GNUS GENIUS BRANDS INTERNATIONAL INC.

Kartoon Studios Celebrates 100th Anniversary of First Publication of A.A. Milne’s Winnie-The-Pooh

Kartoon Studios Celebrates 100th Anniversary of First Publication of A.A. Milne’s Winnie-The-Pooh

Unveils Official Sneak Peek Video for “Hundred Acre Wood’s: Winnie and Friends,” Following Overwhelming Audience Response at Chinese Theatre in Hollywood

Livingston Taylor, the voice of Pooh, and Producers Linda Woolverton and Andy Heyward

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Dec. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kartoon Studios (NYSE American: TOON), today announced the release of the official sneak peek video following an extraordinary audience response at a special live event held Tuesday at Hollywood’s iconic Chinese Theatre. The video includes interviews with Hundred Acre Wood’s: Winnie and Friends producer, Linda Woolverton, and composer, Danny Elfman, sample footage from the series Christmas Special, as well as an exciting dance number.

Watch the Sneak Peek from the Chinese Theatre Event Here:

The official Hundred Acre Wood’s: Winnie and Friends sneak peek introduces the series, showcasing its handcrafted ‘yarn universe,’ music-driven storytelling, ensemble cast of beloved characters, and the visual and emotional tone that will define the franchise.

The decision to release the Sneak Peek from the Chinese Theatre event was driven by the overwhelmingly positive reaction from the live audience, which included families, children, industry guests, and community partners. Throughout the event, the audience responded with sustained laughter, applause, dancing, and visible emotional connection, making it clear that the experience deserved to be shared far beyond the theater.

ABOUT “HUNDRED ACRE WOOD’S: WINNIE AND FRIENDS”

The series is brought to life by an accomplished creative team led by Executive Producer Linda Woolverton, whose storytelling has helped define some of the most enduring family entertainment of the past several decades. Featuring original music by legendary composer Danny Elfman and creative direction from Head Writer Elise Allen, the show blends emotionally resonant, character-driven storytelling with warmth, humor, and a strong musical foundation.

Building on that creative foundation, the brand rollout encompasses 208 serialized short-form episodes, a slate of major holiday specials beginning in 2026, and a comprehensive global consumer products program spanning toys, apparel, publishing, and more. Experiential activations and live events are also in development, extending engagement beyond the screen and reinforcing Hundred Acre Wood’s: Winnie and Friends as a cornerstone property built for long-term global reach and multi-generational appeal.

About Kartoon Studios

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

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

For more information, visit

Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue," "predict," "forecast," "project," "plan," "intend" or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements and include statements regarding: the brand rollout encompasses 208 serialized short-form episodes, a slate of major holiday specials beginning in 2026, and a comprehensive global consumer products program spanning toys, apparel, publishing, and more; experiential activations and live events are in development, extending engagement beyond the screen and reinforcing Hundred Acre Wood’s: Winnie and Friends as a cornerstone property built for long-term global reach and multi-generational appeal; and the Company being positioned for sustained growth and long-term shareholder value. While the Company believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, to the Company’s ability to implement its multi-phase rollout, including serialized short-form content engineered for broad distribution, producing a Christmas premiere in 2026 and specials for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Easter, a consumer products program and experiential and live event extensions; the Company’s ability to develop “Hundred Acre Wood’s Winnie and Friends” as a cornerstone franchise; the Company’s ability to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms, if at all; fluctuations in the results of the Company’s operations from period to period; general economic and financial conditions; the Company’s ability to anticipate changes in popular culture, media and movies, fashion and technology; competitive pressure from other distributors of content and within the retail market; the Company’s reliance on and relationships with third-party production and animation studios; the Company’s ability to market and advertise its products; the Company’s reliance on third-parties to promote its products; the Company’s ability to keep pace with technological advances; the Company’s ability to protect its intellectual property and those other risk factors set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and in the Company's subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Thus, actual results could be materially different. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

MEDIA CONTACT:

INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at



EN
19/12/2025

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