---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001683168-26-003978"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "TOON"
cik: "0001355848"
company_name: "Kartoon Studios, Inc."
filed_at: "2026-05-15T12:55:18+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-15T13:00:27.105920+00:00"
event_type: "earnings"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.7
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Kartoon Studios Q1 2026: distribution rev +15%, op loss narrows to $2.8M, sub engagement soars

## Summary
- Distribution revenue $2.3M (+15% YoY); Kartoon Channel and Ameba both reached record paid subscriber levels in Q1.
- Total revenue $7.2M (vs $9.5M Q1 2025) due to timing of production deliveries; op expenses down 20% to $10.0M.
- Loss from operations improved 9% to $2.8M; G&A down 10% to $5.1M; cash & marketable securities $6.0M.
- Subscriber engagement on Kartoon Channel up >80% YoY, Ameba up >200% YoY; both at record paid subs.
- Licensed Mattel's Masters of the Universe (2002) and American Girl (2016) for Kartoon Channel; flagships Hundred Acre Wood and Stan Lee Universe advancing.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001683168-26-003978
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: TOON
- cik: 0001355848
- company_name: Kartoon Studios, Inc.
- filed_at: 2026-05-15T12:55:18+00:00
- event_type: earnings
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.7
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 2.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1355848/000168316826003978/0001683168-26-003978-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1355848/000168316826003978/toon_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001683168-26-003978
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001683168-26-003978.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001683168-26-003978.txt

## Key facts
- Earnings Releases
  Kartoon Studios, Inc. reported the first quarter ended March 31, 2026 results: revenue $7.2 million.
  - Period: the first quarter ended March 31, 2026
  - Revenue: $7.2 million
  - Result: reported results
  source text: a more scalable operating foundation and the broader commercialization of the Company’s intellectual property portfolio. For the quarter, the Company reported total revenue of $7.2 million, with distribution revenue increasing 15% as compared to the same quarter last year, while total operating expenses declined 20%, contributing to improved operating performance.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1355848/000168316826003978/0001683168-26-003978-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.