses, including the production or distribution of our content or products. These
regulations may include accounting standards, taxation requirements (including changes in applicable income tax rates, new tax laws and
revised tax law interpretations), product safety and other safety standards, trade restrictions, regulations regarding financial matters,
environmental regulations, advertising directed toward children, product content, and other administrative and regulatory restrictions.
While we believe our vendors and licensees take all the steps necessary to comply with these laws and regulations, there can be no assurance
that they are compliant or will be in compliance in the future. Failure to comply could result in monetary liabilities and other sanctions
which could increase our costs or decrease our revenue resulting in a negative impact on our business, financial condition and results
of operations.
RISKS RELATING TO OUR COMMON STOCK
Our stock price may be subject to
substantial volatility, and stockholders may lose all or a substantial part of their investment.
Our common stock currently
trades on NYSE American. There is limited public float, and trading volume historically has been low and sporadic. As a result, the market
price for our common stock may not necessarily be a reliable indicator of our fair market value. The price at which our common stock trades
may fluctuate as a result of a number of factors, including the number of shares available for sale in the market, quarterly variations
in our operating results, actual or anticipated announcements of new releases by us or competitors, the gain or loss of significant customers,
changes in the estimates of our operating performance, market conditions in our industry and the economy as a whole.
Our failure to meet the continued
listing requirements of NYSE American could result in a delisting of our common stock, which would negatively impact the price of our
common stock and our ability to access the capital markets.
If we fail to satisfy the
continued listing requirements of NYSE American, such as minimum financial and other continued listing requirements and standards, including
those regarding minimum stockholders equity, minimum share price, and certain corporate governance requirements, NYSE American
may take steps to delist our common stock. Such a delisting would likely have a negative effect on the price of our common stock and would
impair your ability to sell or purchase our common stock when you wish to do so. In the event of a delisting, we would expect to take
actions to restore our compliance with NYSE Americans listing requirements, but we can provide no assurance that any such action
taken by us would allow our common stock to become listed again, stabilize the market price or improve the liquidity of our common stock,
prevent our common stock from dropping below the NYSE American minimum bid price requirement of $0.10, or prevent future non-compliance
with NYSE Americans listing requirements.
There is no assurance that
we will maintain compliance with all applicable requirements for continued listing on NYSE American. If our common stock were delisted
from NYSE American, trading of our common stock would most likely take place on an over-the-counter market established for unlisted securities,
such as the OTCQB or the Pink Market maintained by OTC Markets Group Inc. An investor would likely find it less convenient to sell, or
to obtain accurate quotations in seeking to buy, our common stock on an over-the-counter market, and many investors would likely not buy
or sell our common stock due to difficulty in accessing over-the-counter markets, policies preventing them from trading in securities
not listed on a national exchange or other reasons. In addition, as a delisted security, our common stock would be subject to SEC rules
as a penny stock, which impose additional disclosure requirements on broker-dealers. The regulations relating to penny stocks,
coupled with the typically higher cost per trade to the investor of penny stocks due to factors such as broker commissions generally representing
a higher percentage of the price of a penny stock than of a higher-priced stock, would further limit the ability of investors to trade
in our common stock. In addition, delisting could harm our ability to raise capital through alternative financing sources on terms acceptable
to us, or at all, and may result in the potential loss of confidence by investors, suppliers, customers and employees and fewer business
development opportunities. For these reasons and others, delisting would adversely affect the liquidity, trading volume and price of our
common stock, causing the value of an investment in us to decrease and having an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and
results of operations, including our ability to attract and retain qualified employees and to raise capital.
****
| | 19 | | |
We are authorized to issue blank
check preferred stock without stockholder approval, which could adversely impact the rights of holders of our common stock.
Our Articles of Incorporation,
as amended (our Articles of Incorporation), authorize us to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of blank check preferred stock
without seeking approval of our shareholders. As of December 31, 2025, 6,000 shares of our authorized preferred stock have been designated
as 0% Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, 1 share of our authorized preferred stock has been designated as Series B Preferred Stock,
and 50,000 shares of our authorized preferred stock have been designated as Series C Preferred Stock, none of which shares were outstanding.
Any preferred stock that we issue in the future may rank ahead of our common stock in terms of dividend priority or liquidation premiums
and may have greater voting rights than our common stock. In addition, such preferred stock may contain provisions allowing those shares
to be converted into shares of common stock, which could dilute the value of common stock to current stockholders and could adversely
affect the market price, if any, of our common stock. In addition, the preferred stock could be utilized, under certain circumstances,
as a method of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in control of our company. Although we have no present intention to issue
any additional shares of authorized preferred stock, there can be no assurance that we will not do so in the future.
We do not expect to pay dividends
on our common stock in the future and any return on investment may be limited to the value of our common stock.
We do not currently anticipate
paying cash dividends on shares of our common stock in the foreseeable future. The payment of dividends on our common stock will depend
on earnings, financial condition and other business and economic factors affecting it at such time as our Board of Directors may consider
relevant. Our current intention is to apply net earnings, if any, in the foreseeable future to increasing our capital base and development
and marketing efforts. There can be no assurance that we will ever have sufficient earnings to declare and pay dividends to the holders
of our common stock, and in any event, a decision to declare and pay dividends is at the sole discretion of our Board of Directors. If
we do not pay dividends, our common stock may be less valuable because the return on investment will only occur if its stock price appreciates.
Offers or availability for sale of
a substantial number of shares of our common stock may cause the price of our common stock to decline.
If our stockholders sell substantial
amounts of our common stock in the public market or upon shares issued upon the exercise of outstanding options or warrants, it could
create a circumstance commonly referred to as an overhang and, in anticipation of which, the market price of our common
stock could fall. The existence of an overhang, whether or not sales have occurred or are occurring, also could make more difficult our
ability to raise additional financing through the sale of equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and price that we
deem reasonable or appropriate.
As of March31, 2026,
approximately 53,898,226 shares of common stock of the 56,336,035 shares of common stock issued are outstanding and freely trading. As
of December31, 2025, there were 41,622,504 warrants outstanding. Lastly, as of December31, 2025, there are 969,130 shares
of common stock underlying outstanding options granted, 1,712,395 shares of common stock underlying outstanding restricted stock units
(RSUs) and 8,481,135 shares reserved for issuance under our Kartoon Studios, Inc. 2020 Incentive Plan.
RISKS RELATING TO BEING A PUBLIC COMPANY
In the past, we identified material
weaknesses in our internal controls. If we fail to develop, implement and maintain an effective system of internal control over financial
reporting, the accuracy and timing of our financial reporting in future periods may be adversely affected.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002, as amended (the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), and related rules and regulations require that management report annually on
the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and assess the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures
on a quarterly basis. Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide timely and reliable financial reports and effectively
prevent fraud. Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025, and
determined that our internal control over financial reporting was effective. However, in the past, including as of December 31, 2024,
our management identified control deficiencies that constituted material weaknesses in our internal controls and procedures resulting
in a determination that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of such dates. The material weaknesses, that
were previously identified by management, have been remediated, but if we fail to maintain adequate internal controls, our financial statements
may not accurately reflect our financial condition. Any material misstatements could require a restatement of our consolidated financial
statements, cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations or cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information,
leading to a decline in the market value of our securities.
| | 20 | | |
We are a smaller reporting company, and the
reduced public company reporting and disclosure requirements applicable to smaller reporting companies may make our common stock less
attractive to investors.
We are currently a smaller
reporting company, as defined in the Securities Exchange Act and have elected to take advantage of certain of the scaled disclosures
available to smaller reporting companies. For so long as we continue to qualify as a smaller reporting company, we are permitted
and plan to rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements that are applicable to public companies that are not smaller reporting
companies. These provisions include, but are not limited to: being permitted to have only two years of audited financial statements and
only two years of managements discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations disclosure; an exemption
from compliance with the auditor attestation requirement in the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to
Sarbanes-Oxley Act; and reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation arrangements in our periodic reports, registration
statements and proxy statements. We will continue to be a smaller reporting company until we have more than $250 million
in public float (based on our common stock) measured as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter
or, in the event we have no public float (based on our common stock), annual revenues of more than $100 million during the most recently
completed fiscal year.
As a result, the information
we provide will be different than the information that is available with respect to other larger public companies. We cannot predict whether
investors will find our common stock less attractive if we rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive
as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock, and the market price of our common stock may be more volatile.
| 
Item 1B. | Unresolved Staff Comments | |
None.
| 
| Item 1C. | Cybersecurity | |
**Risk Management and Strategy**
Our cybersecurity measure
is primarily focused on ensuring the security and protection of computer systems and networks. We primarily utilize an in-house IT service
provider, as well as external resources as a supplement, to monitor and, as appropriate, respond to cybersecurity risks. We maintain various
protections designed to safeguard against cyberattacks, including firewalls and virus detection software. We also periodically scan our
environment for any vulnerabilities and perform penetration testing. In addition, to promote security awareness, we provide cybersecurity
risk training to all employees at least annually.
Oversight responsibility for
information security matters is shared by our Board, our Chief Financial Officer (CFO), our management team and our internal
IT resources. Our CFO and management team oversee our cybersecurity risk management program, including risk mitigation strategies, systems,
processes, and controls, and receive quarterly updates from IT on cybersecurity and information security matters. The CFO communicates
with the Board periodically regarding the state of our cybersecurity risk management, current and evolving threats and recommendations
for changes. We have also implemented a cyber incident response plan that provides a protocol to report certain incidents to the CFO with
the goal of timely assessment of such incidents, determining applicable disclosure requirements and communicating with the Board for timely
and accurate reporting of any material cybersecurity incident.
We face risks from cybersecurity
threats that could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows or reputation.
We acknowledge that the risk of a cyber incident is prevalent in the current threat landscape and that a future cyber incident may occur
in the normal course business. However, prior cybersecurity incidents have not had a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition, results of operations, or cash flows. We proactively seek to detect and investigate unauthorized attempts and attacks against
our IT assets, data, and services, and to prevent their occurrence and recurrence where practicable through changes or updates to internal
processes and tools and changes or updates to service delivery; however, potential vulnerabilities to known or unknown threats will remain.
Further, there is increasing regulation regarding responses to cybersecurity incidents, including reporting to regulators, investors,
and additional stakeholders, which could subject us to additional liability and reputational harm.
| | 21 | | |
As of the date of this Annual
Report on Form 10-K, we are not aware of any material risks from cybersecurity threats, that have materially affected or are reasonably
likely to materially affect us, including our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows or reputation. See Item
1A. Risk Factors for more information on cybersecurity risks.
| 
Item 2. | Properties | |
Our principal office is located
in Beverly Hills, California, where we lease 5,838 square feet of general office space pursuant to a 96-month lease that commenced on
August 1, 2019. The Company pays rent of $0.5 million annually, subject to annual escalations of 3.5%. The property is used primarily
by Kartoon Studios to support its operations and is included in the Content Production and Distribution segment. We also lease 45,119
square feet of general office space located in Vancouver, Canada, which had a remaining lease term of 72 months when we assumed such lease
in April 2022, with payments of $0.1 million per month, subject to escalations of 7% each of the third and fifth years. The Vancouver
office is used by Mainframe Studios included in the Content Production and Distribution segment.
In addition we lease 74 square
feet of general office space in Toronto, Canada pursuant to an 84-month lease which expires on September 30, 2026, with payments $915
per month. The Toronto office is used by Beacon Media Group, which is part of the Media Advisory and Advertising Services segment. We
believe our existing facilities are adequate to meet our current requirements and that suitable additional or substitute space will be
available as needed to accommodate any further physical expansion of operations and for any additional offices. See Note 19 of the Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information about our lease commitments.
| 
| Item 3. | Legal Proceedings | |
For a description of our material
pending legal proceedings, see Note 19, Commitments and Contingencies, to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in
this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
| 
| Item 4. | Mine Safety Disclosures | |
Not applicable.
| | 22 | | |
PART II
| 
Item 5. | Market for Registrants Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities | |
Market Information
Our common stock is trading
on NYSE American under the symbol TOON.
Stockholders
As of March31, 2026,
there were approximately 192 stockholders of record of our common stock.
Dividends
We have never declared or
paid any cash dividends on our capital stock, and we do not currently anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
Information about our equity
compensation plans is incorporated herein by reference to Part III, Item 12 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
We
did not sell any equity securities during the quarter ended December 31, 2025, in transactions that were not registered under the Securities
Act other than as previously disclosed in our filings with the SEC and as described below.
On
December 17, 2025, we issued 65,274 shares of common stock, valued at $0.77 per share, as consideration for a charity event registration
fee.
The
foregoing issuances of the shares of common stock were exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the Securities Act).
Company Purchases of Equity Securities
The Company did not repurchase
any shares of its stock during the quarter ended December 31, 2025.
| 
Item 6. | [Reserved] | |
| | 23 | | |
| 
Item 7. | Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | |
*This managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) is intended to provide readers of our
consolidated financial statements with the perspectives of management. This should allow the readers of this report to obtain an understanding
of our businesses, strategies, current trends, and future prospects. It should be noted that the following MD&A contains forward-looking
statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Please refer to the section entitled Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements immediately preceding Part I for important information to consider when evaluating such statements.*
*This section of this Annual
Report on Form 10-K generally discusses 2025 and 2024 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2025 and 2024.*
Overview
We are a global content and
brand management company focused on the creation, production, licensing, and distribution of multimedia animated content for children.
Our main sources of revenue are derived from animation
production services provided to third parties, the sale of licenses for the distribution of films and television programs, advertising
revenues, and merchandising and licensing sales.
Production Services
*Animation Production Services:*Our production services business is centered on delivering original and third-party commissioned animated content with a focus on
production efficiency and scalability. Mainframe Studios, our primary production entity, is undertaking operational enhancements through
the adoption of flexible production workflows, strategic outsourcing, and the integration of new technologies. These initiatives aim to
optimize cost structures and streamline the production pipeline. To date, Mainframe has produced over 1,200 television episodes, 70 movies,
and three feature films, including titles such as *Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures*, *Octonauts: Above & Beyond*, *Cocomelon*,
*SuperKitties*, and *Unicorn Academy*, in partnership with leading global media companies.
Content Distribution
*Film and Television Licensing:*
We recognize revenue by licensing rights to exploit functional IP (IP that has significant standalone functionality, such as the ability
to be played or aired). Our content distribution strategy is focused on scaling audience reach and monetization across a network of branded
destinations, including *Kartoon Channel!*, *Kartoon Channel! Worldwide*, Frederator, and Ameba. We plan to grow revenue through
expanded licensing activity and increased utilization of owned IP assets such as Rainbow Rangers, Stan Lee brands, *Shaqs Garage*,
and many more. To support margin expansion, we are actively implementing AI-driven tools designed to reduce operating costs in areas such
as localization and video resolution enhancement.
*Advertising Revenue:*We
receive advertising revenue through our wholly-owned VOD services, *Kartoon Channel!* and Ameba, and Frederators owned and
operated YouTube channels as well as revenues generated from the operation of Federators creator network, *Channel Frederator
Network*. Additionally, advertising revenue is derived from *Kartoon Channel!* branded channels on Free Ad Supported Streaming
TV services.
| | 24 | | |
Licensing and Royalties
*Merchandising and Licensing*:
The Company enters into merchandising and licensing agreements that allow licensees to produce merchandise utilizing certain of the Companys
symbolic IP (IP that is not functional as it does not have significant standalone use and substantially all of the utility of symbolic
IP is derived from its association with the entitys past or ongoing activities, such as a brand or logo). We believe the licensing
and royalties business presents the most significant long-term growth opportunity. Strategic emphasis is being placed on the commercialization
of the Stan Lee intellectual property portfolio and the launch of the *Hundred Acre Wood: Winnie & Friends*property, with a
focus on both digital and physical consumer products, as well as location-based fan experiences. We intend to expand the use of our broader
IP catalog in licensing programs beginning in 2026 and beyond.
Media Advisory and Advertising Services
Beacon, our specialized media
and marketing agency, provides media advisory and advertising consulting services to clients. Revenue is recognized when the services
are performed or are paid through a monthly retainer. Our media advisory and advertising operations are structured to generate recurring
and diversified revenue through a combination of retainer-based engagements and commission-driven media planning and buying. This blended
revenue model affords client flexibility and supports margin optimization through efficient resource utilization. Beacon has continued
to invest in higher-value service offerings, including influencer-driven marketing programs, data-informed media planning, and customized
campaign development. These capabilities have increased the scope and duration of client engagements and strengthened customer retention.
As these services scale, we expect to benefit from operating leverage, as incremental revenue can be generated with comparatively limited
increases in fixed costs. The group continues to build upon its established presence in the toy industry while expanding into adjacent
sectors, including family entertainment and travel.
Recent Developments
October Financing
On October 22, 2025, pursuant
to the terms of the October 2025 Purchase Agreement, we closed a registered direct offering (the Registered Direct Offering)
of 3,000,000 shares (the October 2025 Shares) of our common stock, and pre-funded warrants (the October 2025 Pre-Funded
Warrants) to purchase up to 6,903,049 shares of common stock to the October 2025 Investor. In a concurrent private placement (the
Concurrent Private Placement and, together with the Registered Direct Offering, the October Offerings), pursuant
to the October 2025 Purchase Agreement, we also sold to the October 2025 Investor unregistered warrants (the October 2025 Common
Warrants) to purchase up to 9,903,049 shares of common stock (the October 2025 Common Warrant Shares), with an exercise
price of $0.738 per share. Each October 2025 Share and privately placed October 2025 Common Warrant was sold at a combined public offering
price of $0.738, and each October 2025 Pre-Funded Warrant and privately placed October 2025 Common Warrant was sold at a combined public
offering price of $0.737, for aggregate gross proceeds at closing of approximately $7.3 million, prior to deducting placement agent fees
and other offering expenses. In connection with the October Offerings, we paid to the placement agent a cash fee equal to 7% of the aggregate
gross proceeds from the sale of the securities sold in this offering, plus $75,000 as a reimbursement of certain out-of-pocket expenses.
The placement agent is also entitled to receive 7% of the gross proceeds received from the exercise of any of the October 2025 Common
Warrants, if any. In addition, we issued warrants (the Placement Agent Warrants) to purchase 693,213 shares of common stock
to the placement agent and its designees with an exercise price of $0.8118 per share.
| | 25 | | |
Pursuant to the terms of the
October 2025 Purchase Agreement, until January 31, 2026, we agreed that neither we nor any of our subsidiaries would issue (or enter into
any agreement to issue) any shares of common stock or common stock equivalents (as defined in the October 2025 Purchase Agreement) or
file any registration statement or any amendment or supplement thereto, subject to certain limited exceptions, including (i) the prospectus
supplement relating to the registered direct offering, and (ii) the Resale Registration Statement (as defined below). We further agreed,
subject to limited exceptions, for a period from the date of the October 2025 Purchase Agreement until October 20, 2027, not to issue,
enter into any agreement to issue or announce the issuance or proposed issuance of any shares of common stock or common stock equivalents
involving a Variable Rate Transaction (as defined in the October 2025 Purchase Agreement); provided however that commencing October 20,
2026, we are allowed to enter into, and issue shares pursuant to, an at the market offering.
Pursuant to the October 2025
Purchase Agreement, we agreed to file, as soon as practicable (and in any event within thirty (30) calendar days of the date of the October
2025 Purchase Agreement), a registration statement (the Resale Registration Statement) providing for the resale by the October
2025 Investor of the October 2025 Common Warrant Shares. We filed the Resale Registration Statement on November 19, 2025 and it was declared
effective by the SEC on December 9, 2025. We agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Resale Registration Statement effective
at all times until the October 2025 Investor does not own any October 2025 Common Warrants or October 2025 Common Warrant Shares.
Section 3(a)(10) Accounts Payable Settlement
On August 27, 2025, we entered
into an agreement to engage in a transaction under Section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act with Continuation Capital, Inc. (CCI)
to settle $1.8 million of outstanding accounts payable, in exchange for issuing 3,148,535 shares of common stock. Under the terms of the
agreement, CCI made payments to our vendors in cash and, in exchange, we issued shares of common stock to CCI. The settlement was valued
at 1.75 share of common stock per $1.00 of accounts payable, pursuant to the terms of the agreement. The transaction was approved by a
court after a public hearing on the fairness of the terms and conditions. The transaction was carried out in stages and as of December31,
2025, we had completed the arrangement, settling a total of $1.8 million, and issued 3,148,535 shares of common stock. We recognized a
loss of $0.7 million on the settlement, representing the difference between the carrying value of liabilities extinguished and the fair
value of shares issued, included in Other Income (Expense), Net, on our consolidated statements of operations.
On November 18, 2025, we entered
into a second agreement with CCI to settle an additional $1.0 million of accounts payable under Section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act,
in exchange for issuing 1,695,072 shares of common stock. The terms were consistent with the original arrangement. During the three months
ended December31, 2025 we settled $0.4 million of accounts payable by issuing 717,712 shares of common stock to CCI. We recognized
a loss of $0.1 million on the settlement, representing the difference between the carrying value of liabilities extinguished and the fair
value of shares issued, included in Other Income (Expense), Net, on the Companys consolidated statements of operations.
Results of Operations
Our summary results for the
years ended December31, 2025 and December31, 2024 are below:
Revenue
| 
| | 
Year Ended December 31, | | | 
| | | 
| | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | | 
Change | | | 
% Change | | |
| 
| | 
(in thousands, except percentages) | | |
| 
Production Services | | 
$ | 26,832 | | | 
$ | 17,850 | | | 
$ | 8,982 | | | 
| 50 | % | |
| 
Content Distribution | | 
| 7,982 | | | 
| 9,607 | | | 
| (1,625 | ) | | 
| (17 | )% | |
| 
Licensing and Royalties | | 
| 387 | | | 
| 298 | | | 
| 89 | | | 
| 30 | % | |
| 
Media Advisory and Advertising Services | | 
| 4,152 | | | 
| 4,836 | | | 
| (684 | ) | | 
| (14 | )% | |
| 
Total Revenue | | 
$ | 39,353 | | | 
$ | 32,591 | | | 
$ | 6,762 | | | 
| 21 | % | |
| | 26 | | |
*Production Services*
Production services revenue
was generated specifically by Mainframe Studios providing animation production services. Revenue for production services is recognized
over time on a percentage of completion basis, therefore, as the projects are still in progress, we recognize revenue based upon the proportion
of costs incurred cumulatively to total expected costs. Consequently, less revenue is recognized during the periods in which the projects
are near completion or completed. The production services revenue for the year ended December31, 2025 was 50% higher than the production
services revenue recognized during the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily due to several projects commencing toward
the end of 2024 and progressing into more advanced production stages in early 2025, resulting in higher revenue recognized under the percentage-of-completion
method, reflecting a significant portion of the production activities and related costs.
*Content Distribution*
Revenue related to content
distribution on advertising-supported video on demand (AVOD) and subscription video on demand (SVOD), including
advertising sales for the year ended December31, 2025, decreased by 17% as compared to the year ended December31, 2024. This
was primarily due to a decrease in content revenue from Frederators creator network on YouTube of $2.2 million for the year ended
December31, 2025 as compared to the year ended December31, 2024. The decrease in Frederators creator network revenue
from YouTube was due to overall less viewership as compared to the prior year period. In addition, reduced worldwide content distribution
activities resulted in a $0.1 million decrease attributable to that division. The decline in content distribution revenue was partially
offset by an increase in Wows IP related revenue of $0.7 million, as there were episodes of a new IP project delivered during the
year ended December 31, 2025.
*Licensing and Royalties*
Revenue related to our licensing
and royalties for the year ended December31, 2025 increased by 30% as compared to the year ended December31, 2024, primarily
due to higher amounts earned from our existing license deals related to our consumer products agreements, music licensing agreements,
and certain new executed licensing agreements related to Stan Lee Universe, LLC assets.
*Media Advisory and Advertising Services*
Revenue generated by media
advisory and advertising services for the year ended December31, 2025 decreased by 14% as compared to the year ended December31,
2024, primarily due to lower net renewal activity and media purchases from clients, which were impacted by the new U.S. tariffs legislative
uncertainty.
**Expenses**
| 
| | 
Year Ended December 31, | | | 
| | | 
| | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | | 
Change | | | 
% Change | | |
| 
| | 
(in thousands, except percentages) | | |
| 
Marketing and Sales | | 
$ | 681 | | | 
$ | 1,243 | | | 
$ | (562 | ) | | 
| (45 | )% | |
| 
Direct Operating Costs | | 
| 26,829 | | | 
| 23,134 | | | 
| 3,695 | | | 
| 16 | % | |
| 
General and Administrative | | 
| 23,992 | | | 
| 25,210 | | | 
| (1,218 | ) | | 
| (5 | )% | |
| 
Impairment of Intangible Assets | | 
| 767 | | | 
| | | | 
| 767 | | | 
| (100 | )% | |
| 
Total Expenses | | 
| 52,269 | | | 
$ | 49,587 | | | 
$ | 2,682 | | | 
| 5 | % | |
| | 27 | | |
*Marketing and Sales*
The 45% decrease in marketing
and sales expenses for the year ended December31, 2025, as compared to the year ended December31, 2024, was primarily due
to changes in the Companys corporate awareness initiatives, which resulted in reduced spending on advertising campaigns.
*Direct Operating Costs*
Direct operating costs during
the year ended December31, 2025 consisted primarily of salaries and related expenses for the animation production services employees
of Wow. Creator network channel expenses, licensing and production of content costs, such as participation expenses related to profit
sharing obligations with various animation studios, post-production studios, writers, directors, musicians or other creative talent that
had rendered services and amortization, including any write-downs of film and television costs, make up the remainder of direct operating
costs. The 16% increase was primarily due to higher salary costs by $5.6 million due to higher headcount included in Production Services
related to new projects that progressed into more advanced production stages in the current year compared to the same period of the prior
year. In addition, an increase of $0.2 million in operating costs is attributable to higher participation expenses arising from existing
contractual agreements due to an increase in royalties and licensing revenue. The increase in direct operating costs was partially offset
by a $2.1 million decrease of costs associated with Frederators creator network and licensing and royalties for the year ended
December31, 2025 compared to the year ended December31, 2024. The decrease was mainly due to a reduction in payments to our
creator network members in relation to the decline in Frederator creator network revenue.
*General and Administrative*
The $1.2 million decrease
in general and administrative expenses for the year ended December31, 2025 as compared to the year ended December31, 2024
was driven by a decrease of $0.8 million in salaries and wages, a decrease of $0.5 million in depreciation expense which reflected completion
of certain equipment lease terms, a decrease of $0.5 million in professional fees reflecting lower legal expenses including legal insurance
reimbursements and reduced use of external consulting services, a decrease of $0.3 million in share-based compensation expense due to
awards that were fully vested and recognized in the prior year, and a decrease of $0.2 million in rent expense due to currency translation
of our foreign office rent expense and lease reassignment agreement. The decrease was partially offset by an increase of $0.8 million
in certain expenses primarily related to higher development expenses, and an additional charge of $0.3 million in bad debt expense for
accounts receivable deemed unrecoverable.
*Impairment Charge*
During the year ended December31,
2025, we performed an impairment assessment of our intangible assets including our definite-lived intangible assets and our indefinite-lived
intangible assets. Pursuant to *ASC 350-30, General Intangibles Other than Goodwil*l, we evaluate our intangible assets periodically
to determine whether events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying values may not be recoverable. Based on this analysis,
we recorded an impairment charge of $0.8 million, recognized as an impairment of intangible assets within operating expenses in the consolidated
statement of operations. The impairment related to the Frederator and Wow Tradenames, which are indefinite-lived intangible assets, due
to a reduction in the estimated present value of their expected future cash flows.
No impairment charges were
recognized in the prior year ended December31, 2024.
| | 28 | | |
Other Income (Expense), net
Components of Other Income (Expense),
net are summarized as follows:
| 
| | 
Year Ended December 31, | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
Interest Expense (a) | | 
$ | (656 | ) | | 
$ | (779 | ) | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Gain (Loss) on Revaluation of Warrants (b) | | 
| (232 | ) | | 
| 63 | | |
| 
Loss on Revaluation of Equity Investment in YFE (c) | | 
| (9,830 | ) | | 
| (1,627 | ) | |
| 
Loss on Partial Disposal of Equity Investment and Share Exchange (d) | | 
| (1,755 | ) | | 
| | | |
| 
Loss on Transaction (e) | | 
| | | | 
| (985 | ) | |
| 
Realized Loss on Marketable Securities Investments (f) | | 
| (37 | ) | | 
| (611 | ) | |
| 
Gain (Loss) on Foreign Exchange (g) | | 
| 2,313 | | | 
| (2,138 | ) | |
| 
Loss on Debt Settlement (h) | | 
| (1,753 | ) | | 
| | | |
| 
Interest Income (i) | | 
| 76 | | | 
| 168 | | |
| 
Finance Lease Interest Expense (j) | | 
| (22 | ) | | 
| (87 | ) | |
| 
Gain on Lease Modification (k) | | 
| 4 | | | 
| | | |
| 
Other (l) | | 
| (25 | ) | | 
| 2,008 | | |
| 
Other Expense, net | | 
$ | (11,261 | ) | | 
$ | (3,209 | ) | |
| 
| 
(a) | 
Interest expense during the year ended December31, 2025 primarily consisted of $0.1 million of interest incurred on the factoring liability and $0.5 million of interest incurred on production facilities. Interest expense during the year ended December31, 2024 primarily consisted of $0.1 million of interest incurred on the margin loan and $0.7 million of interest incurred on production facilities and bank indebtedness. | |
| 
| 
(b) | 
The loss on revaluation of warrants during the year ended December31, 2025 consists of a $0.7 million loss recorded at remeasurement offset by a $0.4 million fair value gain in the period ended March 31, 2025 of the outstanding 7,894,736 Series A warrants and 7,894,736 Series B warrants issued in December 2024. These warrants were classified as a liability in the quarter ended March 31, 2025 and a change in their fair value resulted in a recorded gain due to a decrease of the expiration period. In the quarter ended June 2025, these warrants were reclassified to equity. During the year ended December31, 2024, the recorded gain on revaluation of warrants was related to the remeasurement of 89,286 outstanding warrants classified as liability, which expired in March 2025. | |
| 
| 
(c) | 
As the investment in YFE is accounted for under the fair value option, the Company recognized a loss on revaluation of its equity investment in YFE of approximately $9.8 million and $1.6 million for the years ended December31, 2025 and December31, 2024, respectively. The loss reflected decreases in YFEs stock price during the current reporting periods compared to the respective prior reporting periods. The impact of foreign currency translation is excluded and presented separately. | |
| 
| 
(d) | 
The $1.8 million loss consists of a $1.5 million loss recognized on the disposal of 1,500,000 shares of YFE completed on July 14, 2025, and a $0.3 million loss recognized in connection with the share exchange executed on September 25, 2025. | |
| 
| 
(e) | 
The Company allocated the total December 2024 offering transaction proceeds among the instruments issued, recognizing the Series A and Series B warrants as a liability at their full fair value. As a result of this allocation, the Company recorded a non-cash loss of $1.0 million. | |
| | 29 | | |
| 
| 
(f) | 
The realized loss on marketable securities investments of $36,674 recorded in the year ended December31, 2025, reflects the loss on the sale of marketable securities prior to maturity date. The realized loss on marketable securities investments of $0.6 million recorded in the year ended December31, 2024, reflected the loss that was not recovered from the investments due to selling securities and issuers prepayments of principals on certain mortgage-backed securities. | |
| 
| 
(g) | 
The gain on foreign exchange during the year ended December31, 2025 primarily related to the remeasurement of the YFE investment, resulting in a gain of $1.8 million, due to the depreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Euro relative to prior periods. The remaining balance of $0.5 million represents the remeasurement of foreign currency transactions of the Companys non-U.S. subsidiary that remained outstanding as of the consolidated balance sheet date. The loss on Foreign Exchange during the year ended December31, 2024 primarily related to the revaluation of the YFE investment, resulting in a loss of $1.0 million due to the Euro depreciating against the U.S. dollar as compared to prior period and a loss of $1.1 million due to the remeasurement of foreign currency transactions of the Companys non-U.S. subsidiary. | |
| 
| 
(h) | 
The loss on debt settlement recorded during the year ended December31, 2025 includes a loss of $0.9 million related to the loan settlement agreement with YFE finalized in April 2025 and a loss of $0.8 million arising from the Section 3(a)(10) transaction completed during the year. | |
| 
| 
(i) | 
Interest income during the year ended December31, 2025 primarily consisted of income from investments in marketable securities, net of premium amortization expense, as well as other transactions, including interest income related to an Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) receivable and interest income related to the shareholder loan (se Note 20 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K). Each of these sources was individually immaterial. Interest income during the year ended December31, 2024 primarily consisted of interest income of $0.1 million, net of premium amortization expense, recorded for the investments in marketable securities, and $0.1 million related to the shareholder loan. | |
| 
| 
(j) | 
The finance lease interest expense represents the interest portion of the finance lease obligations for equipment purchased under an equipment lease line. | |
| 
| 
(k) | 
On April 1, 2025, Beacon executed a rent reassignment agreement relinquishing one floor of its office space in Toronto to a new tenant who assumed the lease obligation for that floor. This transaction resulted in a gain of $4,253 on lease modification recorded during the year ended December31, 2025. | |
| 
| 
(l) | 
During the year ended December31, 2025, a net loss of $0.1 million was recognized in connection with the reversal of previously accrued other income related to ERTC claims. Other income had initially been recorded based on anticipated recoveries from submitted claims. Recent legislative developments reduced the expected recoverable amounts, resulting in a partial reversal of the accrued other income. The amount also included approximately $0.1 million of other income, primarily consisting of late fees from select clients on payment plans and credit card rewards. The difference between these amounts is reflected in the net balance presented in thousands. During the year ended December31, 2024, we recorded $1.2 million in other income related to the ERTC receivable, $0.6 million late fees contract interest income, $0.1 million domain sale income, and $0.1 million income related to credit card rewards and other rebates. | |
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We have a history of operating
losses and incurred net losses in each fiscal quarter since our inception. To date, we have funded our operations from cash flows we have
generated from our operations, proceeds from the sale of our securities and loans. For the years ended December31, 2025 and December31,
2024, we reported net losses of $24.7 million and $20.9 million, respectively. We reported net cash used in operating activities of $11.4
million, and cash used in operating activities of $3.5 million for the years ended December31, 2025 and December31, 2024,
respectively. As of December31, 2025, we had an accumulated deficit of $763.8 million and total stockholders equity of $27.5
million. As of December31, 2025, we had total current assets of $35.8 million, including cash of $2.9 million, and marketable securities
of $4.0 million, and total current liabilities of $33.5 million. We had working capital of $2.3 million as of December31, 2025,
compared to working capital of $1.2 million as of December31, 2024.
| | 30 | | |
As of December31, 2025,
we had cash of $2.9 million, which decreased by $5.4 million as compared to December31, 2024. The decrease was primarily due to
cash used in operating activities of $11.4 million, cash used in investing activities of $1.6 million, and the effect of exchange rate
of $0.6 million, offset by cash provided by financing activities of $8.1 million. The cash used in investing activities was primarily
due to investment of financing proceeds in marketable securities of $6.7 million, and purchase of property and equipment of $0.2 million,
offset by the proceeds received from sales of marketable securities of $4.8 million and proceeds of $0.4 million from repayment of a loan
from related party. The cash provided by financing activities was primarily due to the net proceeds of $6.5 million, from the October
Offerings, proceeds of $0.8 million received from sale of equity investment, drawdowns, net of repayments and debt issuance costs, of
$1.6 million from production facilities, and proceeds of $0.5 million received from our ERTC factoring transaction, offset by the net
margin loan repayment of $0.9 million and finance lease payments of $0.4 million.
During the year ended December31,
2025, we derived a significant amount of funds from the sale of our equity securities and loans. On October 22, 2025 we closed the October
Offerings, selling 3,000,000 shares of our common stock, the October 2025 Pre-Funded Warrants to purchase up to 6,903,049 shares of common
stock, and the October 2025 Common Warrants to purchase up to 9,903,049 shares of common stock for aggregate gross proceeds at closing
of approximately $7.3 million, prior to deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses. Net proceeds from the October Offerings
were $6.5 million.
As of December31, 2025,
we held available-for-sale marketable securities with a fair value of $4.0 million, an increase of
$2 million as compared to December31, 2024 due to the investment of the net
proceeds from the October Offerings during the year ended December31, 2025. The available-for-sale securities consist principally
of government debt securities and are also available as a source of liquidity.
As
of December31, 2025, we had no outstanding margin loan balance. As of December31, 2024 the margin loan balance was $0.9 million.
During the year ended December31, 2025, we borrowed an additional $5.9 million from our investment margin account and repaid $6.8
million primarily with cash received from sales and maturities of marketable securities. The borrowed amounts were primarily used for
operational costs. The interest rates for the borrowings fluctuate based on the Fed Funds Upper Target plus 0.60%. The weighted average
interest rates were 0.20% and 0.46% on average
margin loan balances of $0.2 million and $1.0 million as of December31, 2025 and December31, 2024, respectively. We incurred
interest expense on the loan of $8,392 and $0.1 million during the years ended December31,
2025 and December31, 2024, respectively. The investment margin account borrowings do not mature but are collateralized by the marketable
securities held by the same custodian and the custodian can issue a margin call at any time, effecting a payable on demand loan. Due to
the call option, the margin loan is recorded as a current liability on our consolidated balance sheets. 
During the year ended December31,
2025, we met our immediate cash requirements through existing cash balances, including cash raised from the October Offerings. Additionally,
we issued equity and equity-linked instruments to certain companies and individuals as payment for services and compensation.
Going Concern
Based on our current expected
level of operating expenditures and the cash and cash equivalents on hand at December31, 2025, management concluded that there is
substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months subsequent to the issuance of
the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. Historically, we have financed our operations primarily through revenue
generated from operations, loans and sales of our securities, and we expect to continue to seek and obtain additional capital in a similar
manner going forward. During the year ended December31, 2025, we were successful in raising net proceeds of $6.5 million in connection
with the October Offerings, which closed on October 22, 2025, strengthening our cash position. Despite this, macroeconomic conditions
continue to present challenges in the animation and advertising industries, primarily due to ongoing government tariffs and intensified
competition. In order to address our capital needs, we intend to consider multiple alternatives, including, but not limited to, the sale
of equity or debt securities, financing arrangements or entering into collaborative, strategic, and/or licensing transactions. Our ability
to sell securities registered under our registration statement on Form S-3 is limited until such time that the market value of our voting
securities held by non-affiliates is $75 million or more. In addition, the number of shares of common stock and securities convertible
or exercisable for common stock that we can sell, under certain circumstances, will be limited by NYSE American rules and regulations.
If we are able to raise funds by selling additional shares of common stock or other securities convertible into common stock, the ownership
interest of our existing shareholders will be diluted. The issuance of debt can result in restrictive covenants that limit operations.
Additionally, the October 2025 Purchase Agreement includes certain limitations on our ability to raise working capital through certain
types of transactions for a period of time. There can be no assurance that we will be able to complete any such financing, collaborative
or strategic transaction in a timely manner or on acceptable terms. As a result, we may have to significantly limit our operations and
our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially harmed.
| | 31 | | |
Working Capital
As of December31, 2025,
we had current assets of $35.8 million, including cash of $2.9 million and marketable securities of $4.0 million, and our current liabilities
were $33.5 million. We had working capital of $2.3 million as of December31, 2025, as compared to working capital of $1.2 million
as of December31, 2024. The increase of $1.1 million was
due to an increase of $1.1 million in current assets compared to the prior year. The increase in current assets is primarily driven
by an increase of $6.5 million in production tax credit receivable position due to recognized credits
for the ongoing projects, an increase of $2.0 million in marketable securities investments due to the investment of a portion of
the financing proceeds in securities, an increase of $0.2 million in prepaid expense balance, and an increase of $0.2 million in other
receivables related to ERTC, offset by a decrease in cash of $5.4 million, and a decrease
of $2.4 million in accounts receivable related to the timing of contractual billing milestones in production projects. Current liabilities
as of December31, 2025 were unchanged compared to the prior year, reflecting offsetting changes related to an increase of $2.6 million
in production facilities due to advance stages of production projects, and an increase of $0.3 million in accrued expenses, offset by
a decrease of $1.6 million in deferred revenue related to revenue recognized under the percentage-of-completion method on production projects,
a decrease of $0.9 million in margin loan balance due to repayment of the balance, and a decrease of $0.4 million in participation payable.
Comparison of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December31,
2025 and December31, 2024
Our total cash and restricted
cash as of the years ended December31, 2025 and December31, 2024 was $2.9 million and $8.4 million, respectively.
| 
| | 
Year Ended December 31, | | | 
| | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | | 
Change | | |
| 
| | 
(in thousands) | | |
| 
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities | | 
$ | (11,406 | ) | | 
$ | (3,489 | ) | | 
$ | (7,917 | ) | |
| 
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Investing Activities | | 
| (1,632 | ) | | 
| 10,012 | | | 
| (11,644 | ) | |
| 
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities | | 
| 8,147 | | | 
| (3,131 | ) | | 
| 11,278 | | |
| 
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash | | 
| (551 | ) | | 
| 898 | | | 
| (1,449 | ) | |
| 
(Decrease) Increase in Cash | | 
$ | (5,442 | ) | | 
$ | 4,290 | | | 
$ | (9,732 | ) | |
Change in Operating Activities
Items necessary to reconcile
from net loss to cash used in operating activities included net noncash expenses of $20.2 million for the year ended December31,
2025, as compared to net noncash expenses of $9.9 million for the year ended December31, 2024. The increase of $10.3 million in
noncash expenses compared to prior year was primarily due to an increase of $5.4 million in loss of the total fair value of the equity
investment in YFE which consist of market valuation and foreign exchange impact, a loss of $1.8 million on debt settlement related to
repayment agreement of the loan from related party and accounts payable settlement discount, a loss of $1.5 million on partial disposal
of the equity investment in YFE, an impairment of intangible assets of $0.8 million, an increase in warrants revaluation loss of $0.3
million due to Series A and Series B warrants fair value adjustments, and a loss of $0.3 million related to YFE for the TOON share exchange
transaction. Additionally, we recorded a noncash reduction of $2.2 million in accounts payable due to corresponding stock issuances to
CCI. These movements were offset by the absence of a $1.0 million loss on a financing transaction that closed in the prior year, a decrease
of $0.6 million in realized loss on marketable securities due to the fewer sales of our marketable securities prior to their maturity
date, a decrease of $0.3 million in stock-based compensation expense due to completed amortization of the portion of certain equity awards,
and a gain of $0.1 million related to the deferred tax provision.
| | 32 | | |
Change in cash used in operating
activities also includes fluctuations in working capital, including movements in operating assets and liabilities. Working capital adjustments
reflect timing differences between the recognition of revenues and expenses and the related cash receipts or payments. Operating asset
and liability activities resulted in a decrease of $6.9 million in cash in the year ended December31, 2025 and an increase of $7.6
million in cash as of December31, 2024. The net decrease of $14.5 million in operating asset and liability cashflows was primarily
due to an increase of $14.4 million in operating assets activity, which resulted in a higher use of cash. This was primarily due to lower
net receipts tax credits during the current year by $9.3 million, a decrease of $3.8 million in net receipts of outstanding accounts receivable
primarily due to contractual milestones in invoicing production projects, higher capitalized costs related to ongoing productions by $2.1
million, and an increase of $0.4 million in prepaid balance representing cash paid for future services, offset by an absence of a $1.2
million ERTC receivable recorded in the prior year. The remaining variance of approximately $0.1 million was attributable to a net decrease
in operating liabilities which had unfavorable impact on operating cash flows. This was primarily due to a decrease of $5.0 million in
deferred revenue balance representing cash received in advance for projects not yet recognized, and a decrease $1.4 million in accrued
production costs including timing of Mainframe production costs accruals and production advance from external partner received in prior
year, offset by a $5.0 million favorable movement in accounts payable primarily reflecting the settlement of a significant portion of
payables in stock and larger vendor payments recorded in the prior year, favorable movements in accrued salaries of $0.7 million due to
timing of salaries, and an increase of $0.6 million in accrued expenses representing additional costs recognized during the period that
were outstanding as of December31, 2025.
Change in Investing Activities
The net cash used in investing
activities decreased by $11.6 million, from cash provided by investing activities of $10.0 million in the year ended December31,
2024, to cash used by investing activities of $1.6 million in the year ended December31, 2025. The decrease was primarily due to
investment of the portions of the financing proceeds from the October Offerings and prior year offering in the marketable securities totaling
to $6.7 million and a decrease in proceeds received from the sales and maturities of marketable securities of $5.2 million during the
year ended December31, 2025, offset by an increase in proceeds received from the repayment of loan from related party of $0.3 million.
Change in Financing Activities
The increase in cash used
in financing activities of $11.3 million was primarily due to an increase of $10.3 million in production facilities drawdowns, net of
repayments and issuance costs, a decrease of $1.3 million in finance lease obligations due to concluding several lease commitments in
prior year, proceeds of $0.8 million received from the partial disposal of our equity investment in YFE, and proceeds of $0.5 million
related to the ERTC factoring transaction, offset by a reduction in cash of $1.0 million related to margin loan balance representing repayments
net borrowings, and a decrease in cash proceeds received from financing transactions compared to prior year by $0.6 million.
Material Cash Requirements
We have entered into arrangements
that contractually obligate us to make payments that will affect our liquidity and cash flows in future periods. Our material cash requirements
from known contractual and other obligations primarily relate to our debt and lease obligations and our employment and consulting contracts.
The aggregate amount of future minimum purchase obligations under these agreements over the period of next five years is approximately
$31.1 million as of December31, 2025, of which about $20.9 million could be owed within one year. The balance that could be due
within one year includes production facilities of $11.9 million.
We plan to utilize our liquidity
(as described above) to fund our material cash requirements.
As of December31, 2025,
we had $0.3 million in commitments for capital expenditures, related to equipment leases.
| | 33 | | |
Critical Accounting Estimates
Our consolidated financial
statements are prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). This requires our management
to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures.
The following accounting policies involve critical accounting estimates because they are particularly dependent on estimates and assumptions
made by management. We also have other significant accounting policies that are relevant to understanding our results. For additional
information about these policies, see Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form
10-K. Although we believe that our estimates, assumptions and judgments are reasonable, they are based upon information available at the
time. Actual results may differ significantly from these estimates under different assumptions, judgments or conditions.
*Variable Interest Entities*
We hold an interest in Stan
Lee University (SLU), an entity that is considered a variable interest entity (VIE). The variable interest
relates to 50% ownership in the entity that is comprised of the Stan Lee Assets and that requires additional financial support from us
to continue operations.
For each entity, we evaluate
our ownership interest and contractual arrangements to determine whether we should consolidate the entity or account for our interest
as an investment at inception and upon reconsideration events. This estimate is critical because it determines whether an entity is consolidated
into our consolidated financial statements, which has significant impact on our reported results. As part of this evaluation, we determined,
that the SLU entity is a VIE. Management evaluated key considerations through a qualitative and quantitative analysis in determining whether
an entity is a VIE including whether (i) the entity has sufficient equity to finance its activities without additional financial support
from other parties, (ii) the ability or inability to make significant decisions about the entitys operations, and (iii) the proportionality
of voting rights of investors relative to their obligations to absorb the expected losses (or receive the expected returns) of the entity.
We used judgment in determining if we are the primary beneficiary and are thus required to consolidate the entity. In making this determination,
we evaluated whether we or another party involved with the VIE, (i) has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly
impact the VIEs economic performance and (ii) has the obligation to absorb losses of or receive benefits from the VIE that could
be significant to the VIE. In evaluating whether we have the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact its
economic performance, we considered the purpose for which the VIE was created, the importance of each of the activities in which it is
engaged and our decision-making role, if any, in those activities that significantly affect the entitys economic performance as
compared to other economic interest holders. This evaluation required consideration of all facts and circumstances relevant to decision-making
that affects the entitys future performance and the exercise of professional judgment in deciding which decision-making rights
are most important. We concluded, that we are considered the primary beneficiary and are required to consolidate the VIE.
We continuously assess whether
we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE as changes to existing relationships or future transactions may result in us consolidating its
collaborators or partners. Our assessment is sensitive to changes in contractual arrangements such as decision-making authority or funding
commitments. Changes in these factors could result in a different consolidation conclusion and materially affect our financial statements.
We evaluated reconsideration events during the year ended December31, 2025 and concluded there were no changes to our consolidation
assessments.
*Tax Credits Receivable*
The Canadian federal government
and certain provincial governments in Canada provide programs that are designed to assist film and television production in the form of
refundable tax credits or other incentives.
| | 34 | | |
Estimated amounts receivable
in respect of refundable tax credits are recorded as an offset to the related production operating cost, or to investment in film and
television costs when the conditions for eligibility of production assistance based on the governments criteria are met, the qualifying
expenditures are made and there is reasonable assurance of realization. Determination of when and if the conditions of eligibility have
been met is based on managements judgment, and the amount recognized is based on managements estimates of qualifying expenditures.
The ultimate collection of previously recorded estimates is subject to ordinary course audits from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
and provincial agencies. The amounts recognized are sensitive to changes in assumptions regarding eligibility, qualifying expenditures,
and interpretations applied by the CRA and provincial agencies. Changes in administrative policies by the CRA or subsequent review of
eligibility documentation may impact the collectability of these estimates. We continuously review the results of these audits to determine
if any circumstances arise that in managements judgment would result in a previously recognized amount to be considered no longer
collectible.
We classify the majority of
the tax credits receivable as current based on their normal operating cycle. Government assistance, in the form of refundable tax credits,
is relied upon as a key component of production financing. These amounts are claimed from the CRA through the submission of income tax
returns and can take up to 18 to 24 months from the date of the first tax credit dollar being earned to being received. As this financing
is fundamental to our ability to produce animated productions and generate revenue in the normal course of business, the normal operating
cycle for such assets is considered to be a 12-to-24-month period, or the time it takes for the CRA to assess and refund the tax credits
earned.
As of December31, 2025
and December31, 2024, $16.8 million and $12.7
million in tax credit receivables related to Wows film and television productions were recorded, net of $0.4
million and $0.6 million, respectively, recorded as an allowance for credit loss.
We did not have any non-current tax credits receivable as of December31, 2025. As of
December31, 2024, $2.4 million, in tax credits receivable net of $0.4
million allowance for credit loss was presented as non-current asset.
*Film and Television Costs*
We capitalize production costs
for episodic series produced in accordance with FASB ASC 926-20, *Entertainment-Films - Other Assets - Film Costs*. Accordingly,
production costs are capitalized at actual cost and amortized using the individual-film-forecast method, whereby these costs are amortized,
and participations costs are accrued based on the ratio of the current periods revenues to managements estimate of ultimate
revenue expected to be recognized from each production. There are usually three stages for production projects with different costs incurred
at each stage:
*Productions in Development*
Development costs include
the costs of acquiring film rights to books, scripts or original screenplays and the third-party costs to adapt such projects, including
visual development and design. Advances or contributions received from third parties to assist in development are deducted from these
costs.
*Productions
in Progress*
Capitalized development costs
are reclassified to productions in progress once the project is approved and physical production of the film or television program commences.
Capitalized costs include all direct production and financing costs incurred during production that are expected to provide future economic
benefit. Borrowing costs and depreciation are capitalized to the cost of a film or television program until substantially all of the activities
necessary to prepare the film or television program for its use intended by management are complete.
| | 35 | | |
*Completed Productions*
Completed productions are
carried at the cost of proprietary film and television programs which have been produced by us or to which we have acquired distribution
rights, less accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment losses.
The amounts capitalized and
the related amortization, and accrued participation costs are sensitive to changes in key assumptions such as ultimate revenues per production,
production costs, audience reception, market conditions, and contractual obligations for participations. Changes in these factors could
materially affect amortization and potential impairment charges. Due to the inherent uncertainties involved in making such estimates of
ultimate revenues and expenses, these estimates have differed in the past from actual results and are likely to differ to some extent
in the future from actual results. In addition, in the normal course of business, some titles are more successful or less successful than
anticipated. Management reviews the ultimate revenue and cost estimates on a title-by-title basis, when an event or change in circumstances
indicates that the fair value of the production may be less than its unamortized cost. This may result in a change in the rate of amortization
of film costs and participations and/or a write-down of all or a portion of the unamortized costs of the film or television production
to its estimated fair value. An impairment charge is recorded in the amount by which the unamortized costs exceed the estimated fair value.
These write-downs are included in amortization expense within Direct Operating Expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.
During the year ended December31, 2025, key assumptions remained consistent with those applied in the prior year.
All capitalized costs that
exceed the initial market firm commitment revenue are expensed in the period of delivery of the episodes. Additionally, for episodic series,
from time to time, we develop additional content, improved animation and bonus songs/features for its existing content. After the initial
release of the episodic series, the costs of significant improvement to existing products are capitalized while routine and periodic alterations
to existing products are expensed as incurred.
*Intangible Assets*
Intangible assets have been
acquired, either individually or with a group of other assets, and were initially recognized and measured based on fair value. Annual
amortization of these intangible assets is computed based on the straight-line method over the remaining economic life of the asset. The
useful lives of intangible assets are reviewed periodically to determine whether adjustments are necessary based on changes in business
conditions.
Our accounting for intangible
assets involves significant estimates and assumptions regarding their useful lives, recoverability, and potential impairment. Indefinite-lived
intangible assets are assessed for impairment annually or when a triggering event suggests their fair value may have fallen below their
carrying amount. Impairment analysis of indefinite-lived intangible assets is evaluated using the relief-from-royalty method under the
income approach, incorporating estimated future revenues attributable to the asset, assumed growth and royalty rates, based on comparable
industry data, and an appropriate discount rate, reflecting risk-adjusted returns. Definite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment
when triggering events occur, using an entity-specific recoverability test based on undiscounted cash flows. If recoverability is not
met, a fair value analysis is performed.
Impairment testing is sensitive
to assumptions regarding projected revenue growth rates, royalty rate assumptions and discount rates. Significant uncertainties affecting
impairment analysis include declines in revenue due to market shifts or content performance, changes in industry conditions, including
streaming and network distribution models, economic downturns, which could increase discount rates and impact future cash flows and regulatory
or legal changes, affecting brand valuation or content monetization. Changes in future results, assumptions, and estimates after the measurement
date may lead to an outcome where impairment charges would be required in future periods. Results may vary from our forecasts and such
variations may be material and unfavorable, thereby triggering the need for future impairment tests where the conclusions may differ in
reflection of prevailing market conditions. An impairment loss could have a material and adverse impact on our consolidated balance sheets,
consolidated statements of operations, and consolidated statements of cash flows. During the year ended December31, 2025, we did
not make any material changes to the key assumptions underlying the estimates.
| | 36 | | |
During the year ended December31,
2025, changes in the Companys financial projections triggered a reassessment of both its definite- and indefinite-lived intangible
assets for potential impairment. Based on this analysis, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $0.8 million, recognized as Impairment
of Intangible Assets within Operating Expenses in the consolidated statement of operations. The impairment related to the Frederator and
Wow Tradenames, which are indefinite-lived intangible assets, due to a reduction in the estimated present value of their expected future
cash flows.
*Revenue Recognition*
We account for revenue according
to FASB ASC 606, *Revenue from Contracts with Customers*(ASC 606).
Revenue is measured based
on the consideration specified in a contract with a customer. Revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of the products or
services in a contract. The application of ASC 606 requires us to make significant judgments, that materially affect the amount and timing
of revenue recognized, including estimates of total expected costs for production service contracts, stand-alone selling prices, determinations
of whether we act as principal or agent in customer arrangements, and determinations of the timing of whether the transfer of control
occurs at a point in time or over time. We evaluate each contract to identify separate performance obligations as a contract with a customer
may have one or more performance obligations. Consideration in a contract with multiple performance obligations is allocated to the separate
performance obligations based on their stand-alone selling prices. If a stand-alone selling price is not determinable, we estimate the
stand-alone selling price using an adjusted market assessment approach.
Our main sources of revenue
are derived from animation production services provided to third parties, the sale of licenses for the distribution of films and television
programs, advertising revenues, and merchandising and licensing sales. During the year ended December31, 2025, there were no material
changes to the revenue recognition policies, methods, or significant judgments applied under ASC 606.
*Animation Production Services*
For revenue from animation
production services, the customer controls the output throughout the production process. Each production is made to an individual customers
specifications and if the contract is terminated by the customer, we are entitled to be reimbursed for any costs incurred to date, and
for any prepaid commitments made, plus the agreed contractual mark-up.
Revenue from animation production
services is sensitive to changes in estimates of total expected production costs, project timelines, and the achievement of contractual
milestones. Because revenue is recognized over time using a percentage-of-completion method, changes in cost estimates or production delays
may result in changes to the amount and timing of revenue recognized in a given period. The percentage-of-completion is calculated based
upon the proportion of costs incurred cumulatively to total expected costs. Changes in revenue recognized as a result of adjustments to
total expected costs are recognized in profit or loss on a prospective basis. Invoices related to these projects are issued based on the
achievement of milestones during the project or other contractual terms. The difference between contractual payments received and revenue
recognized is recorded as deferred revenue when receipts exceed revenue. When revenue exceeds milestone billings, we recognize this difference
as unbilled accounts receivable within Other Receivable on our consolidated balance sheet. Unbilled accounts receivables are transferred
to accounts receivable when we have an unconditional right to consideration. When the outcome of an arrangement cannot be estimated reliably,
revenue is recognized only to the extent of the expenses incurred that are recoverable. Production service revenues represent a significant
portion of our operating revenues. These estimates are subject to uncertainty due to the complexity and length of production cycles, and
unforeseen production challenges, which may cause actual results to differ from managements estimates.
*Content Distribution*
We recognize revenue related
to licensed rights to exploit functional IP in two ways; for minimum guarantees, we recognize fixed revenue upon delivery of content and
the start of the license period and for functional IP contracts with a variable component, we estimate revenue such that it is probable
there will not be a material reversal of revenue in future periods. We recognize revenue related to licensed rights to exploit symbolic
IP substantially similarly to functional IP. Although it has a different recognition pattern from functional IP, the valuation method
is substantially the same, depending on the nature of the license. Invoices related to these projects are issued based on the achievement
of milestones during the project or other contractual terms. The difference between contractual payments received and revenue recognized
is recorded as deferred revenue when receipts exceed revenue.
| | 37 | | |
We sell advertising and subscriptions
on our wholly-owned AVOD service, *Kartoon Channel!*, and our SVOD distribution outlets, *Kartoon Channel! Kidaverse* and *Ameba
TV*. Advertising sales are generated in the form of either flat rate promotions or advertising impressions served. For flat rate promotions
with a fixed term, revenue is recognized when all five revenue recognition criteria under ASC 606 are met. For impressions served, we
deliver a certain minimum number of impressions on the channel to the advertiser for which the advertiser pays a contractual cost per
1000 (mille) impressions (CPM). Impressions served are reported on a monthly basis, and revenue is reported in the month
the impressions are served. For subscription-based revenue, revenue is recognized when a customer downloads the mobile device application
and their credit card is charged.
Upon the acquisition of Wow
in 2021, we generate advertising revenue from Frederators owned and operated YouTube channels as well as revenues generated from
the operation of its creator network, *Channel Frederator Network,* on YouTube. Revenue is recognized when services are provided
in accordance with our agreement with YouTube, the price is fixed or determinable, and collection of the related receivable is probable.
Receivables are usually collectable within 30 days.
Revenue generated from content
distribution and creator network is not significantly dependent on management estimates and assumptions, as revenue is recognized based
on reports provided by customers and platform owners reflecting actual advertising impressions, views, and related metrics for the period.
However, reported revenue is sensitive to changes in audience engagement, content performance, advertising demand, and third-party platform
policies. While these factors may result in variability in revenue from period to period, such variability reflects changes in actual
performance rather than changes in accounting assumptions or estimates. Revenue is also subject to uncertainty arising from reliance on
third-party reporting and platform-specific monetization practices.
*Licensing and Royalties*
We enter into merchandising
and licensing agreements that allow licensees to produce merchandise utilizing certain of our intellectual property. For minimum guaranteed
amounts that make up a contract, revenue is recognized over time, over the term of the license period commencing on the date at which
the licensees can use and benefit from the licensed content. Variable consideration in excess of non-refundable guaranteed amounts, such
as royalties and other contractual payments are recognized as revenue when the amounts are known and become due provided collectability
is reasonably assured. Invoices are issued based on the contractual terms of an agreement and are usually payable within 30-45 days. We
recognize revenue related to product sales (e.g., apparel and collectibles) when we complete our performance obligation, which is when
the goods are transferred to the buyer. Royalty revenue is not significantly affected by management estimates, as amounts are recognized
based on sales reports received from licensees and contractual royalty rates. Accordingly, changes in royalty revenue primarily reflect
changes in actual consumer demand for licensed products rather than changes in accounting assumptions. However, reported royalty revenue
is subject to uncertainty related to the timing, accuracy, and completeness of licensee sales reports, as well as collectability considerations.
In addition, royalty revenue may fluctuate due to factors such as retail performance, product mix, seasonality, and macroeconomic conditions
affecting consumer spending, all of which are outside of our direct control.
*Media Advisory and Advertising
Services*
We provide media and advertising
consulting services to clients. Revenue is recognized when the services are performed or as paid through the monthly retainer. When we
purchase advertising for clients on linear and across digital and streaming platforms and receive a commission, the commissions are recognized
as revenue in the month the advertising is displayed. Marketing contracts specify applicable fees or rates, and marketing spend is driven
by customer-authorized campaign activity. Revenue and expenses are recognized based on actual services performed, with minimal reliance
on management estimates. While revenue amounts are based on contractual rates and actual media spend supported by third-party reports,
management judgment is required in evaluating contract terms under ASC 606, determining principal versus agent presentation, and ensuring
appropriate cutoff and completeness of revenue recognition.
| | 38 | | |
*Income Taxes*
Deferred income tax assets
and liabilities are recognized based on differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using presently
enacted tax rates. At each balance sheet date, we evaluate the available evidence about future taxable income and other possible sources
of realization of deferred tax assets and record a valuation allowance that reduces the deferred tax assets to an amount that represents
managements best estimate of the amount of such deferred tax assets that more likely than not will be realized. The calculation
of deferred tax liabilities is sensitive to changes in enacted tax rates and the timing of temporary difference reversals. We regularly
review our deferred tax liabilities to reflect new tax legislation that alters future tax rates and expectations regarding the reversal
of taxable temporary differences. A key risk that could impact our deferred tax liabilities includes legislative changes that increase
or decrease future tax rates. Given the complexity and evolving nature of tax regulations, changes in assumptions or tax laws could materially
impact our deferred tax liabilities and future income tax expense.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
For a description of recent
accounting pronouncements and the potential impact of these pronouncements on our consolidated financial statements, see Note 2 of the
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet
arrangements.
| 
| Item 7A. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk | |
As a smaller reporting
company, as defined by Item 10 of Regulation S-K, we are not required to provide information required by this Item.
| 
| Item 8. | Financial Statements and Supplementary Data | |
The consolidated financial
statements and accompanying notes listed in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are included immediately following Part
IV hereof and incorporated by reference herein.
| 
| Item 9. | Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure | |
Our Audit Committee of the
Board of Directors appointed WithumSmith+Brown, PC (Withum) as our independent registered public accounting firm on January
29, 2024. The disclosure required by Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K was previously reported in that Current Report on [Form](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1355848/000135584824000015/toon-20240124.htm)[8-K](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1355848/000135584824000015/toon-20240124.htm) filed by us with the SEC on
January 30, 2024, and is incorporated herein by reference.
| 
| Item 9A. | Controls and Procedures | |
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls
and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under
the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SECs rules and forms
and accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, or persons performing
similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
| | 39 | | |
We carried out an evaluation,
under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer,
of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)
under the Exchange Act. Based upon our evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of the end
of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15e and 15d-15(e), were effective
at the reasonable assurance level.
Managements Annual Report on Internal
Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible
for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) promulgated
under the Exchange Act as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive officer and principal financial
officer and effected by our board of directors, management, and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability
of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP and includes those policies
and procedures that:
| 
| Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions
and dispositions of our assets | |
| 
| Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial
statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in
accordance with authorizations of our management and directors | |
| 
| Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use,
or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements | |
Because of its inherent limitations,
internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect errors or misstatements in our financial statements. Therefore, even
those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of
changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Our management, with the participation
of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting
as of December 31, 2025. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations
of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in *Internal Control Integrated Framework (2013 Framework).*Based on the assessment using
this framework, our management concluded that, as of December 31, 2025, our internal control over financial reporting was effective.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There was no change in our
internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended
December 31, 2025, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Inherent Limitations over Internal Controls
Internal control over financial
reporting cannot provide absolute assurance of achieving financial reporting objectives because of its inherent limitations, including
the possibility of human error and circumvention by collusion or overriding of controls. Accordingly, even an effective internal control
system may not prevent or detect material misstatements on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future
periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance
with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
| | 40 | | |
| 
Item 9B. | Other Information | |
**(a) Disclosure in Lieu
of Current Report on Form 8-K**
*Ratification of Equity Awards*
On March 30, 2026, the Board
adopted, pursuant to Section 78.0296 of the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS Section 78.0296), resolutions ratifying the issuance
of certain restricted stock unit awards (the Ratification). Notice of such Ratification to the Companys stockholders
of record, as required by NRS Section 78.0296 is attached to this Annual Report on Form 10-K as Exhibit 99.1.
*Amendment to Amended and
Restated 2020 Incentive Plan*
On March 30, 2026, the Board
adopted an amendment (the 2020 Plan Amendment) to the Amended and Restated 2020 Incentive Plan which provides that the Board,
as well as the Committee, may, in its discretion, delegate authority to one or more officers of the Company with respect to the granting
of awards to other individuals who are not subject to the reporting and other provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, provided that
any such delegation shall include a limitation as to the maximum number of shares of common stock with respect to which awards may be
granted during the period of the delegation. A copy of the 2020 Plan Amendment is attached as an exhibit to this Annual Report on Form
10-K.
**(b) Rule 10b5-1 Trading
Plans**
During the quarter ended December
31, 2025, none of the Companys directors or officers adopted, modified or terminated a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or a non-Rule
10b5-1 trading arrangement (each as defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K).
| 
| Item 9C. | Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections | |
Not applicable.
| | 41 | | |
PART III
| 
| Item 10. | Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance | |
Executive Officers and Directors
The following table sets forth
the names, ages, and positions of our executive officers and directors as of March31, 2026. There are no arrangements or understandings
between any director, executive officer and any other person pursuant to which any director or executive officer was or is to be selected
as a director or executive officer of the Company, as applicable.
| 
Name | 
| 
Age | 
| 
Position | |
| 
Andy Heyward | 
| 
77 | 
| 
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors | |
| 
Brian Parisi | 
| 
56 | 
| 
Chief Financial Officer | |
| 
Michael A. Jaffa | 
| 
60 | 
| 
Chief Operating Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary | |
| 
Joseph Gray Davis | 
| 
83 | 
| 
Director | |
| 
Margaret Loesch | 
| 
80 | 
| 
Director | |
| 
Lynne Segall | 
| 
73 | 
| 
Director | |
| 
Anthony Thomopoulos | 
| 
88 | 
| 
Director | |
| 
Dr. Cynthia Turner-Graham | 
| 
72 | 
| 
Director | |
| 
Jeffrey Schlesinger | 
| 
70 | 
| 
Director | |
*Andy Heyward, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board*
Mr. Heyward has served as
the Companys Chief Executive Officer since November 2013 and Chairman of the Companys Board of Directors since December
2013. Mr. Heyward co-founded DIC Animation City in 1983 and served as its Chief Executive Officer until its sale in 1993 to Capital Cities/
ABC, Inc., which was eventually bought by The Walt Disney Company in 1995. Mr. Heyward ran the company while it was owned by The Walt
Disney Company until 2000 when Mr. Heyward purchased DIC Entertainment L.P. and DIC Productions L.P., corporate successors to the DIC
Animation City business, with the assistance of Bain Capital and served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of their acquiring
company DIC Entertainment Corporation, until he took the company public on the AIM. He sold the company in 2008. Mr. Heyward co-founded
A Squared Entertainment LLC in 2009 and has served as its Co-President since inception. Mr. Heyward earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in
Philosophy from UCLA and is a member of the Producers Guild of America, the National Academy of Television Arts and the Paley Center (formerly
the Museum of Television and Radio). Mr. Heyward gave the Commencement address in 2011 for the UCLA College of Humanities and was awarded
the 2002 UCLA Alumni Associations Professional Achievement Award. He has received multiple Emmys and other awards for Childrens
Entertainment. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Cedars Sinai Medical Center. Mr. Heyward has produced over 5,000 half hour episodes
of award-winning entertainment, among them Inspector Gadget; The Real Ghostbusters; Strawberry Shortcake; Care Bears; Alvin and the Chipmunks;
Hello Kittys Furry Tale Theater; The Super Mario Brothers Super Show; The Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog; Sabrina The Animated
Series; Captain Planet and the Planeteers; Libertys Kids, and many others. Mr. Heyward was chosen as a director because of his
extensive experience in childrens entertainment and as co-founder of A Squared Entertainment.
Mr. Heyward was chosen as a director because of
his extensive experience in childrens entertainment and as co-founder of A Squared Entertainment.
| | 42 | | |
*Brian Parisi, Chief Financial Officer*
Mr. Parisi joined the Company
as its Chief Financial Officer during September 2023. Mr. Parisi brings over 30 years of experience across the entertainment, media, and
high-tech industries, specializing in finance, accounting, mergers and acquisitions, corporate strategy, and business development. Before
joining Kartoon Studios, starting in 2019 he served as the Chief Financial Officer at Break the Floor Productions, an entertainment production
company. In this role, he notably prepared the company for sale, successfully completing two separate sale transactions with private equity
firms. Previously, from 2017 to 2019, Mr. Parisi served as the Chief Financial Officer at the NFL Hall of Fame Village, where he oversaw
a wide range of financial activities including raising capital from numerous public and private sources, managing construction budgets,
assisting the company with its IPO, financial reporting, and cash management for the newly designed entertainment complex in Canton, Ohio.
In addition, he served as a finance executive at Live Nation Entertainment from 2009 to 2016, including his most recent role as the Head
of Finance for the Festivals Division at the company where he was responsible for managing all financial, strategic, and treasury functions
for Electronic Dance Music festivals in multiple countries with more than 1.3 million fans annually. Mr. Parisi has also held leadership
positions at Warner Bros. Entertainment and NBC Universal.
Mr. Parisi is a CPA and holds a B.S. in Accounting
from Purdue University, Daniel School of Business, and an M.B.A. from the University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business.
He was recently awarded the 2024 Public Company CFO of the year by the Los Angeles Business Journal.
*Michael Jaffa*, *Chief Operating Officer,
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary*
Mr. Jaffa was promoted to
Chief Operating Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Company on December 7, 2020, prior to which he served as the General
Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Company since April 2018. From January 2017 through April 2018, Mr. Jaffa served as Thoughtful
Media Groups (TMG) General Counsel and Global Head of Business Affairs. TMG is a multichannel network focused on Asian markets.
At TMG, Mr. Jaffa oversaw all of TMGs legal matters, established the framework for TMGs continued growth in international
markets, including a franchise plan, the formation of a regional headquarters in Southeast Asia and assisted with M&A transactions.
From September 2013 through December 2016, Mr. Jaffa worked as the Head of Business Affairs for DreamWorks Animation Television, and before
that served in a similar role at Hasbro Studios from December 2009 through September 2013. Mr. Jaffa has over 20 years of experience handling
licensing, production, merchandising, complex international transactions and employment issues for large and small entertainment companies
and technology startups.
*Joseph Gray Davis, Director*
Mr. Davis has served as a
director of the Company since December 2013. Mr. Davis served as the 37th governor of California from 1998 until 2003. Mr. Davis currently
serves as Of Counsel in the Los Angeles, California office of Loeb & Loeb LLP and has served in such role since 2004.
Mr. Davis has served on the board of directors of DIC Entertainment and is a member of the bipartisan Think Long Committee, a Senior Fellow
at the UCLA School of Public Affairs and Co-Chair of the Southern California Leadership Counsel. Mr. Davis received his undergraduate
degree from Stanford University and received his Juris Doctorate from Columbia Law School. Mr. Davis served as lieutenant governor of
California from 1995-1998, California State Controller from 1987-1995 and California State Assemblyman from 1982-1986.
Mr. Davis was chosen as a
director of the Company based on his knowledge of corporate governance.
| | 43 | | |
*Jeffrey Schlesinger, Director*
Mr. Schlesinger has served
as a director of the Company since October 2025. In January 2022, Mr. Schlesinger founded Former Bros. Media LLC, a company that provides
strategic advisory services to global media companies. Prior to that, from September 1989 to August 2020, Mr. Schlesinger worked for Warner
Bros. Worldwide Television Distribution, where he served in various executive roles, including President of Warner Bros. from May 2013
to August 2020. He brings more than three decades of operational, strategic, financial, and deal-making expertise, having built Warner
Bros. worldwide television business into a division spanning more than 220 territories and thousands of content partnerships. Under
his leadership, Warner Bros. generated recurring revenue in syndication, licensing, and streaming from some of the most valuable television
properties of all time, including *Friends, The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, The West Wing,* and *Game of Thrones,*
as well as directing the international expansion of Warner Bros. Animation, managing the worlds largest animation library of over
10,000 episodes, featuring Looney Tunes, Hanna-Barbera, Merrie Melodies, MGM Animation, as well as countless iconic properties including
*Scooby-Doo, The Flintstones, Justice League*, among many others. Beyond the distribution of television series, Mr. Schlesinger oversaw
the global rollout and monetization of the WB new releases and library feature films to all linear and non-linear outlets worldwide, including
the *Batman, Harry Potter*, and *The Lord of the Rings* franchises. Mr. Schlesinger graduated from the film school at New York
University in 1977.
Mr. Schlesinger was chosen as a director based
on his three decades of operational, strategic, financial, and sales expertise.
*Margaret Loesch, Director*
Ms. Loesch has served as a
Director of the Company since March 2015. Ms Loesch previously held the positions of Executive Chairman of the Kartoon Channel! from June
2020 till December 31, 2022 and Executive Chairman of the Toon Media Networks from December 2016 until December 31, 2022. From 2009 through
2014, Ms. Loesch, served as Chief Executive Officer and President of The Hub Network, a cable channel for children and families, including
animated features. The Company has, in the past, provided The Hub Network with certain childrens programming. From 2003 through
2009 Ms. Loesch served as Co-Chief Executive Officer of The Hatchery, a family entertainment and consumer product company. From 1998 through
2001 Ms. Loesch served as Chief Executive Officer of the Hallmark Channel, a family related cable channel. From 1990 through 1997 Ms.
Loesch served as the Chief Executive Officer of Fox Kids Network, a childrens programming block and from 1984 through 1990 served
as the Chief Executive Officer of Marvel Productions, a television and film studio subsidiary of Marvel Entertainment Group. Ms. Loesch
obtained her Bachelor of Science from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Ms. Loesch was chosen to be
a director based on her 40 years of experience at the helm of major children and family programming and consumer product channels.
*Lynne Segall, Director*
Ms. Segall has served as a
Director of the Company since December 2013. Ms. Segall works as Publisher for Ankler Media, a role she has held since January 2026, where
she guides sales and revenue strategy, including for direct advertising, live events, podcasts, video and its subscription newsletter
business. From September 2020 to January 2026, she served as Chief Revenue Officer of TheWrap News. Prior to that, from June 2011 to September
2020, Ms. Segall served as the Senior Vice President and Group Publisher of The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard; from August 2010 to
June 2011, Ms. Segall served as the Senior Vice President of Deadline Hollywood; and from June 2006 to May 2010, Ms. Segall served as
the Vice President of Entertainment, Fashion & Luxury advertising at the Los Angeles Times. In 2005, Ms. Segall received the Women
of Achievement Award from The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and the Women in Excellence Award from the Century City Chamber of Commerce.
In 2006, Ms. Segall was recognized by the National Association of Women with its Excellence in Media Award. Ms. Segall received a Bachelor
of Arts in Advertising and Marketing from Endicott College.
Ms. Segall was chosen to be a director based on
her expertise in the entertainment industry.
| | 44 | | |
*Anthony Thomopoulos, Director*
Mr. Thomopoulos has served
as a Director of the Company since February 2014. Mr. Thomopoulos is a veteran entertainment executive with a distinguished career spanning
broadcast, film, and television. Mr. Thomopoulos previously held executive positions in ABC, where he rose through the ranks to become
President of the Broadcast Group, overseeing all network divisions including News and Sports, and he greenlit films such as *Rain Man*
and *Childs Play*. Mr. Thomopoulos served as the Chairman of United Artist Pictures from 1986 to 1989. Mr. Thomopoulos formed
Thomopoulos Pictures, an independent production company of both motion pictures and television programs, in 1989, and has served as its
Chief Executive Officer since 1989. From 1991 to 1995, Mr. Thomopoulos served as the President of Amblin Television, a division of Amblin
Entertainment, and he served as the President of International Family Entertainment, Inc. from 1995 to 1997. During this time, he drove
major programming successes including NBCs ER and The Family Channels ratings growth. From June 2001 to January 2004, Mr.
Thomopoulos served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Media Arts Group, a NYSE listed company, where he led a successful turnaround
and privatization. Mr. Thomopoulos also co-founded Camp Axios for underserved youth, and served as a state commissioner of the California
Service Corps. under Governor Schwarzenegger from 2005 to 2008. Mr. Thomopoulos is also a founding partner of Morning Light Productions.
Since he founded it in 2008, Mr. Thomopoulos has operated Thomopoulos Productions and has served as a consultant to BKSems, USA, a digital
signage company. Mr. Thomopoulos is an advisor and a member of the National Hellenic Society and holds a degree in Foreign Service from
Georgetown University and sat on its Board of Directors from 1978 to 1988. Mr. Thomopoulos is deeply involved in philanthropic efforts
in Los Angeles.
Mr. Thomopoulos was chosen
as a director of the Company based on his entertainment industry experience.
*Dr. Cynthia Turner-Graham, Director*
Dr. Turner-Graham has served
as a Director of the Company since June 2021. Dr. Turner-Graham is a board-certified psychiatrist, Distinguished Life Fellow of the American
Psychiatric Association, and a member of the American College of Psychiatry who brings almost 40 years of experience in the healthcare
industry as a practicing psychiatrist serving the needs of children, adolescents, adults and families. She has also served as healthcare
administrator, having held several administrative positions in Tennessee, Maryland and Washington, D.C. Since 1988, Dr. Turner-Graham
has served as a practicing psychiatrist in private and public outpatient settings, retiring from clinical practice in March of 2024. Recognizing
the relationship between mental health, spiritual health and quality of relationships, she has combined these interests to promote emotional
literacy among professional and lay audiences. As founding President of The Company ForSoundMinds, her focus has been to develop educational
workshop experiences and lectures for the purpose of improving relationships. From February 2014 until November 2019, she served as Medical
Director for Inner City Family Services in Washington, DC in addition to running a private practice. Among her accomplishments, Dr. Turner-Graham
is a past president of the Suburban Maryland Psychiatric Society, a Director of the Washington Psychiatric Society and is the immediate
past president of Black Psychiatrists of America, Inc. She has previously served as Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at both
Vanderbilt University and Howard University Schools of Medicine and currently is Adjunct Clinical Professor at Morehouse School of Medicine,
Department of Psychiatry in Atlanta, Georgia where she now resides.
Dr. Turner-Graham was chosen
as a director of the Company based on her career as a distinguished psychiatrist and her expertise with children.
Directors Term of Office
Directors hold office until
the next annual meeting of shareholders and until a successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier retirement, resignation
or removal.
| | 45 | | |
Board Committees
The following table sets forth
the four standing committees of our Board and the current members of each committee:
| 
Director | 
| 
Board | 
| 
Audit
Committee | 
| 
Compensation
Committee | 
| 
Nominating Committee | 
| 
Educational Committee | |
| 
Andy Heyward | 
| 
Chair | 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
Joseph Gray Davis | 
| 
X | 
| 
X | 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
Margaret Loesch (1) | 
| 
X | 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
Chair | 
| 
X | |
| 
Lynne Segall (1) (2) | 
| 
X | 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
X | 
| 
| |
| 
Anthony Thomopoulos (2) (3) | 
| 
Vice Chair | 
| 
Chair | 
| 
X | 
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
Dr. Cynthia Turner-Graham (1) | 
| 
X | 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
Chair | |
| 
Jeffrey Schlesinger (2) (3) | 
| 
X | 
| 
X | 
| 
Chair | 
| 
| 
| 
| |
__________________
| 
(1) | Effective October 22, 2025, Margaret Loesch was elected as Chair of the Nominating Committee, replacing
Lynne Segall. Lynne Segall was elected as a member of the Nominating Committee, replacing Joseph Gray Davis and Cynthia
Turner-Graham. | |
| 
| | | |
| 
(2) | Effective October 22, 2025, Jeffrey Schlesinger was elected as Chair of the Compensation Committee, replacing
Lynne Segall, and Anthony Thomopoulos was elected as a member of the Compensation Committee, replacing Margaret Loesch. | |
| 
| | | |
| 
(3) | Effective October 22, 2025, Anthony Thomopoulos was elected as Chair of the Audit Committee, replacing
Henry Sicignano III, who resigned from the Board of Directors on December 10, 2025. Effective October 22, 2025, Jeffrey Schlesinger was
elected as a member of the Audit Committee, replacing Lynne Segall. | |
To assist in carrying out
its duties, the Board of Directors has delegated certain authority to an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, a Nominating Committee,
and an Educational Committee as the functions of each are described below.
Audit Committee
Messrs. Davis, Thomopoulos
and Schlesinger serve on our Audit Committee. Our Audit Committees main function is to oversee our accounting and financial reporting
processes, internal systems of control, independent auditor relationships and the audits of our financial statements. The Audit Committees
responsibilities include:
| 
| selecting, hiring, and compensating our independent auditors; | |
| 
| | | |
| 
| evaluating the qualifications, independence and performance of our independent auditors; | |
| 
| | | |
| 
| overseeing and monitoring the integrity of our financial statements and our compliance with legal and
regulatory requirements as they relate to financial statements or accounting matters; | |
| 
| | | |
| 
| approving the audit and non-audit services to be performed by our independent auditor; | |
| | 46 | | |
| 
| reviewing with the independent auditor the design, implementation, adequacy and effectiveness of our internal
controls and our critical accounting policies; | |
| 
| preparing the report that the SEC requires in our annual proxy statement. | |
The Board has adopted an Audit
Committee charter, and the Audit Committee reviews and reassesses the adequacy of the charter on an annual basis. The Board has determined
that (i) each director who served as a member of the Audit Committee during 2025 met, and (ii) each director who currently serves as a
member of the Audit Committee meets, the NYSE Americans financial literacy requirements and is independent under applicable SEC
and NYSE American rules, and the Board has further determined that Mr. Thomopoulos is an audit committee financial expert
as such term is defined in Item 407(d) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC.
A copy of the Audit Committees
written charter is publicly available on our website at *www.kartoonstudios.com*.
Compensation Committee
Messrs. Schlesinger and Thomopoulos
serve on the Compensation Committee and the Board has determined that (i) each director who served as a member of the Compensation Committee
during 2025 were, and (ii) each director who currently serves as a member of the Compensation Committee is, independent under the applicable
NYSE American rules. Our Compensation Committees main functions are assisting our Board in discharging its responsibilities relating
to the compensation of outside directors, the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers, as well as administering any equity
incentive plans we may adopt. The Compensation Committees responsibilities include the following:
| 
| reviewing and recommending to our Board of directors the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and
other executive officers, and the outside directors; | |
| 
| conducting a performance review of our Chief Executive Officer; | |
| 
| reviewing our compensation policies; | |
| 
| if required, preparing the report of the Compensation Committee for inclusion in our annual proxy statement. | |
The Compensation Committee
may delegate matters within its responsibility to subcommittees composed of certain of its members. The Board has adopted a Compensation
Committee charter and the Compensation Committee reviews and reassesses the adequacy of the charter on an annual basis.
The Compensation Committees
policy is to offer our executive officers competitive compensation packages that will permit us to attract and retain highly qualified
individuals and to motivate and reward these individuals in an appropriate fashion aligned with the long-term interests of our Company
and our shareholders.
A copy of the Compensation
Committees written charter is publicly available on our website at *www.kartoonstudios.com*.
| | 47 | | |
Nominating Committee
Mses. Loesch and Segall serve
on our Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committees responsibilities include:
| 
| identifying qualified individuals to serve as members of our Board; | |
| 
| review the qualifications and performance of incumbent directors; | |
| 
| review and consider candidates who may be suggested by any director or executive officer or by a stockholder
of the Company; | |
| 
| review considerations relating to board composition, including size of the board, term and age limits,
and the criteria for membership of the Board. | |
The Board has adopted a Nominating
Committee charter, and the Nominating Committee reviews and reassesses the adequacy of the Charter on an annual basis. For all potential
candidates, the Nominating Committee may consider all factors it deems relevant, such as a candidates personal integrity and sound
judgment, business and professional skills and experience, independence, knowledge of the industry in which we operate, possible conflicts
of interest, diversity, the extent to which the candidate would fill a present need on the Board, and concern for the long-term interests
of our stockholders. The Nominating Committee will consider potential candidates recommended by our stockholders. Any such potential candidates
will be evaluated using the same criteria as candidates identified by any director or executive officer.
The Nominating Committee considers
issues of diversity among its members in identifying and considering nominees for director, and strives, where appropriate, to achieve
a diverse balance of backgrounds, perspectives and experience on the Board of Directors and its committees.
A copy of the Nominating Committees
written charter is publicly available on our website at *www.kartoonstudios.com*.
Educational
Committee
Ms. Loesch and Dr. Turner-Graham
serve on our Educational Committee. The primary purpose of the Educational Committee is to assist the Board in overseeing the integrity,
scientific accuracy, age-appropriateness, and overall educational quality of the content the Company produces or licenses for its youth
audience. The Committee ensures that such content is aligned with current child-development science, reflects positive messaging, and
upholds the Companys values regarding the well-being of children.
As a newly formed committee, the Educational Committee
will hold ad hoc meetings as needed, depending on the volume, sensitivity, and developmental relevance of works under review. In order
to carry out its mission and function, and subject to the terms of the Companys Articles of Incorporation, the Committee has the
authority to:
| 
| evaluate content that materially impacts the Companys youth audience, including new series, special
initiatives, and major content acquisitions; | |
| 
| review the performance and impact of the Companys educational content, including audience feedback,
expert assessments, content-impact studies, and alignment with recognized child-development standards. | |
| | 48 | | |
Code of Business
Conduct and Ethics
We have adopted a Corporate
Code of Conduct and Ethics and Whistleblower Policy that applies to all of our officers, directors and employees. A copy of the Code of
Conduct and Ethics and Whistleblower Policy can be obtained, free of charge by submitting a written request to the Company or on our website
at *www.kartoonstudios.com.*Disclosure regarding any amendments to, or waivers from, provisions of the code of conduct and ethics
that apply to our directors, principal executive and financial officers will be posted on the Investor Relations - Corporate Governance
section of our website at *www.kartoonstudios.com* or included in a Current Report on Form 8-K within four business days following
the date of the amendment or waiver.
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Section 16(a) of the Exchange
Act requires our officers, directors and any persons who own more than 10% of common stock, to file reports of ownership of, and transactions
in, our common stock with the SEC and furnish copies of such reports to us. Based solely on our reviews of the copies of such forms and
amendments thereto furnished to us and on written representations from officers, directors, and any other person whom we understand owns
more than 10% of our common stock, we found that during 2025, all Section 16(a) filings were made with the SEC on a timely basis, except
that a Form 4 covering one transaction was filed late for Mr. Thomopoulos on each of January 17, 2025 and May 7, 2025; a Form 4 covering
one transaction was filed late for Mr. Parisi on December 17, 2025; a Form 4 covering one transaction was filed late for Mr. Jaffa on
December 3, 2025; a Form 4 covering one transaction was filed late for Henry Sicignano III, a former director of the Company, on September
23, 2025; and a Form 3 was filed late for Mr. Schlesinger on November 17, 2025.
Insider Trading Policy
We have adopted an insider
trading policy (the Trading Policy) that is designed to promote compliance with federal and state securities laws and regulations,
as well as the rules and regulations of the NYSE American. The Trading Policy provides our standards on trading and causing the trading
of our securities while in possession of material nonpublic information. It prohibits trading in certain circumstances and applies to
all of our directors, officers and employees as well as independent contractors or consultants who have access to material nonpublic information
obtained through involvement with our company. Additionally, our Trading Policy imposes special additional trading restrictions applicable
to all of our directors and executive officers and to such persons family members who live in such persons households. The
Trading Policy also requires us to comply with all insider trading laws, rules and regulations, and any applicable listing standards when
engaging in transactions in our own securities.
| 
Item 11. | Executive Officer and Director Compensation | |
This section describes the
material elements of compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to (i) all individuals who served as our principal executive officer during
2025, (ii) our two most highly compensated executive officers (other than the principal executive officer) who were serving as executive
officers of the Company as of December 31, 2025 and (iii) up to two former executive officers who would have been among our two most highly
compensated executive officers for 2025 but for the fact that they did not serve as executive officers as of December 31, 2025 (the named
executive officers). Our Compensation Committee reviews and approves the compensation of our executive officers and oversee our
executive compensation programs and initiatives.
| | 49 | | |
**Summary Compensation Table
for the Year Ended December 31, 2025**
The table below summarizes
all compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to our named executive officers for all services rendered in all capacities to us during
the fiscal years noted below:
| 
Name and Principal Position | | 
Year | | 
Salary ($) | | 
Bonus ($) | | 
Stock Awards ($) (1) | | 
Option Awards ($) | | 
All Other Compensation ($) | | 
| | 
Total ($) | |
| 
Andy Heyward (2) | | 
2025 | | 
659,583 | | 
165,000 | | 
- | | 
- | | 
316,606 | | 
(3) | | 
1,141,189 | |
| 
Chief Executive Officer | | 
2024 | | 
440,000 | | 
220,000 | | 
- | | 
- | | 
415,384 | | 
| | 
1,075,384 | |
| 
| | 
| | 
| | 
| | 
| | 
| | 
| | 
| | 
| |
| 
Michael A. Jaffa (4) | | 
2025 | | 
452,906 | | 
50,000 | | 
474,750 | | 
- | | 
4,563 | | 
(5) | | 
982,219 | |
| 
Chief Operating Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary | | 
2024 | | 
450,000 | | 
50,000 | | 
- | | 
- | | 
8,364 | | 
| | 
508,364 | |
| 
| | 
| | 
| | 
| | 
| | 
| | 
| | 
| | 
| |
| 
Brian Parisi (6) | | 
2025 | | 
350,000 | | 
- | | 
- | | 
- | | 
10,219 | | 
(7) | | 
367,244 | |
| 
Chief Financial Officer | | 
2024 | | 
331,439 | | 
15,000 | | 
- | | 
- | | 
12,842 | | 
| | 
359,281 | |
| 
(1) | 
Represents the grant date fair value of awards determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Stock awards granted in 2025 consisted of time-based restricted stock units. We calculated the estimated fair value of the time-based restricted stock unit awards using the closing price per share of our common stock on the grant date. For a discussion of the assumptions used in calculating these values, see Note 15 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report. | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
(2) | 
On August 25, 2025, Mr. Heyward entered into a new three-year employment agreement, which replaced and superseded all prior employment agreements. Pursuant to his new employment agreement, Mr. Heywards annual base salary was increased from $440,000 to $1,060,000, as of August 15, 2025. See Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table - Employment Agreements for a description of potential future increases in Mr. Heywards annual base salary. | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
(3) | 
Amounts reflected in All Other Compensation column
for Mr. Heyward in 2025 are composed of $300,000 in creative producer fees, $15,384 related to the insurance policy paid by the Company
pursuant to his prior employment agreement and $1,222 related to health and retirement benefits.
| |
| 
(4) | 
On November 24, 2025, Mr. Jaffa entered into a new three-year employment agreement, which replaced and superseded his prior employment agreement. Pursuant to his new employment agreement, Mr. Jaffas annual base salary was set at $450,000 as of November 14, 2025, subject to a 5% increase on each anniversary of the effective date of the new employment agreement. | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
(5) | 
The amount reflected in All Other Compensation column for Mr. Jaffa in 2025 represents retirement plan contributions. | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
(6) | 
During 2025, Mr. Parisi was entitled to an annual base salary of $350,000. See Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table - Employment Agreements for a description of future increases to Mr. Parisis annual base salary pursuant to his new employment agreement. | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
(7) | 
The amount reflected in All Other Compensation column for Mr. Parisi in 2025 represents retirement plan contributions. | |
| | 50 | | |
**Narrative Disclosure to
Summary Compensation Table**
**Elements of the Companys
Executive Compensation Program**
The main elements of our executive
compensation program in 2025 are outlined in the table below:
| 
Compensation Element | 
| 
Purpose | |
| 
Base Salary | 
| 
Intended to provide a fixed component of compensation reflecting the executives skill set, experience, role, and responsibilities | |
| 
Bonus Compensation | 
| 
Rewards achievement of pre-determined qualitative or quantitative performance measures | |
| 
(performance, discretionary, contractual) | 
| 
To reward an executive for significant contributions to the Company or when the executive has performed at a level above what
was expected, or other similar circumstances | |
| 
| 
| 
To motivate
productivity and enhance loyalty | |
| 
Equity Based Incentive Awards | 
| 
Aligns executives
interests with the long-term interests of our stockholders | |
| 
| 
| 
Motivates and rewards the achievement for stock price growth | |
| 
| 
| 
Promotes executive retention and stock ownership, and focuses executives on enhancing stockholder value | |
| 
Benefits | 
| 
Promotes health and wellness | |
| 
| 
| 
Provides financial protection
in the event of disability or death | |
| 
| 
| 
Provides tax-beneficial
ways for executives to save towards their retirement | |
**
*Base Salary.* Our named
executive officers receive a base salary to compensate them for services rendered to our Company. Base salaries are used to recognize
experience, skills, knowledge and responsibilities required of all of our employees, including our executive officers. Each of our named
executive officers annual base salaries were negotiated in connection with their respective employment agreements, each of which
were renegotiated in 2025. See - Employment Agreements.
*Bonus Compensation.*
Our named executive officers are eligible to receive an annual bonus based upon the terms of their employment agreements and discretionary
bonuses based on their respective performance. In 2025, Mr. Heyward was paid a discretionary bonus of $165,000 pursuant to the terms of
his prior employment agreement and Mr. Jaffa was paid a guaranteed bonus of $50,000 pursuant to the terms of his new employment agreement.
*Equity
Based Incentive Awards*. We believe that equity grants provide our executives with a strong link to our long-term performance, create
an ownership culture and help to align the interests of our executives and our stockholders. In addition, we believe that equity grants
with a time-based vesting feature promote executive retention because this feature incentivizes our named executive officers to remain
in our employment during the vesting period. Accordingly, our compensation committee and Board periodically review the equity incentive
compensation of our named executive officers and from time to time may grant additional equity incentive awards to them in the form of
stock options or restricted stock units. During 2025, each of Mr. Heyward and Mr. Jaffa entered into new employment agreements. Pursuant
to the terms of each of their respective new employment agreements, Mr. Heyward and Mr. Jaffa received equity grants of 2,000,000 and
750,000 RSUs, respectively, which were to vest in three equal annual installments. Subsequent to entering into the new employment agreement
with Mr. Heyward in August 2025, the Company and Mr. Heyward determined to revisit the terms of his equity grant. The Company and Mr.
Heyward have not yet made a determination regarding the revised terms of such equity grant.As a result, the RSUs issuablepursuant
to Mr. Heywards new employment agreement were not issued to Mr. Heyward during the year ended December 31, 2025. Mr. Jaffa received
an equity grant of 750,000 RSUs on November 14, 2025. The equity award vests in three equal annual installments on each anniversary of
the grant date. Similarly, during 2025, Mr. Parisi entered into a new employment agreement. Pursuant to the terms of his new employment
agreement, Mr. Parisi received an equity grant of 500,000 RSUs on January 1, 2026. The equity award vests in three equal annual installments
on each anniversary of the grant date. During the year ended December 31, 2025, no awards held by our named executive officers have been
modified or repriced.
| | 51 | | |
*Retirement Benefits.*As
of December 31, 2025, we did not provide our employees, including our executives, with a defined benefit pension plan, any supplemental
executive retirement plans or retiree health benefits, except as required by local law or custom for employees outside the United States.
Our executives may participate on the same basis as other U.S. employees in our 401(k) Plan with a Company-sponsored match component.
*All Other Compensation.*Pursuant to his prior employment agreement, Mr. Heyward was entitled to an executive producer fee of $12,500 per one-half hour episode
for each episode for which he provides services as an executive producer and creative producer fees of $100,000 per quarter. During the
year ended December 31, 2025, Mr. Heyward did not earn any executive producer fees. During the year ended December 31, 2025, Mr. Heyward
earned $300,000 in creative producer fees. Other compensation includes also retirement benefits and insurance premiums paid by the Company
on Mr. Heywards behalf during the year ended December 31, 2025. Other compensation paid to Messrs. Jaffa and Parisi during the
year ended December 31, 2025 includes health benefits and retirement benefits.
**Employment Agreements**
*Old CEO Employment Agreement*
On December 7, 2020, the Company
entered into an amended and restated employment agreement, as further amended on each of February 22, 2021, June 23, 2021, November 22,
2021, August 25, 2022 and February 27, 2023 (the Old CEO Employment Agreement), with Andy Heyward.
Pursuant to the Old CEO Employment
Agreement, Mr. Heyward agreed to serve as the Companys Chief Executive Officer for a period of five years, subject to renewal,
in consideration for an annual salary of $440,000, and an award of 500,000 stock options and 1,500,000 RSUs. During the year ended December
31, 2024 and through August 25, 2025, Mr. was also eligible to be paid (i) a producing fee equal to $12,500 per one-half hour episode
for each series produced, controlled and distributed by the Company, and for which he provided material production services provided as
the executive producer for up to 52 one-half hour episodes, (ii) a creative producer fee of $100,000 per quarter for services rendered
to WOW. Additionally, under the terms of the Old CEO Employment Agreement, Mr. Heyward was eligible for a quarterly discretionary bonus
of $55,000 per fiscal quarter if the Company met certain criteria, as established by the Board. Mr. Heyward was also entitled to reimbursement
of reasonable expenses incurred in connection with his employment and the Company may take out and maintain during the term of his tenure
a life insurance policy in the amount of $1,000,000. During the term of his employment and under the terms of the Old CEO Employment Agreement,
Mr. Heyward was also entitled to be designated as composer on all music contained in the programming produced by the Company and to receive
composers royalties from applicable performing rights societies. Furthermore, the August 25, 2022 amendment provided for the assignment
of music royalties to Mr. Heyward for all musical compositions in which he provided services as a composer for or on behalf of the Company,
in the event that the Company acquired up to 50% of the writer's share of the royalties for that musical composition. If the Company acquired
more than 50% of the writer's share of the royalties on musical compositions Mr. Heyward provided services for, he had the option to purchase
the additional royalties from the Company at the price the Company paid to acquire the additional royalties.
The options granted to Mr.
Heyward were fully vested on the date of grant. The initial vesting terms of the RSUs granted to Mr. Heyward on December 7, 2020 consisted
of the following: 750,000 of the RSUs were to vest over time subject to Mr. Heywards continued employment (time-based), and 750,000
of the RSUs were to vest in equal installments on the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of the date of grant, subject to the
achievement of certain performance criteria (performance-based), to be determined by the Compensation Committee, and subject to Mr. Heywards
continued employment.
| | 52 | | |
On June 23, 2021, the Compensation
Committee amended the vesting terms of the RSU award granted to Mr. Heyward on December 7, 2020. According to the amended terms, 375,000
of the RSUs would continue to vest over time subject to Mr. Heywards continued employment. The remaining unvested 1,125,000 RSUs
were modified to vest as follows: (i) 375,000 RSUs vest when the closing sale price of the Companys common stock equals or exceeds
$3.00 per share or the Companys market capitalization equals or exceeds $903,000,000 for 20 consecutive trading days; (ii) 375,000
RSUs vest when the closing sale price of the Companys common stock equals or exceeds $3.50 per share or the Companys market
capitalization equals or exceeds $1,053,500,000 for 20 consecutive trading days, and (iii) 375,000 RSUs vest when the closing sale price
of the Companys common stock equals or exceeds $3.75 per share or the Companys market capitalization equals or exceeds $1,128,750,000
for 20 consecutive trading days. In the event of a change in control of the Company, the Compensation Committee will determine the extent
to which the stock price and market capitalization vesting conditions set forth above are achieved based on the value of the consideration
per share paid to the Company's stockholders in the change in control transaction.
The award agreement further
provides that in addition to vesting based on the stock price and market capitalization vesting conditions set forth above, the 1,125,000
RSUs had the opportunity to vest in four equal installments on the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of December 7, 2020,
if not otherwise vested pursuant to the stock price and market capitalization vesting conditions, based on the achievement of certain
operating performance-based vesting conditions established by the Compensation Committee and communicated to the Participant and subject
to Mr. Heywards continued employment. Pursuant to an amendment dated January 19, 2022, the Compensation Committee determined that
Mr. Heyward would satisfy the operating performance conditions as it related to 281,250 RSUs upon the execution of final definitive agreements
to acquire WOW and a final definitive agreement related to the Companys investment in YFE. On April 7, 2022, 281,250 of the 1,125,000
RSUs vested upon the achievement of completing the WOW and Ameba acquisitions. As of December 7, 2025, the fourth anniversary of the grant
date, none of the stock price, market capitalization or any of the further operating performance conditions had been satisfied. As of
December 31, 2025, 843,750 of Mr. Heywards RSUs remain outstanding and unvested.
The Old CEO Employment Agreement
also entitled Mr. Heyward to separation payments in certain circumstances. In the event Mr. Heywards employment terminated due
to his death or retirement after the age of 65, in addition to accrued base salary and vacation and expense reimbursement, he would have
been entitled to receive (i) any unpaid quarterly bonus for the fiscal quarter preceding the fiscal quarter in which such termination
occurred and (ii) if earned, a pro-rated quarterly bonus for the fiscal quarter in which such termination occurred. In the event Mr. Heywards
employment terminated due to his permanent disability, in addition to accrued base salary and expense reimbursement, he would have been
entitled to receive (i) any unpaid quarterly bonus for the fiscal quarter preceding the fiscal quarter in which such termination occurred,
(ii) if earned, a pro-rated quarterly bonus for the fiscal quarter in which such termination occurred and (iii) for a period of six months
(or for the remaining months of the term of his employment, if less than six months), monthly payments equal to the amount, if any, of
his monthly base salary in excess of any disability benefits being received by Mr. Heyward, provided that he would not have been be entitled
to any compensation under (i), (ii) or (iii) unless he signed a release of claims against the Company.
*New CEO Employment Agreement*
On August 25, 2025, the Company
and Mr. Heyward entered into a new employment agreement (the New CEO Employment Agreement), which superseded and replaced
the Old CEO Employment Agreement in full, pursuant to which he agreed to continue to serve as the Companys Chief Executive Officer
for a period of three years, subject to renewal. Pursuant to the New CEO Employment Agreement, as compensation for his services as CEO,
Mr. Heyward shall be entitled to receive an annual base salary $1,060,000 per annum for the term of the agreement, provided that, after
December 31, 2026, on each anniversary of the effective date of the New CEO Employment Agreement, if and only if the Company had a positive
net income in the preceding year, he will receive an annual increase of 2.5% on his base salary. In addition, the agreement provides that
Mr. Heyward was eligible to receive a performance bonus for calendar year 2025 as follows:
| 
| 
a) | 
if on December 31, 2025: (i) the Company has a market capitalization of at least $80,000,000, and (ii) the Company's net income, as reflected
on the income statement of the Company, is at least $1.00, Mr. Heyward will be paid a bonus in 2026 of: $100,000 on each of January 1,
2026; April 1, 2026; July 1, 2026; and October 1, 2026. | |
| | 53 | | |
| 
| 
b) | 
if on December 31; 2025: (i) the Company has a market capitalization of at least $100,000,000, and (ii) the Company's net income, as
reflected on the income statement of the Company, is at least $3,000,000, Mr. Heyward will be paid a bonus in 2026 of: $250,000 on each
of January 1, 2026; April 1, 2026; July 1, 2026; and October 1, 2026; and | |
| 
| 
c) | 
if on December 31, 2025: (i) the Company has a market capitalization of at least $150,000,000, and (ii) the Company's net income, as
reflected on the income statement of the Company, is at least $7,000,000, Mr. Heyward will be paid a bonus in 2026 of: $500,000 on each
of January 1, 2026; April 1, 2026; July 1, 2026; and October 1, 2026. | |
As of December 31, 2025, the
targets were not met and, as a result, no bonus was paid for the year. The targets set forth above were set for compensation purposes
only and do not constitute, and should not be viewed as, managements projection of future results.
For the calendar years 2026
and 2027, the New CEO Employment Agreement provides that the Board will re-set Mr. Heywards annual bonus targets in much the same
structure outlined above, based on the Companys prior year results, the Companys common stock performance, and on any other
factors that the Compensation Committee of the Board deems relevant.
The Heyward Employment Agreement
further provides that Mr. Heyward will receive an award of 2,000,000 RSUs under the Companys Amended and Restated 2020 Incentive
Plan (the 2020 Plan) and shall not be eligible to receive any other equity-based awards during the employment term. Subsequent
to entering into the new employment agreement, the Company and Mr. Heyward determined to revisit the terms of his equity grant. The Company
and Mr. Heyward have not yet made a determination regarding the revised terms of such equity grant.Therefore, no equity grant was
issued to Mr. Heyward during the year ended December 31, 2025.
In addition, the agreement
provides that Mr. Heyward may be paid a producing fee of up to $12,500 per episode for up to maximum of 52 episodes per calendar year,
subject to certain exceptions, including that Mr. Heyward will not earn fee for Mainframe or Frederator productions, Mr. Heyward must
render material production services as an executive producer of a pilot, episode, or production, any producer fees, inuring to him, must
be entirely financed by a third party, without any funds originating from the Company and each production, pilot or episode must total
no fewer than six cumulative minutes of program content. Mr. Heyward may elect to be designated Composer for certain Company music, provided
that any compensation inuring to him as a result thereof must be financed by a third party. The Company will retain ownership, copyright,
and music publishing control of all Company music. Moreover, the agreement provides that the Company shall not pay Mr. Heyward any royalty,
profit participation or any other cash compensation related to traditional industry creator fees and Mr. Heyward irrevocably
waives any claim thereto.
Mr. Heyward would also be
eligible to participate in other employee benefit plans or arrangements generally available to our senior executives from time to time.
The Company also may take out and maintain a term life insurance policy in the amount of $1.0 million for the benefit of Mr. Heyward.
The New CEO Employment Agreement
may be terminated by us with Cause or by Mr. Heyward for Good Reason, as such terms are defined in the agreement.
Pursuant to the New CEO Employment Agreement, Mr. Heyward is also to separation payments in certain circumstances. In the event Mr. Heywards
employment terminates due to his death during the term of the agreement or retirement after the age of 80, in addition to accrued base
salary and vacation and expense reimbursement, he will be entitled to receive (i) any earned but unpaid bonus and (ii) any unvested equity-based
awards outlined in the agreement that are still subject to forfeiture under the 3-year vesting schedule. In the event Mr. Heywards
employment terminated due to his permanent disability, in addition to accrued base salary and expense reimbursement, he will be entitled
to receive (i) any earned but unpaid bonus, (ii) any unvested equity-based awards outlined in the agreement that are still subject to
forfeiture under the 3-year vesting schedule, and (iii) for a period of six months (or for the remaining months of the term of his employment,
if less than six months), monthly payments equal to the amount, if any, of his monthly base salary in excess of any disability benefits
being received by Mr. Heyward, provided that he would not have been be entitled to any compensation under (i), (ii) or (iii) unless he
signed a release of claims against the Company.
| | 54 | | |
Additionally, the New CEO
Employment Agreement contains certain restrictive covenants regarding confidential information, intellectual property, non-competition
and non-solicitation.
*Old COO and General Counsel
Employment Agreement*
On November 7, 2020, the Company
entered into an amended and restated agreement, as further amended on each of December 16, 2021, January 8, 2023, November 13, 2023, and
November 6, 2024 (the Old COO and General Counsel Employment Agreement) with Michael A. Jaffa.
Pursuant to the Old COO and
General Counsel Employment Agreement, Mr. Jaffa assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) and General Counsel commencing
on December 7, 2020. The term of the agreement, as amended, was five years. Pursuant to the Old COO and General Counsel Employment Agreement,
as consideration for his services as COO and General Counsel, Mr. Jaffa was entitled to receive (i) an annual base salary of $325,000
for the first year of the term, $375,000 for the second year of the term and $450,000 for the third, fourth and fifth years of the term;
(ii) discretionary annual bonuses determined in the sole discretion of the Boards Compensation Committee, and (iii) he was eligibility
to receive renewal bonuses of $50,000 beginning within 60 days following the effective date of the Old COO and General Counsel Employment
Agreement and each anniversary thereafter during the term, subject to Mr. Jaffas continued employment. Pursuant to the agreement,
Mr. Jaffa was granted 100,000 stock options and 50,000 RSUs. The options granted to Mr. Jaffa were partially vested on the date of grant,
and vested with respect to the unvested amounts in substantially equal installments on the first three anniversaries of the grant date,
subject to continued employment. The RSUs granted to Mr. Jaffa vested in three equal installments on the first three anniversaries of
the date of grant, subject to continued employment.
The Old COO and General Counsel
Employment Agreement also entitled Mr. Jaffa to separation payments in certain circumstances. In the event Mr. Jaffas employment
terminated due to his death or retirement after the age of 65, in addition to accrued base salary and vacation and expense reimbursement,
he would have been entitled to receive any unpaid annual bonus for the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year in which such termination
occurred. In the event Mr. Jaffas employment terminated due to his permanent disability, in addition to accrued base salary and
expense reimbursement, he would have been entitled to receive (i) any unpaid annual bonus for the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year
in which such termination occurred, and (ii) for a period of two months (or for the remaining months of the term of his employment, if
less than six months), monthly payments equal to the amount, if any, of his monthly base salary in excess of any disability benefits being
received by Mr. Jaffa, provided that he would not have been entitled to any compensation under (i) or (ii) unless he signed a release
of claims against the Company.
Additionally, the COO and
General Counsel Employment Agreement contained certain restrictive covenants regarding confidential information, intellectual property,
non-competition and non-solicitation.
*New COO and General Counsel
Employment Agreement*
On November 24, 2025, the
Company and Mr. Jaffa entered into a new employment agreement (the New COO and General Counsel Employment Agreement), with
an effective date of November 24, 2025, which superseded and replaced the Old COO and General Counsel Employment Agreement in full, pursuant
to which he agreed to continue to serve as the Companys COO and General Counsel for a period of three years, subject to renewal.
Pursuant to the New COO and General Counsel Employment Agreement, as compensation for his services as COO and General Counsel, Mr. Jaffa
shall be entitled to receive an annual base salary $450,000 per annum, provided that on each anniversary of the effective date of the
New COO and General Counsel Employment Agreement, he will receive an annual increase of 5.0% on his base salary. In addition, the agreement
provides that Mr. Jaffa shall receive a $50,000 guaranteed bonus in December 2025, and shall receive an annual performance bonus of $50,000
for each fiscal year during the term of the agreement in which Company EBIDA exceeds $2,000,000.
| | 55 | | |
The New COO and General Counsel
Employment Agreement further provides that Mr. Jaffa will receive an award of 750,000 RSUs under the 2020 Plan. The 750,000 RSUs were
issued to Mr. Jaffa on November 14, 2025 and will vest as follows: 250,000 shares on November 14, 2026, 250,000 shares on November 14,
2027, and 250,000 shares on November 14, 2028, subject to Mr. Jaffas continued employment.
Mr. Jaffa would also be eligible
to participate in other employee benefit plans or arrangements generally available to our senior executives from time to time.
The New COO and General Counsel
Employment Agreement may be terminated by us with Cause or by Mr. Jaffa for Good Reason, as such terms are
defined in the agreement. Pursuant to the New COO and General Counsel Employment Agreement, Mr. Jaffa is also to separation payments in
certain circumstances. In the event Mr. Jaffas employment terminates due to his death during the term of the agreement, in addition
to accrued base salary and vacation and expense reimbursement, he will be entitled to receive (i) any earned but unpaid bonus and (ii)
full vesting of any unvested equity-based awards that are still subject to forfeiture. In the event Mr. Jaffas employment terminated
due to his permanent disability, in addition to accrued base salary and expense reimbursement, he will be entitled to receive, for a period
of six months (or for the remaining months of the term of his employment, if less than six months), monthly payments equal to the amount,
if any, of his monthly base salary in excess of any disability benefits being received by Mr. Jaffa, provided that he would not have been
be entitled to any such additional compensation unless he signed a release of claims against the Company. If Mr. Jaffa is terminated without
cause or resigns for good reason following a change of control, he will be entitled to receive (i) a lump-sum payment equal to two times
his base salary; (ii) full vesting of any unvested equity-based awards that are still subject to forfeiture; (iii) continued Company-paid
health benefits for 18 months.
Additionally, the New COO
and General Counsel Employment Agreement contains certain restrictive covenants regarding confidential information, intellectual property,
non-competition and non-solicitation.
*Old CFO Employment Agreement*
Effective September 27, 2023,
the Company entered into an employment agreement with Brian Parisi (the Old CFO Employment Agreement), whereby Mr. Parisi
agreed to serve as the Chief Financial Officer for a one year period in consideration for an annual salary of $325,000. Mr. Parisi was
also eligible to receive for a discretionary bonus for each fiscal year as determined by the Company. In addition, on December 14, 2023,
Mr. Parisi was granted 35,000 RSUs with a fair value of $50,050 that vest annually over three years. The Company had the option to extend
the Old CFO Employment Agreement for an additional one-year period in consideration of an annual salary of $350,000, which the Company
exercised on September 22, 2024. In connection with such extension, the Company agreed to pay Mr. Parisi a discretionary bonus of $15,000
upon receipt of funds from a fundraising in which its net proceeds exceeded $4 million.
The Old CFO Employment Agreement
also entitled Mr. Parisi to separation payments in certain circumstances. In the event Mr. Parisis employment terminated due to
his death or retirement after the age of 65, in addition to accrued base salary and vacation and expense reimbursement, he would have
been entitled to receive any unpaid discretionary bonus for the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year in which such termination occurred.
The Company had the right
to terminate the Old CFO Employment Agreement in the event Mr. Parisi became disabled and as a result was unable to perform substantially
all duties and responsibilities for thirty consecutive days or an aggregate of sixty days during any period of one hundred and eighty
two consecutive calendar days. The Company had the right to designate another employee to act in Mr. Parisis place during any period
of such disability. Notwithstanding any such designation, while Mr. Parisi was employed by the Company and had not yet become eligible
for disability income benefits under any disability income plan maintained by the Company, Mr. Parisi would have continued to receive
his base salary and benefits. Upon becoming so eligible, and until the termination of Mr. Parisis employment because of disability,
the Company would have been required to pay Mr. Parisi, at his regular pay periods, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of Mr. Parisis
monthly base compensation in effect at the time of eligibility (i.e. 1/12th of the base salary) over the amounts of disability income
benefits that Mr. Parisi was otherwise eligible to receive. Upon termination of the Old CFO Employment Agreement because of disability,
the Company would have been required to pay Mr. Parisi (i) any base salary earned but unpaid through the date of termination, (ii) any
discretionary bonus for the fiscal year preceding the year of termination that was earned but unpaid, and (iii) reimbursement of any reasonable
expenses incurred in the performance of duties in accordance with the customary policies of the Company. During the 2 month period (or
the remaining months of the term if less than 6 months) following the termination of employment because of disability, the Company would
have been required to pay Mr. Parisi, at his regular pay periods, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of his monthly base compensation
in effect at the time of termination (i.e. 1/12th of the base salary) over the amounts of disability income benefits that Mr. Parisi is
otherwise eligible to receive pursuant to the above-referenced disability income plan in respect of such period, provided that Mr. Parisi
signs an employee release.
| | 56 | | |
Additionally, the Old CFO Employment Agreement
contained certain restrictive covenants regarding confidential information, intellectual property, non-competition and non-solicitation.
*New CFO Employment Agreement*
On November 24, 2025, the
Company and Mr. Parisi entered into a new employment agreement (the New CFO Employment Agreement) with an effective date
of January 1, 2026, which superseded and replaced the Old CFO Employment Agreement in full, pursuant to which he agreed to continue to
serve as the Companys CFO for a period of two years, subject to renewal. Pursuant to the New CFO Employment Agreement, as compensation
for his services as CFO, Mr. Parisi shall be entitled to receive an annual base salary $375,000 per annum in the first year and $400,000
in the second year of the term. In addition, the agreement provides that Mr. Parisi shall receive an annual performance bonus of $50,000
for each fiscal year during the term of the agreement in which Company EBITDA exceeds $2,000,000.
The New CFO Employment Agreement
further provides that Mr. Parisi will receive an award of 500,000 RSUs under the 2020 Plan. The 500,000 RSUs were issued to Mr. Parisi
on January 1, 2026 and will vest as follows: 166,666 shares on January 1, 2027, 166,666 shares on January 1, 2028, and 166,668 shares
on January 11, 2029, subject to Mr. Parisis continued employment.
Mr. Parisi would also be eligible
to participate in other employee benefit plans or arrangements generally available to our senior executives from time to time.
The New CFO Employment Agreement
may be terminated by us with Cause or by Mr. Parisi for Good Reason, as such terms are defined in the agreement.
Pursuant to the New CFO Employment Agreement, Mr. Parisi is also to separation payments in certain circumstances. In the event Mr. Parisis
employment terminates due to his death during the term of the agreement, in addition to accrued base salary and vacation and expense reimbursement,
he will be entitled to receive (i) any earned but unpaid bonus and (ii) full vesting of any unvested equity-based awards that are still
subject to forfeiture. In the event Mr. Parisis employment terminated due to his permanent disability, in addition to accrued base
salary and expense reimbursement, he will be entitled to receive, for a period of six months (or for the remaining months of the term
of his employment, if less than six months), monthly payments equal to the amount, if any, of his monthly base salary in excess of any
disability benefits being received by Mr. Parisi, provided that he would not have been be entitled to any such additional compensation
unless he signed a release of claims against the Company.
Additionally, the New CFO Employment Agreement
contains certain restrictive covenants regarding confidential information, intellectual property, non-competition and non-solicitation.
**Potential Payments upon
Termination or Change-in-Control**
*Payments upon Termination*
Our employment agreements
with our named executive officers provide incremental compensation in the event of termination, as described above under Employment
Agreements, above.
Further, our equity incentive
plan has provisions for payments to our named executive officers if they are terminated as a result of death or disability. Under our
2020 Plan, if a grantee is terminated due to death or disability, the Compensation Committee may, in its sole discretion, make the following
adjustments to such grantees awards: (i) termination of restrictions in any award agreements (ii) acceleration of any or all installments
and rights, and/or (iii) payment of the grantees aggregated accelerated payments in a lump sum to the grantee (or the grantees
estate, beneficiaries or representative, as applicable).
| | 57 | | |
*Payments upon Change in
Control*
Certain of our employment
agreements with our named executive officers provide incremental compensation in the event of termination in connection with a change
in control, as described above under Employment Agreements, above.
Under our 2020 Plan, upon
a Change in Control, the Compensation Committee may, but is not required to, provide for one or more of the following: (i) assumption
of the 2020 Plan and outstanding awards by the surviving entity or its parent, (ii) issuance of substitute awards that substantially preserve
the terms of the original awards, (iii) notice to holders of vested options and rights that such options and rights shall be exercisable
prior to such Change in Control and then be terminated following the Change in Control, (iv) settlement of the intrinsic value of outstanding
vested options and rights in cash, cash equivalence or equity (regardless of vesting status), (v) cancellation of all unvested or unexercisable
awards, or (vi) any other action with respect to the awards as the Compensation Committee determines to be appropriate in its discretion;
provided that in connection with an assumption or substitution awards under (i) or (ii), the awards so assumed or substituted shall continue
to vest or become exercisable pursuant to the terms of the original award, except to the extent such terms are otherwise rendered inoperative.
Under our 2020 Plan, Change
in Control is defined to mean any of the following events: (a) any person within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3)
or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act (other than the Company or any company owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company
in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company) becomes the beneficial owner within the
meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Act of 30% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the
Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; excluding, however, any circumstance in which such beneficial ownership
resulted from any acquisition by an employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or by any corporation
controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, the Company or the Company itself; (b) a change in the composition of the board
since the date of stockholder approval, such that the individuals who, as of such date, constituted the Board (the Incumbent Board)
cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of such board; provided that any individual who becomes a director of the Company
subsequent to date of stockholder approval whose election, or nomination for election by the Companys stockholders, was approved
by the vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be deemed a member of the Incumbent Board;
and provided further, that any individual who was initially elected as a director of the Company as a result of an actual or threatened
election contest, as such terms are used in Rule 14a-12 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act, or any other actual or threatened
solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of any person or entity other than the Board shall not be deemed a member of the Incumbent
Board; (c) a reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or similar form of corporate transaction, or the sale, transfer,
or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to an entity that is not an Affiliate (each of the foregoing
events, a Corporate Transaction) involving the Company, unless securities representing 60% or more of the combined voting
power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the Company or the corporation
resulting from such Corporate Transaction, including a corporation that, as a result of such transaction owns all or substantially all
of the Companys assets (or the direct or indirect parent of such corporation), are held immediately subsequent to such transaction
by the person or persons who were the beneficial holders of the outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election
of directors of the Company immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction, in substantially the same proportions as their ownership
immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction; or (d) the liquidation or dissolution of the Company or stockholder approval of such
liquidation or dissolution, unless such liquidation or dissolution is part of a transaction or series of transactions described in clause
(c) above that does not otherwise constitute a Change in Control.
| | 58 | | |
**Clawback Policy**
Effective December 1, 2023,
we adopted an executive officer incentive compensation clawback policy which requires the clawback of erroneously awarded incentive-based
compensation of past or current executive officers awarded during the three full fiscal years preceding the date on which the issuer is
required to prepare an accounting restatement due to the material noncompliance of the Company with any financial reporting requirement
under the federal securities laws. Specifically, in the event of an accounting restatement, we must recover, reasonably promptly, erroneously
awarded compensation in amounts determined pursuant to the policy. Compensation that may be recoverable under the policy includes cash
or equity-based compensation for which the grant, payment or vesting (or any portion thereof) is or was predicated upon the achievement
of specified financial results that are impacted by the financial restatement, and the amount of compensation that may be impacted by
the clawback policy is the difference between the amount paid or granted, and the amount that should have been paid or granted, if calculated
on the restated financial results. Recovery under the policy with respect to an executive officer will not require the finding of any
misconduct by such executive officer or such executive officer being found responsible for the accounting error leading to an accounting
restatement.
Our Clawback Policy is filed
as Exhibit 97.1 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
**Outstanding Equity Awards
at Fiscal Year-End**
The following table sets forth
outstanding equity awards as of December 31, 2025 held by each of the named executive officers.
| 
| | 
Option Awards | | | 
| | 
Stock Awards | | | 
| | |
| 
Name | | 
Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) exercisable | | | 
Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) unexercisable | | 
Option exercise price ($) | | | 
Option expiration date | | 
Number of shares or units of stock that have not yet vested (#) | | 
Market Value of shares or units of stock that have not yet vested ($) (3) | | | 
Equity incentive plan awards: number of unearned shares, units or other rights that have not yet vested (#) | | | 
Equity incentive plan awards: market or payout value of unearned shares, units or other rights that have not vested ($) (3) | | |
| 
Andy Heyward | | 
500,000 | (1) | | 
| | 
$ | 13.90 | | | 
12/07/30 | | 
| | 
$ | | | | 
| | | 
$ | | | |
| 
| | 
| | | 
| | 
| | | | 
| | 
| | 
| | | | 
843,750 | (2) | | 
| 607,500 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | 
| | 
| | | | 
| | 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | 
| | | |
| 
Michael A. Jaffa | | 
100,000 | (4) | | 
| | 
| 13.90 | | | 
12/07/30 | | 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
| | | 
| | 
| | | | 
| | 
750,000 | | 
| 540,000 | | | 
| | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
| | | 
| | 
| | | | 
| | 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | 
| | | |
| 
Brian Parisi | | 
| | | 
| | 
| | | | 
| | 
11,667 | (6) | 
$ | 8,400 | | | 
| | | 
$ | | | |
| 
(1) | These options were fully vested upon the grant date. | |
| 
| | | |
| 
(2) | These RSUs are subject to stock price and market capitalization vesting conditions. See Executive
Officer and Director Compensation - Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table -Employment Agreements - Old CEO Employment Agreement
for more information. | |
| 
| | | |
| 
(3) | Market value was calculated by multiplying the closing price per share of the Companys common stock
on December 31, 2025, $0.72, by the number of shares. | |
| | 59 | | |
| 
(4) | These options were fully vested as of December 7, 2023. | |
| 
| | | |
| 
(5) | On November 14, 2025, Mr. Jaffa was granted 750,000 RSUs, which will vest as follows: 250,000 shares on
November 14, 2026, 250,000 shares on November 14, 2027, and 250,000 shares on November 14, 2028, subject to Mr. Jaffas continued
employment. | |
| 
| | | |
| 
(6) | On December 14, 2023, Mr. Parisi was granted 35,000 RSUs that vest annually over three years. | |
**Company Policies and Practices
Related to the Grant of Certain Equity Awards Close in Time to the Release of Material Nonpublic Information**
The Company does not have
a formal policy on the timing of awards of options in relation to the disclosure of material nonpublic information by the Company. The
Compensation Committee does not seek to time equity grants to take advantage of information, either positive or negative, about our company
that has not been publicly disclosed. Option grants are generally effective on the date the award determination is made by the Compensation
Committee, and the exercise price of options is the closing market price of our Common Stock on the date of the grant or, if the grant
is made on a weekend or holiday, on the prior business day.
During the year ended December 31, 2025, we did
not grant stock options (or similar awards) to any of our named executive officers during the period beginning four business days before
and ending one business day after the filing of any Company periodic report on Form 10-Q or Form 10-K, or the filing or furnishing of
any Company Form 8-K that disclosed any material non-public information.
**Director Compensation**
**Non-Employee Director Compensation Program**
Our director compensation
program is designed to provide compensation to attract and retain high-quality non-employee directors. Our Compensation Committee periodically
reviews and makes recommendations to the Board regarding director compensation. As part of this review, the Compensation Committee may
solicit the input of outside compensation consultants.
For the year ended December 31, 2025, our non-employee
directors were compensated with a combination of cash and stock awards, with an aggregate value as follows:
| 
| $10,000 for each quarterly Board meeting attended; | |
| 
| | | |
| 
| $10,000 per annum for service as Chair of the Boards Compensation, Audit or Nominating Committees; and | |
| 
| | | |
| 
| $5,000 per annum for service as members of any such committees. | |
The Boards Compensation
Committee determines the portions of each directors compensation that will be paid in cash and in stock awards. To the extent that
an individual serves as a director, committee member or committee chair for a portion of the quarter or year, as applicable, they shall
be entitled to a pro rata portion of the compensation set forth above for the portion of the quarter or year, as applicable, that they
serve in such role.
**Director Compensation
Table for the Year Ended December 31, 2025**
Mr. Heyward, our Chief Executive
Officer, receives no compensation for his service as a director, and is not included in the table below. See Summary Compensation
Table for Fiscal 2025 for information regarding Mr. Heywards compensation for fiscal 2025.
| | 60 | | |
The following table sets forth
certain information regarding the compensation earned by or awarded to each of our non-employee directors who served on our Board during
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025:
| 
Name | | 
Year | | | 
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) | | | 
Stock Awards ($) (1) (2) | | | 
All Other Compensation ($) | | | 
Total
($) | | |
| 
Joseph Gray Davis | | 
2025 | | | 
$ | 19,514 | | | 
$ | 19,514 | | | 
$ | | | | 
$ | 39,028 | | |
| 
Henry Sicignano III (3) | | 
2025 | | | 
| 20,000 | | | 
| 97,000 | | | 
| | | | 
| 117,000 | | |
| 
Margaret Loesch | | 
2025 | | | 
| 22,986 | | | 
| 22,986 | | | 
| | | | 
| 45,972 | | |
| 
Lynne Segall | | 
2025 | | | 
| 30,555 | | | 
| 30,555 | | | 
| | | | 
| 61,110 | | |
| 
Anthony Thomopoulos (4) | | 
2025 | | | 
| 21,459 | | | 
| 21,459 | | | 
| 63,000 | | | 
| 105,918 | | |
| 
Dr. Cynthia Turner-Graham | | 
2025 | | | 
| 22,014 | | | 
| 22,014 | | | 
| | | | 
| 44,028 | | |
| 
Jeffrey Schlesinger | | 
2025 | | | 
| 6,459 | | | 
| 6,459 | | | 
| | | | 
| 12,918 | | |
| 
Stefan Pich (5) | | 
2025 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
______________________
| 
(1) | 
Represents the grant date fair value of awards determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. We calculated the estimated fair value of restricted stock unit awards using the closing price per share of our common stock on the grant date. For a discussion of the assumptions used in calculating these values, see Note 15 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report. | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
(2) | 
None of the non-employee directors who served on our Board during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 held any outstanding equity awards as of December 31, 2025. | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
(3) | 
Mr. Sicignano resigned from the Board and the Audit Committee effective as of December 12, 2025. In addition to the compensation he received for Board services in the year ended December 31, 2025, Mr. Sicignano received a fully vested restricted stock awards of $77,000 market value as compensation for consulting services rendered to the Company pursuant to a Consulting Agreement entered into by and between the Company and Mr. Sicignano as of December 12, 2025. | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
(4) | 
The amount reflected in the All Other Compensation column for Mr.
Thomopoulos in 2025 represents consulting fees for services rendered prior to his appointment to the Audit Committee. | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
(5) | 
Dr. Stefan Pich resigned from the Board effective as March 5, 2025. | |
Effective October 22, 2025, the following changes
were made to the composition of the committees of our Board:
| 
| Margaret Loesch was appointed as a Chair of the Nominating Committee, replacing Lynne Segall; | |
| 
| | | |
| 
| Lynne Segall was appointed as a member of the Nominating Committee, replacing Joseph Gray
Davis and Cynthia Turner-Graham; | |
| 
| | | |
| 
| Jeffrey Schlesinger was appointed as a Chair of the Compensation Committee, replacing Lynne Segall; | |
| 
| | | |
| 
| Anthony Thomopoulos was appointed as a member of the Compensation Committee, replacing Margaret Loesch; | |
| 
| | | |
| 
| Anthony Thomopoulos was appointed as a Chair of the Audit Committee, replacing Henry Sicignano III; | |
| 
| | | |
| 
| Jeffrey Schlesinger was appointed as a member of the Audit Committee, replacing Lynne Segall; | |
Additionally, as discussed
above, Mr. Sicignano III resigned from his position as a director and a member of the Audit Committee effective December 12, 2025 and
Mr. Pich resigned from his position as a director effective March 5, 2025.
| | 61 | | |
| 
Item 12. | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters | |
The following table shows
the beneficial ownership of shares of our Common Stock as of March31, 2026, known by us through our transfer agent and other records,
held by: (i) each person who beneficially owns 5% or more of the shares of our common stock then outstanding; (ii) each of our current
directors; (iii) each of our named executive officers; and (iv) all of our current directors and executive officers as a group.
The information in this table
reflects beneficial ownership as defined in Rule13d-3 of the Exchange Act. Percentage ownership is based on 56,336,035
shares of Common Stock outstanding as of March31, 2026. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to the following table, each
person named in the table has sole voting and investment power and that persons address is c/o 190 N. Canon Drive, 4th Floor, Beverly
Hills, California 90210.
| 
Name of Beneficial Owner | 
| 
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership
(1)
| 
| 
Percent of
Class (1)
| |
| 
Directors and Named Executive Officers | 
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
Andy Heyward (2) | 
| 
2,528,636 | 
| 
| 
4.5% | |
| 
Michael Jaffa (3) | 
| 
157,002 | 
| 
| 
* | |
| 
Brian Parisi (4) | 
| 
29,434 | 
| 
| 
* | |
| 
Anthony Thomopoulos (5) | 
| 
150,015 | 
| 
| 
* | |
| 
Jeffrey Schlesinger (5) | 
| 
17,048 | 
| 
| 
* | |
| 
Joseph (Gray) Davis (5) | 
| 
92,339 | 
| 
| 
* | |
| 
Margaret Loesch (5) | 
| 
74,075 | 
| 
| 
* | |
| 
Lynne Segall (5) | 
| 
117,289 | 
| 
| 
* | |
| 
Dr. Cynthia Turner-Graham (5) | 
| 
68,230 | 
| 
| 
* | |
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
All current executive officers and directors as a group (consisting of 9 persons) | 
| 
3,234,068 | 
| 
| 
5.7% | |
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
5% Stockholders Other Than Executive officers and Directors | 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
Anson Funds Management LP (6) | 
| 
7,241,071 | 
| 
| 
9.9% | |
| 
* | Indicates ownership less than 1% | |
| 
(1) | The securities beneficially owned by a person are determined in accordance with the definition
of beneficial ownership set forth in the regulations of the SEC and, accordingly, may include securities owned by or for,
among others, the spouse, children or certain other relatives of such person as well as other securities as to which the person has or
shares voting or investment power. The same shares may be beneficially owned by more than one person. Shares of common stock currently
issuable or issuable within 60 days of March31, 2026 upon the exercise of options or vesting of restricted stock units are deemed
to be outstanding in computing the beneficial ownership and percentage of beneficial ownership of the person holding such securities,
but they are not deemed to be outstanding in computing the percentage of beneficial ownership of any other person. Beneficial ownership
does not include stock options and restricted stock units which have not vested as of, and will not vest within 60 days of, the record
date. Beneficial ownership may be disclaimed as to certain of the securities. | |
| 
| | | |
| 
(2) | Consists of (i) 99,073 shares of common stock held by A Squared Holdings LLC over which Mr. Heyward holds
sole voting and dispositive power; (ii) 1,484,126 shares of common stock held by Mr. Heyward and 187,500 issuable pursuant to vested RSUs
held by Andy Heyward; (iii) 257,813 shares of common stock held by AH Gadget IDF LLC an entity controlled by Mr. Heyward, (iv) 123 shares
held by Heyward Living Trust; (v) 500,000 shares of common stock issuable pursuant to a stock option which is exercisable within 60 days
of March31, 2026. | |
| | 62 | | |
| 
(3) | Consists of 57,002 shares of common stock held by Mr. Jaffa, and 100,000 shares of common stock issuable
pursuant to a stock option which is exercisable within 60 days of March31, 2026. | |
| 
| | | |
| 
(4) | Consists of 23,601 shares of common stock held by Mr. Parisi, and 5,833 shares of common stock issuable
upon vested RSUs as of March31, 2026. | |
| 
| | | |
| 
(5) | Mr. Thomopoulos held 150,015 shares of common stock, Mr. Schlesinger held 17,048 shares of common stock,
Mr. Davis held 92,339 shares of common stock, Ms. Loesch held 74,075 shares of common stock, Ms. Segall held 117,289 shares of common
stock, and Dr. Turner-Graham held 68,230 shares of common stock. | |
| 
| | | |
| 
(6) | Based upon Company records as of March31, 2026 and, in part, information included in a Schedule
13G filed with the SEC on February 17, 2026, consists of (i) 3,000,000 shares of common stock held by Anson Investments Master Fund LP
(the Anson Funds) and (ii) 4,241,071 shares of common stock underlying pre-funded warrants held by the Anson Funds, all
of which are exercisable. Does not include (i) 2,661,978 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of pre-funded warrants and
(ii) 9,903,049 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants, because the Anson Funds and its affiliates are prohibited
from exercising such pre-funded warrants and other warrants, if, as a result of such exercise, they would beneficially own more than 9.99%
of the total number of shares of common stock then issued and outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise. The Schedule
13G was filed by (i) Anson Funds Management LP (the AFML), (ii) Anson Management GP LLC (AMGL), (iii) Tony
Moore, the principal of AMFL and AMGL, (iv) Anson Advisors Inc. (AAI), (v) Amin Nathoo, a director of AAI, and (vi) Moez
Kassam, a director of AAI. AFML and AAI serve as co-investment advisors for the Anson Funds and therefore they may be deemed to beneficially
own such shares. As the general partner of AFML, AMGL may also be deemed to beneficially own the shares held by the Anson Funds. As the
principal of AFML and AMGL, Mr. Moore may also be deemed to beneficially own the shares held by the Anson Funds. As directors of AAI,
Messrs. Nathoo and Kassam may also be deemed to beneficially own the shares held by the Anson Funds. The address for AFML is 16000 Dallas
Parkway, Suite 800, Dallas, Texas 75248. | |
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides
certain information with respect to compensation plans under which our equity securities are authorized for issuance as of December 31,
2025.
| 
| | 
(a) | | | 
(b) | | | 
(c) | | |
| 
Plan category | | 
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, vesting of restricted stock units and other rights | | | 
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options | | | 
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) | | |
| 
Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders: | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
2020 Plan | | 
| 2,577,879 | | | 
$ | 11.58 | | | 
| 5,903,256 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders: | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Total | | 
| 2,577,879 | | | 
$ | 11.58 | | | 
| 5,903,256 | | |
| | 63 | | |
| 
Item 13. | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence | |
Certain Relationships and Related Person
Transactions
SEC regulations define the
related person transactions that require disclosure to include any transaction, arrangement or relationship in which the amount involved
exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or 1% of the average of our total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years in which we
were or are to be a participant and in which a related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest. A related person
is: (i) an executive officer, director or director nominee of the Company, (ii) a beneficial owner of more than 5% of our common stock,
(iii) an immediate family member of an executive officer, director or director nominee or beneficial owner of more than 5% of our common
stock, or (iv) any entity that is owned or controlled by any of the foregoing persons or in which any of the foregoing persons has a substantial
ownership interest or control. Described below are certain transactions or relationships between us and certain related persons.
The following is a summary
of transactions since January 1, 2024 to which we have been a party in which the amount involved exceeded $120,000 and in which any of
our executive officers, directors or beneficial holders of more than five percent of our capital stock had or will have a direct or indirect
material interest, other than compensation arrangements which are described in Item 11 of this Annual Report Executive Officer
and Director Compensation.
On July 19, 2022, the Company
entered into a Shareholder Loan Agreement with YFE in the amount of $1.5 million (EURO 1.3 million), accruing interest at the fixed annualized
rate of 5%, with successive interest periods of three months due on the last day of each calendar quarter. The principal plus interest
must be repaid by no later than June 30, 2026. On April 27, 2025, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with YFE to resolve
the outstanding obligation under the Shareholder Loan Agreement. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, the Company accepted a reduced
repayment amount of $0.4million, payable in two installments no later than June 2025, in full satisfaction of the loan balance.
The settlement agreement became effective in April 2025 and the Company recorded an adjustment to the balance of the loan and recognized
a loss of approximately $0.9 million. As of December31, 2025, all terms of the settlement agreement were fulfilled. As of December
31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, $0 and $1.4 million, respectively, is included within Notes and Accounts Receivable from Related Party
on the Companys consolidated balance sheets.
During the years ended December
31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, YFE paid $16,940 and $70,429, respectively, in interest. Dr. Stefan Pich, a Director of the Company
from June 23, 2022 until March 5, 2025, served as the Chief Executive Officer of YFE.
Dr. Stefan Pich, a director
of the Company from June 23, 2022 until March 5, 2025, served as the Chief Executive Officer of YFE.
Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related
Persons
Pursuant to the written charter
of our Audit Committee, the Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving all transactions both in which (i) we are a participant
and (ii) any parties related to us, including our executive officers, our directors, beneficial owners of more than 5% of our securities,
immediate family members of the foregoing persons and any other persons whom our Board determines may be considered related parties under
Item 404 of Regulation S-K, has or will have a direct or indirect material interest. Certain of the transactions described in this section
occurred prior to the adoption of the Audit Committees charter on June 26, 2023. All of the transactions described in this section
that occurred after such date were approved by the Audit Committee.
| | 64 | | |
Director Independence
The Board has determined that
the following current directors, constituting a majority of the members of the Board, are independent directors as defined
by the NYSE American Company Guide: Gov. Davis, Messrs. Schlesinger and Thomopoulos, Mses. Loesch and Segall and Dr. Turner-Graham. Henry
Sicignano III, a director of the Company from May 22, 2023 until his resignation from the Board on December 12, 2025 was also determined
by the Board to be an independent director as defined by the NYSE American Company Guide.
Each director who served as
a member of the Audit, Compensation, and Nominating Committees during 2025 was, and each current member of the Audit, Compensation, and
Nominating Committees is, an independent director pursuant to all applicable NYSE American listing standards. In addition, (i) each director
who served as a member of the Audit Committee during 2025 also met, and each current member of the Audit Committee also meets, the additional
independence standards for audit committee members established by the SEC, and (ii) each director who served as a member of the Compensation
Committee during 2025 also qualified, and each current member of the Compensation Committee also qualifies, as a non-employee director
as defined in Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange.
| 
Item 14. | Principal Accounting Fees and Services | |
Current Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Withum served as our independent
registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended December31, 2025 and has served as our independent registered public
accounting firm since January 29, 2024.
The following table sets forth
aggregate fees billed to us by Withum for professional services for the years ended December31, 2025 and December31, 2024:
| 
| 
| 
2025 | 
| 
| 
2024 | 
| |
| 
Audit Fees | 
| 
$ | 
528,863 | 
| 
| 
$ | 
590,476 | 
| |
| 
Audit-Related Fees | 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
14,300 | 
| |
| 
Tax Fees | 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
Other Fees | 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
Total Fees | 
| 
$ | 
528,863 | 
| 
| 
$ | 
604,776 | 
| |
The aggregate fees included in each of the categories
are fees billed in the fiscal years.
Audit fees billed in 2025 and 2024 include fees
for (i) the audit of our annual financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2025, and 2024 included in this Annual Reports
on Form 10-K, (ii) the review of our interim period financial statements for the 2025 and 2024 years included in our Quarterly Reports
on Form 10-Q, and (iii) related services that are normally provided in connection with regulatory filings or engagements, such as reviewing
financial information included in certain registration statements that was also included in the Companys quarterly and annual financial
statements.
Audit-related fees billed in 2024 primarily related
to procedures performed in connection with the Companys Form S-8 registration statement, that are closely aligned with the audit
but not classified as audit fees.
| | 65 | | |
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
We obtain an engagement letter
for all audit and non-audit services proposed to be performed during the year. The Audit Committee pre-approves the services performed
by the independent registered public accounting firm. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services
and other services, as follows:
| 
| Audit services include professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the
audit of the annual and review of the quarterly financial statements, as well as work that generally only the independent auditor can
reasonably be expected to provide, including comfort letters related directly to audit procedures, statutory audits, and attest services
and consultation regarding financial accounting and/or reporting standards. | |
| 
| | | |
| 
| Audit-Related services are for assurance and related services that are traditionally performed
by the independent auditor, including due diligence related to mergers and acquisitions, employee benefit plan audits, and special procedures
required to meet certain regulatory requirements. | |
| 
| | | |
| 
| Tax services include all services performed by the independent auditors tax personnel
except those services specifically related to the audit of the financial statements, and includes fees in the areas of tax compliance,
tax planning, and tax advice. | |
| 
| | | |
| 
| Other Fees are those associated with services provided by the principal accountant not captured
in the other categories. Examples include comfort letters related to other procedures, circle-ups, and related document reviews for company
capital raise initiatives. | |
| | 66 | | |
PART IV
| 
Item 15. | Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules | |
Financial Statements
The financial statements are
filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Index to Consolidated Financial
Statements is located herein immediately following the signature page of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Financial Statement Schedules
have been omitted as they are either not required, not applicable, or the information is otherwise included.
EXHIBIT INDEX
| 
3.1 | 
Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 31, 2021) | |
| 
3.2 | 
Certificate
of Change to the Articles of Incorporation of the Company, filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada on February 9,
2023 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on February
10, 2023) | |
| 
3.3 | 
Bylaws of the Company, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on August 19, 2019) | |
| 
3.4 | 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of the 0% Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, filed with the Secretary of State of Nevada on November 21, 2019 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on November 21, 2019) | |
| 
3.5 | 
Certificate of Designation of Series B Preferred Stock (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on April 12, 2022) | |
| 
3.6 | 
Articles of Merger of Kartoon Studios, Inc. into the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 27, 2023). | |
| 
3.7 | 
Certificate of Designation of Series C Preferred Stock of the Company, dated September 25, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Companys Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed on September 25, 2023) | |
| 
3.8 | 
First Amendment to the Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on September 25, 2023) | |
| 
3.9 | 
Certificate of Change to the Articles of Incorporation of the Company, filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada on November 9, 2023 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on November 14, 2023) | |
| 
4.1 | 
Description of Capital Stock (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on April 9, 2024) | |
| 
4.2 | 
Form of New Warrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 28, 2021) | |
| | 67 | | |
| 
4.3 | 
Form of New Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 27, 2023) | |
| 
4.4 | 
Form of Series A Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 18, 2024) | |
| 
4.5 | 
Form of Series B Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 18, 2024) | |
| 
4.6 | 
Form of Placement Agent Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 18, 2024) | |
| 
4.7 | 
Form of Pre-Funded Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 21, 2025) | |
| 
4.8 | 
Form of Common Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 21, 2025) | |
| 
4.9 | 
Form of Placement Agent Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 21, 2025) | |
| 
10.1 | 
Form of Stock Option Grant Notice Pursuant to the Company's 2020 Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 11, 2020) | |
| 
10.2 | 
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement Pursuant to the Company's 2020 Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 11, 2020) | |
| 
10.3 | 
2015 Incentive Plan of the Company, as amended (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 14, 2017) | |
| 
10.4 | 
Kartoon Studios Inc 2020 Incentive Plan amended and restated March 21, 2024 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 the Companys Form S-8 filed with the SEC on June 11, 2024) | |
| 
10.5 | 
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between the Company and Michael Jaffa, dated November 7, 2020 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 11, 2020) | |
| 
10.6 | 
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between the Company and Andrew Heyward, dated December 7, 2020 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 11, 2020) | |
| 
10.7 | 
Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between the Company and Andrew Heyward dated February 22, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on April 13, 2023) | |
| 
10.8 | 
Amendment No. 2 to the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between the Company and Andrew Heyward dated June 23, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on April 13, 2023) | |
| 
10.9 | 
Amendment No. 3 to the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between the Company and Andrew Heyward dated November 22, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on April 13, 2023) | |
| 
10.10 | 
Share Purchase Agreement, dated of December 1, 2021, by and the Company and F&M Film-und Medien Beteiligungs GmbH (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 6, 2021) | |
| 
10.11 | 
Shareholder Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2021 among the Company and F&M Film-und Medien Beteiligungs GmbH (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 6, 2021) | |
| 
10.12 | 
Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between the Company and Michael Jaffa dated December 16, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on April 13, 2023) | |
| 
10.13 | 
Amendment No. 4 to the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between the Company and Andrew Heyward dated August 25, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on April 13, 2023) | |
| | 68 | | |
| 
10.14 | 
Amendment No. 2 to the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between the Company and Michael Jaffa dated January 8, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on April 13, 2023) | |
| 
10.15 | 
Amendment No. 5 to the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between the Company and Andrew Heyward dated February 27, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on April 13, 2023) | |
| 
10.16 | 
Form of Letter Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 27, 2023) | |
| 
10.17 | 
Employment Agreement dated as of September 15, 2023, by and between the Company and Brian Parisi, effective as of September 27, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 3, 2023) | |
| 
10.18 | 
Amendment No. 3 to the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between the Company and Michael Jaffa dated November 13, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 9, 2024) | |
| 
10.19 | 
Securities Purchase Agreement, dated April 18, 2024, by and between Kartoon Studios, Inc. and each purchaser identified therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 24, 2024) | |
| 
10.20 | 
Placement Agent Agreement, dated as of April 18, 2024, by and between Kartoon Studios, Inc. and EF Hutton LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 19, 2024) | |
| 
10.21 | 
Placement Agency Agreement, dated December 16, 2024, by and between Kartoon Studios, Inc. and Roth Capital Partners, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 18, 2024) | |
| 
10.22 | 
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 18, 2024) | |
| 
10.23 | 
Form of Amendment Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 21, 2025) | |
| 
10.24 | 
Amendment No. 4 to the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between the Company and Michael Jaffa, dated November 6, 2024 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 31, 2025) | |
| 
10.25 | 
Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated 2020 Incentive Plan, effective December 12, 2024 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 31, 2025 | |
| 
10.26 | 
Form of Amendment Agreement to Securities Purchase Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 21, 2025) | |
| 
10.27 | 
Amendment No. 2 to the Amended and Restated 2020 Incentive Plan, effective May 14, 2025 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on May 16, 2025) | |
| 
10.28# | 
Employment Agreement between the Company and Andrew Heyward dated August 25, 2025 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Current Report on 8-K, filed with the SEC on August 29, 2025) | |
| 
10.29 | 
Agreement and Stipulation between the Company and Continuation Capital, Inc., dated as of August 27, 2025 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on September 5, 2025) | |
| 
10.30 | 
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 21, 2025) | |
| 
10.31 | 
Employment Agreement between Kartoon Studios, Inc. and Brian Parisi, dated November 24, 2025 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Current Report on 8-K, filed with the SEC on November 28, 2025) | |
| 
10.32 | 
Employment Agreement between Kartoon Studios, Inc. and Michael Jaffa, dated November 24, 2025 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Companys Current Report on 8-K, filed with the SEC on November 28, 2025) | |
| 
10.33 | 
The Agreement and Stipulation between the Company and Continuation Capital, Inc., dated as of November 18, 2025 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Companys Current Report on 8-K, filed with the SEC on November 28, 2025) | |
| | 69 | | |
| 
10.34 | 
Consulting Agreement between Kartoon Studios, Inc. and Henry Sicignano, effective as of December 12, 2025 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Current Report on 8-K, filed with the SEC on December 16, 2025) | |
| 
10.35 | 
Amendment No. 3 to the Amended and Restated 2020 Incentive Plan, effective March 30, 2026 | |
| 
19.1 | 
Kartoon Studios, Inc. Insider Trading Policy (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.1 to the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on April 9, 2024) | |
| 
21.1 | 
List of Subsidiaries of the Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 31, 2025) | |
| 
23.1* | 
Consent of WithumSmith+Brown, PC | |
| 
31.1* | 
Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer | |
| 
31.2* | 
Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer | |
| 
32.1** | 
Section 906 Certification of Chief Executive Officer | |
| 
32.2** | 
Section 906 Certification of Chief Financial Officer | |
| 
97.1 | 
Kartoon Studios, Inc. Clawback Policy, effective December 1, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 97.1 to the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 9, 2024) | |
| 
99.1* | 
Letter to Stockholders in Accordance with NRS 78.0296 | |
| 
101.INS | 
Inline XBRL Instance Document (the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document) | |
| 
101.SCH | 
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | |
| 
101.CAL | 
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | |
| 
101.DEF | 
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | |
| 
101.LAB | 
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | |
| 
101.PRE | 
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | |
| 
104 | 
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in inline XBRL and included in exhibit 101). | |
__________
| 
* | Filed herewith. | |
| 
| | |
| 
** | Furnished herewith. | |
| 
| | |
| 
| Management
contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. | |
| 
| | |
| 
# | Exhibits and Schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. The Company agrees
to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted exhibit and schedule to the SEC upon request. | |
| 
Item 16. | Form 10-K Summary | |
None.
| | 70 | | |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized.
| 
| 
Kartoon Studios, Inc. | |
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
March 30, 2026 | 
By: | 
/s/ Andy Heyward | |
| 
| 
| 
Andy Heyward | |
| 
| 
| 
Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | |
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
March 30, 2026 | 
| 
/s/ Brian Parisi | |
| 
| 
| 
Brian Parisi | |
| 
| 
| 
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | |
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE
PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Andy Heyward and Michael Jaffa, jointly and severally,
attorney-in-fact, with the power of substitution in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K
and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, hereby ratifying and confirming
all that each of said attorney-in-fact, or substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements
of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of
the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| 
/s/ Andy Heyward | 
March 30, 2026 | |
| 
Andy Heyward | 
| |
| 
Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board) | 
| |
| 
| 
| |
| 
/s/ Brian Parisi | 
March 30, 2026 | |
| 
Brian Parisi | 
| |
| 
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | 
| |
| 
| 
| |
| 
/s/ Joseph Gray Davis | 
March 30, 2026 | |
| 
Joseph Gray Davis | 
| |
| 
Director | 
| |
| 
| 
| |
| 
/s/ Margaret Loesch | 
March 30, 2026 | |
| 
Margaret Loesch | 
| |
| 
Director | 
| |
| 
| 
| |
| 
/s/ Jeffrey Schlesinger | 
March 30, 2026 | |
| 
Jeffrey Schlesinger | 
| |
| 
Director | 
| |
| 
| 
| |
| 
/s/ Lynne Segall | 
March 30, 2026 | |
| 
Lynne Segall | 
| |
| 
Director | 
| |
| 
| 
| |
| 
/s/ Anthony Thomopoulos | 
March 30, 2026 | |
| 
Anthony Thomopoulos | 
| |
| 
Director | 
| |
| 
| 
| |
| 
/s/ Dr. Cynthia Turner-Graham | 
March 30, 2026 | |
| 
Dr. Cynthia Turner-Graham | 
| |
| 
Director | 
| |
| | 71 | | |
KARTOON STUDIOS, INC.
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
| 
| 
Page No. | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
Financial Statements as of and for the Years Ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 | 
| |
| 
| 
| |
| 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM (PCAOB ID: 100) | 
F-2 | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 
| |
| 
| 
| |
| 
Consolidated Balance Sheets | 
F-5 | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
Consolidated Statements of Operations | 
F-6 | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss | 
F-7 | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders Equity | 
F-8 | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | 
F-9 | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | 
F-10 | |
| | F-1 | | |
**REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM**
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Kartoon Studios, Inc.
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated
balance sheets of Kartoon Studios, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, and the related
consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, stockholders equity, and cash flows for the years then ended, and the
related notes (collectively referred to as the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial
statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2025 and 2024,
and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Substantial Doubt About the Companys Ability to Continue
as a Going Concern
The accompanying consolidated financial statements
have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements,
the Company has suffered recurring losses and negative cash flows from operations since inception and expects to continue incurring losses
and negative cash flows in the future. These matters raise substantial doubt about the Companys ability to continue as a going
concern. Management's plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1. The consolidated financial statements do not include
any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the
responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements
based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB)
and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the
standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated
financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we
engaged to perform, audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding
of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys
internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess
the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures
that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the
consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide
a reasonable basis for our opinion.
**Critical Audit Matters**
The critical audit matters communicated below
are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated
to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and
(2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter
in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit
matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
| | F-2 | | |
*Accounting for Complex Equity Transactions*
**Description:**
As disclosed in Notes 13 and 16 to the consolidated
financial statements, on May 14, 2025, there were changes in facts and circumstances impacting the Company's warrant agreement associated
with the Companys December 2024 offering. Based on these changes in facts and circumstances, the Company reevaluated the classification
of the warrants under ASC 815-40 and determined that equity classification is appropriate. The warrants were remeasured to fair value
immediately before the reclassification. As of May 13, 2025, the warrants were revalued at approximately $5.7 million, resulting in a
recognition of a $0.7 million decrease in the liability. The change in value was recorded as a Gain on Revaluation of Warrants within
Other Income (Expense), net on the consolidated statements of operations. Subsequently, the total liability of approximately $5.7 million
was reclassified to additional paid-in capital.
On October 22, 2025, pursuant to the terms of
the October 2025 Purchase Agreement, the Company closed the registered direct offering of the 3,000,000 October 2025 Shares and the October
2025 Pre-Funded Warrants to purchase up to 6,903,049 shares of common stock to the October 2025 Investor. In the Concurrent Private Placement,
pursuant to the October 2025 Purchase Agreement, the Company also sold to the October 2025 Investor unregistered October 2025 Common Warrants
to purchase up to 9,903,049 shares of common stock, with an exercise price of $0.738 per share. Each October 2025 Share and privately
placed October 2025 Common Warrant was sold at a combined public offering price of $0.738, and each October 2025 Pre-Funded Warrant and
privately placed October 2025 Common Warrant was sold at a combined public offering price of $0.737, for aggregate gross proceeds at closing
of approximately $7.3 million, prior to deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses. In addition, the Company issued Placement
Agent Warrants to purchase 693,213 shares of common stock to the placement agent and its designees with an exercise price of $0.8118 per
share. The warrants were deemed to be equity classified.
The accounting for the transactions required an
assessment of the particular features of the warrants, and the impact of those features on the accounting and classifications of the warrants.
The complexities and significant estimates required a high degree of auditor judgement and an increased extent of audit effort.
**Response:**
Our audit procedures related to managements
judgements of the accounting treatment for the warrants and classification, as well as the determination of fair value of the transactions.
Our audit procedures included, among others, inspecting the agreements and evaluating the terms and conditions of the agreements and assessing
the reasonableness of managements interpretation and application of the appropriate accounting authoritative guidance. Our audit
procedures also included utilizing personnel with specialized skill and knowledge to assist in assessing the appropriateness of conclusions
reached by management by evaluating the underlying terms of the agreements and assessing the appropriateness of managements application
of the authoritative accounting guidance. We evaluated the methodologies and assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the warrants
on the date of grant as well as the date of the reclassification of the warrants originally issued with the December 2024 offering. In
addition, we evaluated the Companys footnote disclosures in relation to the warrants.
*Impairment of Intangible Assets*
**Description:**
As disclosed in Note 9 to the consolidated financial
statements, as of December 31, 2025, the Company had $17.6 million of intangible assets, net. During the year ended December 31, 2025,
the Company recorded an impairment charge of approximately $0.8 million related to the Frederator and Wow tradenames due to a reduction
in the estimated present value of their expected future cash flows. The Company completes the annual intangible asset impairment tests
at the end of each fiscal year. Intangible assets have been acquired, either individually or with a group of other assets, and were initially
recognized and measured based on fair value. Subjective auditor judgment was required to evaluate certain key assumptions used to determine
the fair value of the intangible assets. For the intangible assets, the key assumptions included the discount rates used in the present
value calculations and the forecasted revenue growth rate and operational cost trends. Changes to these key assumptions could have had
a substantial impact on the fair value of the intangible assets and the amount of the impairment charges. Additionally, the audit effort
associated with the estimates required specialized valuation skills and knowledge.
| | F-3 | | |
****
**Response:**
The following are the primary procedures we performed
to address this critical audit matter: We evaluated the Companys third-party specialist and their valuation report and checked
it for mathematical accuracy. We reviewed key valuation inputs and reviewed the comparable company guidelines for reasonableness. We evaluated
the forecasted revenue growth and operational costs for reasonableness by utilizing historical rates to benchmark and also used peer company
data. We evaluated the Companys discount rates by comparing the assumptions and data used by management to develop the discount
rates to publicly available market data and historical experience. In addition, we involved valuation professionals with specialized skills
and knowledge, who assisted in evaluating the appropriateness of the valuation method utilized, specific inputs used in the valuation
as well as performing a parallel analysis for reasonableness.
****
/s/ WithumSmith+Brown, PC
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2024.
Whippany, New Jersey
March30, 2026
PCAOB ID Number: 100
****
****
| | F-4 | | |
**Kartoon Studios, Inc.**
**Consolidated Balance Sheets**
**(in thousands, except for
share data)**
| 
| | 
| | | 
| | |
| 
| | 
As of December 31, | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | 
| | |
| 
ASSETS | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Current Assets: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Cash | | 
$ | 2,943 | | | 
$ | 7,879 | | |
| 
Restricted Cash | | 
| | | | 
| 506 | | |
| 
Investments in Marketable Securities (amortized cost of $3,953 and $2,116, respectively) | | 
| 3,978 | | | 
| 2,029 | | |
| 
Accounts Receivable (net of allowance of $3 and $239, respectively) | | 
| 9,632 | | | 
| 11,982 | | |
| 
Tax Credits Receivable (net of allowance of $423 and $187, respectively) | | 
| 16,800 | | | 
| 10,295 | | |
| 
Other Receivable | | 
| 1,571 | | | 
| 1,367 | | |
| 
Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets | | 
| 841 | | | 
| 606 | | |
| 
Total Current Assets | | 
| 35,765 | | | 
| 34,664 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Noncurrent Assets: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Property and Equipment, net | | 
| 1,635 | | | 
| 2,053 | | |
| 
Operating Lease Right-of-Use Assets, net | | 
| 5,114 | | | 
| 5,847 | | |
| 
Finance Lease Right-of-Use Assets, net | | 
| 312 | | | 
| 278 | | |
| 
Notes and Accounts Receivable from Related Party | | 
| | | | 
| 1,352 | | |
| 
Film and Television Costs, net | | 
| 4,878 | | | 
| 2,621 | | |
| 
Tax Credits Receivable (net of allowance of $0 and $421, respectively) | | 
| | | | 
| 2,384 | | |
| 
Investment in Your Family Entertainment AG | | 
| 5,481 | | | 
| 16,429 | | |
| 
Intangible Assets, net | | 
| 17,604 | | | 
| 19,722 | | |
| 
Other Assets | | 
| 118 | | | 
| 117 | | |
| 
Total Assets | | 
$ | 70,907 | | | 
$ | 85,467 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Current Liabilities: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Accounts Payable | | 
$ | 12,115 | | | 
$ | 11,954 | | |
| 
Participations Payable | | 
| 1,024 | | | 
| 1,427 | | |
| 
Accrued Expenses | | 
| 744 | | | 
| 405 | | |
| 
Accrued Salaries and Wages | | 
| 1,370 | | | 
| 1,213 | | |
| 
Deferred Revenue | | 
| 4,391 | | | 
| 5,997 | | |
| 
Margin Loan | | 
| | | | 
| 900 | | |
| 
Production Facilities, net | | 
| 11,819 | | | 
| 9,220 | | |
| 
Current Portion of Operating Lease Liabilities | | 
| 1,077 | | | 
| 1,002 | | |
| 
Current Portion of Finance Lease Liabilities | | 
| 156 | | | 
| 249 | | |
| 
Due to Related Party | | 
| 5 | | | 
| 8 | | |
| 
Other Current Liabilities | | 
| 750 | | | 
| 1,065 | | |
| 
Total Current Liabilities | | 
| 33,451 | | | 
| 33,440 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Noncurrent Liabilities: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Deferred Revenue | | 
| 3,369 | | | 
| 3,371 | | |
| 
Operating Lease Liabilities, Net Current Portion | | 
| 4,488 | | | 
| 5,359 | | |
| 
Finance Lease Liabilities, Net Current Portion | | 
| 144 | | | 
| 54 | | |
| 
Deferred Tax Liability, net | | 
| 1,225 | | | 
| 1,301 | | |
| 
Factoring Liability | | 
| 689 | | | 
| | | |
| 
Warrant Liability | | 
| | | | 
| 5,477 | | |
| 
Other Noncurrent Liabilities | | 
| 8 | | | 
| 5 | | |
| 
Total Liabilities | | 
| 43,374 | | | 
| 49,007 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 19) | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Stockholders Equity: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Preferred Stock, 10,000,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding as of December31, 2025 and December31, 2024 | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
0% Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value, 6,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding as of December31, 2025 and December31, 2024 | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Series B Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value, 0 shares authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding as of December31, 2025 and December31, 2024 | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Series C Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value, 50,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding as of December31, 2025 and December31, 2024 | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Common Stock, $0.001 par value, 190,000,000 shares authorized; 55,282,150 and 46,285,078 shares issued and 54,857,000 and 46,209,081 shares outstanding as of December31, 2025 and December31, 2024, respectively | | 
| 55 | | | 
| 45 | | |
| 
Additional Paid-in Capital | | 
| 793,814 | | | 
| 777,930 | | |
| 
Treasury Stock at Cost, 425,150 and 75,997 shares of common stock as of December31, 2025 and December31, 2024, respectively | | 
| (604 | ) | | 
| (340 | ) | |
| 
Accumulated Deficit | | 
| (763,817 | ) | | 
| (739,285 | ) | |
| 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | | 
| (3,238 | ) | | 
| (3,379 | ) | |
| 
Total Kartoon Studios, Inc. Stockholders' Equity | | 
| 26,210 | | | 
| 34,971 | | |
| 
Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Subsidiaries | | 
| 1,323 | | | 
| 1,489 | | |
| 
Total Stockholders' Equity | | 
| 27,533 | | | 
| 36,460 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders Equity | | 
$ | 70,907 | | | 
$ | 85,467 | | |
The accompanying notes are
an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
| | F-5 | | |
**Kartoon Studios, Inc.**
**Consolidated Statements
of Operations**
**(in thousands, except share
and per share data)**
| 
| | 
| | | 
| | |
| 
| | 
Year Ended December 31, | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | 
| | |
| 
Revenues: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Production Services | | 
$ | 26,832 | | | 
$ | 17,850 | | |
| 
Content Distribution | | 
| 7,982 | | | 
| 9,607 | | |
| 
Licensing and Royalties | | 
| 387 | | | 
| 298 | | |
| 
Media Advisory and Advertising Services | | 
| 4,152 | | | 
| 4,836 | | |
| 
Total Revenues | | 
| 39,353 | | | 
| 32,591 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Operating Expenses: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Marketing and Sales | | 
| 681 | | | 
| 1,243 | | |
| 
Direct Operating Costs | | 
| 26,829 | | | 
| 23,134 | | |
| 
General and Administrative | | 
| 23,992 | | | 
| 25,210 | | |
| 
Impairment of Intangible Assets | | 
| 767 | | | 
| | | |
| 
Total Operating Expenses | | 
| 52,269 | | | 
| 49,587 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Loss from Operations | | 
| (12,916 | ) | | 
| (16,996 | ) | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Interest Expense | | 
| (656 | ) | | 
| (779 | ) | |
| 
Other Expense | | 
| (11,261 | ) | | 
| (3,209 | ) | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Loss Before Income Tax Benefit | | 
| (24,833 | ) | | 
| (20,984 | ) | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Income Tax Benefit | | 
| 135 | | | 
| 43 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Net Loss | | 
| (24,698 | ) | | 
| (20,941 | ) | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Net Loss Attributable to Non-Controlling Interests | | 
| 166 | | | 
| 202 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Net Loss Attributable to Kartoon Studios, Inc. | | 
$ | (24,532 | ) | | 
$ | (20,739 | ) | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Net Loss per Share - Basic | | 
$ | (0.49 | ) | | 
$ | (0.54 | ) | |
| 
Net Loss per Share - Diluted | | 
$ | (0.49 | ) | | 
$ | (0.54 | ) | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Basic | | 
| 50,228,716 | | | 
| 38,413,131 | | |
| 
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Diluted | | 
| 50,228,716 | | | 
| 38,413,131 | | |
The accompanying notes are
an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
| | F-6 | | |
**Kartoon Studios, Inc.**
**Consolidated Statements
of Comprehensive Loss**
**(in thousands)**
| 
| | 
| | | 
| | |
| 
| | 
Year Ended December 31, | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | 
| | |
| 
Net Loss | | 
$ | (24,698 | ) | | 
$ | (20,941 | ) | |
| 
Change in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Change in Unrealized Gain on Marketable Securities | | 
| 75 | | | 
| 190 | | |
| 
Realized Losses on Marketable Securities Reclassified from AOCI into Earnings | | 
| 36 | | | 
| 612 | | |
| 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments | | 
| 30 | | | 
| (298 | ) | |
| 
Total Change in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | | 
| 141 | | | 
| 504 | | |
| 
Total Comprehensive Net Loss | | 
| (24,557 | ) | | 
| (20,437 | ) | |
| 
Net Loss Attributable to Non-Controlling Interests | | 
| 166 | | | 
| 202 | | |
| 
Total Comprehensive Net Loss Attributable to Kartoon Studios, Inc. | | 
$ | (24,391 | ) | | 
$ | (20,235 | ) | |
The accompanying notes are
an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
| | F-7 | | |
**Kartoon Studios, Inc.**
**Consolidated Statements
of Stockholders' Equity**
**(in thousands, except share
data)**
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
Common Stock | | | 
Preferred Stock | | | 
Additional Paid-In | | | 
Treasury Stock | | | 
Accumulated | | | 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive | | | 
Non-Controlling | | | 
| | |
| 
| | 
Shares | | | 
Amount | | | 
Shares | | | 
Amount | | | 
Capital | | | 
Shares | | | 
Amount | | | 
Deficit | | | 
Loss | | | 
Interest | | | 
Total | | |
| 
Balance, December 31, 2023 | | 
| 35,247,744 | | | 
$ | 352 | | | 
| 1 | | | 
$ | | | | 
$ | 773,986 | | | 
| 75,473 | | | 
$ | (339 | ) | | 
$ | (718,546 | ) | | 
$ | (3,883 | ) | | 
$ | 1,691 | | | 
$ | 53,261 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Issuance of Common Stock for Services | | 
| 362,568 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 306 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 306 | | |
| 
Issuance of Common Stock for Vested Restricted Stock Units, Net of Shares Withheld for Taxes | | 
| 166,033 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 524 | | | 
| (1 | ) | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| (1 | ) | |
| 
Stock Option Granted to Consultants | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 30 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 30 | | |
| 
Reclassification Related to Reverse Stock Split | | 
| | | | 
| (316 | ) | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 316 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Proceeds from Securities Purchase Agreement, Net | | 
| 8,375,000 | | | 
| 8 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 3,014 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 3,022 | | |
| 
Placement Agent Fee Paid in Cash | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| (390 | ) | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| (390 | ) | |
| 
Warrant Exercise | | 
| 2,057,736 | | | 
| 2 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 2 | | |
| 
Share cancellation | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| (1 | ) | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Share-Based Compensation | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 667 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 667 | | |
| 
Realized Loss Reclassified from AOCI to Earnings, net change in Unrealized Loss | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 802 | | | 
| | | | 
| 802 | | |
| 
Currency Translation Adjustment | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| (298 | ) | | 
| | | | 
| (298 | ) | |
| 
Net Loss | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| (20,739 | ) | | 
| | | | 
| (202 | ) | | 
| (20,941 | ) | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Balance, December 31, 2024 | | 
| 46,209,081 | | | 
$ | 46 | | | 
| | | | 
$ | | | | 
$ | 777,929 | | | 
| 75,997 | | | 
$ | (340 | ) | | 
$ | (739,285 | ) | | 
$ | (3,379 | ) | | 
$ | 1,489 | | | 
$ | 36,460 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Issuance of Common Stock for Services | | 
| 340,340 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 228 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 228 | | |
| 
Issuance of Common Stock for Vested Restricted Stock Units, Net of Shares Withheld for Taxes | | 
| 327,459 | | | 
| 1 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 27 | | | 
| 1,026 | | | 
| (1 | ) | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 27 | | |
| 
Issuance of Common Stock for Accounts Payable Settlement | | 
| 3,866,247 | | | 
| 4 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 3,015 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 3,019 | | |
| 
Stock Options Granted to Consultants | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 43 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 43 | | |
| 
Non-cash Share Exchange | | 
| (348,127 | ) | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 348,127 | | | 
| (263 | ) | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| (263 | ) | |
| 
Proceeds from Securities Purchase Agreement, Net | | 
| 3,000,000 | | | 
| 3 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 7,043 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 7,046 | | |
| 
Placement Agent Fee Paid in Cash | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| (511 | ) | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| (511 | ) | |
| 
Warrant Exercise | | 
| 1,462,000 | | | 
| 1 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 1 | | |
| 
Share-Based Compensation | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 331 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 331 | | |
| 
Warrant Reclassification | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 5,709 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 5,709 | | |
| 
Realized Loss Reclassified from AOCI to Earnings, net change in Unrealized Loss | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 111 | | | 
| | | | 
| 111 | | |
| 
Currency Translation Adjustment | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 30 | | | 
| | | | 
| 30 | | |
| 
Net Loss | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| (24,532 | ) | | 
| | | | 
| (166 | ) | | 
| (24,698 | ) | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Balance, December 31, 2025 | | 
| 54,857,000 | | | 
$ | 55 | | | 
| | | | 
$ | | | | 
$ | 793,814 | | | 
| 425,150 | | | 
$ | (604 | ) | | 
$ | (763,817 | ) | | 
$ | (3,238 | ) | | 
$ | 1,323 | | | 
$ | 27,533 | | |
The accompanying notes are
an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
| | F-8 | | |
**Kartoon Studios, Inc.**
**Consolidated Statements
of Cash Flows**
**(in thousands)**
| 
| | 
| | | 
| | |
| 
| | 
Year Ended December 31, | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | 
| | |
| 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Net Loss | | 
$ | (24,698 | ) | | 
$ | (20,941 | ) | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Loss to Net Cash Used in Operating Activities: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Amortization of Film and Television Costs | | 
| 904 | | | 
| 231 | | |
| 
Depreciation and Amortization of Property, Equipment and Intangible Assets | | 
| 2,585 | | | 
| 2,408 | | |
| 
Amortization of Right-of-Use Asset | | 
| 1,091 | | | 
| 1,737 | | |
| 
Amortization of Premium on Marketable Securities | | 
| 7 | | | 
| 67 | | |
| 
Share-Based Compensation Expense | | 
| 331 | | | 
| 667 | | |
| 
Impairment of Film and Television Costs | | 
| 28 | | | 
| | | |
| 
Impairment of Intangible Assets | | 
| 767 | | | 
| | | |
| 
Loss on Debt Settlement | | 
| 1,753 | | | 
| | | |
| 
Gain on Early Lease Termination | | 
| (4 | ) | | 
| | | |
| 
Loss on Share Exchange | | 
| 286 | | | 
| | | |
| 
Deferred Income Taxes | | 
| (135 | ) | | 
| 7 | | |
| 
Loss on Partial Disposal of Equity Investment in Your Family Entertainment AG | | 
| 1,518 | | | 
| | | |
| 
Loss on Revaluation of Equity Investments in Your Family Entertainment AG | | 
| 9,830 | | | 
| 1,627 | | |
| 
Unrealized (Gain) Loss on Foreign Currency of Equity Investments in Your Family Entertainment AG | | 
| (1,775 | ) | | 
| 1,038 | | |
| 
Loss (Gain) on Warrant Revaluation | | 
| 232 | | | 
| (63 | ) | |
| 
Accounts Payable Balance Settled in Stock | | 
| 2,209 | | | 
| | | |
| 
Loss on Transaction | | 
| | | | 
| 985 | | |
| 
Realized Loss on Marketable Securities | | 
| 37 | | | 
| 611 | | |
| 
Non-cash Interest Expense | | 
| 73 | | | 
| | | |
| 
Stock Issued for Services | | 
| 228 | | | 
| 306 | | |
| 
Stock Options Issued to Consultants | | 
| 43 | | | 
| 30 | | |
| 
Credit Loss Expense | | 
| 135 | | | 
| 232 | | |
| 
Other Non-Cash Items | | 
| 34 | | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Decrease (Increase) in Operating Assets: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Accounts Receivable | | 
| 2,098 | | | 
| 5,912 | | |
| 
Other Receivable | | 
| (58 | ) | | 
| (36 | ) | |
| 
Tax Credits Earned (less capitalized) | | 
| (11,639 | ) | | 
| (9,071 | ) | |
| 
Tax Credits Received | | 
| 9,252 | | | 
| 15,979 | | |
| 
Employee Retention Tax Credit Receivable | | 
| | | | 
| (1,232 | ) | |
| 
Film and Television Costs, net | | 
| (3,858 | ) | | 
| (1,731 | ) | |
| 
Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets | | 
| (244 | ) | | 
| 118 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Increase (Decrease) in Operating Liabilities: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Accounts Payable | | 
| 108 | | | 
| (4,897 | ) | |
| 
Accrued Salaries and Wages | | 
| 114 | | | 
| (627 | ) | |
| 
Accrued Expenses | | 
| 334 | | | 
| (280 | ) | |
| 
Accrued Production Costs | | 
| 233 | | | 
| 1,679 | | |
| 
Participations Payable | | 
| (415 | ) | | 
| (449 | ) | |
| 
Deferred Revenue | | 
| (1,887 | ) | | 
| 3,106 | | |
| 
Lease Liability | | 
| (911 | ) | | 
| (788 | ) | |
| 
Due to Related Party | | 
| 3 | | | 
| (1 | ) | |
| 
Other Liabilities | | 
| (15 | ) | | 
| (113 | ) | |
| 
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities | | 
| (11,406 | ) | | 
| (3,489 | ) | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Repayments from Related Party for Note Receivables | | 
| 400 | | | 
| 83 | | |
| 
Proceeds from Sales and Maturities of Marketable Securities | | 
| 4,841 | | | 
| 10,046 | | |
| 
Investment in Marketable Securities | | 
| (6,722 | ) | | 
| | | |
| 
Purchase of Property and Equipment | | 
| (151 | ) | | 
| (117 | ) | |
| 
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Investing Activities | | 
| (1,632 | ) | | 
| 10,012 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Proceeds from Margin Loan | | 
| 5,915 | | | 
| 11,021 | | |
| 
Repayments of Margin Loan | | 
| (6,811 | ) | | 
| (10,901 | ) | |
| 
Proceeds from Production Facilities | | 
| 10,251 | | | 
| 8,852 | | |
| 
Repayments of Production Facilities | | 
| (8,584 | ) | | 
| (14,756 | ) | |
| 
Repayments of Bank Indebtedness, net | | 
| | | | 
| (2,810 | ) | |
| 
Proceeds from Factoring Transaction | | 
| 484 | | | 
| | | |
| 
Principal Payments on Finance Lease Obligations | | 
| (393 | ) | | 
| (1,661 | ) | |
| 
Debt Issuance Costs | | 
| (79 | ) | | 
| (2 | ) | |
| 
Proceeds from Sale of Investment | | 
| 829 | | | 
| | | |
| 
Placement Agent Fee Paid in Cash | | 
| (511 | ) | | 
| (390 | ) | |
| 
Proceeds from Securities Purchase Agreement, net | | 
| 7,046 | | | 
| 7,515 | | |
| 
Shares Withheld for Taxes on Vested Restricted Shares | | 
| (1 | ) | | 
| (1 | ) | |
| 
Proceeds from Warrant Exercise | | 
| 1 | | | 
| 2 | | |
| 
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities | | 
| 8,147 | | | 
| (3,131 | ) | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash | | 
| (551 | ) | | 
| 898 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Restricted Cash | | 
| (5,442 | ) | | 
| 4,290 | | |
| 
Beginning Cash and Restricted Cash | | 
| 8,385 | | | 
| 4,095 | | |
| 
Ending Cash and Restricted Cash | | 
$ | 2,943 | | | 
$ | 8,385 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Cash Paid for Interest | | 
$ | 40 | | | 
$ | 129 | | |
| 
Cash Paid for Taxes | | 
$ | | | | 
$ | | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Non-Cash Operating Activities | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Reduction in Leased Asset Due to Modified Lease Liability | | 
$ | 106 | | | 
$ | | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Non-Cash Financing and Investing Activities | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Leased Assets Obtained in Exchange for New Finance Lease Liabilities | | 
$ | 356 | | | 
$ | | | |
The accompanying notes are
an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
| | F-9 | | |
**Kartoon Studios, Inc.**
**Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements**
**December 31,
2025**
Note 1: Organization and Business
Organization and Nature of Business
Kartoon Studios, Inc. (formerly,
Genius Brands International, Inc.) (the Company, Kartoon Studios, we, us or our)
is a global content and brand management company focused on the creation, production, licensing, and distribution of multimedia animated
content for children. Led by experienced industry personnel, the Companys core business includes original intellectual property
(IP) development, third-party IP production services, media agency, and content monetization through licensing and owned
distribution platforms.
Kartoon Studios owned
and produced titles include *Stan Lees Superhero Kindergarten*(starring Arnold Schwarzenegger), *Llama Llama* (starring
Jennifer Garner), *Rainbow Rangers*, *KC! Pop Quiz*, and *Shaqs Garage* (starring Shaquille ONeal). The Companys
library also includes titles such as *Baby Genius*, *Thomas Edisons Secret Lab*, *Warren Buffetts Secret Millionaires
Club*, *Team Zenko Go!*, *Reboot*, *Bee & PuppyCat: Lazy in Space*, and *Castlevania*. The Company maintains
a strategy of leveraging owned IP and third-party relationships to expand distribution and consumer product licensing.
Kartoon Studios also owns
Wow Unlimited Media Inc. (Wow), through which the Company operates Mainframe Studios - one of the *largest* animation
production studios globally. Mainframe Studios is a producer-for-hire for several major streaming platforms and IP holders. To date, Mainframe
has produced over 1,200 television episodes, 70 movies, and 3 feature films, including titles such as *Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures*,
*Octonauts: Above & Beyond*, *Cocomelon*, *SuperKitties*, *Its Andrew!,* and *Unicorn Academy*, in
partnership with leading global media companies. In addition, Wow owns Frederator Networks Inc. (Frederator). Frederator
operates a leading animation-focused creator network, Channel Frederator Network, on YouTube encompassing over 2,500 channels. Frederator
Studios has developed and produced original programming in partnership with Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Netflix, Sony Pictures
Animation, and Amazon.
The Company distributes its
content across streaming platforms, linear television, and its ad-supported and subscription-based video-on-demand (VOD)
services and apps, including *Kartoon Channel!* and *Ameba TV*. Distribution partners include YouTube, YouTube Kids, Amazon
Prime Video, Amazon Fire, Roku, Apple TV, iOS, Android TV, Android mobile, Pluto TV, Xumo, Tubi, Samsung TV Plus, Google TV, Cox, DISH,
Sling TV,KartoonChannel.com, and smart TVs from Samsung and LG. The Company also licenses content to third-party networks and streaming
services globally, including Netflix, Paramount+, HBO Max, and Nickelodeon.
The Company also owns The
Beacon Media Group, LLC and The Beacon Communications Group, Ltd. (collectively, Beacon), a specialized media and marketing
agency focused on childrens and family audiences. Beacon represents over 20 established and emerging brands across the toy, consumer
products, and family entertainment sectors, including Bandai Namco, Moose Toys, Bazooka Brands, Goliath Games, Playmates Toys, and Cepia
LLC. The agency has developed a strong reputation within the toy industry, supported by long-standing client relationships, deep category
expertise, and a consistent track record of campaign execution. The Company believes that Beacons positioning within a niche, relationship-driven
market provides barriers to entry and supports durable demand for its services.
The Company owns Ameba Inc.
which operates Ameba TV, a subscription streaming service with a focus on educational and entertainment content for younger children.
As a cornerstone of the Companys subscription offerings, Ameba delivers a vast library of engaging and educational content, accessible
across multiple platforms.
Through its investment in
Germany-based Your Family Entertainment AG (YFE), a publicly listed company on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (RTV: FWB),
the Company holds a strategic interest in one of Europes leading independent childrens content providers, with a catalog
of approximately 150 titles and 3,500 half-hour episodes.
The Company holds a controlling
interest in Stan Lee Universe, LLC (SLU), which owns the IP rights to Stan Lees name, likeness, signature, and associated
IP assets.
| | F-10 | | |
Recent Transactions
ERTC Sale
On July 31, 2025, the Company
entered into an agreement to sell its rights to its $0.9 million outstanding Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) refund
claims to a third party in exchange for cash consideration. Under the agreement, the Company received an upfront payment of $0.5 million
equal to55%of the claim amount upon execution, with an additional payment of $0.1 millionequal to 15% to be paid
upon collection from the IRS. The Company is entitled to receive any interest earned on the 15% claim amount if it is collected from the
IRS within nine months of signing the agreement. Any interest received from the IRS after the nine-month period will be retained by the
lender. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company retains legal title and remains obligated in the event of any disallowance, modification,
or reduction of the claim by the IRS. The arrangement includes a recourse provision under which the Company remains obligated to repay
amounts advanced in the event of any disallowance, modification, or reduction of the claim by the IRS.
October Financing
On October 22, 2025, pursuant
to the terms of a securities purchase agreement (the October 2025 Purchase Agreement) entered into with an institutional
investor (the October 2025 Investor), the Company closed a registered direct offering (the Registered Direct Offering)
of 3,000,000 shares (the October 2025 Shares) of its common stock, and pre-funded warrants (the October 2025 Pre-Funded
Warrants) to purchase up to 6,903,049 shares of common stock to the October 2025 Investor. In a concurrent private placement (the
Concurrent Private Placement and, together with the Registered Direct Offering, the October Offerings), pursuant
to the October 2025 Purchase Agreement, the Company also sold to the October 2025 Investor unregistered warrants (the October 2025
Common Warrants) to purchase up to 9,903,049 shares of common stock, with an exercise price of $0.738 per share. Each October 2025
Share and privately placed October 2025 Common Warrant was sold at a combined public offering price of $0.738, and each October 2025 Pre-Funded
Warrant and privately placed October 2025 Common Warrant was sold at a combined public offering price of $0.737, for aggregate gross proceeds
at closing of approximately $7.3 million, prior to deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses. In connection with the
October Offerings, the Company paid to the placement agent a cash fee equal to 7% of the aggregate gross proceeds from the sale of the
securities sold in this offering, plus $75,000 as a reimbursement of certain out-of-pocket expenses. The placement agent is also entitled
to receive 7% of the gross proceeds received from the exercise of any of the October 2025 Common Warrants, if any. In addition, the Company
issued warrants (the Placement Agent Warrants) to purchase 693,213 shares of common stock to the placement agent and its
designees with an exercise price of $0.8118 per share.
Section 3(a)(10) Accounts Payable Settlement
On August 27, 2025, the Company
entered into an agreement to engage in a transaction under Section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities
Act) with Continuation Capital, Inc. (CCI), to settle $1.8 million of outstanding accounts payable, in exchange for
issuing 3,148,535 shares of common stock. Under the terms of the agreement, CCI makes payments to the Companys vendors in cash
and, in exchange, the Company issues shares of common stock to CCI. The settlement was valued at 1.75 shares of common stock per $1 of
accounts payable, pursuant to the terms of the agreement. The transaction was approved by a court after a public hearing on the fairness
of the terms and conditions. The transaction was carried out in stages and as of December31, 2025, the Company had completed the
arrangement, settling a total of $1.8 million, and issuing an aggregate of 3,148,535 shares of common stock. The Company recognized a
loss of $0.7 million on the settlement, representing the difference between the carrying value of liabilities extinguished and the fair
value of shares issued, included in Other Income (Expense), net, on the Companys consolidated statements of operations.
On November 18, 2025, the
Company entered into a new agreement to settle an additional $1.0 million of accounts payable under Section 3(a)(10) of the Securities
Act with CCI, in exchange for issuing 1,695,072 shares of common stock. The terms were consistent with the original arrangement. During
the three months ended December31, 2025 the Company settled $0.4 million of accounts payable and issued 717,712 shares of common
stock to CCI. The Company recognized a loss of $0.1 million on the settlement, representing the difference between the carrying value
of liabilities extinguished and the fair value of shares issued, included in Other Income (Expense), net, on the Companys consolidated
statements of operations.
| | F-11 | | |
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December31, 2025,
the Company had cash of $2.9 million which decreased by $5.4 million as compared to December31, 2024. The decrease was primarily
due to cash used in operating activities of $11.4 million, cash used in investing activities of $1.6 million, and the effect of exchange
rate of $0.6 million, offset by cash provided by financing activities of $8.1 million. The cash used in investing activities was primarily
due to investment of financing proceeds in marketable securities of $6.7 million, and purchase of property and equipment of $0.2 million,
offset by the proceeds received from sales of marketable securities of $4.8 million and proceeds of $0.4 million from repayment of a loan
from related party. The cash provided by financing activities was primarily due to the proceeds of $6.5 million, net of placement agent
fees and other offering expenses, received from the October Offerings, proceeds of $0.8 million received from sale of equity investment,
drawdowns, net of repayments and debt issuance costs, of $1.6 million from production facilities, and proceeds of $0.5 million received
from factoring transaction, offset by the margin loan repayment of $0.9 million and finance lease payments of $0.4 million.
As of December31, 2025,
the Company held available-for-sale marketable securities with a fair value of $4.0 million, an increase of
$1.9 million as compared to December31, 2024 due to the investment of a portion
of the net proceeds from October Offerings during the year ended December31, 2025. The available-for-sale securities consist principally
of government debt securities and are also available as a source of liquidity.
As of December31,
2025 the Company had no
outstanding margin loan balance. As of December31, 2024, the Companys margin loan balance was $0.9
million. During the year ended December31, 2025, the Company borrowed an additional $5.9
million from its investment margin account and repaid $6.8
million primarily with cash received from sales and maturities of marketable securities. The borrowed amounts were primarily used
for operational costs. The interest rates for the borrowings fluctuate based on the Fed Funds Upper Target plus 0.60%.
The weighted average interest rates were 0.20%
and 0.46%,
respectively, on average margin loan balances of $0.2
million and $1.0
million as of December 31, 2025 and December31, 2024
During the years ended December31,
2025 and December31, 2024, the Company incurred interest expense on the margin loan of $8,392 and $0.1 million, respectively. The
investment margin account borrowings do not mature but are collateralized by the marketable securities held by the same custodian and
the custodian can issue a margin call at any time, effecting a payable on demand loan. Due to the call option, the margin loan is recorded
as a current liability on the Companys consolidated balance sheets.
Going Concern
In accordance with Accounting
Standards Codification (ASC) 205, *Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40),* the Company
has evaluated whether there are conditions and events that raise substantial doubt about the Companys ability to continue as a
going concern for at least one year after the date the condensed consolidated financial statements are issued.
Historically, the Company
has incurred net losses. For the years ended December31, 2025 and December31, 2024, the Company reported net losses of $24.7
million and $20.9 million, respectively. The Company reported net cash used in operating activities of $11.4 million, and cash used in
operating activities of $3.5 million for the years ended December31, 2025 and December31, 2024, respectively. As of December31,
2025, the Company had an accumulated deficit of 763.8 million and total stockholders equity of $27.5 million. As of December31,
2025, the Company had total current assets of $35.8 million, including cash of $2.9 million, and marketable securities of $4.0 million,
and total current liabilities of $33.5 million. The Company had working capital of $2.3 million as of December31, 2025, compared
to working capital of $1.2 million as of December31, 2024. Management has evaluated the significance of these conditions in relation
to the Companys ability to meet its obligations and concluded, that there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as
a going concern for a period of at least one year subsequent to the issuance of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
Historically, the Company has financed its operations primarily through revenue generated from operations, loans and sales of its securities,
and the Company expects to continue to seek and obtain additional capital in a similar manner. In order to address the Companys
capital needs, the Company intends to consider multiple alternatives, including, but not limited to, the sale of equity or debt securities,
financing arrangements or entering into collaborative, strategic, and/or licensing transactions. There can be no assurance that the Company
will be able to complete any such financing, collaborative or strategic transaction in a timely manner or on acceptable terms. As a result,
the Company may have to significantly limit its operations and its business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially
harmed.
| | F-12 | | |
During the year ended December31,
2025, the Company was successful in raising net proceeds of $6.5 million in connection with the October Offerings, which closed on October
22, 2025, strengthening its cash position. Despite this, macroeconomic conditions continue to present challenges in the animation and
advertising industries, primarily due to ongoing government tariffs and intensified competition. In parallel, management also plans to
preserve liquidity, as needed, by implementing cost saving measures. For example, during the year ended December 31, 2025, in order
to improve liquidity, the Company sold certain assets, including ERTC receivables and 1,500,000 YFE shares, and settled $2.2 million of
outstanding accounts payable in a transaction under Section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act.
While management is taking
these steps to improve liquidity, due to the uncertainty surrounding the successful execution and timing of these plans, substantial doubt
continues to exist regarding the Companys ability to meet its obligations as they become due within one year after the date the
financial statements are issued.
Note 2: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated
financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP) and
the applicable rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
The Companys consolidated
financial statements include the accounts of Kartoon Studios, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Company also consolidates all
majority-owned subsidiaries and variable interest entities where the Company has been determined to be the primary beneficiary. The interests
in a variable interest entity which the Company does not control are recorded as non-controlling interests. Non-consolidated investments
are accounted for using the equity method or the fair value option and recorded at fair value with changes recognized within Other Income
(Expense), net on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions
have been eliminated upon consolidation.
Segments
The Company determines its
operating segments on the same basis as it assesses performance and makes operating decisions. The Company principally operates in two
distinct business segments: the Content Production and Distribution Segment, which produces and distributes childrens content,
and the Media Advisory and Advertising Services Segment, which provides media and advertising services. These segments are reflective
of how the Companys Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM) reviews operating results for the purposes of allocating
resources and assessing performance. The Company has identified its Chief Executive Officer as the CODM. The segments are organized around
the products and services provided to customers and represent the Companys reportable segments.
The accounting policies for
each segment are the same as for the Company as a whole. Refer to Note 21 for additional information.
Variable Interest Entities
The Company holds an interest
in Stan Lee University, LLC (SLU), an entity that is considered a variable interest entity (VIE). The variable
interest relates to 50% ownership in the entity that is comprised of the Stan Lee Assets and that requires additional financial support
from the Company to continue operations. The Company is considered the primary beneficiary and is required to consolidate the VIE.
In evaluating whether the
Company has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance, the Company considers
the purpose for which the VIE was created, the importance of each of the activities in which it is engaged and the Companys decision-making
role, if any, in those activities that significantly determine the entitys economic performance as compared to other economic interest
holders. This evaluation requires consideration of all facts and circumstances relevant to decision-making that affects the entitys
future performance and the exercise of professional judgment in deciding which decision-making rights are most important.
| | F-13 | | |
In determining whether the
Company has the right to receive benefits or the obligation to absorb losses that could potentially be significant to the VIE, the Company
evaluates all of its economic interests in the entity, regardless of form (debt, equity, management and servicing fees, and other contractual
arrangements). This evaluation considers all relevant factors of the entitys design, including: the entitys capital structure,
contractual rights to earnings (losses), subordination of the Companys interests relative to those of other investors, contingent
payments, as well as other contractual arrangements that have the potential to be economically significant. The evaluation of each of
these factors in reaching a conclusion about the potential significance of the Companys economic interests is a matter that requires
the exercise of professional judgment. The Company continuously assesses whether it is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest
entity as changes to existing relationships or future transactions may result in the Company consolidating its collaborators or partners.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial
statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets
and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts
of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant estimates in our consolidated financial statements, include, but are
not limited to: content inventory; income taxes; initial valuation and subsequent impairment testing of intangible assets; fair value
of financial instruments; share-based payment arrangements; and commitments and contingencies. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis.
Foreign Currency
The Company considers the
USD to be its functional currency for its United States and certain Canadian based operations. The CAD is the functional currency of Wow,
a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Accordingly, the financial information is translated from CAD to USD for inclusion in the Companys
consolidated financial statements. Revenue and expenses are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the period, and assets
and liabilities are translated at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Resulting translation adjustments are included as
a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, net in stockholders equity.
Foreign exchange (FX)
transaction gains and losses are included in Other Income (Expense), net on the consolidated statements of operations.
Foreign Currency Forward Contracts
The Companys wholly-owned
subsidiary, Wow, is exposed to fluctuations in various foreign currencies against its functional currency, the Canadian dollar. Wow uses
foreign currency derivatives, specifically foreign currency forward contracts (FX forwards), to manage its exposure to fluctuations
in the CAD-USD exchange rates. FX forwards involve fixing the foreign currency exchange rate for delivery of a specified amount of foreign
currency on a specified date. The FX forwards are typically settled in CAD for their fair value at or close to their settlement date.
The Company does not currently designate any of the FX forwards under hedge accounting and therefore reflects changes in fair value as
unrealized gains or losses immediately in earnings as part of the revenue generated from the transactions hedged. The Company does not
hold or use these instruments for speculative or trading purposes.
Per Financial Accounting Standards
Board (FASB) ASC 815-10-45, *Derivatives and Hedging*, the Company has elected an accounting policy to offset the fair
value amounts recognized for eligible forward contract derivative instruments. Therefore, the Company presents the asset or liability
position of the FX forwards that are with the same counterparty net as either an asset or liability in its consolidated balance sheets.
As of December 31, 2025
and December31, 2024, the gross amounts of FX forward contracts in an asset and liability position subject to a master netting arrangement
resulted in a net liability of $43,438 and $0.6 million, respectively, recorded within Other Current Liabilities on the consolidated balance
sheets.
For the years ended December31,
2025 and December31, 2024, the Company recorded a realized loss of $0.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively, on FX forward contracts
within Production Services Revenue on the consolidated statements of operations.
| | F-14 | | |
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all
highly liquid debt instruments with initial maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. As of December31, 2025 and
December31, 2024, the Company had cash and restricted cash of $2.9 million and cash and restricted cash of $8.4 million, respectively,
that at times could exceed Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or Canadian Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC)
limits. Any loss incurred or a lack of access to such funds could have a significant adverse impact on the Company's financial condition,
results of operations, and cash flows. The availability of certain short-term lines of credit is dependent on the Company maintaining
compensating balances. The compensating balances are not legally restricted and may be withdrawn; therefore, the Company classifies them
as cash on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company did not hold any compensating balance as of December31, 2025. As of December31,
2024, the total compensating balance maintained was $0.5 million. The Company did not have any cash equivalents as of the periods presented.
As of December31, 2025, the Company did not hold any restricted cash balance. As of December31, 2024 the Company held $0.5
million in restricted cash. This balance primarily represented collateral pledged in connection with the Companys subsidiarys
corporate American Express program. As of December31, 2025, the Company has no cash minimum requirements.
Trade Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Credit Loss
Accounts receivables are presented
on the consolidated balance sheets, net of estimated credit losses. The carrying amounts of trade accounts receivable and unbilled accounts
receivable represent the maximum credit risk exposure of these assets. On a quarterly basis, in accordance with FASB ASC 326, *Measurement
of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments*(ASC 326), the Company evaluates the collectability of outstanding accounts
receivable balances to determine an allowance for credit loss that reflects its best estimate of the lifetime expected credit losses.
The allowance for credit loss is based on an assessment of past events, current economic conditions, and forecasts of future events. Individual
uncollectible accounts are written off against the allowance when collection of the individual accounts does not appear probable.
As of December31, 2025
and December31, 2024, the Company had net accounts receivable balances of $9.6 million and $12.0 million, respectively. The beginning
balance of net accounts receivable as of January 1, 2024 was $18.1 million. As of December31, 2025 and December31, 2024, the
Company recorded an allowance for credit loss of $2,956 and $0.2 million, respectively.
The following table summarizes
the activity in the allowance for credit losses related to trade accounts receivable as of December31, 2025 and December31,
2024 (in thousands):
| 
Schedule of allowance for credit losses trade accounts receivable | | 
| | | |
| 
Balance, net as of December 31, 2023 | | 
$ | 189 | | |
| 
Charged to costs and expenses | | 
| 64 | | |
| 
Recoveries | | 
| (14 | ) | |
| 
Write-offs | | 
| | | |
| 
Balance, net as of December 31, 2024 | | 
| 239 | | |
| 
Charged to costs and expenses | | 
| 179 | | |
| 
Recoveries | | 
| (39 | ) | |
| 
Write-offs | | 
| (376 | ) | |
| 
Balance, net as of December 31, 2025 | | 
$ | 3 | | |
The Company limits its exposure
to this credit risk through a credit approval process and credit monitoring procedures. In addition, Wows contracts with customers
usually require upfront and milestone payments throughout the production process. The Companys customer base is mainly comprised
of major Canadian, American, and worldwide studios, distributors, broadcasters, toy companies and advertising-supported video on demand
(AVOD) and subscription video on demand (SVOD) platforms that have been customers for several years.
| | F-15 | | |
Tax Credits Receivable
The Canada Revenue Agency
(CRA) and certain provincial governments in Canada provide programs that are designed to assist film and television production
in the form of refundable tax credits or other incentives.
Estimated amounts receivable
in respect of refundable tax credits are recorded as an offset to the related production operating cost, or to investment in film and
television costs when the conditions for eligibility of production assistance based on the governments criteria are met, the qualifying
expenditures are made and there is reasonable assurance of realization. Determination of when and if the conditions of eligibility have
been met is based on managements judgment, and the amount recognized is based on managements estimates of qualifying expenditures.
The ultimate collection of previously recorded estimates is subject to ordinary course audits from the CRA and provincial agencies. Changes
in administrative policies by the CRA or subsequent review of eligibility documentation may impact the collectability of these estimates.
The Company continuously reviews the results of these audits to determine if any circumstances arise that in managements judgment
would result in a previously recognized amount to be considered no longer collectible.
The Company classifies the
tax credits receivable as current based on their normal operating cycle. Government assistance, in the form of refundable tax credits,
is relied upon as a key component of production financing. These amounts are claimed from the CRA through the submission of income tax
returns and can take up to 18 to 24 months from the date of the first tax credit dollar being earned to being received. As this financing
is fundamental to the Companys ability to produce animated productions and generate revenue in the normal course of business, the
normal operating cycle for such assets is considered to be a 12 to 24-month period, or the time it takes for the CRA to assess and refund
the tax credits earned.
As of December31, 2025
and December31, 2024, the Company had $16.8 million and
$12.7 million in tax credit receivables related to Wows film and television productions, respectively, net of corresponding
allowance for credit loss of $0.4 million and $0.6 million, respectively. The Company did not
have any non-current tax credits receivable as of December31, 2025. As of December31,
2024, $2.4 million, in tax credits receivable, net of $0.4
million allowance for credit loss was presented as non-current asset due to uncertainty regarding the timing of obtaining the necessary
certifications required to process the tax credits.
Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC)
In March 2020, the Coronavirus
Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act was signed into law, providing numerous tax provisions and other stimulus measures, including the
Employee Retention Tax Credit. The Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 extended
the availability of the ERTC. The Company accounted for the ERTC as a gain contingency in accordance with ASC 450-30, *Gain Contingencies*.
Under this standard, the ERTC was recognized only after the contingency was resolved and deemed realizable.
During the year ended
December31, 2024, we recognized an ERTC benefit totaling $1.2
million. This amount was included in Other Income (Expense),
net in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December31, 2024.
During the year ended December31, 2024, we had not received any refunds related
to the ERTC and we had an outstanding receivable of $1.2
million which was recorded in other current assets in the consolidated balance sheet.
During the year ended December31, 2025, we received $0.2
million of ERTC refunds from the IRS. As of December31, 2025, the outstanding ERTC receivable balance was $1.0
million. The Company did not record any ERTC benefits in the year ended December31, 2025.
Factoring Liability
On July 31, 2025, the Company
entered into an arrangement to transfer its ERTC refund claim (ERTC receivable) of $0.9 million to a financing counterparty
on a recourse basis. Because the Company retained exposure to the transferred asset through the recourse provisions and otherwise did
not relinquish control, the transaction did not qualify for sale accounting under ASC 860*, Transfers and Servicing*, and has been
accounted for as a secured borrowing. Accordingly, the ERTC receivable remains recognized in Other Receivables, and a corresponding liability
is recognized for the cash proceeds received (net of any direct issuance costs). The related factoring liability of $0.7 million represents
approximately 75% of the ERTC underlying receivable amount and is presented in the consolidated balance sheet within Noncurrent Liabilities.
Management does not anticipate any repayment obligation within twelve months and expects full collection of the ERTC refund by the financing
counterparty. No gain or loss was recognized at inception. The ERTC receivable serves as collateral for the borrowing. The difference
between the ERTC receivable and the cash proceeds was recorded as borrowing discount, which is deferred and accreted to interest expense
using the effective interest method (26.84%) over the expected term of the borrowing. Collections on the ERTC receivable are remitted
to the lender pursuant to the agreement and reduce the outstanding loan principal when applied. The Company evaluates the ERTC receivable
for collectability each reporting period.
| | F-16 | | |
Marketable Debt Securities
The Company purchases high
quality, investment grade securities from diverse issuers. Management determines the appropriate classification of securities at the time
of purchase and reevaluates such designation as of each balance sheet date. Currently, the Company classifies its investments in marketable
securities as available-for-sale (AFS) and records these investments at fair value. The securities are available to support
current operations and, accordingly, the Company classifies the investments as current assets without regard to their contractual maturity.
Unrealized gains or losses
on available-for-sale securities for which the Company expects to fully recover the amortized cost basis are recognized in Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Loss, a component of stockholders equity. Gains and losses as a result of sales of securities are reclassified
from previously unrealized gains and losses on AFS securities in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss to Other Income (Expense), net,
in the consolidated statements of operations.
On a quarterly basis, the
Company reviews its AFS securities to assess declines in fair value for credit losses. For each AFS security with an amortized cost that
exceeds its fair value, the Company first determines if it intends to sell or is more-likely-than-not required to sell the debt security
before the expected recovery of its amortized cost. If it intends to sell or will more-likely-than-not be required to sell the security,
the Company recognizes the impairment as a credit loss in the consolidated statements of operations by writing down the securitys
amortized cost to its fair value. For AFS securities that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the Company evaluates whether the decline
in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, management considers the extent to which fair
value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency, and adverse conditions specifically related
to the security, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected
to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected
to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses is recorded for the credit
loss. The portion of the decline in fair value that is due to factors other than a credit loss is recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive
Loss as an unrealized loss.
The Company reports accrued
interest receivable separately from the AFS securities and has elected not to measure an allowance for credit losses for accrued interest
receivables. Uncollectible accrued interest is written off when the Company determines that no additional interest payments will be received.
Classified within Other Receivables on the consolidated balance sheets, no interest income was receivable as of December31, 2025,
compared to approximately $8,830 as of December31, 2024.
Interest earned on investment
securities is reported in interest income, net of applicable adjustments for accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums accounted
for over the life of the security or, in the case of callable securities, through the first call date, using the level yield method, with
no prepayment anticipated.
Equity-Method Investments
When the Company does not
have a controlling financial interest in an entity but can exert significant influence over the entitys operating and financial
policies, the investment is accounted for either (i) under the equity method of accounting or (ii) at fair value by electing the fair
value option available under U.S. GAAP. Significant influence generally exists when the firm owns 20% to 50% of the entitys common
stock or in-substance common stock.
In general, the Company accounts
for investments acquired at fair value. See Note 4 for further information about the Companys investment in YFEs equity
securities, which is accounted for under the fair value option.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are
recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation on property and equipment is computed using the straight-line method over
the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from two to seven years. Maintenance, repairs, and renewals, which neither materially
add to the value of the assets nor appreciably prolong their lives, are charged to expense as incurred. Gains and losses from any dispositions
of property and equipment are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations. Whenever events or circumstances change, an assessment
is made as to whether there has been impairment to the value of long-lived assets by determining whether projected undiscounted cash flows
generated by the applicable asset exceed its net book value as of the assessment date. Refer to Note 6 for details on the Companys
assessments of fair value as of December31, 2025 and December31, 2024.
| | F-17 | | |
Right-of-Use Leased Assets
The Company determines at
contract inception whether the arrangement is a lease based on its ability to control a physically distinct asset and determines the classification
of the lease as either operating or finance under FASB ASC 842, *Leases*(ASC 842). For all leases, the Company combines
all components of the lease including related nonlease components as a single component. Operating leases are reflected as Operating Lease
Right-of-Use (ROU) Assets and Operating Lease Liabilities and finance leases are reflected as Finance Lease ROU assets and
Finance Lease Liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
Lease ROU assets and liabilities
are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As the Companys operating
leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement
date in determining the present value of lease payments. The Company estimates the incremental borrowing rate to reflect the profile of
collateralized borrowing over the expected term of the leases based on the information available on the lease commencement date or for
leases existing upon the date of initial adoption of ASC 842, the date of adoption. The implicit rates within the Companys existing
finance leases are determinable and therefore used to determine the present value of finance lease payments.
The operating lease ROU assets
also include any lease payments made prior to lease commencement date and excludes lease incentives. Specific lease terms used in computing
the ROU assets and lease liabilities may include options to extend or terminate the lease when the Company is reasonably certain that
it will exercise the option. The Company will reassess expected lease terms based on changes in circumstances that indicate options may
be more or less likely to be exercised. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term within General and Administrative
Expenses on the consolidated statements of operations. Lease incentives are recognized as a reduction to the lease expense on a straight-line
basis over the underlying lease term. Refer to Notes 7 and 19 for details of the Companys leases.
Film and Television Costs
The Company capitalizes production
costs for episodic series produced in accordance with FASB ASC 926-20, *Entertainment-Films - Other Assets - Film Costs*. Accordingly,
production costs are capitalized at actual cost and amortized using the individual-film-forecast method, whereby these costs are amortized,
and participations costs are accrued based on the ratio of the current periods revenues to managements estimate of ultimate
revenue expected to be recognized from each production. There are usually three stages for production projects with different costs incurred
at each stage:
Productions in Development
Development costs include
the costs of acquiring film rights to books, scripts or original screenplays and the third-party costs to adapt such projects, including
visual development and design. Advances or contributions received from third parties to assist in development are deducted from these
costs.
Productions in Progress
Capitalized development costs
are reclassified to productions in progress once the project is approved and physical production of the film or television program commences.
Capitalized costs include all direct production and financing costs incurred during production that are expected to provide future economic
benefit to the Company. Borrowing costs and depreciation are capitalized to the cost of a film or television program until substantially
all of the activities necessary to prepare the film or television program for its use intended by management are complete.
| | F-18 | | |
*Completed Productions*
Completed productions are
carried at the cost of proprietary film and television programs which have been produced by the Company or to which the Company has acquired
distribution rights, less accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment losses.
Due to the inherent uncertainties
involved in making such estimates of ultimate revenues and expenses, these estimates have differed in the past from actual results and
are likely to differ to some extent in the future from actual results. In addition, in the normal course of business, some titles are
more successful or less successful than anticipated. Management reviews the ultimate revenue and cost estimates on a title-by-title basis,
when an event or change in circumstances indicates that the fair value of the production may be less than its unamortized cost. This may
result in a change in the rate of amortization of film costs and participations and/or a write-down of all or a portion of the unamortized
costs of the film or television production to its estimated fair value. An impairment charge is recorded in the amount by which the unamortized
costs exceed the estimated fair value. These write-downs are included in amortization expense within Direct Operating Costs on the consolidated
statements of operations.
All capitalized costs that
exceed the initial market firm commitment revenue are expensed in the period of delivery of the episodes. Additionally, for episodic series,
from time to time, the Company develops additional content, improved animation and bonus songs/features for its existing content. After
the initial release of the episodic series, the costs of significant improvement to existing products are capitalized while routine and
periodic alterations to existing products are expensed as incurred. Refer to Note 8 for details.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets have been
acquired, either individually or with a group of other assets, and were initially recognized and measured based on fair value. The Companys
intangible assets consist of trademarks, trade names, customer relations and other assets. Annual amortization of these intangible assets
is computed based on the straight-line method over the remaining economic life of the asset. The useful lives of intangible assets are
reviewed periodically to determine whether adjustments are necessary based on changes in business conditions.
Indefinite-lived intangible
assets are assessed for impairment annually or when a triggering event suggests their fair value may have fallen below their carrying
amount. Impairment analysis of indefinite-lived intangible assets is evaluated using the relief-from-royalty method under the income approach,
incorporating estimated future revenues attributable to the asset, assumed growth and royalty rates, based on comparable industry data,
and an appropriate discount rate, reflecting risk-adjusted returns. Definite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment when
triggering events occur, using an entity-specific recoverability test based on undiscounted cash flows. If recoverability is not met,
a fair value analysis is performed.
Changes in future results,
assumptions, and estimates after the measurement date may lead to an outcome where additional impairment charges would be required in
future periods. Specifically, actual results may vary from the Companys forecasts and such variations may be material and unfavorable,
thereby triggering the need for future impairment tests where the conclusions may differ in reflection of prevailing market conditions.
Further, continued adverse market conditions could result in the recognition of additional impairment if the Company determines that the
fair values of its reporting units have fallen below their carrying values.
Refer to Note 9 for details
on the Companys assessments of fair value as of December31, 2025 and December31, 2024.
*Debt*
We measure issued debt at
amortized cost, net of any debt premiums, discounts, and debt issuance costs. These amounts are amortized over the life of the debt using
the effective interest rate method, ensuring that interest expense reflects the underlying borrowing costs. In cases where the straight-line
method results in an immaterial difference compared to the effective interest rate method, we may apply the straight-line method.
| | F-19 | | |
*Equity-Linked Instruments*
We analyze freestanding equity-linked
instruments including warrants to conclude whether the instrument meets the definition of the derivative and whether it is considered
indexed to our own stock. If the instrument is not considered indexed to our stock, it is classified as an asset or liability recorded
at fair value. If the instrument is considered indexed to our stock, we analyze additional equity classification requirements per ASC
815-40, *Contracts in Entitys Own Equity*. When the requirements are met, the instrument is recorded as part of our equity,
initially measured based on its relative fair value with no subsequent re-measurement. When the equity classification requirements are
not met, the instrument is recorded as an asset or liability and is measured at fair value with subsequent changes in fair value recorded
in earnings.
When required, we also consider
the bifurcation guidance for embedded derivatives per ASC 815-15, *Embedded Derivatives*.
Treasury Stock
The Company records the repurchase
of shares of its common stock at cost on the trade date of the transaction. These shares are considered treasury stock, which is a reduction
to stockholders equity. Treasury stock is included in authorized and issued shares but excluded from outstanding shares.
Revenue Recognition
The Company accounts for revenue
according to FASB ASC 606, *Revenue from Contracts with Customers* (ASC 606).
Revenue is measured based
on the consideration specified in a contract with a customer. Revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of the products or
services in a contract. Judgment is required in determining the timing of whether the transfer of control occurs at a point in time or
over time and is discussed below. The Company evaluates each contract to identify separate performance obligations as a contract with
a customer may have one or more performance obligations. Consideration in a contract with multiple performance obligations is allocated
to the separate performance obligations based on their stand-alone selling prices. If a stand-alone selling price is not determinable,
the Company estimates the stand-alone selling price using an adjusted market assessment approach. The Companys main sources of
revenue are derived from animation production services provided to third parties, the sale of licenses for the distribution of films and
television programs, advertising revenues, and merchandising and licensing sales.
The Company has identified
the following material and distinct performance obligations:
| 
| Providing animation production services | |
| 
| Licensing rights to exploit Functional Intellectual Property (functional IP is defined as
intellectual property that has significant standalone functionality, such as the ability to be played or aired. Functional IP derives
a substantial portion of its utility from its significant standalone functionality) | |
| 
| Licensing rights to exploit Symbolic Intellectual Property (symbolic IP is intellectual
property that is not functional as it does not have significant standalone use and substantially all of the utility of symbolic IP is
derived from its association with the entitys past or ongoing activities, including its ordinary business activities, such as the
Companys licensing and merchandising programs associated with its animated content) | |
| 
| Providing media advisory and advertising services to clients | |
| 
| Fixed and variable fee advertising and subscription-based revenue generated from the Kartoon Studios Kartoon
Channel!, Ameba TV, the Frederator owned and operated YouTube channels and revenues generated from the operation of its creator network,
Channel Frederator Network, on YouTube | |
| 
| Options to renew or extend a contract at fixed terms (while this performance obligation is not significant
for the Companys current contracts, it could become significant in the future) | |
| 
| Options on future seasons of content at fixed terms (while this performance obligation is not significant
for the Companys current contracts, it could become significant in the future) | |
| | F-20 | | |
Production Services
Animation Production Services
For revenue from animation
production services, the customer controls the output throughout the production process. Each production is made to an individual customers
specifications and if the contract is terminated by the customer, the Company is entitled to be reimbursed for any costs incurred to date,
and for any prepaid commitments made, plus the agreed contractual mark-up. Revenue and the associated costs of such contracts are recognized
over time on a percentage of completion basis - i.e., as the project is being produced, prior to it being delivered to the customer. The
percentage-of-completion is calculated based upon the proportion of costs incurred cumulatively to total expected costs. Changes in revenue
recognized as a result of adjustments to total expected costs are recognized in profit or loss on a prospective basis. Invoices related
to these projects are issued based on the achievement of milestones during the project or other contractual terms. The difference between
contractual payments received and revenue recognized is recorded as deferred revenue when receipts exceed revenue. When revenue exceeds
milestone billings, the Company recognizes this difference as unbilled accounts receivable within Other Receivable on the Companys
consolidated balance sheets. Unbilled accounts receivables are transferred to accounts receivable when the Company has an unconditional
right to consideration.
When the outcome of an arrangement
cannot be estimated reliably, revenue is recognized only to the extent of the expenses incurred that are recoverable.
Content Distribution
Film and Television Licensing
The Company recognizes revenue
related to licensed rights to exploit functional IP in two ways: for minimum guarantees, the Company recognizes fixed revenue upon delivery
of content and the start of the license period, and for functional IP contracts with a variable component, the Company estimates revenue
such that it is probable there will not be a material reversal of revenue in future periods. The Company recognizes revenue related to
licensed rights to exploit symbolic IP substantially similarly to functional IP. Although it has a different recognition pattern from
functional IP, the valuation method is substantially the same, depending on the nature of the license.
Invoices related to these
projects are issued based on the achievement of milestones during the project or other contractual terms. The difference between contractual
payments received and revenue recognized is recorded as deferred revenue when receipts exceed revenue. When revenue exceeds milestone
billings, the Company recognizes this difference as unbilled accounts receivable within Other Receivable on the Companys consolidated
balance sheets. Unbilled accounts receivables are transferred to accounts receivable when the Company has an unconditional right to consideration.
Advertising Revenues
The Company received advertising
revenue through its wholly-owned VOD services, *Kartoon Channel!* and *Ameba TV*. Additionally, advertising revenue is derived
from *Kartoon Channel!* branded channels on Free Ad Supported Streaming TV services. Advertising sales are generated on advertising
impressions served. For impressions served, the Company delivers a certain minimum number of impressions on the channel to the advertiser
for which the advertiser pays a contractual cost per 1000 (mille) impressions (CPM). Impressions served are reported on
a monthly basis, and revenue is reported in the month the impressions are served.
Upon the acquisition of Wow
in 2021, the Company generates advertising revenue from Frederators owned and operated YouTube channels as well as revenues generated
from the operation of its creator network, Channel Frederator Network, on YouTube. Revenue is recognized when services are provided in
accordance with the Companys agreement with YouTube, the price is fixed or determinable, and collection of the related receivable
is probable. Receivables related to the advertising services are usually collectable within 30 days.
| | F-21 | | |
Licensing and Royalties
Merchandising and Licensing
The Company enters into merchandising
and licensing agreements that allow licensees to produce merchandise utilizing certain of the Companys intellectual property. For
minimum guaranteed amounts that make up a contract, revenue is recognized over time, over the term of the license period commencing on
the date at which the licensees can use and benefit from the licensed content. Variable consideration in excess of non-refundable guaranteed
amounts, such as royalties and other contractual payments are recognized as revenue when the amounts are known and become due provided
collectability is reasonably assured. Invoices are issued based on the contractual terms of an agreement and are usually payable within
30-45 days.
Product Sales
The Company recognizes revenue
related to product sales (e.g., apparel and collectibles) when the Company completes its performance obligation, which is when the goods
are transferred to the buyer.
Media Advisory and Advertising Services
The Company provides media
advisory and advertising consulting services to clients. Revenue is recognized when the services are performed or as paid through the
monthly retainer. When the Company purchases advertising for clients on linear and across digital and streaming platforms and receives
a commission, the commissions are recognized as revenue in the month the advertising is displayed.
Gross Versus Net Revenue Presentation
The Company evaluates individual
arrangements with third parties to determine whether the Company acts as principal or agent under the terms. To the extent that the Company
acts as the principal in an arrangement, revenues are reported on a gross basis, resulting in revenues and expenses being classified
in their respective financial statement line items. To the extent that the Company acts as the agent in an arrangement, revenues are
reported on a net basis, resulting in revenues being presented net of any expenses incurred in providing agency services. Determining
whether the Company acts as principal or agent is based on an evaluation of which party has substantial risks and rewards of ownership
under the terms of an arrangement. The most significant factors that the Company considers include identification of the primary obligor,
as well as which party has credit risk, general and inventory risk and the latitude or ability in establishing prices.
Direct Operating Costs
Direct operating costs include
costs of the Companys product sales, non-capitalizable film costs, film and television cost amortization expense, impairment expenses
related to film and television costs, and participation expense related to agreements with various animation studios, post-production
studios, writers, directors, musicians or other creative talent with which the Company is obligated to share net profits of the properties
on which they have rendered services. Upon the acquisition of Wow, the Company also includes the salaries and related service production
employee costs of Wow as part of its direct operating costs.
Sales and Marketing
Sales and marketing expenses
consist of primarily costs associated with promotional and advertising activities, including digital advertising, social media promotion,
publicity initiatives, cooperation with public relations service providers and costs related to promotional events. Marketing and advertising
costs are expensed as incurred.
| | F-22 | | |
Share-Based Compensation
The Company issues stock-based
awards to employees and non-employees that are generally in the form of stock options or restricted stock units (RSUs).
Share-based compensation cost is recorded for all options and RSUs based on the grant-date fair value of the award.
The fair value of stock options
is estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton (BSM) option pricing model, which requires management to
make assumptions with respect to the fair value on the grant date. The assumptions are as follows: (i) the expected term assumption of
the award is based on the Companys historical exercise and post-vesting behavior (ii) the expected volatility assumption is based
on historical and implied volatilities of the Companys common stock calculated based on a period of time generally commensurate
with the expected term of the award; (iii) the risk-free interest rates are based on the implied yield available on U.S. treasury zero-coupon
issues with an equivalent expected term; (iv) and the expected dividend yields of the Companys stock are based on history and expectations
of future dividends payable. In the case of RSUs, the fair value is calculated based on the Companys underlying common stock on
the date of grant.
The Company recognizes compensation
expense over the requisite service period ratably, using the graded attribution method, which is in-substance, recognizing multiple awards
based on the vesting schedule. The Company has elected to account for forfeitures when they occur. The Company issues authorized shares
available for issuance under the Companys 2020 Incentive Plan upon employees exercise of their stock options.
Debt Issuance Costs
Debt issuance costs relate
to the issuance of Wows Production Facilities and are recorded as a reduction to the carrying amount of debt and amortized to
interest expense using the effective interest method over the respective terms of the facilities. Debt issuance costs directly attributable
to the acquisition or production of qualifying assets, which are assets that necessarily take a substantial period of time to get ready
for their intended use or sale, are added to the cost of those assets, until such time the assets are substantially ready for their intended
use or sale.
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings (loss) per
share of common stock (EPS) is calculated by dividing net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders by the weighted
average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS is calculated by dividing net income (loss) applicable
to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding, plus the assumed exercise of all dilutive
securities using the treasury stock or as converted method, as appropriate. For purposes of the calculation of dilutive
net loss per share applicable to common stockholders, stock options, unvested restricted stock units, and warrants are considered to be
common stock equivalents but are excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share applicable to common stockholders, as their
effect would be anti-dilutive; therefore, basic and diluted net loss per share applicable to common stockholders were the same for all
periods presented.
The 6,903,049 October 2025
Pre-Funded Warrants issued in the October Offerings and outstanding as of December 31, 2025 were included in the calculation of basic
and diluted net loss per share.
The following common stock
equivalents were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share applicable to common stockholders for the periods indicated
because including them would have had an anti-dilutive effect:
| 
Schedule of antidilutive shares | 
| |
| 
Stock Options | 
969,130 | |
| 
Restricted Stock Units | 
1,605,417 | |
| 
Warrants | 
34,719,455 | |
Income Taxes
Deferred income tax assets
and liabilities are recognized based on differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using presently
enacted tax rates. At each balance sheet date, the Company evaluates the available evidence about future taxable income and other possible
sources of realization of deferred tax assets and records a valuation allowance that reduces the deferred tax assets to an amount that
represents managements best estimate of the amount of such deferred tax assets that more likely than not will be realized.
| | F-23 | | |
Concentration of Risk
The Company maintains its
cash in bank deposit accounts which, at times, may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporations (FDIC) or the
Canadian Deposit Insurance Corporations (CDIC) insured amounts. Balances on interest bearing deposits at banks in
the United States are insured by the FDIC up to $250,000 per account and deposits in banks in Canada are insured by the CDIC up to CAD
$0.1 million. As of December31, 2025 and December31, 2024, the Company had six and twelve bank deposit accounts with an aggregate
uninsured balance of $1.9 million and $6.7 million, respectively.
The Company has a managed
account with a financial institution. The managed account maintains its investments in marketable securities of approximately $4.0 million
and $2.0 million as of December31, 2025 and December31, 2024, respectively. Assets in the managed account are protected by
the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) up to $500,000 (with a limit of $250,000 for cash). In addition, the
financial institution provides additional excess of SIPC coverage which insures up to $1.0 billion. As of December31,
2025 and December31, 2024, the Company did not have account balances held at this financial institution that exceed the insured
balances. As of December31, 2025 the Companys investment portfolio consisted exclusively of U.S. Treasury bonds. Although
this results in concentration by security type and issuer, U.S. Treasury bonds are considered investment-grade securities with minimal
credit risk, and the Company does not believe this concentration represents a significant credit risk.
During the year ended December31,
2025, four customers each accounted for more than 10% of the Companys total consolidated revenue. These customers accounted for
an aggregate of 81.9% of the Companys total revenue. As of December31, 2025, the Company had three customers, the accounts
receivable for each of which exceeded 10% of the total accounts receivable. These customers accounted for an aggregate of 54.5% of the
total accounts receivable as of December31, 2025.
During the year ended December31,
2024, four customers each accounted for more than 10% of the Companys total consolidated
revenue. These customers accounted for an aggregate of 75.7% of the Companys total revenue. As of December31, 2024, the Company
had three customers, the accounts receivable for each of which exceeded 10% of our total accounts receivable. These customers accounted
for an aggregate of 53.2% of the total accounts receivable as of December31, 2024.
The table below presents
each customers balance as a proportion of the total accounts receivable balance:
| 
Schedules of concentration of risk | | 
| | 
| |
| 
| | 
As of December 31, | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | 
2024 | |
| 
Customer A | | 
26.1% | | 
* | |
| 
Customer B | | 
17.3% | | 
17.9% | |
| 
Customer C | | 
11.1% | | 
24.5% | |
| 
Customer D | | 
* | | 
10.7% | |
| 
| | 
* Less than 10% | | 
| |
There is significant financial
risk associated with a dependence upon a small number of customers. The Company periodically assesses the financial strength of these
customers and establishes allowances for any anticipated credit losses.
| | F-24 | | |
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair value is defined as the
price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at
the measurement date. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value.
The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements)
and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). These tiers include:
| 
| Level 1 - Observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets | |
| 
| Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable
such as quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that
are not active | |
| 
| Level 3 - Unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity
to develop its own assumptions, such as valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant
value drivers are unobservable | |
The carrying amounts of cash,
restricted cash, receivables, payables, accrued liabilities, and the margin loan approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of
the instruments. The investment in YFE is revalued at the end of each reporting period based on the trading price of YFE (Level 2). Refer
to Note 4 for additional details. Upon the acquisition of Wow in 2021, foreign currency forward contracts that are not traded in active
markets were assumed. These are fair valued using observable forward exchange rates at the measurement dates and interest rates corresponding
to the maturity of the contracts (Level 2).
The fair values of the AFS
securities are generally based on quoted market prices, where available. These fair values are obtained primarily from third-party pricing
services, which generally use Level 1 or Level 2 inputs for the determination of fair value to facilitate fair value measurements and
disclosures. Level 2 securities primarily include corporate securities, securities from states, municipalities and political subdivisions,
mortgage-backed securities, United States Government securities, foreign government securities, and certain other asset-backed securities.
For securities not actively traded, the pricing services may use quoted market prices of comparable instruments or a variety of valuation
techniques, incorporating inputs that are currently observable in the markets for similar securities.
The following table summarizes
the marketable securities measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy as of December31,
2025 (in thousands):
| 
Schedule of marketable securities measured at fair value on a recurring basis | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
Level 1 | | | 
Level 2 | | | 
Total Fair Value | | |
| 
Investments in Marketable Securities: | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
U.S. Treasury | | 
$ | 3,978 | | | 
$ | | | | 
$ | 3,978 | | |
| 
Total | | 
$ | 3,978 | | | 
$ | | | | 
$ | 3,978 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Investment in Equity Interest: | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Investment in YFE | | 
$ | | | | 
$ | 5,481 | | | 
$ | 5,481 | | |
| 
Total | | 
$ | | | | 
$ | 5,481 | | | 
$ | 5,481 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Foreign Currency Forward Contracts: | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Foreign Currency Forward Contracts, net: | | 
$ | | | | 
$ | (43 | ) | | 
$ | (43 | ) | |
| 
Total | | 
$ | | | | 
$ | (43 | ) | | 
$ | (43 | ) | |
Fair values were determined
for each individual security in the investment portfolio. The Companys marketable securities are considered to be available-for-sale
investments as defined under FASB ASC 320, *Investments - Debt and Equity Securities*. An allowance for credit loss was not recorded
for the marketable securities as of December31, 2025 and December31, 2024. Refer to Note 5 for additional details.
Financial and nonfinancial
assets and liabilities measured on a non-recurring basis are those that are adjusted to fair value when a significant event occurs and
include the Companys intangible assets and film and television costs.
| | F-25 | | |
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2023, the FASB
issued Accounting Standard Update (ASU) No. 2023-09, *Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures*,
which requires that an entity, on an annual basis, disclose additional income tax information, primarily related to the rate reconciliation
and income taxes paid. The amendment in the ASU is intended to enhance the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures.
The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The adoption of this ASU in the year ended
December 31, 2024, resulted in updated disclosures within our consolidated financial statements, but did not impact the consolidated financial
statements. Refer to Note 18 for additional details.
New Accounting Standards Issued but Not Yet Adopted
In November, 2024 the FASB
issued ASU 2024-03, *Income Statement Reporting Comprehensive Income Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40):
Disaggregation of Income Statement Expense.* This update mandates that public companies provide more detailed information about specific
expenses in their financial statement notes. The effective date for this guidance is annual reporting periods beginning after December
15, 2026, with interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process
of evaluating the impact that the adoption of this ASU will have to the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, which
is expected to result in enhanced disclosures.
In December 2025, the FASB
issued ASU 2025-10, *Government Grants (Topic 832)*: *Accounting for Government Grants Received by Business Entities*, which
establishes authoritative guidance on the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of government grants. Under ASU 2025-10,
government grants are recognized when it is probable that the entity will both comply with the conditions of the grant and the grant will
be received. The ASU provides specific accounting models for grants related to assets and grants related to income, including options
to recognize government grants as deferred income or as a reduction of the assets cost basis. The ASU also requires enhanced disclosures
regarding the nature of government grants, significant terms and conditions, accounting policies applied, and amounts recognized in the
financial statements. ASU 2025-10 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2028, including interim periods within those
fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2025-10.
Note 3: Variable Interest Entity
In July 2020, the Company
entered into a binding term sheet with POW! Entertainment, LLC. (POW) pursuant to which the Company agreed to form an entity
with POW to exploit certain rights in intellectual property created by Stan Lee, as well as the name and likeness of Stan Lee. The entity
is called Stan Lee Universe, LLC (SLU). POW and the Company executed an Operating Agreement for the joint
venture, effective as of June 1, 2021. The purpose of the acquisition was to enable the Company to assume the worldwide rights, in perpetuity,
to the name, physical likeness, physical signature, live-action and animated motion picture, television, online, digital, publishing,
comic book, merchandising and licensing rights to Stan Lee and over 100 original Stan Lee creations, from which the Company plans to develop
and license multiple properties each year.
During the years ended December31,
2025 and December31, 2024, SLU generated a net loss of $0.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively. There were no contributions
or distributions during the years ended December31, 2025 and 2024, and there were no changes in facts and circumstances that would
result in a re-evaluation of the VIE assessment.
Note 4: Investment in Equity Interest
When the Company does not
have a controlling financial interest in an entity but has the ability to exert significant influence over the entitys operating
and financial policies, the investment is accounted for under the equity method or, if elected, at fair value pursuant to the fair value
option under U.S. GAAP. Significant influence is generally presumed to exist when the Company owns 20% to 50% of the common stock or in-substance
common stock of the investee. At the time of the initial investment in 2021, it was determined that the Company had significant influence
over the entity. Therefore, under the equity method of accounting, the Company elected to account for the investment at fair value under
the fair value option. Under the fair value option, the investment is remeasured and recorded at fair value each reporting period, with
the change recorded through earnings.
On July 14, 2025, the Company
sold 1,500,000 YFE shares to a single foreign investor for total proceeds of 750,000 ($0.8 million) as part of its ongoing strategy
to optimize its portfolio of assets. Subsequently, the Companys ownership in YFE decreased from 44.8% to 35.0%. Before the transaction,
the Company owned 6,857,132 shares of YFE.
| | F-26 | | |
On September 25, 2025, the
Company executed a share exchange agreement with F&M Film und Medien Beteiligungs GmbH (F&M), pursuant to which
the Company agreed to transfer 348,127 shares of YFE previously held by the Company, to F&M, in exchange for 348,127 shares of the
Companys common stock previously held by F&M, on a one-for-one basis. Subsequently, the Companys ownership in YFE decreased
from 35.0% to 32.7% as of transaction date. Management concluded that the Company continues to exercise significant influence over the
investee and, therefore, continues to account for the investment at fair value under the fair value option. As of December31, 2025,
the Company owned 5,009,005 shares of YFE.
As of December31, 2025,
the fair value of the investment was determined to be $5.5
million recorded within noncurrent assets on the Companys consolidated balance sheet. As of December31, 2024, the fair value
of the investment was determined to be $16.4
million recorded within noncurrent assets on the Companys consolidated balance sheet. The fair value as of December31, 2025
decreased by net $10.9
million, as compared to December31, 2024. The net decrease is comprised of the net impact of a decrease in YFEs stock price,
the share sale and exchange transactions completed in the quarter, and the effect of foreign currency remeasurement from EURO to USD.
The total change in fair value is recorded within Other Income (Expense), net on the Companys consolidated statements of operations.
As of December31, 2025
and December31, 2024, the Companys ownership in YFE was 32.5% and 44.8%, respectively.
Note 5: Marketable Securities
The Company classifies and
accounts for its marketable debt securities as AFS and the securities are stated at fair value in accordance with ASC 326, *Financial
Instruments - Credit Losses*.
The investments in marketable
securities had an adjusted cost basis of $4
million and a market value of $4
million as of December31, 2025. The balances consisted of the following securities (in thousands):
| 
Schedule of marketable securities | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
Amortized Cost | | | 
Unrealized Gain/(Loss) | | | 
Fair Value | | |
| 
U.S. Treasury | | 
$ | 3,953 | | | 
$ | 25 | | | 
$ | 3,978 | | |
| 
Total | | 
$ | 3,953 | | | 
$ | 25 | | | 
$ | 3,978 | | |
The investments in marketable
securities as of December31, 2024 had an amortized cost basis of $2.1 million and a market value of $2.0 million. The balances consisted
of the following securities (in thousands):
| 
| | 
Amortized Cost | | | 
Unrealized Gain/(Loss) | | | 
Fair Value | | |
| 
Corporate Bonds | | 
$ | 559 | | | 
$ | (22 | ) | | 
$ | 537 | | |
| 
U.S. Agency and Government Sponsored Securities | | 
| 1,155 | | | 
| (48 | ) | | 
| 1,107 | | |
| 
U.S. States and Municipalities | | 
| 402 | | | 
| (17 | ) | | 
| 385 | | |
| 
Total | | 
$ | 2,116 | | | 
$ | (87 | ) | | 
$ | 2,029 | | |
The
Company holds two AFS securities, all of which were in an unrealized gain position and none had been in an unrealized loss position
for a period longer than 12 months as of December31, 2025.
The AFS securities held by the Company as of December31, 2024 had been in an unrealized loss position for a period greater
than 12 months. The Company reported the net unrealized losses in accumulated other comprehensive loss, a component of
stockholders equity. As of December31, 2025 and December31, 2024, an allowance for credit loss was not
recognized as the issuers of the securities had not established a cause for default, various rating agencies had reaffirmed each
security's investment grade status and the Company did not have the intent, nor is it required to sell its securities prior to
recovery.
Realized losses of $36,674
and $0.6 million were recognized in earnings during the years ended December31, 2025 and December31, 2024, respectively, primarily
due to selling securities prior to maturity to prevent further market condition losses on the securities.
| | F-27 | | |
The contractual maturities
of the Companys marketable investments as of December31, 2025 were as follows (in thousands):
| 
Schedule of contractual maturities of marketable investments | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
Fair Value | | |
| 
Due within 1 year | | 
$ | 3,978 | | |
| 
Total | | 
$ | 3,978 | | |
The Company may sell certain
of its marketable debt securities prior to their stated maturities for reasons including, but not limited to, managing liquidity, credit
risk, duration and asset allocation.
Note 6: Property and Equipment, net
The Company has property
and equipment as follows (in thousands):
| 
Schedule of property and equipment, net | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
As of December 31, | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
Furniture and Equipment | | 
$ | 98 | | | 
$ | 117 | | |
| 
Computer Equipment | | 
| 827 | | | 
| 817 | | |
| 
Leasehold Improvements | | 
| 2,230 | | | 
| 2,200 | | |
| 
Software | | 
| 316 | | | 
| 250 | | |
| 
Property and Equipment, Gross | | 
| 3,471 | | | 
| 3,384 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Less Accumulated Depreciation | | 
| (1,626 | ) | | 
| (1,078 | ) | |
| 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment | | 
| (210 | ) | | 
| (253 | ) | |
| 
Property and Equipment, net | | 
$ | 1,635 | | | 
$ | 2,053 | | |
The Company identified a disclosure
error in the presentation of the Note 6 *Property and Equipment, net* reported in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2024. While the balance sheet correctly reflected the net book value of property and equipment, the footnote disclosure overstated
by $0.7 million both the gross asset cost and accumulated depreciation as of December 31, 2024. The disclosure error did not impact the
total net carrying amount of property and equipment or the consolidated financial statements as a whole. The comparative balances as of
December 31, 2024 have been revised to reflect the correct gross cost and accumulated depreciation amounts.
During the years ended December31,
2025 and December31, 2024, the Company recorded depreciation expense of $0.6 million and $0.3 million, respectively.
During the years ended December31,
2025 and December31, 2024, the Company did not incur any impairment charges or write-downs.
| | F-28 | | |
Note 7: Leased Right-of-Use Assets, net
Leased right-of-use assets
consisted of the following (in thousands):
| 
Schedule of leased right of use assets | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
As of December 31, | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
Operating Lease | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Office Lease Assets | | 
$ | 9,331 | | | 
$ | 9,437 | | |
| 
Accumulated Amortization | | 
| (3,601 | ) | | 
| (2,740 | ) | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Finance Lease | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Equipment Lease Assets | | 
| 4,570 | | | 
| 4,214 | | |
| 
Accumulated Amortization | | 
| (3,975 | ) | | 
| (3,643 | ) | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Right-of-Use Assets, Gross | | 
| 6,325 | | | 
| 7,268 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment | | 
| (899 | ) | | 
| (1,143 | ) | |
| 
Leased Right-of-Use Assets, net | | 
$ | 5,426 | | | 
$ | 6,125 | | |
Refer to Note 19 for details
on the Companys lease commitments.
As of December31, 2025,
the weighted-average lease term for the Companys operating leases was 64 months and the weighted-average discount rate was 11.3%.
As of December31, 2024, the weighted-average lease term for operating leases was 73 months and the weighted-average discount rate
was 11.1%.
Effective April 1, 2025, the
Company executed a lease reassignment agreement with the landlord for its Toronto office, resulting in the reassignment of one of its
suites to a new tenant. The Company continues to lease and occupy the remaining space under the original terms of the lease agreement.
The reassignment reduced the Companys leased space from 570 square feet to 74 square feet, and reduced the associated rent obligations,
but did not change any other conditions of the lease. The modification was accounted for as a partial termination of the lease under ASC842.
Accordingly, the Company remeasured the lease liability as of the effective date of the modification using the discount rate based on
the remaining lease term and payments. Based on the modified lease payment terms, the discount rate was determined to be8.96%,
and the remeasured lease liability was$16,042. This represented a reduction of$0.1 million compared to the pre-modification
lease liability. The Company adjusted the right-of-use asset based on the proportion of the reduction in the remeasured lease liability,
resulting in a reduction of$0.1 million. The Company recognized a gain on lease modification of$4,253 in the condensed consolidated
statements of operations. The remaining lease costs of$16,770 is recognized on a straight-line basis over the remaining lease term.
Operating lease costs during
the years ended December31, 2025 and December31, 2024 were $1.5 million and $1.6 million, respectively, recorded within General
and Administrative Expenses on the Companys consolidated statements of operations.
During the year ended December31,
2025, the Company recorded finance lease costs of $0.4 million, comprised of ROU amortization of $0.3 million and $21,612 of interest
accretion. During the year ended December31, 2024, the Company recorded finance lease costs of $1.7 million comprised of ROU amortization
of $1.6 million and $0.1 million of interest accretion. ROU amortization is recorded within General and Administrative Expenses and accretion
of interest expense is recorded within Other Income (Expense), net on the Companys consolidated statements of operations.
| | F-29 | | |
Note 8: Film and Television Costs, net
The following table highlights
the activity in Film and Television Costs as of December31, 2025 and December31, 2024 (in thousands):
| 
Schedule of film and television costs activity | | 
| | | |
| 
Film and Television Costs, net as of December 31, 2023 | | 
$ | 1,295 | | |
| 
Additions to Film and Television Costs | | 
| 1,653 | | |
| 
Disposals | | 
| (75 | ) | |
| 
Film Amortization Expense | | 
| (231 | ) | |
| 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment | | 
| (21 | ) | |
| 
Film and Television Costs, net as of December 31, 2024 | | 
| 2,621 | | |
| 
Additions to Film and Television Costs | | 
| 3,259 | | |
| 
Disposals | | 
| (88 | ) | |
| 
Film Amortization Expense and Impairment Losses | | 
| (932 | ) | |
| 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment | | 
| 18 | | |
| 
Film and Television Costs, net as of December 31, 2025 | | 
$ | 4,878 | | |
During the year ended December31,
2025, the Company recorded amortization expense of $0.9 million, which included impairment charges of $28,239. During the year ended December31,
2024, the Company recorded amortization expense of $0.2 million and did not record any impairment charges.
For the years ended December31,
2025 and December31, 2024, the Company recorded film and television cost write-downs of $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively.
These write-downs were recognized following executive management review of inactive projects that were not advancing to the production
stage, primarily due to limited interest from potential partners and the broader economic environment affecting the entertainment industry.
Note 9: Intangible Assets, net
Intangible Assets, net
The
Company had the following intangible assets (in thousands) with their weighted average remaining amortization period (in years):
Intangible Assets, net
| 
Schedule of intangible asset | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
Weighted Average Remaining Amortization | | | 
As of December 31, | | |
| 
| | 
Period | | | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
Customer Relationships | | 
| 4.5 | | | 
$ | 17,325 | | | 
$ | 17,325 | | |
| 
Digital Networks | | 
| 12.3 | | | 
| 803 | | | 
| 803 | | |
| 
Trade Names | | 
| 65.4 | | | 
| 9,198 | | | 
| 9,970 | | |
| 
Intangible Assets, gross | | 
| | | | 
| 27,326 | | | 
| 28,098 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Less Accumulated Amortization | | 
| | | | 
| (7,833 | ) | | 
| (5,822 | ) | |
| 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment | | 
| | | | 
| (1,889 | ) | | 
| (2,554 | ) | |
| 
Intangible Assets, net | | 
| | | | 
$ | 17,604 | | | 
$ | 19,722 | | |
During the years ended December31,
2025 and December31, 2024, the Company recorded intangible asset amortization expense of $2.0 million and $2.0 million, respectively.
| | F-30 | | |
Pursuant to ASC 350-30*,
General Intangibles Other than Goodwill*, the Company evaluates its intangible assets periodically to determine whether events or
changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying values may not be recoverable. During the year ended December31, 2025, changes
in the Companys financial projections triggered a reassessment of both its definite- and indefinite-lived intangible assets for
potential impairment. Based on this analysis, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $0.8
million, recognized as Impairment of Intangible Assets within Operating Expenses in the consolidated statement of operations. The impairment
related to the Frederator and Wow Tradenames, which are indefinite-lived intangible assets, due to a reduction in the estimated present
value of their expected future cash flows. No impairment charges were recognized in the prior year ended December31, 2024.
Expected future amortization
of intangible assets subject to amortization as of December31, 2025 is as follows (in thousands):
| 
Schedule of expected future intangible asset amortization | | 
| | | |
| 
Fiscal Year: | | 
| | |
| 
2026 | | 
$ | 2,039 | | |
| 
2027 | | 
| 2,039 | | |
| 
2028 | | 
| 2,039 | | |
| 
2029 | | 
| 2,039 | | |
| 
2030 | | 
| 669 | | |
| 
Thereafter | | 
| 4,054 | | |
| 
Total | | 
$ | 12,879 | | |
As of December31, 2025,
$4.7
million of the Companys intangible assets related to the acquired trade names from the Wow acquisition had indefinite lives and
are not subject to amortization.
Note 10: Deferred Revenue
As of December31, 2025
and December31, 2024, the Company had deferred revenue of $7.8 million and $9.4 million, respectively. The decrease in deferred
revenue is primarily related to production on various shows advancing to later stages of execution of the projects as of December31,
2025, compared to the progress as of December31, 2024. Wow's deferred revenue balance relates to cash received from customers for
productions in progress. For fixed-fee production contracts, revenue is generally recognized upon completion and delivery of the production
or upon achievement of specified contractual delivery milestones during the production process, depending on the terms of the underlying
agreement. As production progresses and the Company satisfies its performance obligations, the related deferred revenue is recognized
as revenue. Deferred revenue also includes both (i) variable fee contracts with licensees and customers in which the Company collected
advances and minimum guarantees against future royalties and (ii) fixed fee contracts. The Company recognizes revenue related to these
contracts when all revenue recognition criteria have been met.
Note 11: Margin Loan
As of December31, 2025,
the Company had no outstanding margin loan balance. As of December31, 2024, the Companys margin loan balance was $0.9 million.
During the year ended December31, 2025, the Company borrowed an additional $5.9 million from its investment margin account and repaid
$6.8 million, primarily with cash received from sales and maturities of marketable securities. The borrowed amounts were primarily used
for operational costs. The interest rates for the borrowings fluctuate based on the Fed Funds Upper Target plus 0.60%. The weighted average
interest rates were 0.20% and 0.46%, respectively, on average margin loan balances of $0.2 million and $1.0 million as of December31,
2025 and December31, 2024, respectively.
During the years ended December31,
2025 and December31, 2024, the Company incurred interest expense on the margin loan of $8,392 and $0.1 million, respectively. The
investment margin account borrowings do not mature but are collateralized by the marketable securities held by the same custodian and
the custodian can issue a margin call at any time, effecting a payable on demand loan. Due to the call option, the margin loan is recorded
as a current liability on the Companys consolidated balance sheets.
| | F-31 | | |
Note 12: Bank Indebtedness and Production Facilities
The Company had the following
credit facilities during the fiscal years ended December31, 2025 and December31, 2024:
Production Facilities, net
The production facilities
are used for financing specific productions. The Companys production facilities bear interest at rates ranging from bank prime
plus 1.00% - 1.25% per annum. The production facilities are generally repayable on demand. Any borrowings under the production facilities
are collateralized by a security interest in substantially all of the relevant production companys tangible and intangible assets,
including a combination of federal and provincial tax credits, other government incentives, production service agreements and license
agreements as well as those of certain of the Companys subsidiaries and related entities acting as guarantors of the production
facilities.
As of December31, 2025
and December31, 2024, the Company had an outstanding net balance of $11.8 million (CAD $16.2 million), including $1.1 million (CAD
$1.5 million) of interest and $9.2 million (CAD $13.3 million), including $0.8 million (CAD $1.2 million) of interest, respectively,
recorded as Production Facilities, net within current liabilities on the Companys consolidated balance sheets.
As of December31, 2025
and December31, 2024, Production Facilities, net included unamortized debt issuance costs related to the issuance of production
facilities of $0.1 million, which were presented as a direct reduction of the carrying amount of the Production Facilities.
Equipment Lease Facility
In the fourth quarter of 2022,
the Company entered into an equipment lease agreement with a Canadian bank. This equipment lease facility allows the Company to finance
equipment purchases of up to $1.0 million (CAD $1.4 million) in total. Each transaction under the equipment lease facility has specific
financing terms in respect of the leased equipment such as term, finance amount, rate, and payment terms.
As of December31, 2025,
the Company has one lease remaining under this facility with finance rates of 8.20%, and a remaining lease term of 8 months.
As of December31, 2025
and December31, 2024, the outstanding balances, net of repayments, of $0.1 million (CAD $0.1 million) and $0.3 million (CAD $0.4
million), respectively, were included within current and noncurrent Finance Lease Liabilities, net on the Companys consolidated
balance sheets.
Revolving Demand Facility
On December19, 2024,
the Company fully repaid its outstanding revolving demand facility balance and its revolving demand facility with the lender was terminated.
The final payment to close out the revolving demand facility was $0.6 million (CAD $0.8 million).
Equipment Lease Line
Under the equipment lease
line, the Company could borrow up to $2.9 million (CAD $4.0 million) in total for equipment leases. In the first quarter of 2024, the
equipment lease line was terminated, however, the Company continued to make the regular principal and interest payments under the specific
financing terms of the existing equipment lease agreements. On November29, 2024, the Company made equipment lease line repayments
of $0.6 million (CAD $0.8 million) in total to extinguish the remaining equipment lease line obligations.
| | F-32 | | |
Note 13: Stockholders Equity
Common Stock
As of December31, 2025
and December31, 2024, the total number of authorized shares of common stock was 190,000,000.
As of December31, 2025
and December31, 2024, there were 54,857,000 and 46,209,081 shares of common stock outstanding, respectively.
During the years ended December31,
2025 and December31, 2024, the Company issued 340,340 and 362,568 shares of common stock as compensation for services, respectively.
During the years ended December31,
2025 and December31, 2024, the Company issued 327,459 and 166,033 shares of common stock in connection with vested RSUs, net of
shares withheld for tax obligations, respectively.
On March 5, 2025, the Company
issued 1,462,000 shares of common stock to an investor upon the exercise of outstanding pre-funded warrants. The pre-funded warrants were
exercised at a price of $0.001 per share, which represented par value, resulting in total proceeds of $1,462. The issuance was completed
in accordance with the terms of the warrant agreements, and the shares issued are fully paid and non-assessable.
On August 27, 2025, the Company
entered into an agreement to engage in a transaction under Section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act with CCI to settle $1.8 million of outstanding
accounts payable, in exchange for issuing 3,148,535 shares of common stock. Under the terms of the agreement, CCI makes payments to the
Companys vendors in cash and, in exchange, the Company issues shares of common stock to CCI. The settlement was valued at 1.75
shares of common stock per $1 of accounts payable, pursuant to the terms of the agreement. The transaction was approved by a court after
a public hearing on the fairness of the terms and conditions. The transaction was carried out in stages and as of December31, 2025,
the Company had completed the arrangement, settling a total of $1.8 million, and issuing an aggregate of 3,148,535 shares of common stock.
The Company recognized a loss of $0.7 million on the settlement, representing the difference between the carrying value of liabilities
extinguished and the fair value of shares issued, included in Other Income (Expense), net, on the Companys consolidated statements
of operations.
On November 18, 2025, the
Company entered into a new agreement to settle an additional $1.0 million of accounts payable under Section 3(a)(10) of the Securities
Act with CCI, in exchange for issuing 1,695,072 shares of common stock. The terms were consistent with the original arrangement. During
the three months ended December31, 2025, the Company settled $0.4 million of accounts payable and issued 717,712 shares of common
stock to CCI. The Company recognized a loss of $0.1 million on the settlement, representing the difference between the carrying value
of liabilities extinguished and the fair value of shares issued, included in Other Income (Expense), net, on the Companys consolidated
statements of operations.
On October 22, 2025, pursuant
to the terms of the October 2025 Purchase Agreement, the Company closed the registered direct offering of the 3,000,000 October 2025 Shares
and the October 2025 Pre-Funded Warrants to purchase up to 6,903,049 shares of common stock to the October 2025 Investor. In the Concurrent
Private Placement, pursuant to the October 2025 Purchase Agreement, the Company also sold to the October 2025 Investor unregistered October
2025 Common Warrants to purchase up to 9,903,049 shares of common stock, with an exercise price of $0.738 per share. Each October 2025
Share and privately placed October 2025 Common Warrant was sold at a combined public offering price of $0.738, and each October 2025 Pre-Funded
Warrant and privately placed October 2025 Common Warrant was sold at a combined public offering price of $0.737, for aggregate gross proceeds
at closing of approximately $7.3 million, prior to deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses. In connection with the
October Offerings, the Company paid to the placement agent a cash fee equal to 7% of the aggregate gross proceeds from the sale of the
securities sold in this offering, plus $75,000 as a reimbursement of certain out-of-pocket expenses. The placement agent is also entitled
to receive 7% of the gross proceeds received from the exercise of any of the October 2025 Common Warrants, if any. In addition, the Company
issued Placement Agent Warrants to purchase 693,213 shares of common stock to the placement agent and its designees with an exercise price
of $0.8118 per share.
| | F-33 | | |
Preferred Stock
The Company has 10,000,000
shares of preferred stock authorized with a par value of $0.001 per share, including 9,944,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock,
6,000 shares designated as 0% Series A Convertible Preferred Stock and 50,000 shares as Series C Preferred Stock. The board of directors
is authorized, subject to any limitations prescribed by law, without further vote or action by the Companys stockholders, to issue
from time-to-time shares of preferred stock in one or more series. Each series of preferred stock will have such number of shares, designations,
preferences, voting powers, qualifications and special or relative rights or privileges as shall be determined by the board of directors,
which may include, among others, dividend rights, voting rights, liquidation preferences, conversion rights and preemptive rights.
As of December31, 2025
and December31, 2024, there were 0 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock outstanding. As of December31, 2025 and
December31, 2024, there were 0 of Series B Preferred Stock outstanding. As of December31, 2025 and December31, 2024,
there were 0 shares of Series C Preferred Stock outstanding.
Treasury Stock
During the years ended December31,
2025 and December31, 2024, 1,026 and 524 shares of common stock with a cost of $765 and $504, respectively, were withheld to cover
taxes owed by certain employees, all of which were included as treasury stock outstanding and recorded at cost within Treasury Stock on
the consolidated balance sheets.
On September 25, 2025, the
Company executed a share exchange agreement with F&M Film und Medien Beteiligungs GmbH (F&M), pursuant to which
the Company agreed to transfer 348,127 shares of YFE previously held by the Company, to F&M, in exchange for 348,127 shares of the
Companys common stock previously held by F&M, on a one-for-one basis. The shares received from F&M were returned to the
Companys treasury and recorded at their cost of approximately $0.3 million within Treasury Stock on the consolidated balance sheet.
Note 14: Stock Options
On August 27, 2020, the Companys
stockholders approved the adoption of the Kartoon Studios, Inc. 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended, the 2020 Plan).
The 2020 Plan replaced the previously adopted 2015 Incentive Plan (the 2015 Plan). The maximum number of shares available
for issuance was initially equal to the sum of (i) 3,000,000 shares of common stock and (ii) the number of shares of common stock remaining
available for issuance under the 2015 Plan, which was then equal to 216,767 shares. On May 23, 2023, the Companys stockholders
approved the adoption of an Amended and Restated 2020 Equity Incentive Plan, which provided for the maximum number of shares of common
stock available for issuance under the 2020 Plan to be increased by 5,000,000 shares. Subsequently, on May 14, 2025, the Companys
stockholders approved a further amendment and restatement of the 2020 Plan, providing for an additional increase of 5,000,000 shares of
common stock authorized for issuance under the 2020 Plan. As of December31, 2025, the number of shares remaining available for issuance
was 8,481,135, out of a maximum of 13,216,767 shares available under the 2020 Plan.
During the year ended December31,
2025, the Company granted options to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock to a consultant, with weighted-average grant-date fair market
value of $39,260. The options vested immediately upon grant and related expense was capitalized to production costs related to the project.
During the year ended December31, 2024, the Company granted options to purchase 35,000 shares of common stock with a weighted-average
grant-date fair market value of $24,210.
The fair value of the options
granted during the years ended December31, 2025 and December31, 2024 were calculated using the BSM option pricing model based
on the following assumptions:
| 
Schedule of option pricing model
assumptions | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
Year Ended December 31, | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
Exercise Price | | 
$ | 0.82 | | | 
$ | 0.95 | | |
| 
Dividend Yield | | 
| % | | 
| % | |
| 
Volatility | | 
| 68.9% | | 
| 92.1% | |
| 
Risk-free interest rate | | 
| 3.6% | | 
| 4.3% | |
| 
Expected life of options | | 
| 3.0 years | | | 
| 5.0 years | | |
| | F-34 | | |
The following table summarizes
the stock option activity during the years ended December31, 2025 and 2024:
| 
Schedule of option activity | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
Number of Shares | | | 
Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life | | | 
Weighted- Average Exercise Price | | |
| 
Outstanding at December 31, 2023 | | 
| 1,183,908 | | | 
| 5.56 | | | 
$ | 14.96 | | |
| 
Granted | | 
| 35,000 | | | 
| 4.47 | | | 
| 0.95 | | |
| 
Exercised | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Forfeited/Cancelled | | 
| (260,968 | ) | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Expired | | 
| (5,800 | ) | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Outstanding at December 31, 2024 | | 
| 952,140 | | | 
| 4.79 | | | 
| 12.72 | | |
| 
Granted | | 
| 100,000 | | | 
| 2.72 | | | 
| 0.82 | | |
| 
Exercised | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Forfeited/Cancelled | | 
| (38,730 | ) | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Expired | | 
| (44,280 | ) | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Outstanding at December 31, 2025 | | 
| 969,130 | | | 
| 3.96 | | | 
$ | 11.58 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Vested and exercisable December 31, 2025 | | 
| 969,130 | | | 
| 3.96 | | | 
$ | 11.58 | | |
During the years ended December31,
2025 and December31, 2024, the Company recognized $24,699 and $0.2million, respectively,
in share-based compensation expense related to stock options included in General and Administrative Expense on the Companys consolidated
statements of operations. As of December31, 2025, there was no unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options,
as all outstanding stock options were fully vested. The outstanding stock options as of December31, 2025 had an aggregated intrinsic
value of zero.
Note 15: Restricted Stock Units
RSUs are granted under
the Companys 2020 Plan. During the year ended December31, 2025, the Company granted 575,305
fully vested RSUs to the Companys board members and consultants, with a fair value of $0.4 million.
During the year ended December31, 2025, the Company granted 750,000
RSUs to an executive employee with an aggregate grant-date fair value of approximately $0.5
million. These RSUs vest ratably over three years from the grant date, subject to continued employment.
An aggregate of 588,864 shares
of common stock were issued during the year ended December31, 2025 as a result of RSUs that vested during the current and prior
periods.
| | F-35 | | |
The following table summarizes
the Companys RSU activity during the years ended December31, 2025 and 2024:
| 
Schedule of RSU activity | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
Restricted Stock Units | | | 
Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share | | |
| 
Unvested at December 31, 2023 | | 
| 982,625 | | | 
$ | 13.42 | | |
| 
Granted | | 
| 372,745 | | | 
| 1.00 | | |
| 
Vested | | 
| (484,953 | ) | | 
| 3.68 | | |
| 
Forfeited/Cancelled | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Unvested at December 31, 2024 | | 
| 870,417 | | | 
| 13.53 | | |
| 
Granted | | 
| 1,325,305 | | | 
| 0.67 | | |
| 
Vested | | 
| (588,639 | ) | | 
| 0.74 | | |
| 
Forfeited/Cancelled | | 
| (1,666 | ) | | 
| | | |
| 
Unvested at December 31, 2025 | | 
| 1,605,417 | | | 
$ | 7.62 | | |
During the year ended December31,
2025, upon termination of certain employees, the Company accelerated the vesting of any unvested RSUs held by such employees pursuant
to their employment agreements. This resulted in 1,667 RSUs becoming immediately vested and 1,045 shares issued, net of withheld taxes
on the separation date. The Company recognized expense of $1,137 related to the accelerated vesting of RSUs during the year ended December31,
2025.
During the years ended December31,
2025 and December31, 2024, the Company recognized $0.3million and $0.5million, respectively, in share-based compensation
expense related to RSU awards included in General and Administrative Expense on the Companys consolidated statements of operations.
The unvested share-based compensation as of December31, 2025 was $0.4million which will be recognized through the fourth quarter
of 2028 assuming the underlying grants are not cancelled or forfeited. The total fair value of shares vested during the year ended December31,
2025 was $0.4million.
Note 16: Warrants
The following table summarizes
the activity in the Companys outstanding warrants during the years ended December31, 2025 and December31, 2024:
| 
Schedule of warrant activity | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
Warrants Outstanding Number of Shares | | | 
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life | | | 
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share | | |
| 
Balance at December 31, 2023 | | 
| 6,852,952 | | | 
| 4.16 | | | 
$ | 8.19 | | |
| 
Granted | | 
| 21,067,103 | | | 
| 0.39 | | | 
| 0.48 | | |
| 
Exercised | | 
| (2,157,736 | ) | | 
| | | | 
| 0.001 | | |
| 
Expired | | 
| (27,567 | ) | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Forfeitures | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Balance at December 31, 2024 | | 
| 25,734,752 | | | 
| 1.16 | | | 
| 2.19 | | |
| 
Granted | | 
| 17,499,311 | | | 
| 3.21 | | | 
| 0.45 | | |
| 
Exercised | | 
| (1,462,000 | ) | | 
| | | | 
| 0.001 | | |
| 
Expired | | 
| (149,559 | ) | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Forfeitures | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Balance at December 31, 2025 | | 
| 41,622,504 | | | 
| 2.86 | | | 
$ | 1.52 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Exercisable December 31, 2025 | | 
| 41,622,504 | | | 
| 2.86 | | | 
$ | 1.52 | | |
| | F-36 | | |
The outstanding warrant balance
as of December 31, 2024, as previously erroneously reported in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2024, included 100,000 warrants that had been exercised in April 2024. This exercised amount was identified in the Q1 2025 review
and the prior period balance has been corrected accordingly. The correction was not material to the financial statements, did not result
in any adjusting entry, and had no impact on the Companys results of operations or financial position.
On March 5, 2025, 1,462,000
pre-funded warrants were exercised at a price of $0.001 per share, which represented par value, resulting in total proceeds of $1,462.
The issuance was completed in accordance with the terms of the warrant agreements, and the shares issued are fully paid and non-assessable.
On March 13, 2025, 89,286
derivative warrants classified as a liability as issued with convertible notes in 2020 to purchase shares of the Companys common
stock expired and were no longer outstanding as of December31, 2025. In addition, 60,273 warrants previously classified as equity
expired during the year ended December31, 2025.
On May 14, 2025, the Companys
shareholders approved the exercise of the Series A warrants and Series B warrants under all settlement scenarios, thereby satisfying the
conditions for equity classification. These warrants were issued in connection with the Companys December 2024 offering, presented
in a later section of this Note. Based on this approval, the Company reevaluated the classification of the warrants under ASC 815-40 and
determined that equity classification is appropriate. The warrants were remeasured to fair value immediately before the reclassification.
As of May 13, 2025, the warrants were revalued at approximately $5.7million, resulting in a recognition of a $0.7million decrease
in the liability. The change in value was recorded as a Gain on Revaluation of Warrants within Other Income (Expense), net on the consolidated
statements of operations and within the Adjustments to Reconcile Net Loss to Net Cash Used in Operating Activities on the consolidated
statements of cash flows. Subsequently, the total liability of approximately $5.7million was reclassified to additional paid-in
capital.
The fair value of the outstanding
Series A derivative warrants, prior to their reclassification to equity, was determined by using the BSM based on the following assumptions
as of May 13, 2025:
| 
Schedule of assumptions | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
May 13, 2025 | | |
| 
Market Price | | 
$ | 0.65 | | |
| 
Exercise Price | | 
| 0.57 | | |
| 
Dividend Yield | | 
| % | |
| 
Volatility | | 
| 86.3% | |
| 
Risk-free Interest Rate | | 
| 4.1% | |
| 
Expected Life of Warrants | | 
| 5.00 | | |
The fair value of the outstanding
Series A derivative warrants was determined by using the BSM option pricing model based on the following assumptions as of December31,
2024:
| 
| | 
December 31, 2024 | | |
| 
Market Price | | 
$ | 0.59 | | |
| 
Exercise Price | | 
| 0.57 | | |
| 
Dividend Yield | | 
| % | |
| 
Volatility | | 
| 101.6% | |
| 
Risk-free Interest Rate | | 
| 4.0% | |
| 
Expected Life of Warrants | | 
| 5.00 | | |
| | F-37 | | |
The fair value of the outstanding
Series B derivative warrants, prior to their reclassification to equity, was determined by using the BSM option pricing model based on
the following assumptions as of May 13, 2025:
| 
| | 
May 13, 2025 | | |
| 
Market Price | | 
$ | 0.65 | | |
| 
Exercise Price | | 
| 0.57 | | |
| 
Dividend Yield | | 
| % | |
| 
Volatility | | 
| 68.9% | |
| 
Risk-free Interest Rate | | 
| 4.1% | |
| 
Expected Life of Warrants | | 
| 1.50 | | |
The fair value of the outstanding
Series B derivative warrants was determined by using the BSM option pricing model based on the following assumptions as of December31,
2024:
| 
| | 
December 31, 2024 | | |
| 
Market Price | | 
$ | 0.59 | | |
| 
Exercise Price | | 
| 0.57 | | |
| 
Dividend Yield | | 
| % | |
| 
Volatility | | 
| 82.5% | |
| 
Risk-free Interest Rate | | 
| 4.0% | |
| 
Expected Life of Warrants | | 
| 1.50 | | |
As of December31, 2025,
the 7,894,736 Series A warrants and 7,894,736 Series B warrants remain outstanding as equity-classified instruments.
October 2025 Offerings
On October 22, 2025, pursuant
to the terms of the October 2025 Purchase Agreement, the Company closed the registered direct offering of the 3,000,000 October 2025
Shares and the October 2025 Pre-Funded Warrants to purchase up to 6,903,049 shares of common stock to the October 2025 Investor. In the
Concurrent Private Placement, pursuant to the October 2025 Purchase Agreement, the Company also sold to the October 2025 Investor unregistered
October 2025 Common Warrants to purchase up to 9,903,049 shares of common stock, with an exercise price of $0.738 per share. Each October
2025 Share and privately placed October 2025 Common Warrant was sold at a combined public offering price of $0.738, and each October
2025 Pre-Funded Warrant and privately placed October 2025 Common Warrant was sold at a combined public offering price of $0.737, for
aggregate gross proceeds at closing of approximately $7.3 million, prior to deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses.
In connection with the October Offerings, the Company paid to the placement agent a cash fee equal to 7% of the aggregate gross proceeds
from the sale of the securities sold in this offering, plus $75,000 as a reimbursement of certain out-of-pocket expenses. The placement
agent is also entitled to receive 7% of the gross proceeds received from the exercise of any of the October 2025 Common Warrants, if
any. In addition, the Company issued Placement Agent Warrants to purchase 693,213 shares of common stock to the placement agent and its
designees with an exercise price of $0.8118 per share.
| | F-38 | | |
April 2024 Offering
On April23, 2024 the
Company issued pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 100,000 shares of Common Stock to an institutional investor at price of $0.99 per
pre-funded warrant, which were exercised immediately. Additionally, in connection with the April 2024 Offering, the exercise price of
certain warrants to purchase 4,784,909 shares of common stock, previously issued by the Company in June 2023, was reduced from $2.50 per
share to $1.00 per share pursuant to anti-dilution provisions contained in such warrants. The reduction in exercise price reduced the
Weighted-Average Exercise Price per Share from $8.19 before the reprice to $7.14 after the reprice.
December 2024 Offering
On December 18, 2024, the
Company closed an offering (the December 2024 Offering) for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $4,496,480 from one
institutional investor and issued to such investor 4,375,000 shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 3,519,736 shares
of common stock, Series A common stock purchase warrants to purchase up to 7,894,736 shares of common stock, and Series B common stock
purchase warrants to purchase up to 7,894,736 shares of common stock. Each share of common stock and each pre-funded warrant was issued
together with one Series A warrant and one Series B warrant as part of an integrated offering. The combined purchase price per share of
common stock, together with the accompanying Series A and Series B warrants, was $0.57, while the combined purchase price per pre-funded
warrant, together with the accompanying Series A and Series B warrants, was $0.569. The Company incurred a placement agent fee of approximately
$389,754 and issued warrants to purchase 1,657,895 shares of common stock to the placement agent with an exercise price of $0.71 per share.
Following an analysis under applicable accounting guidance, the Company determined that the pre-funded warrants and placement agent warrants
met the criteria for equity classification, while the Series A and Series B warrants required classification as liabilities due to settlement
provisions requiring shareholder approval. The Series A and Series B warrants were initially measured at fair value and remeasured at
each reporting period, with changes in fair value recorded in earnings. Additionally, in connection with the December 2024 Offering, the
exercise price of certain warrants to purchase 4,784,909 shares of common stock, previously issued by the Company in June 2023, was reduced
from $1.00 per share to $0.57 per share pursuant to anti-dilution provisions contained in such warrants. The reduction in exercise price
reduced the Weighted-Average Exercise Price per Share from $7.14 before the reprice to $6.85 after the reprice.
On December 26, 2024, 2,057,736
of the pre-funded warrants were exercised at a price of $0.001 per share, which represented par value, resulting in total proceeds of
$2,058. The issuance was completed in accordance with the terms of the warrant agreements, and the shares issued are fully paid and non-assessable.
| | F-39 | | |
Note 17: Supplemental Financial Statement Information
Other Income (Expense), net
Components of Other Income (Expense), net, are
summarized as follows (in thousands):
| 
Schedule of other income expense, net | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
Year Ended December 31, | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
Interest Expense (a) | | 
$ | (656 | ) | | 
$ | (779 | ) | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Gain (Loss) on Revaluation of Warrants (b) | | 
| (232 | ) | | 
| 63 | | |
| 
Loss on Revaluation of Equity Investment in YFE (c) | | 
| (9,830 | ) | | 
| (1,627 | ) | |
| 
Loss on Partial Disposal of Equity Investment and Share Exchange (d) | | 
| (1,755 | ) | | 
| | | |
| 
Loss on Transaction (e) | | 
| | | | 
| (985 | ) | |
| 
Realized Loss on Marketable Securities Investments (f) | | 
| (37 | ) | | 
| (611 | ) | |
| 
Gain (Loss) on Foreign Exchange (g) | | 
| 2,313 | | | 
| (2,138 | ) | |
| 
Loss on Debt Settlement (h) | | 
| (1,753 | ) | | 
| | | |
| 
Interest Income (i) | | 
| 76 | | | 
| 168 | | |
| 
Finance Lease Interest Expense (j) | | 
| (22 | ) | | 
| (87 | ) | |
| 
Gain on Lease Modification (k) | | 
| 4 | | | 
| | | |
| 
Other (l) | | 
| (25 | ) | | 
| 2,008 | | |
| 
Other Expense, net | | 
$ | (11,261 | ) | | 
$ | (3,209 | ) | |
| 
| 
(a) | 
Interest expense during the year ended December31, 2025 primarily consisted of $0.1 million of interest incurred on the factoring liability and $0.5 million of interest incurred on production facilities. Interest expense during the year ended December31, 2024 primarily consisted of $0.1 million of interest incurred on the margin loan and $0.7 million of interest incurred on production facilities and bank indebtedness. | |
| 
| 
(b) | 
The loss on revaluation of warrants during the year ended December31, 2025 consists of a $0.7 million loss recorded at remeasurement offset by a $0.4 million fair value gain in the period ended March 31, 2025 of the outstanding 7,894,736 Series A warrants and 7,894,736 Series B warrants issued in December 2024. These warrants were classified as a liability in the quarter ended March 31, 2025 and a change in their fair value resulted in a recorded gain due to a decrease of the expiration period. In the quarter ended June 2025, these warrants were reclassified to equity. During the year ended December31, 2024, the recorded gain on revaluation of warrants was related to the remeasurement of 89,286 outstanding warrants classified as liability, which expired in March 2025. | |
| 
| 
(c) | 
As the investment in YFE is accounted for under the fair value option, the Company recognized a loss on revaluation of its equity investment in YFE of approximately $9.8 million and $1.6 million for the years ended December31, 2025 and December31, 2024, respectively. The loss reflected decreases in YFEs stock price during the current reporting periods compared to the respective prior reporting periods. The impact of foreign currency translation is excluded and presented separately. | |
| 
| 
(d) | 
The $1.8 million loss consists of a $1.5 million loss recognized on the disposal of 1,500,000 shares of YFE completed on July 14, 2025, and a $0.3 million loss recognized in connection with the share exchange executed on September 25, 2025. | |
| 
| 
(e) | 
The Company allocated the total December 2024 offering transaction proceeds among the instruments issued, recognizing the Series A and Series B warrants as a liability at their full fair value. As a result of this allocation, the Company recorded a non-cash loss of $1.0 million. | |
| 
| 
(f) | 
The realized loss on marketable securities investments of $36,674 recorded in the year ended December31, 2025, reflects the loss on the sale of marketable securities prior to maturity date. The realized loss on marketable securities investments of $0.6 million recorded in the year ended December31, 2024, reflected the loss that was not recovered from the investments due to selling securities and issuers prepayments of principals on certain mortgage-backed securities. | |
| 
| 
(g) | 
The gain on foreign exchange during the year ended December31, 2025 primarily related to the remeasurement of the YFE investment, resulting in a gain of $1.8 million, due to the depreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Euro relative to prior periods. The remaining balance of $0.5 million represents the remeasurement of foreign currency transactions of the Companys non-U.S. subsidiary that remained outstanding as of the consolidated balance sheet date. The loss on Foreign Exchange during the year ended December31, 2024 primarily related to the revaluation of the YFE investment, resulting in a loss of $1.0 million due to the Euro depreciating against the U.S. dollar as compared to prior period and a loss of $1.1 million due to the remeasurement of foreign currency transactions of the Companys non-U.S. subsidiary. | |
| 
| 
(h) | 
The loss on debt settlement recorded during the year ended December31, 2025 includes a loss of $0.9 million related to the loan settlement agreement with YFE finalized in April 2025 and a loss of $0.8 million arising from the Section 3(a)(10) transaction completed during the year. | |
| | F-40 | | |
| 
| 
(i) | 
Interest income during the year ended December31, 2025 primarily consisted of income from investments in marketable securities, net of premium amortization expense, as well as other transactions, including interest income related to an Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) receivable and interest income related to the shareholder loan (see Note 20 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K). Each of these sources was individually immaterial. Interest income during the year ended December31, 2024 primarily consisted of interest income of $0.1 million, net of premium amortization expense, recorded for the investments in marketable securities, and $0.1 million related to the shareholder loan. | |
| 
| 
(j) | 
The finance lease interest expense represents the interest portion of the finance lease obligations for equipment purchased under an equipment lease line. | |
| 
| 
(k) | 
On April 1, 2025, Beacon executed a rent reassignment agreement relinquishing one floor of its office space in Toronto to a new tenant who assumed the lease obligation for that floor. This transaction resulted in a gain of $4,253 on lease modification recorded during the year ended December31, 2025. | |
| 
| 
(l) | 
During the year ended December31, 2025, a net loss of $0.1 million was recognized in connection with the reversal of previously accrued other income related to ERTC claims. Other income had initially been recorded based on anticipated recoveries from submitted claims. Recent legislative developments reduced the expected recoverable amounts, resulting in a partial reversal of the accrued other income. The amount also included approximately $0.1 million of other income, primarily consisting of late fees from select clients on payment plans and credit card rewards. The difference between these amounts is reflected in the net balance presented in thousands. During the year ended December31, 2024, we recorded $1.2 million in other income related to the ERTC receivable, $0.6 million late fees contract interest income, $0.1 million domain sale income, and $0.1 million income related to credit card rewards and other rebates. | |
Note 18: Income Taxes
For financial reporting purposes, Loss Before
Income Tax Benefit (Expense) includes the following components (in thousands):
| 
Schedule of loss before income tax benefit expense | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
Year Ended December 31, | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
United States | | 
$ | (19,217 | ) | | 
$ | (14,812 | ) | |
| 
Foreign | | 
| (5,616 | ) | | 
| (6,172 | ) | |
| 
Loss Before Income Tax Benefit | | 
$ | (24,833 | ) | | 
$ | (20,984 | ) | |
The significant components
of Income Tax Benefit (Expense) are as follows (in thousands):
| 
Schedule of components
of income tax benefit | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
Year Ended December 31, | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
Current: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Federal | | 
$ | | | | 
$ | | | |
| 
State | | 
| | | | 
| (12 | ) | |
| 
Foreign | | 
| | | | 
| 62 | | |
| 
Current expense | | 
| | | | 
| 50 | | |
| 
Deferred: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Federal | | 
| 21 | | | 
| (7 | ) | |
| 
State | | 
| 46 | | | 
| | | |
| 
Foreign | | 
| 68 | | | 
| | | |
| 
Deferred benefit | | 
| 135 | | | 
| (7 | ) | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Income Tax Benefit | | 
$ | 135 | | | 
$ | 43 | | |
| | F-41 | | |
Deferred taxes are provided
on a liability method whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and operating loss and tax credit
carryforwards and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Temporary differences are the differences
between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax basis. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance
when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment. Deferred
Tax Liability, net consists of the following components (in thousands):
| 
Schedule of deferred tax liability | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
As of December 31, | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
Deferred Tax Assets: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Net Operating Loss Carryover | | 
$ | 47,937 | | | 
$ | 52,747 | | |
| 
Capital Loss Carryover | | 
| 2,127 | | | 
| | | |
| 
Lease Liability | | 
| 1,564 | | | 
| 1,811 | | |
| 
Stock Compensation | | 
| 523 | | | 
| 765 | | |
| 
Investments | | 
| 3,774 | | | 
| | | |
| 
Marketable Securities | | 
| 1,647 | | | 
| 24 | | |
| 
Other | | 
| 1,598 | | | 
| 3,300 | | |
| 
Total Gross Deferred Tax Assets | | 
| 55,396 | | | 
| 58,647 | | |
| 
Less: Valuation Allowance | | 
| (51,547 | ) | | 
| (54,046 | ) | |
| 
Deferred Tax Assets, net | | 
| 3,849 | | | 
| 4,601 | | |
| 
Deferred Tax Liabilities: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Right-of-Use Assets | | 
| (1,449 | ) | | 
| (1,663 | ) | |
| 
Intangible Assets | | 
| (3,618 | ) | | 
| (4,239 | ) | |
| 
Other | | 
| (7 | ) | | 
| | | |
| 
Total Gross Deferred Tax Liabilities | | 
| (5,074 | ) | | 
| (5,902 | ) | |
| 
Deferred Tax Liability, net | | 
$ | (1,225 | ) | | 
$ | (1,301 | ) | |
The income tax provision
differs from the amount of income tax determined by applying the U.S. federal tax rate to pretax income from continuing operations due
to the following (in thousands):
| 
Schedule of income tax provision | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
Year Ended December 31, 2025 | | |
| 
| | 
Dollars | | | 
Percentages | | |
| 
U.S. Federal Statutory Tax Rate | | 
$ | (5,215 | ) | | 
| 21.0 | % | |
| 
State and Local Income Taxes, Net of Federal Income Tax Effect (1) | | 
| (46 | ) | | 
| 0.2 | % | |
| 
Foreign Tax Effects | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Canada | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Statutory tax rate difference between Canada and U.S. | | 
| (186 | ) | | 
| 0.7 | % | |
| 
Changes in valuation allowances | | 
| 607 | | | 
| (2.4 | )% | |
| 
Other | | 
| 197 | | | 
| (0.8 | )% | |
| 
Provincial tax | | 
| 494 | | | 
| (2.0 | )% | |
| 
Changes in Valuation Allowances | | 
| (1,402 | ) | | 
| 5.6 | % | |
| 
Nontaxable or Nondeductible Items | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Other | | 
| 600 | | | 
| (2.4 | )% | |
| 
Other Adjustments | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Intercompany Transactions | | 
| 4,071 | | | 
| (16.4 | )% | |
| 
Adjustments to Deferred Items | | 
| 754 | | | 
| (3.0 | )% | |
| 
Other | | 
| (9 | ) | | 
| 0.0 | % | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Effective Tax Rate | | 
$ | (135 | ) | | 
| 0.5 | % | |
| 
(1) | 
State taxes in California and New Jersey made up the majority (greater than 50 percent) of the tax effect
in this category. | |
| | F-42 | | |
As previously disclosed for
the years ended December 31, 2024, prior to the adoption of ASU 2023-09, the table below is a reconciliation of the components that caused
the Companys (provision) benefit for income taxes to differ from amounts computed by applying the U.S. federal statutory rate:
| 
| | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
Year Ended
December 31, 2024 | | |
| 
Income Tax Benefit Computed at the Statutory Federal Rate | | 
$ | 4,406 | | |
| 
State Income Taxes, Net of Federal Tax Effect | | 
| 716 | | |
| 
Stock Compensation | | 
| (895 | ) | |
| 
Goodwill Impairment | | 
| | | |
| 
Warrants | | 
| (207 | ) | |
| 
Other | | 
| (165 | ) | |
| 
Non-U.S. operations | | 
| 368 | | |
| 
Valuation Allowance | | 
| (4,180 | ) | |
| 
Income Tax Benefit | | 
$ | 43 | | |
On July 4, 2025, the President
signed H.R. 1 the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law. The legislation includes several changes to federal tax law that generally allow
for more favorable deductibility of certain business expenses beginning in 2025, including the restoration of immediate expensing of domestic
research and development expenditures, reinstatement of 100% bonus depreciation, and more favorable rules for determining the limitation
on business interest expense. These changes were reflected in the income tax provision for the period ended December 31, 2025, as enactment
occurred before the balance sheet date. The Company determined, there was no material impact to our income tax expense or effective tax
rate, due to the full valuation allowance against the net deferred tax asset.
At December31,
2025, the Company had Federal, state, and foreign net operating loss carry forwards of approximately $118.4
million, $114.2
million, and $56.1
million, respectively, that may be offset against future taxable income, and will begin to expire in 2026 (Federal) and in 2028
(state and Canada), if not utilized. No tax benefit related specifically to operating loss has been reported in the
December31, 2025 financial statements since the potential tax benefit from net operating loss carryforward is offset by a
valuation allowance of the same amount. At December31, 2025, the Company had gross realized capital loss carryforwards of
$8.7 million, which expire beginning in 2027 if not utilized. A full valuation allowance has been recorded against this amount.
For the years ended December31,
2025 and 2024, the Company reflects a deferred tax liability in the amount of $1.2million and $1.3million, respectively, due
to the future tax liability from assets with indefinite lives known as a naked credit. The future tax liability created
by this indefinite lived asset can be offset by up to 80% of net operating loss carryforwards created after 2017. The remaining portion
of the future tax liability from indefinite lived assets cannot be used to offset definite lived deferred tax assets.
The Company did not record
foreign withholding taxes on undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries based on its intention to permanently reinvest those earnings
at December 31, 2025 or 2024, except for Frederator, wholly owned by WOW. During 2025, management reevaluated and determined that it will
no longer assert permanent reinvestment with respect to Frederator. As of December 31, 2025, Frederator has a cumulative deficit
in earnings and profits. Accordingly, the change in assertion does not expect to generate a deferred tax liability or applicable withholding
taxes.
Due to the change in ownership
provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, net operating loss carry forwards for Federal income tax reporting purposes are subject to annual
limitations. Should a change in ownership occur, net operating loss carry forwards may be limited as to use in future years.
The Company accounts for income
taxes in accordance with ASC 740, *Income Taxes*, which requires the recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets at currently
enacted tax rates for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns.
A valuation allowance is recognized to reduce the net deferred tax asset to an amount that is more likely than not to be realized.
ASC 740 provides guidance
on the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in a companys financial statements. ASC 740 requires a company to
determine whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination based upon the technical merits of
the position. If the more-likely-than-not threshold is met, a company must measure the tax position to determine the amount to recognize
in the consolidated financial statements.
| | F-43 | | |
The Company includes interest
and penalties arising from the underpayment of income taxes in the statements of operation in the provision for income taxes. As of December31,
2025, the Company had no accrued interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions.
The Company files income tax
returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and in the states of California, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, as well as Canada.
To the extent allowed by law, the taxing authorities may have the right to examine prior periods where net operating losses were generated
and carried forward to make adjustments up to the amount of the net operating losses. The Company is currently subject to U.S. federal,
state and local and foreign tax examinations by tax authorities. The Company is no longer subject to audits by U.S. federal, state, local
or foreign authorities for years prior to 2021.
Kartoon Studios, Inc. and
its wholly-owned U.S. subsidiaries are subject to U.S. income taxes and file a consolidated and separate tax returns in the U.S. The Beacon
Communications Group, Ltd., Ameba Inc. and Wow Unlimited Media Inc. are subject to Canadian income taxes on a stand-alone basis and file
separate tax returns in Canada.
Note 19: Commitments and Contingencies
The following is a schedule
of future minimum cash contractual obligations as of December31, 2025 (in thousands):
| 
Schedule of future minimum lease payments | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
2026 | | | 
2027 | | | 
2028 | | | 
2029 | | | 
2030 | | | 
Thereafter | | | 
Total | | |
| 
Operating Leases | | 
$ | 1,570 | | | 
$ | 1,402 | | | 
$ | 1,058 | | | 
$ | 1,096 | | | 
$ | 1,123 | | | 
$ | 1,123 | | | 
$ | 7,372 | | |
| 
Finance Leases | | 
| 169 | | | 
| 116 | | | 
| 29 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 314 | | |
| 
Employment Contracts | | 
| 3,331 | | | 
| 2,887 | | | 
| 1,712 | | | 
| 444 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 8,374 | | |
| 
Consulting Contracts | | 
| 4,007 | | | 
| 361 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 4,368 | | |
| 
Production Facilities | | 
| 11,819 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 11,819 | | |
| 
Contractual obligation | | 
$ | 20,896 | | | 
$ | 4,766 | | | 
$ | 2,799 | | | 
$ | 1,540 | | | 
$ | 1,123 | | | 
$ | 1,123 | | | 
$ | 32,247 | | |
Leases
On January 30, 2019, the Company
entered into an operating lease for 5,838 square feet of general office space at 190 N. Canon Drive, Suite 400, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
pursuant to a 96-month lease that commenced on August 1, 2019. The Company pays rent of $0.5 million annually, subject to annual escalations
of 3.5%.
On February 1, 2021, as part
of the acquisition of Beacon, the Company assumed an operating lease that was entered into on May 19, 2019. Pursuant to a lease reassignment
agreement executed on April 1, 2025, one floor of its office space in Toronto was relinquished to a new tenant, who assumed the lease
obligation for that floor. The reassignment reduced Beacons leased space from 570 square feet to 74 square feet. The Companys
uses 74 square feet of general office space located at 245 Fairview Mall Drive, Suites 202 and 301, Toronto, Ontario M2J 4T1 pursuant
to an 84-month lease which commenced on October 1, 2019. As of December31, 2025, the remaining lease payments were $9,153.
On April 6, 2022, as part
of the Wow acquisition, the Company assumed an operating lease for 45,119 square feet of general office space located at 2025 West Broadway,
Suite 300, Vancouver, B.C., V6J 1Z6. As of December31, 2025, the operating lease had a remaining lease term of 72 months and payments
of $0.1 million per month, subject to escalations of 7% each of the third and fifth years. In addition, the Company also assumed a parking
lease for 80 parking spaces which had a remaining lease term of 72 months as of December31, 2025, and payments of $5,728 per month.
The present value discount
of the minimum operating lease payments above was $1.8 million which when deducted from the cash commitments for the leases included in
the table above, equates to the operating lease liabilities of $5.6 million recorded as of December31, 2025 on the Companys
consolidated balance sheet.
| | F-44 | | |
Employment Contracts
The Company has entered into
employment agreements with certain key executives, which remain in effect for fixed terms. Under these agreements, the executives receive
a base salary, subject to potential reviews at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Some of these agreements also include provisions
for severance benefits in certain circumstances. As a result, the Company's commitments under these agreements represent future salary
or severance payments obligations.
Other Funding Commitments
The Company enters into various
agreements associated with its individual properties. Some of these agreements call for the potential future payment of royalties or profit
participations for either (i) the use of third party IP, in which the Company is obligated to share net profits with the underlying rights
holders on a certain basis as defined in the respective agreements, or (ii) services rendered by animation studios, post-production studios,
writers, directors, musicians or other creative talent for which the Company is obligated to share with these service providers a portion
of the net profits of the properties on which they have rendered services, as defined in each respective agreement.
*Litigation*
From time to time, the Company
may be subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of its business activities. As of December31,
2025, there were no material pending legal proceedings to which the Company is a party or as to which any of its property is subject,
other than as described below.
*Securities Litigation:*
On February 4, 2025, the District
Court issued an order granting in part and denying in part the renewed motion to dismiss and denying Plaintiffs motion for leave
to file a sur-reply. The District Court dismissed all claims against Mr. Denton, and claims against the Company and Mr. Heyward based
on all but one of the complained-of statements. However, the District Court determined that Plaintiffs had adequately pled a Section 10(b)
claim based on March 2020 statements concerning the number of times that the Rainbow Rangers cartoon was airing on Nickelodeon. As to
the other alleged misstatements that were dismissed, and as to any claims against Mr. Denton, the District Court granted Plaintiffs leave
to amend their pleading another time. On March 3, 2025, Plaintiffs filed a Third Amended Complaint, seeking again to assert claims against
the Company and Mr. Heyward related to the four alleged misstatements that survived the Ninth Circuit appeal; they did not replead any
claims against Mr. Denton. On April 14, 2025, defendants filed a motion to dismiss the Third Amended Complaint. On August 5, 2025, the
District Court issued a decision that granted in part and denied in part Defendants motion to dismiss Plaintiffs Third Amended
Complaint. Two of the four alleged misstatements were dismissed with prejudice. Plaintiffs were granted leave to amend as to one of the
alleged misstatements, and the Court denied the motion as to the fourth misstatement. Plaintiffs elected not to further amend their complaint,
leaving only one alleged misstatement at issue in the case. This one alleged misstatement, which appeared in a press release issued March
17, 2020, and repeated in a shareholder letter issued March 20, 2020, stated that the Nickelodeon cable platform Nick, Jr., had increased
its airing of the Companys cartoon series Rainbow Rangers to 26 times a week. Plaintiffs claim this was false, and that the misstatement
was issued with an intent to deceive investors. Defendants have denied and continue to deny any wrongdoing. Given that only a small portion
of the Third Amended Complaint remains, and with no case schedule in place, Defendants filed a request with the Court to set a status
conference pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 16 to limit the scope of discovery, to phase discovery, and to modify the normal
rule requiring an allegation-by-allegation response to the Third Amended Complaint. The Court granted the request and held the conference
on January 12, 2026. At that time, the Court determined that Defendants did not need to file an Answer to the Third Amended Complaint
for now, denied the request to phase discovery, and agreed that merits discovery should be limited to the narrow issues that remain in
the case. The Court referred the specifics concerning the scope of discovery to Magistrate Judge Oliver. She has held an initial conference
and ordered that the parties submit letter-briefs regarding outstanding disputes concerning the scope of discovery by March 20, 2026,
with responses due by April 3, 2026. Once letter briefing is complete, the parties anticipate that the Magistrate will issue proposed
orders setting bounds on the scope of discovery, which will then be considered by the Court. The Court is also expected to set a schedule
for the case. In the meantime, defendants are engaged in document-collection efforts and fact-development work. The Company cannot predict
the outcome of the securities class action.
| | F-45 | | |
Meanwhile, as previously reported,
the parties elected to mediate the dispute, as well as the shareholder derivative actions referenced below, before Phillips ADR. The mediation
was held December 9, 2024. The case did not settle during the mediation. In light of the District Courts February 4, 2025, order,
however, the mediator has reached out to the parties to determine whether there is a basis now to resolve the dispute. While the Company
has advised that it would like to settle the lawsuit, the mediator has not reported back concerning his discussions with Plaintiffs
counsel. We cannot predict whether the parties will decide to continue with mediation or, if they do, whether they will be able to reach
a settlement of the case and of related shareholder derivative litigation on terms acceptable to the parties.
As previously disclosed,
the Company, its Chief Executive Officer Andy Heyward, and its former Chief Financial Officer Robert Denton were named as defendants
in a putative class action lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and styled In re *Genius
Brands International, Inc. Securities Litigation, Master File No. 2:20-cv-07457 DSF (RAOx)*. Lead plaintiffs alleged generally that
the defendants violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act of 1934 by issuing allegedly false or misleading statements about
the Company, initially over an alleged class period running from March into early July 2020. Plaintiffs sought unspecified damages on
behalf of the alleged class of persons who invested in the Companys common stock during the alleged class period. Defendants moved
to dismiss lead plaintiffs amended complaint, and in a decision issued on August 30, 2021, the Court dismissed the amended complaint
but granted lead plaintiffs a further opportunity to plead a claim.
In September 2021, lead plaintiffs
filed a second amended complaint, naming the same defendants. The new complaint alleged again that the Company made numerous - depending
on how one counted, more than two dozen - false or misleading statements about the Companys business and business prospects, this
time over an expanded alleged class period that extended into March 2021. They again alleged that these misstatements violated Section
10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act. Lead plaintiffs again sought unspecified damages on behalf of an alleged class of persons who invested
in the Companys common stock during the expanded alleged class period. In November 2021, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss
the second amended complaint. On July 15, 2022, the Court issued a decision dismissing the second amended complaint in its entirety and
with prejudice.
On August 12, 2022, lead plaintiffs
filed a notice of appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. After a full briefing of the appeal, a panel of
the Court of Appeals held oral argument on the appeal on November 6, 2023, and took the matter under submission.
On April 5, 2024, the Appellate
Court issued its opinion, affirming in part and reversing in part the decision of the District Court. The Appellate Court affirmed the
dismissal of certain claims pertaining to Company statements where it found that Plaintiffs failed to adequately plead a 10(b) cause
of action but reversed the lower courts dismissal of claims related to four of the Companys alleged misstatements, finding
that, in three of those instances, the Plaintiffs adequately pleaded loss causation, and in one instance adequately alleged a misleading
statement. The Court of Appeals did not address other elements of any claims based on these four complained-of statements, noting that
the District Court should address those issues on remand.
The matter was remanded to
the District Court in May 2024. By order entered June 4, 2024, the Court directed the defendants to file a renewed motion to dismiss
on a schedule to be proposed by the parties. Consistent with that order, Defendants filed their renewed motion on July 29, 2024. Plaintiffs
filed the opposition to the motion on September 16, 2024, and Defendants filed a reply brief on October 16, 2024. The District Court
subsequently vacated the hearing on the renewed motion to dismiss (including plaintiffs motion for leave to file a sur-reply)
that had been scheduled for November 4, 2024, determining that the matter could be resolved by the Court based on the parties' written
submissions.
*Shareholder Derivative
Actions:*
Since the Companys
last quarterly report, there have been no developments in the shareholder derivative actions involving the Company, which were previously
disclosed. Related to the securities class action, the Companys directors (other than Dr. Cynthia Turner-Graham and Michael Hirsh),
together with Messrs. Heyward and Denton and former director Michael Klein, have been named as defendants in several putative stockholder
derivative lawsuits. As previously disclosed, these include a consolidated proceeding pending in the U.S. District Court for the Central
District of California and styled *In re Genius Brands Stockholder Derivative Litigation*, C*ase No. 2:20-cv-08277 DSF (RAOx);*
an action filed in the Los Angeles County Superior Court captioned *Ly, etc. v. Heyward, et al.*, Case *No. 20STCV44611;* and
an additional case pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada, styled *Miceli, etc. v. Heyward, et al., Case No.
3:21-cv-00132-MMD-WGC*. While the allegations and legal claims vary somewhat among the derivative actions, they all generally allege
that the defendants breached fiduciary duties owed to the Company. The plaintiffs, all alleged stockholders of the Company, purport to
sue on behalf and for the benefit of the Company. Accordingly, the derivative plaintiffs seek no recovery from the Company. Instead, as
a stockholder derivative action, the Company is named as a nominal defendant. Pursuant to agreements among the parties, the courts in
all of the derivative lawsuits have stayed proceedings pending the outcome of the securities litigation.
| | F-46 | | |
On October 2, 2025, a new
shareholder derivative action, *Cohen v. Heyward, et al., Case No. A-25-929617-C* was filed in the District Court of Clark County,
Nevada, making substantially similar allegations to the derivative actions already pending, and the Company expects, that the Cohen action
will be similarly stayed pending the outcome of the securities class action. As the Company cannot predict the outcome of the securities
class action, it is likewise unable to predict the outcome of the shareholder derivative lawsuits.
*Section 16(b) Litigation:*
As previously disclosed, the
Company is also a nominal defendant in an action filed on January 11, 2022, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New
York and styled Todd Augenbaum v. Anson Investments Master Fund LP, et al., Case No. 1:22-cv-00249 AS. The action, which again purports
to be brought on behalf and for the benefit of the Company, seeks the recovery under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act of supposed short-swing
profits allegedly realized by roughly a dozen persons and entities that participated as investors in certain of the Companys private
placements of securities in 2020. Plaintiff Augenbaum, who purports to be a Company stockholder, filed his lawsuit after issuing a demand
to the Companys Board of Directors asking that the Company sue the investor defendants. The Company rejected the demand in late
December 2021, and Mr. Augenbaum sued a few weeks later, as Section 16(b) permits him to do. No Company officer or director is among the
defendants. The defendant investors filed motions to dismiss the action. After full briefing, the court, by order entered March 30, 2023,
granted the motion to dismiss with leave to amend. Plaintiff subsequently filed his First Amended Complaint on May 1, 2023. Defendants
moved to dismiss again. After a full briefing and oral argument, the Court (with a new judge now sitting) denied the motion to dismiss
by order entered on January 24, 2024. The parties then engaged in extensive fact discovery, which closed in October 2024. The parties
proceeded with expert discovery. Following the completion of expert discovery in December 2024, Plaintiff and the various Defendants filed
cross-motions for summary judgment in mid-January 2025. On September 30, 2025, the Court denied all cross-motions for summary judgment.
The Court has set trial in the action for June 8, 2026, and has set various pretrial dates as well. As previously noted, Plaintiff seeks
no relief from the Company; indeed, he seeks monetary relief for the Company.
The Company desires a resolution
of the case. To that end, Company counsel attempted to engage the parties in settlement discussions after a mediation attempt in March
2025, which had excluded the Company, proved unsuccessful. While Defendants expressed interest in discussions, Plaintiffs declined. The
Company thereafter submitted a request to the Court that the Court direct the parties to mediation, with a direction that the Company
could participate fully in the mediation. That request was denied without prejudice. Since then, the Companys Board of Directors
has established a special committee to attempt to negotiate a settlement with the Defendants. The special committee has engaged counsel
and is in discussions with the mediator who oversaw the March 2025 mediation session. To the extent a settlement proposal acceptable to
the Company and Defendants can be reached, the parties plan to seek Plaintiffs approval of the settlement and, potentially, to
seek Court intervention into the settlement process or settlement approval. The Company cannot predict the outcome of these settlement
efforts, or of the case should the matter go to trial.
In connection with the Augenbaum
lawsuit and as previously reported, six of the investor/investor-group Defendants (the demanding defendants) have made demands
on the Company for indemnification pursuant to terms of an indemnity provision of the securities purchase agreements under which they
invested in the Company.
Regarding these demands (and
the potential for additional demands from other Defendants), the Company has rejected each of the demands on multiple grounds. Two of
the demanding defendants, the Iroquois investors and the Empery investors, have filed lawsuits alleging breach of contract and seeking
declaratory relief in the Supreme Court of New York, Commercial Division, seeking damages of more than $5 million, and more than $3.5
million, respectively, which the Iroquois plaintiffs and Empery investors say represent the defense expenses they have incurred in Augenbaum
through the date of filing. The investor plaintiffs also seek a declaration that the Company is obliged to advance their defense expenses
on an ongoing basis. These lawsuits are captioned *Iroquois Master Fund Ltd., et al. v. Kartoon Studios, Inc., No. 650077/2026* and
*Empery Asset Master, Ltd., et al. v. Kartoon Studios, Inc., No. 650906/2026*. After the Company removed the Iroquois lawsuit to
federal district court in Manhattan and sought to have it related to Augenbaum and assigned to the same judge, the Iroquois investors
voluntarily dismissed their lawsuit, noting an intention to join the Empery lawsuit in state court; as of this writing, the Iroquois investors
have not done so. The Company also removed the Empery lawsuit to federal court, where it is styled *Empery Asset Master Ltd. et al.
v. Kartoon Studios, Inc., Case No. 1:26-cv-01872 (S.D.N.Y.)*. After receiving information bearing on diversity jurisdiction, the Company
stipulated to remand the Empery action to state court; as of this writing, however, the federal court has not yet entered an order of
remand. The Company cannot predict the outcome of the Iroquois or Empery lawsuits, or whether other demanding defendants will file similar
actions.
| | F-47 | | |
Finally, as previously reported,
the Companys placement agent for the offerings at issue, Special Equities Group (SEG), has also demanded indemnification
from the Company for its legal fees incurred in connection with the Augenbaum lawsuit. SEG has presented bills for legal expenses totaling
several hundred thousand dollars, a figure that the Company views as excessive. The Company has reserved all rights. We are unable to
predict the outcome of this dispute.
In all of the above-mentioned
active proceedings, the Company has denied and continues to deny any wrongdoing and intends to defend the claims vigorously. The Company
maintains a program of directors and officers liability insurance that, subject to the insurers reservations of rights,
has offset a portion of the costs of defending the securities class action litigation, and that the Company expects will afford coverage
for some costs of the other shareholder litigation should any of those cases proceed.
Note 20: Related Party Transactions
Pursuant to his initial employment
agreement dated December 7, 2020, Andy Heyward, the Companys CEO, was previously entitled to receive a quarterly bonus. Mr. Heyward
was paid a quarterly bonus of $55,000 for each of the first three quarters during the year ended December31, 2025 and each quarter
during the year ended December31, 2024.
On July 19, 2022, the Company
entered into a Shareholder Loan Agreement with YFE in the amount of EURO 1.3million, accruing interest at the fixed annualized rate
of 5%, with successive interest periods of three months due on the last day of each calendar quarter. The principal plus interest were
to be repaid to the Company by YFE no later than June 30, 2026. On April 27, 2025, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with
YFE to resolve the outstanding obligations under the Shareholder Loan Agreement. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, the Company accepted
a reduced repayment amount of $0.4million, payable in two installments no later than June 2025, in full satisfaction of the loan
balance. The settlement agreement became effective in April 2025 and the Company recorded an adjustment to the balance of the loan and
recognized FX adjusted loss of approximately $0.9 million. As of December31, 2025, all terms of the settlement agreement were fulfilled.
During 2022, the Company entered
into a sublease agreement with a related party to lease one office in the general office space at 190 N. Canon Drive, Suite 400, Beverly
Hills, CA 90210. The monthly income was $595 during the years ended December31, 2025 and December31, 2024 and recorded within
Other Income (Expense), net in the Company's consolidated statements of operations.
On February 27, 2023, Mr.
Heywards prior employment agreement was amended to provide him a creative producer fee of $100,000 per quarter, for services rendered
to Wow. Mr. Heyward was paid creative producer fees of $100,000 for each of the first three quarters during the year ended December31,
2025 and each quarter during the year ended December31, 2024.
During the quarter ended September
30, 2024, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with a related party for office
space interior design services. The agreement was subject to an initial fee of $6,545 and a monthly fee of $595 that commenced on September
1, 2024. The monthly expense was $595 and $595, during the years ended December31, 2025 and December31, 2024, respectively,
and was recorded within General and Administrative expenses in the Company's consolidated statements of operations.
On February 6, 2025,
certain members of the Companys executive management team, including the Chief Operating Officer, established a nonprofit
organization The Stan Lee Foundation (the Foundation), which was granted tax-exempt status under Section
501(c)(3). The Foundation is not owned, governed, or controlled by the Company. The Company may reference the Foundation in
connection with reputational or community engagement efforts. The Company provided limited administrative support totaling
approximately $805
during the year ended December31, 2025. This support was not part of an ongoing funding commitment and is not considered
material to the Companys consolidated financial statements. The Foundation is not consolidated in the Companys
financial statements.
| | F-48 | | |
On August 25, 2025, the Company
entered into a new employment agreement with Mr. Heyward, the Companys CEO, which replaced and superseded all prior employment
agreements. The agreement revised certain compensation terms, including a new performance-based bonus structure contingent on market capitalization
and net income thresholds as of December 31, 2025. The agreement further provides that Mr. Heyward will receive an award of 2,000,000
RSUs under the 2020 Plan and shall not be eligible to receive any other equity-based awards during the employment term. Subsequent to
entering into the Heyward Employment Agreement, the Company and Mr. Heyward determined to revisit the terms of such equity grant. The
Company and Mr. Heyward have not yet made a determination regarding the revised terms of such equity grant.Therefore, the RSUs issuable
pursuant to his employment agreement were not issued to Mr. Heyward during the year ended December31, 2025. No bonuses were earned
or accrued under this arrangement as of December31, 2025.
Pursuant to the terms of the
agreement, Mr. Heyward is entitled to an executive producer fee of $12,500 per episode for each episode he provides services as an executive
producer, up to maximum 52 episodes per calendar year. During the years ended December31, 2025 and December31, 2024, Mr. Heyward
has not earned or was not paid any producer fees.
Note 21: Segment Reporting
ASC Topic 280, *Segment
Reporting* establishes standards for companies to report in their financial statement information about operating segments, products,
services, geographic areas, and major customers. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise that engage in business
activities from which it may recognize revenues and incur expenses, and for which separate financial information is available that is
regularly evaluated by the Companys chief operating decision maker (CODM), or group, in deciding how to allocate
resources and assess performance.
Our Chief Executive Officer,
as the CODM, organizes our company, manages resource allocations and measures performance among two operating and reportable segments,
which were identified based on the nature of the products and services offered:
| 
| Content Production and Distribution segment includes the operations of Kartoon Studios, Inc, Mainframe
Studios, and Frederator Studios. These entities are aggregated due to their similar economic characteristics, nature of products and services,
production processes, customer types, and distribution methods. This segment is focused on the creation, production, and distribution
of animated and live-action content, as well as licensing and royalty revenue from intellectual property. | |
| 
| | | |
| 
| Media Advisory and Advertising Services segment includes the Beacon Media Group and the Beacon Communications
Group. These entities provide media advisory and advertising services and marketing services. | |
The Companys CODM decides
on resource allocation predominantly based on the annual budget and forecasting process. The CODM considers budget-to-actual variances
on a periodic basis when making decision about allocating resources to the segments.
The CODM uses revenue and
net income (loss) to evaluate the profitability and performance of each operating segment, because it provides insight to operational
leverage and other operational metrics for each segment. The CODM reviews revenue and net operating results, as allocated based on the
nature of the business activity.
The CODM does not evaluate
the operating segments using asset information and it is therefore not disclosed.
| | F-49 | | |
Segment operating expenses
include operating expenses directly attributable to the segment as well as certain shared corporate administration services and other
costs which are allocated to the reportable segments, such as legal expenses, human resources expenses, accounting expenses, insurance
expenses, and corporate facilities expenses. Segment operating expenses exclude certain non-recurring items and other costs, such as interest
expense, interest income, share-based compensation expense and taxes.
The following table presents
the revenue and net income (loss) within the Company's two operating segments (in thousands):
| 
Schedule of segment information by revenues and net income (loss) | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
Year Ended December 31, | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
Total Revenues: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Content Production and Distribution | | 
$ | 35,201 | | | 
$ | 27,755 | | |
| 
Media Advisory and Advertising Services | | 
| 4,152 | | | 
| 4,836 | | |
| 
Total Revenues | | 
$ | 39,353 | | | 
$ | 32,591 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Net Loss: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Content Production and Distribution | | 
$ | (22,432 | ) | | 
$ | (21,160 | ) | |
| 
Media Advisory and Advertising Services | | 
| (2,100 | ) | | 
| 421 | | |
| 
Total Net Loss Attributable to Kartoon Studios, Inc. | | 
$ | (24,532 | ) | | 
$ | (20,739 | ) | |
Geographic Information
The following table provides information about disaggregated revenue by geographic area (in thousands):
| 
Schedule of segments by geographic area | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
Year Ended December 31, | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
Total Revenues: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
United States | | 
$ | 18,119 | | | 
$ | 17,805 | | |
| 
Canada | | 
| 13,208 | | | 
| 5,769 | | |
| 
United Kingdom | | 
| 7,888 | | | 
| 8,637 | | |
| 
Other | | 
| 138 | | | 
| 380 | | |
| 
Total Revenues | | 
$ | 39,353 | | | 
$ | 32,591 | | |
Additional considerations
include the use of segment-level budgets and forecasts created by Mainframe Studios, Frederator and Kartoon Studios at the entity level.
The additional financial information prepared by the segment managers is discussed at length in meetings with the CODM. The Company determines
that the revenue information reviewed by the CODM, combined with the financial information discussed with the segment managers is sufficiently
detailed to allow the CODM to assess each components performance and make resource allocation decisions. Kartoon Studios, Frederator
and Mainframe Studios are separate entities, although according to ASC 280-10-50-11 all criteria are met in order to present result in
aggregation.
| | F-50 | | |
When evaluating the Companys
performance and making key decisions regarding resource allocation, the CODM reviews several metrics included in net income or loss,
which also include the following:
| 
Schedule of segment
allocations | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
December 31, 2025 | | |
| 
| | 
Content Production and Distribution | | | 
Media Advisory and Advertising | | | 
Total | | |
| 
| | 
| | | 
| | | 
| | |
| 
Revenues | | 
$ | 35,201 | | | 
$ | 4,152 | | | 
$ | 39,353 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Less Operating Expenses: | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Selling, Marketing and Direct Operating Costs | | 
| 27,167 | | | 
| 343 | | | 
| 27,510 | | |
| 
General and Administrative Expenses | | 
| 15,108 | | | 
| 5,672 | | | 
| 20,780 | | |
| 
Other Expenses | | 
| | | | 
| 7 | | | 
| 7 | | |
| 
Segment results: | | 
| (7,074 | ) | | 
| (1,870 | ) | | 
| (8,944 | ) | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Reconciliation of net (loss) income: | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Depreciation Expense | | 
| 2,697 | | | 
| 177 | | | 
| 2,874 | | |
| 
Interest Expense | | 
| 656 | | | 
| | | | 
| 656 | | |
| 
Share-Based Compensation | | 
| 331 | | | 
| | | | 
| 331 | | |
| 
Tax provision | | 
| (135 | ) | | 
| | | | 
| (135 | ) | |
| 
Loss on Debt Settlement | | 
| 1,753 | | | 
| | | | 
| 1,753 | | |
| 
Impairment of Intangible Assets | | 
| 767 | | | 
| | | | 
| 767 | | |
| 
Other | | 
| 9,455 | | | 
| 53 | | | 
| 9,508 | | |
| 
Net Loss Attributable to Non-Controlling Interests | | 
| (166 | ) | | 
| | | | 
| (166 | ) | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Net Income (Loss) | | 
$ | (22,432 | ) | | 
$ | (2,100 | ) | | 
$ | (24,532 | ) | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
December 31, 2024 | | |
| 
| | 
Content Production and Distribution | | | 
Media Advisory and Advertising | | | 
Total | | |
| 
| | 
| | | 
| | | 
| | |
| 
Revenues | | 
$ | 27,755 | | | 
$ | 4,836 | | | 
$ | 32,591 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Less Operating Expenses: | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Selling, Marketing and Direct Operating Costs | | 
| 24,103 | | | 
| 274 | | | 
| 24,377 | | |
| 
General and Administrative Expenses | | 
| 16,351 | | | 
| 4,868 | | | 
| 21,219 | | |
| 
Other Expenses | | 
| | | | 
| 3 | | | 
| 3 | | |
| 
Segment results: | | 
| (12,699 | ) | | 
| (309 | ) | | 
| (13,008 | ) | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Reconciliation of net (loss) income: | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Depreciation Expense | | 
| 3,120 | | | 
| 199 | | | 
| 3,319 | | |
| 
Interest Expense | | 
| 778 | | | 
| 1 | | | 
| 779 | | |
| 
Share-Based Compensation | | 
| 669 | | | 
| | | | 
| 669 | | |
| 
Tax provision | | 
| 19 | | | 
| (62 | ) | | 
| (43 | ) | |
| 
Other | | 
| 4,077 | | | 
| (868 | ) | | 
| 3,209 | | |
| 
Net Loss Attributable to Non-Controlling Interests | | 
| (202 | ) | | 
| | | | 
| (202 | ) | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Net Income (Loss) | | 
$ | (21,160 | ) | | 
$ | 421 | | | 
$ | (20,739 | ) | |
In evaluating segment expenses,
the CODM primarily focuses on cash operating costs and budget-to-actual variances, as these measures are most relevant to assessing operating
performance and making resource allocation decisions. All other segment items included in net income or loss are reported on the consolidated
statements of operations and described within their respective disclosures.
| | F-51 | | |
Note 22: Subsequent Events
The Company evaluated subsequent
events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date up to March31, 2026, the date that the consolidated financial
statements were issued.
Subsequent to December31,
2025, the Company granted 500,000 RSUs, with an aggregate grant-date fair value of approximately $0.4 million to an executive employee
under the 2020 Plan. These RSUs vest over a three-year service period, and are subject to continued employment. Subsequent to December31,
2025, the Company granted an additional 370,000 RSUs, with an aggregate grant-date fair value of approximately $0.3 million, to certain
employees under the 2020 Plan. The RSUs vest over a three year service period and are subject to continued employment.
Subsequent to December31,
2025, the Company redeemed a portion of its marketable securities for proceeds of $3.0 million.
Subsequent to December31,
2025, the fair value of the Companys investment in YFE experienced a decline due to a decrease in YFEs stock price. As of
March31, 2026, the share price of YFE was 0.42 ($0.36) compared to 1.09 ($0.93) as of December 31, 2025. The Company
will continue to monitor the investment for any further developments and assess any potential accounting implications.
| | F-52 | | |