Kartoon Studios Inc

Previous wording

The following discussion and analysis of our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity and capital resources should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. Certain statements made or incorporated by reference in this report and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in our press releases and in statements made by or with the approval of authorized personnel constitute forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and are subject to the safe harbor created thereby. Forward-looking statements reflect intent, belief, current expectations, estimates or projections about, among other things, our industry, management’s beliefs, and future events and financial trends affecting us. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “may,” “will” and variations of these words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward looking statements. Although we believe the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, our actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. These differences can arise as a result of the risks described in the section entitled “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, which was filed with the SEC on April 9, 2024, and elsewhere in this report, as well as other factors that may affect our business, results of operations, or financial condition. Forward-looking statements in this report speak only as of the date hereof, and forward-looking statements in documents incorporated by reference speak only as of the date of those documents. Unless otherwise required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks and uncertainties, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements contained in this report will, in fact, transpire.

Current wording

The following discussion and analysis of our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity and capital resources should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes for thethree and six months ended June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023. Certain statements made or incorporated by reference in this report and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in our press releases and in statements made by or with the approval of authorized personnel constitute forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and are subject to the safe harbor created thereby. Forward-looking statements reflect intent, belief, current expectations, estimates or projections about, among other things, our industry, management’s beliefs, and future events and financial trends affecting us. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “may,” “will” and variations of these words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward looking statements. Although we believe the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, our actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. These differences can arise as a result of the risks described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” below in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (the “Form 10-Q”) and in the section entitled “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, which was filed with the SEC on April 9, 2024 (the “2023 Annual Report”), and elsewhere in this report, as well as other factors that may affect our business, results of operations, or financial condition. Forward-looking statements in this report speak only as of the date hereof, and forward-looking statements in documents incorporated by reference speak only as of the date of those documents. Unless otherwise required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks and uncertainties, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements contained in this report will, in fact, transpire.

Previous wording

Production Services revenue was generated specifically by Wow 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. Revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was lower than the Wow production services revenue recognized during three months ended March 31, 2023 primarily due to a lower volume of active service production projects in the current period versus the prior year period.

Current wording

Production Services revenue was generated specifically by Wow 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. Revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2024 was 28% lower than the Wow production services revenue recognized during three months ended June 30, 2023 primarily due to a lower volume of active service production projects in the current period versus the prior year period.

Previous wording

Revenue related to Content Distribution on AVOD and SVOD, including advertising sales for the three months ended March 31, 2024, decreased by 29% as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023. This was primarily due to a decrease in Frederator’s multi-channel network revenue of $0.8 million from YouTube due to less viewership and a decline in RPM advertising rates.

Current wording

Revenue related to Content Distribution on AVOD and SVOD, including advertising sales for the three months ended June 30, 2024, decreased by 20% as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2023. This was primarily due to a decrease in Frederator’s multi-channel network revenue of $0.6 million from YouTube due to reduced ad spending and a decline in RPM advertising rates.

Previous wording

Revenue related to Licensing & Royalties for the three months ended March 31, 2024 increased by 117% as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023 primarily due to the acquisition of new customers during the current period.

Current wording

Revenue related to Licensing & Royalties for the three months ended June 30, 2024 decreased by 74% as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2023 primarily due to higher royalties earned for owned IP for the period ended June 30, 2023.

Previous wording

Revenue generated by Media Advisory & Advertising services for the three months ended March 31, 2024 decreased by 7% as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023 primarily due to lower net renewal activity and media purchases from clients.

Current wording

Revenue generated by Media Advisory & Advertising services for the three months ended June 30, 2024 decreased by 3% as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2023 primarily due to lower net renewal activity and media purchases from clients.

Previous wording

The decrease in General and Administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2024 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023 was primarily due to a decrease of $0.7 million in share-based compensation expense, a decrease in depreciation related to equipment leases that had ended prior to the current period, and a decrease in general expenses as part of the Company’s cost saving initiatives.

Current wording

The decrease in General and Administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2024 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2023 was primarily due to a decrease of $1.0 million as a result of decreased use in equipment rentals and software licenses, a decrease of $0.6 million in share-based compensation expense, a decrease of $0.4 million in depreciation related to equipment leases that had ended prior to the current period, and a decrease in general administrative expenses related to our cost saving initiatives, offset by an increase of $0.7 million in litigation fees and an increase of $0.3 million in annual shareholder meeting expenses of holding the annual shareholder meeting during the quarter ended June 30, 2024 as opposed to later in the prior year.

Previous wording

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, we reassessed our nonfinancial assets, including our definite-lived intangible assets, our indefinite-lived intangible assets and our remaining goodwill for impairment. As a result, we concluded that impairment charges to those assets were required. The Company concluded that there were no indications or triggering events that would further impair the assets during the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Current wording

During the three months ended June 30, 2023, we reassessed our nonfinancial assets, including our definite-lived intangible assets, our indefinite-lived intangible assets and our remaining goodwill for impairment. As a result, we concluded that impairment charges to those assets were required. We concluded that there were no indications or triggering events that would further impair the assets during the three months ended June 30, 2024.

Previous wording

Direct Operating Costs during the three months ended March 31, 2024 consisted primarily of salaries and related expenses for the animation production services employees of Wow and Frederator. 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 decrease was primarily due to a reduction in salary costs and headcount due to a lower volume of service production projects for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to the same period of the prior year.

Current wording

Direct Operating Costs during the six months ended June 30, 2024 consisted primarily of salaries and related expenses for the animation production services employees of Wow and Frederator. 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 decrease was primarily due to a $14.2 million reduction in salary costs as a result in a reduction in headcount due to a lower volume of service production projects for the six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to the same period of the prior year, partially offset by a $4.3 million reduction in tax credits earned as correlated to the decrease in labor costs.

Previous wording

As of March 31, 2024, we had cash of $2.8 million, which decreased by $1.3 million as compared to December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily due to cash used in financing activities of $7.9 million, offset by cash provided by operating activities of $3.8 million and investing activities of $2.6 million. The cash used in financing activities was primarily due to the net repayment of the production facilities and bank indebtedness, partially offset by the net proceeds from the margin loan, resulting in cash used of $7.5 million, and payments on finance leases of $0.4 million. The cash provided by investing activities was due to sales of marketable securities of $2.6 million.

Current wording

As of June 30, 2024, the Company had cash of $2.7 million, which decreased by $1.4 million as compared to December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily due to cash used in financing activities of $4.8 million and cash used for operating activities of $2.7 million, offset by cash provided by investing activities of $5.5 million. The cash used in financing activities was primarily due to repayments of the production facilities, margin loan and bank indebtedness, net of proceeds from each, resulting in net cash used of $7.7 million, offset by proceeds from the Offering of $3.3 million. The cash provided by investing activities was due to sales of marketable securities of $5.5 million.

Previous wording

As of March 31, 2024, we held available-for-sale marketable securities with a fair value of $9.4 million, a decrease of $2.6 million as compared to December 31, 2023 due to sales and maturities during the three months ended March 31, 2024. The available-for-sale securities consist principally of corporate and government debt securities and are also available as a source of liquidity.

Current wording

As of June 30, 2024, the Company held available-for-sale marketable securities with a fair value of $6.5 million, a decrease of $5.5 million as compared to December 31, 2023 due to sales and maturities during the six months ended June 30, 2024. The available-for-sale securities consist principally of corporate and government debt securities and are also available as a source of liquidity.

Previous wording

As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, our margin loan balance was $2.9 million and $0.8 million, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, we borrowed an additional $3.1 million from our investment margin account and repaid $0.9 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 0.95% and 0.98% on average margin loan balances of $14.2 million and $27.4 million as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. We incurred interest expense on the loan of $18,632 and $0.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, 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 condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Current wording

As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company’s margin loan balance was $1.1 million and $0.8 million, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2024, the Company borrowed an additional $6.3 million from its investment margin account and repaid $6.0 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 0.82% and 0.98%, respectively, on average margin loan balances of $9.8 million and $27.4 million as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

Previous wording

We are subject to financial and customary affirmative and negative non-financial covenants on the revolving demand facility and equipment lease line that have an aggregate total outstanding balance of USD 1.0 million (CAD 1.4 million).

Current wording

The Company is subject to financial and customary affirmative and negative non-financial covenants on the revolving demand facility and equipment lease agreements that have an aggregate total outstanding balance of$1.3 million $1.7 million.

Previous wording

During March 2024, the Company amended the revolving demand facility, equipment lease line, and treasury risk management facility. As a result of the amendment, the revolving demand facility allows for draws of up to CAD 1.0 million to be made by way of CAD prime rate loans, CAD overdrafts, USD base rate loans or letters of credit up to a maximum of $200,000 in either CAD or USD and having a term of up to 1 year. The CAD prime borrowings and overdrafts bear interest at a rate equal to bank prime plus 2.00% per annum. The USD base rate borrowings bear interest at a rate equal to bank base rate plus 2.00% per annum. In addition, the equipment lease line was terminated, however, the Company has and will continue to make the regular principal and interest payments under the specific financing terms of the existing equipment lease agreements. The amendment removed the treasury risk management facility that allowed for advances of up to CAD 0.5 million. As of March 31, 2024 and the date of the amendment, there were no outstanding amounts drawn under the treasury risk management facility. The amendment also introduced revised financial covenants that are effective as of March 15, 2024. The amendment did not have any impact on the Company’s existing production facilities that are separate from the revolving demand facility and are used for financing specific productions.

Current wording

During March 2024, the Company amended the revolving demand facility, equipment lease line, and treasury risk management facility. As a result of the amendment, the revolving demand facility allows for draws of up to CAD 1.0 million to be made by way of CAD prime rate loans, CAD overdrafts, USD base rate loans or letters of credit up to a maximum of $200,000 in either CAD or USD and having a term of up to 1 year. The CAD prime borrowings and overdrafts bear interest at a rate equal to bank prime plus 2.00% per annum. The USD base rate borrowings bear interest at a rate equal to bank base rate plus 2.00% per annum. In addition, the equipment lease line was terminated, however, the Company has and will continue to make the regular principal and interest payments under the specific financing terms of the existing equipment lease agreements. The amendment removed the treasury risk management facility that allowed for advances of up to CAD 0.5 million. As of June 30, 2024 and the date of the amendment, there were no outstanding amounts drawn under the treasury risk management facility. The amendment also introduced revised financial covenants that are effective as of March 15, 2024. As of June 30, 2024, the Company was not in compliance with two financial covenants. The financial covenants required the Company to maintain a minimum liquidity threshold and to complete a minimum equity raise by June 30, 2024. As a result of the covenant violations, the Company’s remaining equipment lease agreements with the lender of CAD 1.2 million (USD $0.9 million) are subject to repayment in the fourth quarter of 2024. As of August 14, 2024, the lender and the Company have agreed to a repayment plan for the equipment leases to be completed within the fourth quarter of 2024. The amendment and covenant violation did not have any impact on the Company’s production facilities that are separate from the revolving demand facility and are used for financing specific productions.

Previous wording

As of March 31, 2024, we had total current assets of $41.0 million, including cash of $2.8 million and marketable securities of $9.4 million, and our total current liabilities were $34.9 million. We had working capital of $6.1 million as of March 31, 2024 as compared to working capital of $11.5 million as of December 31, 2023. The decrease of $5.4 million was primarily due to a decrease in our cash and marketable security position.

Current wording

As of June 30, 2024, we had total current assets of $38.8 million, including cash of $2.7 million and marketable securities of $6.5 million, and our total current liabilities were $33.6 million. We had working capital of $5.2 million as of June 30, 2024 as compared to working capital of $11.5 million as of December 31, 2023. The decrease of $6.3 million was primarily due to a decrease in our cash and marketable securities position.

Previous wording

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, we met our immediate cash requirements through existing cash balances. Additionally, we used equity and equity-linked instruments to pay for services and compensation. We believe that our current cash balances and our investments in available for sale marketable securities are sufficient to support our operations for at least the next twelve months. To meet our short and long-term liquidity needs, we expect to use existing cash and marketable securities balances.

Current wording

During the six months ended June 30, 2024, we met our immediate cash requirements through existing cash balances and through the sale of marketable securities. Additionally, we used equity and equity-linked instruments to pay for services and compensation. We believe that our current cash balances and our investments in available for sale marketable securities are sufficient to support our operations for at least the next twelve months. To meet our short and long-term liquidity needs, we expect to use existing cash and marketable securities balances.

Previous wording

Comparison of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023

Current wording

Comparison of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023

Previous wording

Our total cash as of March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023 was $2.8 million and $4.1 million, respectively.

Current wording

Our total cash as of June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023 was $2.7 million and $4.8 million, respectively.

Previous wording

Items necessary to reconcile from net loss to cash provided by operating activities included net non-cash expenses of $2.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 as compared to net non-cash expenses of $19.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The majority of the decrease of $17.3 million was primarily due to the absence of the recognition of $15.4 million in impairment expenses of long-lived assets, intangible assets and goodwill and a loss of $0.9 million on the revaluation of our equity investment in YFE securities that was recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2023. In addition, the realized loss on marketable securities decreased by $1.4 million due to the decreased sales of our marketable securities prior to their maturity date and stock based compensation expense decreased by $0.7 million. The decrease is offset by the absence of recording deferred income taxes of $0.9 million.

Current wording

Items necessary to reconcile from net loss to cash used in operating activities included net non-cash expenses of $4.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 as compared to net non-cash expenses of $27.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023. The majority of the decrease of $22.4 million in non-cash expenses was primarily due to the absence of the recognition of $15.4 million in impairment expenses of long-lived assets, intangible assets and goodwill and warrant incentive expense of $12.7 million, a decrease of realized losses from marketable securities of $1.9 million and a decrease in share-based compensation of $1.2 million. The decreases were partially offset by the six months ended June 30, 2023 reconciling non-cash items of $10.5 million related to gains from revaluations of our investment in YFE and warrants.

Previous wording

The net change in operating asset and liability activities from cash used of $0.7 million as of March 31, 2023 to the net change in operating asset and liability activities provided by cash of $8.8 million as of March 31, 2024 was primarily due to an increase in net receipts of tax credits during the current year of $5.6 million as credits were received for production completed in the prior year, a decrease in deferred revenue of $3.4 million and a $2.0 million decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses due to timing.

Current wording

The net change in operating asset and liability activities provided by operating activities of $5.5 million as of June 30, 2024 compared to the net change in operating asset and liability activities used by operating activities of $1.4 million as of June 30, 2023 was primarily due to an increase in net receipts of tax credits during the current year of $4.6 million as credits were received for production completed in the prior year, a decrease in deferred revenue of $5.9 million, a decrease in accounts receivable, net of $1.9 million and a $1.4 million increase in accounts payable due to timing.

Previous wording

The decrease in cash provided by investing activities of $12.1 million was primarily due to a decrease in proceeds from the sales and maturities of marketable securities of $12.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024 due to less sales of our marketable securities during the current period.

Current wording

The decrease in cash provided by investing activities of $30.4 million was primarily due to a decrease in proceeds from the sales and maturities of marketable securities of $29.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2024 as a result of selling less marketable securities during the current period.

Previous wording

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 $24.6 million as of March 31, 2024, of which about $8.5 million could be owed within one year if the margin loan is called.

Current wording

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 $27.2 million as of June 30, 2024, of which about $6.3 million could be owed within one year if the margin loan is called.

Previous wording

As of March 31, 2024, we had $1.7 million in commitments for capital expenditures, related to equipment leases.

Current wording

As of June 30, 2024, we had $1.4 million in commitments for capital expenditures, related to equipment leases.

Previous wording

Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q and in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, which was filed with the SEC on April 9, 2024 (the “2023 Annual Report”), and “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in Part II, Item 7 of the 2023 Annual Report describe the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Current wording

Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q and in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of our 2023 Annual Report, and “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in Part II, Item 7 of the 2023 Annual Report describe the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements.