Latest news with #Mainframe
The Age
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Age
If you dream it, you can be it: The Katy Perry ethos takes flight in Melbourne
MUSIC Katy Perry | The Lifetimes Tour ★★★★ Rod Laver Arena, until June 14 Katy Perry is pure pop. Her songs promise, and mostly deliver, a good time. And her Lifetimes concert does the same, across two and a half hours, five acts, multiple costume changes and more than 20 songs from a back catalogue stretching to 2008 (the pre-Perry Christian singer Katy Hudson gets a brief acknowledgement but no stage time). But this big, spectacular, noisy and surprisingly intimate show also has grander ambitions, in which it has mixed success. It's all there in the framing device: a video game in which KP143, an 'enhanced' version of Katy Perry, attempts to unseat Mainframe, the AI that has come to rule humanity rather than serve it. To do so, she must free the butterflies that have been captured to power the AI, and to do that she needs to collect love, in the form of glowing hearts that descend from the arena rafters. The 143, of course, refers to the title of her latest and much-criticised album, and is tech speak for 'I love you' (with its origins in pager messaging from the 1990s). Phew. That's a lot of freight to load onto the shoulders of a bunch of pop songs, even a set as hook-heavy as Perry's. And at times, the strain shows. The stage is set in what looks like a figure eight, though it's actually the infinity symbol; later on, while singing E.T., a lightsaber-wielding Perry does battle with a lengthy bit of heating duct that is meant to represent the 'infinite worm' spewed out by Mainframe. It's the weakest moment in a show that has plenty of goof and lots of camp and heaps of flying on wires, and mostly manages to deploy them to great effect. The backdrop is a wall of screens, suggestive of the importance of video to Perry's success, but also integral to the narrative; it's up here, in lengthy clips, that the framing story unfolds, while Perry is offstage changing costumes.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
If you dream it, you can be it: The Katy Perry ethos takes flight in Melbourne
MUSIC Katy Perry | The Lifetimes Tour ★★★★ Rod Laver Arena, until June 14 Katy Perry is pure pop. Her songs promise, and mostly deliver, a good time. And her Lifetimes concert does the same, across two and a half hours, five acts, multiple costume changes and more than 20 songs from a back catalogue stretching to 2008 (the pre-Perry Christian singer Katy Hudson gets a brief acknowledgement but no stage time). But this big, spectacular, noisy and surprisingly intimate show also has grander ambitions, in which it has mixed success. It's all there in the framing device: a video game in which KP143, an 'enhanced' version of Katy Perry, attempts to unseat Mainframe, the AI that has come to rule humanity rather than serve it. To do so, she must free the butterflies that have been captured to power the AI, and to do that she needs to collect love, in the form of glowing hearts that descend from the arena rafters. The 143, of course, refers to the title of her latest and much-criticised album, and is tech speak for 'I love you' (with its origins in pager messaging from the 1990s). Phew. That's a lot of freight to load onto the shoulders of a bunch of pop songs, even a set as hook-heavy as Perry's. And at times, the strain shows. The stage is set in what looks like a figure eight, though it's actually the infinity symbol; later on, while singing E.T., a lightsaber-wielding Perry does battle with a lengthy bit of heating duct that is meant to represent the 'infinite worm' spewed out by Mainframe. It's the weakest moment in a show that has plenty of goof and lots of camp and heaps of flying on wires, and mostly manages to deploy them to great effect. The backdrop is a wall of screens, suggestive of the importance of video to Perry's success, but also integral to the narrative; it's up here, in lengthy clips, that the framing story unfolds, while Perry is offstage changing costumes.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kartoon Studios Q1 2025 Revenue Soars 56% Over Prior Year - Company on Track for Profit By End of Year
Mainframe Animation Unit Achieves Profitability, with Revenue up 138% Over Prior Year Quarter and 29% Sequentially Joining Kartoon Channel! and Beacon Media Profitable Units Four Straight Quarters of Growth, Zero Long-Term Debt, Profitable Animation Studio (Mainframe), Profitable Kids Streaming Service (Kartoon Channel!), and Valuable IP Projects Set the Stage for Investor Value Creation BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kartoon Studios (NYSE American: TOON) today announced results for the first quarter of 2025, showcasing strong revenue growth, continuing improving margins, and disciplined cost control – all accelerating the Company's progress toward overall profitability by year-end. Q1 2025 Financial Highlights: Total Revenue up 56.4% year-over-year Production Services Revenue up 137.9% Operating Loss improved by 51.1% YoY and 11.9% sequentially G&A expenses reduced by 24.9% Mainframe Studios and Kartoon Channel! achieved profitability in the quarter fueled by revenue growth Why Kartoon Studios Is Poised for Investor Growth: 56% YoY revenue growth and four consecutive quarters of topline gains Profitable, cash-generating studio: Mainframe Studios, with 90%+ of 2025 budget revenue already under contract Profitable Kids streaming service: Kartoon Channel! U.S. streamer service continues to grow and remains the #1 viewer-ranked kids' streaming app in the Apple App Store, outperforming Netflix, YouTube Kids, Disney+, and PBS Kids. Zero long-term debt and a streamlined cost structure Upcoming high-potential franchises: A Hundred Acre Woods' Winnie & Friends' and Stan Lee's The Excelsiors coming to market by year end and poised to make significant contributions. Kartoon Channel! Worldwide global distribution is now available to 1.5 billion+ viewer universe across 61+ countries 'We've spent the last year optimizing every aspect of our business – lowering costs, deepening partnerships, and expanding distribution,' said Andy Heyward, Chairman & CEO of Kartoon Studios. 'With a profitable studio division (Mainframe), scalable digital platform (Kartoon Channel!), and powerful IP on the horizon (Hundred Acre Woods' Winnie and Friends''; Stan Lee Universe/The Excelsiors), Kartoon Studios is now positioned to unlock long-term shareholder value.' Mainframe Studios: Profit Engine Driving Visibility and Margin Expansion Mainframe Studios delivered profitability in Q1 2025 and continues to serve as Kartoon Studios' consistent and strategic revenue driver. Its deep, long-standing partnerships with industry leaders such as Disney, Netflix, Sony Kids, Mattel, Spin Master, and PBS, with major brands, speak to the studio's unmatched ability to deliver high-quality animation at scale, on time, and on budget. Mainframe is currently producing content for some of the world's biggest entertainment franchises – including Barbie, CoComelon, SuperKitties, Unicorn Academy, and Octonauts – each of which commands massive global audiences. With over 90% of its 2025 revenue already under contract and a production backlog extending into 2026, Mainframe offers Kartoon Studios not just financial visibility but operational stability and scalability. This pipeline reduces execution risk, supports gross margin expansion, and positions Kartoon Studios to benefit directly from the enduring success of the world's most beloved IP. Kartoon Channel! Growth Accelerates as Kartoon Channel! continues its dominance as the #1 kids' streaming app on the Apple App Store, consistently outperforming YouTube Kids, Netflix, and Disney+ in the family entertainment category. In Q1, FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television) channel watch time more than doubled year-over-year, reflecting deepening viewer engagement and brand stickiness. The platform's global reach now spans over 61 countries and more than 1.5 billion potential viewers, thanks to widespread distribution across Samsung TV Plus, LG, Roku, Apple TV, Prime Video, Xumo, Pluto TV, and by a growing library of premium content—including Peppa Pig, Super Mario Brothers, Kidaverse Roblox Rumble, Minecraft: Journey to the End, and originals like Shaq's Garage and Rainbow Rangers – Kartoon Channel! combines safety, accessibility, and entertainment value in one of the fastest-growing segments of digital media. As advertisers and content partners look to align with brand-safe environments, the platform is poised to unlock significant growth in both viewership and monetization. Franchise Building: IP That Moves MarketsWith Hundred Acre Woods' Winnie and Friends in production, Kartoon Studios is building what it believes will be a large global merchandising franchise. The project is Executive Produced by Andy Heyward and Linda Woolverton, the trailblazing screenwriter behind Disney's Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Alice in Wonderland, and Maleficent, whose films have collectively grossed billions of dollars and helped redefine modern fairy tales for global audiences. Her ability to craft emotionally resonant, franchise-driven stories positions Winnie and Friends for long-term cultural and commercial impact. Joining her is John Rivoli, a top-tier creative branding expert known for his visual work on Harry Potter, Batman, The Lord of the Rings, and SpongeBob SquarePants. Rivoli's expertise in translating IP into iconic consumer product lines and immersive brand experiences gives Winnie and Friends a direct path into high-impact retail programs and licensing categories. Together, Woolverton and Rivoli bring a rare combination of storytelling excellence and commercial vision—offering Kartoon Studios a powerful opportunity to transform Winnie and Friends into a globally recognized, multi-platform franchise with deep merchandising potential. Meanwhile, Stan Lee's The Excelsiors and a new animated Christmas movie are expected to further build brand equity and long-term monetization opportunities across Kartoon Studios' growing IP portfolio. Financial Discipline and Strategic Investment'Q1 is all about momentum building off our successful business recovery in 2024. The Q1 results reflect a leaner, more focused Company,' said Brian Parisi, CFO. 'We've cut G&A nearly 25%, recorded our 4th consecutive quarter of revenue growth, improved operating losses by over 50%, and maintained a debt-free balance sheet. With increasing revenue predictability and strong engagement across platforms, we believe Kartoon Studios is structurally positioned for profitable growth.' Looking Ahead: Profitability in 2025, Long-Term Shareholder Value With four consecutive quarters of revenue growth, zero long-term debt, and Mainframe Studios now profitable, Kartoon Studios expects to achieve company-wide profitability by the fourth quarter of 2025. The Company is focused on leveraging IP-driven content, and scaling monetization through licensing, theatrical, and digital channels to drive sustainable shareholder value. For the quarter ended March 31, 2025, Kartoon Studios reported revenue of $9.5 million, current assets of $25.1 million, and stockholders' equity of $30.1 million, with no long-term debt. The Company's full financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 will be available in its Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and accessible on Kartoon Studios' website. About Kartoon StudiosKartoon Studios (NYSE AMERICAN: TOON) is a global creator, producer, distributor, marketer, and licensor of premium entertainment brands for children and families. The Company's diverse portfolio includes some of the most recognized properties in kids' media, including original IP like Stan Lee's Superhero Kindergarten starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Shaq's Garage starring Shaquille O'Neal, Rainbow Rangers, and Llama Llama starring Jennifer Garner. Kartoon Studios owns a controlling interest in Stan Lee Universe, managing the legendary creator's name, likeness, signature, voice, consumer products licensing, and original post-Marvel IP. Stan Lee is widely regarded as one of the most influential storytellers in modern history, with his characters appearing in four of the top ten highest-grossing films of all time. Kartoon Studios' animation powerhouse, Mainframe Studios, has delivered over 1,000 half-hour episodes and more than 60 feature-length projects. The studio's partners include Disney, Netflix, Mattel, and Sony, with current productions such as Barbie, CoComelon, and Unicorn Academy. Through its wholly owned Toon Media Networks—including Kartoon Channel!, Ameba, and Frederator Network—Kartoon Studios reaches audiences worldwide across linear, AVOD, SVOD, and FAST platforms. Kartoon Channel! is the #1 kids' app on the Apple App Store and delivers thousands of hours of family-friendly content, including top-performing series like Peppa Pig Shorts, Mother Goose Club, Talking Tom & Friends, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and educational content through Kartoon Classroom and Spanish language collection KC En Español. Frederator Network operates one of the largest global animation networks on YouTube, featuring over 2,000 exclusive creators with billions of annual views. In 2022, Kartoon Studios acquired Canada's WOW! Unlimited Media and became the largest shareholder in Germany's Your Family Entertainment AG, a leading European kids' content company. The Company also includes Beacon Media Group, a full-service kids and family agency offering integrated PR, social media, influencer, creative, and media buying services across entertainment, lifestyle, gaming, and tech verticals. 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 being poised for revenue growth and reaching sustained profitability in 2025 with rebound in animation production pipeline and continuing profit in children's channel; system; releasing A.A. MILNE'S WINNIE-THE-POOH sneak peek animation trailer featuring two new female characters; development plans for Stan Lee's The Excelsiors – one of the largest initial superhero ensemble creations by the legendary Stan Lee: launching the project as a graphic novel through Legible Comics, with concurrent development for television and film adaptations, overseen by industry icon and BATMAN Executive Producer, Michael Uslan: the collaboration with LiveOne (LVO: NASDAQ) to produce, publish, and distribute all music for its Winnie-the-Pooh films and series, including original songs, albums, and soundtracks; continuing to build on the positive results achieved in the first half of the year; the Company's ability to expand its brand globally in 2025 and beyond; the Company's belief that its initiatives reinforce its commitment to building a dynamic, diversified, children's entertainment portfolio that resonates with audiences worldwide, positioning the Company for long-term success; the future success of Mainframe Studios; current initiatives guiding Kartoon Studios toward profitability in 2025; operating at a sustainable expense level for the foreseeable future; and being well-positioned to capitalize on future growth opportunities and deliver long-term value for shareholders;. While the Company believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, the Company's ability to sustain growth and profitability in 2025; the Company's ability to expand its brand globally in 2025 and beyond; the ability of the Company to achieve profitability in 2025; the successful release of the Company's Winnie-the-Pooh films and series; the successful production and release of the Company's animated Christmas movie set to premiere December 24, 2025; 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:pr@ INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT: Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
Daily Mail
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Now Katy Perry draws strong reaction over Star Wars themed tour costume
Katy Perry showed off her new C3P0-inspired Lifetimes Tour costume on Saturday after suffering severe backlash for being a glorified space tourist during Blue Origin 's New Shepard NS-31 mission. The 40-year-old pop star enlisted three-time Emmy-winning costume designer Zaldy to construct the cyborg suit, which shielded her modesty with flesh-colored fishnet beneath the sci-fi get-up. Katy (born Katheryn Hudson) flaunted her suspiciously slimmed-down 5ft8in figure in the ornate creation featuring metallic-looking hinged panels and wiring on the arms, bust, panties, and legs. Hairstylist Andrew Ly created Perry's Anora-themed, tinsel-filled wig and make-up artist Alexandra French fully contoured her complexion. The 13-time Grammy nominee - who boasts 436.5M social media followers - captioned her X video: 'Introducing KP143.' The moniker was created using Katy's initials followed by 143, the name of her dismally-reviewed seventh studio album featuring the tone-deaf feminist anthem, Woman's World. The storyline for Perry's tour evidently involves her portraying the half-human, half-robot video game character, who battles an 'all-powerful AI called the Mainframe.' In fan-uploaded footage of the concert, the former American Idol judge even wields a double-bladed lightsaber just like Star Wars baddie Darth Maul to fight stuntmen and a massive tube puppet. 'It's really about believing in yourself and leading with love,' Katy explained of her concept to the Associated Press on April 18. 'Those are always my messages, no matter how I wrap it or whatever tour I bring. It's love and empowerment. When I can lead by example, it just ripples.' Over on X, the reaction to the costume was strong with user @notoriousalerts tweeting: 'You're taking that whole fake space trip you did a little too far. Go back to [singing] about lollipops and tan skin.' X user @IceeBurp sarcastically commented: 'Did you pick that uniform up in astronaut training?' '[You] go to space once and suddenly you're a sci-fi fever dream,' X user @ChrissieMayr quipped. X user @JimCorn1776 agreed: 'That just screams out "former astronaut."' 'Is this what happens after you go to space and back?' X user @Freedom2Fart tweeted. 'Can you please go back to space?' X user @PurdyFinances asked. 'And just stay there?' The moniker was created using Katy's initials followed by 143, the name of her dismally-reviewed seventh studio album featuring the tone-deaf feminist anthem, Woman's World The storyline for Perry's tour evidently involves her portraying the half-human, half-robot video game character, who battles an 'all-powerful AI called the Mainframe' (pictured last Wednesday) In fan-uploaded footage of the concert, the former American Idol judge even wields a double-bladed lightsaber just like Star Wars baddie Darth Maul to fight stuntmen and a massive tube puppet Over on X, the reaction to the costume was strong with user @notoriousalerts tweeting: 'You're taking that whole fake space trip you did a little too far. Go back to [singing] about lollipops and tan skin' X user @IceeBurp sarcastically commented: 'Did you pick that uniform up in astronaut training?' '[You] go to space once and suddenly you're a sci-fi fever dream,' X user @ChrissieMayr quipped X user @JimCorn1776 agreed: 'That just screams out "former astronaut"' 'Is this what happens after you go to space and back?' X user @Freedom2Fart tweeted 'Can you please go back to space?' X user @PurdyFinances asked. 'And just stay there?' X user @RockNRollChef scoffed: 'What's the phrase... Jumped the shark? I'm sure the plan was a triumphant trip into space, and then afterwards everyone so impressed with her space-looking suit but... not so much' The Kamala Harris supporter - who's recovering from 'a flu-cold thing' - is next scheduled to bring her 84-date The Lifetimes Tour to Mexico's Arena Monterrey for a two-night stand this Monday and Tuesday On April 14, Katy enjoyed an 11-minute 'joyride for the super-rich' during which she experienced three-four minutes of weightlessness at the Kármán line (62 miles above Earth) 'What's the phrase... Jumped the shark?' X user @RockNRollChef scoffed. 'I'm sure the plan was a triumphant trip into space, and then afterwards everyone so impressed with her space-looking suit but... not so much.' Perry - who's recovering from 'a flu-cold thing' - is next scheduled to bring her 84-date The Lifetimes Tour to Mexico's Arena Monterrey for a two-night stand this Monday and Tuesday. On April 14, the Kamala Harris supporter enjoyed an 11-minute 'joyride for the super-rich' during which she experienced three-four minutes of weightlessness at the Kármán line (62 miles above Earth). The six-person all-female crew also included NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, bioastronautics research scientist Amanda Nguyen, CBS Mornings host Gayle King, film producer Kerianne Flynn, and Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos' fiancée Lauren Sánchez. Blue Origin spokesperson Bill Kircos told CNN that 'some passengers' flew 'free of charge' while others shelled out the refundable deposit of $150K normally required to start the process of reserving a seat. Katy was supported on the ground in West Texas by her fiancé of six years, Orlando Bloom, and their four-year-old daughter Daisy Dove Bloom making her public debut.
Daily Mail
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Katy Perry blasted for taking her trip to space 'too far' with C3P0-inspired tour costume
Katy Perry showed off her new C3P0-inspired Lifetime Tour costume on Saturday after suffering severe backlash for being a glorified space tourist during Blue Origin 's New Shepard NS-31 mission. The 40-year-old pop star enlisted three-time Emmy-winning costume designer Zaldy to construct the cyborg suit, which shielded her modesty with flesh-colored fishnet beneath the sci-fi get-up. Katy (born Katheryn Hudson) flaunted her suspiciously slimmed-down 5ft8in figure in the ornate creation featuring metallic-looking hinged panels and wiring on the arms, bust, panties, and legs. Hairstylist Andrew Ly created Perry's Anora-themed, tinsel-filled wig and make-up artist Alexandra French fully contoured her complexion. The 13-time Grammy nominee - who boasts 436.5M social media followers - captioned her X video: 'Introducing KP143.' The moniker was created using Katy's initials followed by 143, the name of her dismally-reviewed seventh studio album featuring the tone-deaf feminist anthem, Woman's World. The storyline for Perry's tour evidently involves her portraying the half-human, half-robot video game character, who battles an 'all-powerful AI called the Mainframe.' In fan-uploaded footage of the concert, the former American Idol judge even wields a double-bladed lightsaber just like Star Wars baddie Darth Maul to fight stuntmen and a massive tube puppet. 'It's really about believing in yourself and leading with love,' Katy explained of her concept to the Associated Press on April 18. 'Those are always my messages, no matter how I wrap it or whatever tour I bring. It's love and empowerment. When I can lead by example, it just ripples.' Over on X, the reaction to the costume was strong with user @notoriousalerts tweeting: 'You're taking that whole fake space trip you did a little too far. Go back to singling about lollipops and tan skin.' X user @IceeBurp sarcastically commented: 'Did you pick that uniform up in astronaut training?' '[You] go to space once and suddenly you're a sci-fi fever dream,' X user @ChrissieMayr quipped. X user @JimCorn1776 agreed: 'That just screams out "former astronaut."' 'Is this what happens after you go to space and back?' X user @Freedom2Fart tweeted. 'Can you please go back to space?' X user @PurdyFinances asked. 'And just stay there?' The storyline for Perry's tour evidently involves her portraying the half-human, half-robot video game character, who battles an 'all-powerful AI called the Mainframe' (pictured last Wednesday) In fan-uploaded footage of the concert, the former American Idol judge even wields a double-bladed lightsaber just like Star Wars baddie Darth Maul to fight stuntmen and a massive tube puppet Over on X, the reaction to the costume was strong with user @notoriousalerts tweeting: 'You're taking that whole fake space trip you did a little too far. Go back to singling about lollipops and tan skin' X user @IceeBurp sarcastically commented: 'Did you pick that uniform up in astronaut training?' '[You] go to space once and suddenly you're a sci-fi fever dream,' X user @ChrissieMayr quipped X user @JimCorn1776 agreed: 'That just screams out "former astronaut"' 'Is this what happens after you go to space and back?' X user @Freedom2Fart tweeted 'Can you please go back to space?' X user @PurdyFinances asked. 'And just stay there?' X user @RockNRollChef scoffed: 'What's the phrase... Jumped the shark? I'm sure the plan was a triumphant trip into space, and then afterwards everyone so impressed with her space-looking suit but... not so much' On April 14, Katy enjoyed an 11-minute 'joyride for the super-rich' during which she experienced three-four minutes of weightlessness at the Kármán line (62 miles above Earth) 'What's the phrase... Jumped the shark?' X user @RockNRollChef scoffed. 'I'm sure the plan was a triumphant trip into space, and then afterwards everyone so impressed with her space-looking suit but... not so much.' Perry - who's recovering from 'a flu-cold thing' - is next scheduled to bring her 84-date The Lifetimes Tour to Mexico's Arena Monterrey for a two-night stand this Monday and Tuesday. On April 14, the Kamala Harris supporter enjoyed an 11-minute 'joyride for the super-rich' during which she experienced three-four minutes of weightlessness at the Kármán line (62 miles above Earth). The six-person all-female crew also included NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, bioastronautics research scientist Amanda Nguyen, CBS Mornings host Gayle King, film producer Kerianne Flynn, and Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos' fiancée Lauren Sánchez. Blue Origin spokesperson Bill Kircos told CNN that 'some passengers' flew 'free of charge' while others shelled out the refundable deposit of $150K normally required to start the process of reserving a seat. Katy was supported on the ground in West Texas by her fiancé of six years, Orlando Bloom, and their four-year-old daughter Daisy Dove Bloom making her public debut.
