Kartoon Studios said that Season 2 of the animated series Shaq’s Garage is streaming on Kartoon Channel!

The company said Season 1 of Shaq’s Garage contributed to subscriber growth and generated revenue and profit growth.

A nursery rhyme series also featuring former NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal, Baby Shaq, is expected to have its debut in Q4, the company said.

“The first season of Shaq’s Garage drove significant growth for our kid's streaming service Kartoon Channel in terms of subscribers and revenue growth,” said Todd Steinman, president of Toon Networks at Kartoon Studios. “The second season has even more high-energy adventures, heartwarming moments, and positive messages. We are excited to continue our partnership with Shaquille O’Neal and deliver more engaging, value-oriented content that our audience loves."

Shaq’s Garage: Maximum Horsepower can be seen on platforms including Amazon Prime Video Channels, Tubi, Pluto TV, Xumo, Comcast, Cox, Dish, Sling, Roku, Samsung and LG.  

Genius Brands International named Cindy Kelly as head of advertising sales & co-chief revenue officer for Kartoon Channel, a new position.

Kelly, who had been president of ad sales for Entertainment Studios, will be working with Todd Steinman, who was recently appointed co-chief revenue & marketing officer for the streaming network.

Kelly will oversee advertising sales, as well as brand, content and event sponsorships for Kartoon Channel!, while Steinman focuses on subscriptions and marketing.

“Following the recent announcement of the Kartoon Channel! Kidaverse, and the acquisition of Ameba TV, Kartoon Channel! continues its global expansion, with a goal of becoming the leading children’s entertainment platform. With the appointments of Cindy and Todd, we are focusing on creating meaningful revenue streams by driving advertising sales and brand marketing partnerships,” said Jon Ollwerther, president of Kartoon Channel.

“Cindy’s track record speaks for itself. She is at the top of her field and has significant relationships with the most important advertisers in the kids’ business. I could not be more thrilled to welcome her to the Kartoon Channel! Team,” Ollwerther said.

Before Entertainment Studios, Kelly was with Ion Media, Crown Media Family Networks and Cartoon Network.

“Kartoon Channel! has the content, the platform, and the audience to provide a very special offering for the advertising community. I’m excited to lead the ad sales and sponsorship strategy given the rapid growth of the network,” said Kelly. ■

Genius Brands International said it reached a deal with ViacomCBS's Pluto TV to carry Kartoon Channel starting Tuesday.

“This deal with Pluto TV provides us with an amazing opportunity to significantly expand the brand footprint to a broad audience across the U.S., as well as to build our advertiser base with best in class partners,” said Harold Chizick, president of content sales, marketing and consumer products at Genius Brands. “We have a longstanding relationship with ViacomCBS, starting with the launch of Rainbow Rangers on Nick Jr., and we are looking forward to this next endeavor with Pluto TV.”

Kartoon Channel programming includes original series Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger; KC! Pop Quiz, hosted by Nickelodeon star Casey Simpson and the upcoming Shaq’s Garage, starring Shaquille O’Neal and Rob Gronkowski.

“We are thrilled to bring Kartoon Channel! to the Pluto TV audience.  Their mission of providing quality ‘content with a purpose’ to kids of all ages and their families is a perfect complement to our diverse range of programming as we look to further broaden Pluto TV’s content offering,” states Amy Kuessner, senior VP of content strategy & global partnerships at ViacomCBS Streaming.

Genius Brands said that NFL star Rob Gronkowski is joining its upcoming Kartoon Channel show Shaq’s Garage as co-executive producer and as the voice of a new character, the Gronkmobile.

The original animated series featuring former NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal is expected to join the Kartoon Channel in the second quarter of 2022.

Also Read: Shaq Makes Kids Series, Takes Genius Brands Stake

“We are in discussions with other celebrities to join not only Shaquille, but NFL superstar, Rob Gronkowski, in the voice cast of this series. Along with Rob and each celebrity, comes his or her unique audience and millions of followers on social media,” Genius Brands CEO Andy Heyward said in an investor letter as the company reported its second quarter financial results.

The company posted a $7.4 million loss, or 2 cents a share, compared to a $383.3 million loss a year ago, or $4.88 a share, a year ago.

Also Read: Genius Brands Acquires ChizCom, Beacon Media Unit

Revenue was up 318% to $2.3 million. 

The company said that unique users for Kartoon Channel was up 909% from first quarter levels, to 21 million with hour watched up 1823%, ad impressions up 243% and revenue up 464%.

Also Read: Kids TV Vet Loesch Named Exec Chairman of Kartoon

“We expect Kartoon Channel’s robust growth to continue, as we continue to market the channel and license proven content as well as exciting original new programs,” Heyward said. 

Genius Brands International said it is working with Tankee Inc. to develop a new Roblox series that will appear exclusively on Genius Brands’ streaming Kartoon Channel.

The new series will have 12 episodes and feature top Roblox influencers. The show will launch in June.

“At Kartoon Channel! we pride ourselves on delivering the latest and most innovative content to our viewers,” said Jon Ollwerther, GM of Kartoon Channel! at Genius Brands. “Roblox has become a phenomenon that has captured the attention of children across the globe, and we are thrilled to be working with Tankee to develop and share new episodes in order to meet the growing demand from viewers.”

Genius Brands and Tankee have been working on Roblox-based shows since 2019 including Big B Statz Roblox Challenges and Sally Plays Roblox. 

“We’ve grown our partnership with Genius Brands over two years and we’re proud to develop our first-ever co-production with Kartoon Channel! for a new Roblox-themed series,” said Tankee founder Gerald Youngblood. “Tankee’s dedication to becoming the top producer of kid safe gaming content came from connecting with my son through gaming and a desire to celebrate gaming content with kids around the world. We weren’t alone and have seen that many kids and families have a huge appetite for Roblox and other family-friendly gaming content.”

Former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal is starring in and executive producing an animated kids show for Genius Brands International and as part of the deal is becoming a shareholder in Genius Brands.

The series, Shaq’s Garage, will turn O’Neal’s real collection of cars into characters. The series is expected to have its premiere in 2022 on Kartoon Channel!, an ad-supported network that was launched in June.

“Ever since I was a kid I have been fascinated by cars,” said O’Neal, now a basketball analyst for TNT. 

“I’m so excited to bring this series to life with Genius Brands. We plan to showcase the most amazing, tricked out assortment of vehicles that can only be found in my garage,” said O’Neal. “They will all have larger than life personalities, larger than life missions and of course, larger than life sound systems. One of our cars is a vehicle missing a wheel, but she is as strong, fast, and smart as any other vehicle. This will be a kid’s show which will highlight inclusivity for all.” 

Related: Kids TV Vet Loesch Named Exec Chairman of Kartoon

Shaq’s Garage will be executive produced by Genius Brands, PRP and ABG Entertainment, a division of Authentic Brands Group. 

“We challenged ourselves to come up with the most exciting storylines and vehicle designs inspired by Toy Story, Tony Stark, and 007!, that could only be imagined by ‘Big Diesel,’ himself,” said Genius Brands CEO Andy Heyward. “The lead vehicle is named Big Diesel and will be voiced by Shaq.”

Related: Genius Brands Adds to Carriage of Kids' Channels

All of the vehicles from Shaq’s Garage will have unique attributes and skills, with some musically inclined and others fluent in a secret language called Shaq-anese.

“Through comedy and adventure, we will showcase strong and diverse characters as positive role models with purposeful storytelling. This is going to be a special show that touches every button--music, adventure, humor, and positive prideful messaging for kids,” said Heyward. “I have known and admired Shaq for many years and am thrilled that we can come together to make this important show for all kids around the world, and Shaq will become a part of the Genius Brands family.  

Genius Brands said veteran kids TV programmer Margaret Loesch has been named executive chairman of Kartoon Channel!, which is launching June 15.

David Neuman, former president of Walt Disney Television, has been named chief creative officer of Kartoon Channel!, working with Loesch and general manager Caroline Tyre.

Loesch started Fox Kids Network Worldwide, which launched the Power Rangers franchise in the U.S. Before Fox, she ran Marvel productions and was president of The Jim Henson Co. and the Hallmark Channel. More recently, she was president of the Hub, a joint venture between Hasbro Toys and Discovery.

“I have known and admired Margaret and David for many years. There are no two more accomplished executives in our industry than Margaret Loesch and David Neuman. One doesn’t become the president of multiple children’s networks, or the president of Walt Disney Television, respectfully, without a reputation of being ‘Best in Class’. Their collective knowledge and relationships with the advertiser community, the creative community, and the distribution community in kid’s broadcasting is at the pinnacle of the field. They play to win, and nothing less,” said Andy Heyward, CEO of Genius Brands.

“Having Margaret and David leading Kartoon Channel!, along with General Manager Caroline Tyre and Director of Content and Acquisitions Mark Shoeman, is going to be a tremendous jump start to creating viewership and market share, advertiser demand, and attracting the most powerful creative content and marketing in the field,” Heyward said.

Kartoon Channel! is a digital service aimed at kids 2-11 years old. It has access to 4,000 episodes of entertaining and education content from the Genius Brands catalog. Shows include Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club, Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab, Baby Genius, Martha Stewart & Friends, Stan Lee’s Mighty 7, Gisele Bündchen’s Gisele & The Green Team, Gummi Bears, Shark Academy, DaJammies, Amber the Ambulance, Dino the Dinosaur, Ethan the Dump Truck, IncrediTales, OneZeez and Super Geek Heroes.

“I have admired David’s accomplishments and reputation as an innovator and magnet for talent for years and have had the good fortune to work extensively with Andy over the years. This is a wonderful opportunity to work with both David and Andy, and the Genius Brands’ team where I will oversee and provide advice on the creation of a new destination for kids and their families,” said Loesch.

Genius Brands is currently on platforms including Dish, Amazon Prime, Sling TV, Comcast’s Xfinity on Demand, Roku, Apple TV and Apple iOS, Android, Cox, Tubi, and Xumo, with all transitioning into carrying Kartoon Channel!. New platforms launching Kartoon Channel content include SelectTV, RedBox, Plex, and Canela Media.

Genius Brands said veteran kids TV programmer Margaret Loesch has been named executive chairman of Kartoon Channel!, which is launching June 15.

David Neuman, former president of Walt Disney Television, has been named chief creative officer of Kartoon Channel!, working with Loesch and general manager Caroline Tyre.

Loesch started Fox Kids Network Worldwide, which launched the Power Rangers franchise in the U.S. Before Fox, she ran Marvel productions and was president of The Jim Henson Co. and the Hallmark Channel.  More recently, she was president of the Hub, a joint venture between Hasbro Toys and Discovery.

“I have known and admired Margaret and David for many years. There are no two more accomplished executives in our industry than Margaret Loesch and David Neuman. One doesn’t become the president of multiple children’s networks, or the president of Walt Disney Television, respectfully, without a reputation of being ‘Best in Class’. Their collective knowledge and relationships with the advertiser community, the creative community, and the distribution community in kid’s broadcasting is at the pinnacle of the field. They play to win, and nothing less,”  said Andy Heyward, CEO  of Genius Brands.

“Having Margaret and David leading Kartoon Channel!, along with General Manager Caroline Tyre and Director of Content and Acquisitions Mark Shoeman, is going to be a tremendous jump start to creating viewership and market share, advertiser demand, and attracting the most powerful creative content and marketing in the field,” Heyward said.

Kartoon Channel! is a digital service aimed at kids 2-11 years old. It has access to 4,000 episodes of entertaining and education content from the Genius Brands catalog. Shows include Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club, Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab, Baby Genius, Martha Stewart & Friends, Stan Lee’s Mighty 7, Gisele Bündchen’s Gisele & The Green Team, Gummi Bears, Shark Academy, DaJammies, Amber the Ambulance, Dino the Dinosaur, Ethan the Dump Truck, IncrediTales, OneZeez and Super Geek Heroes.

“I have admired David’s accomplishments and reputation as an innovator and magnet for talent for years and have had the good fortune to work extensively with Andy over the years. This is a wonderful opportunity to work with both David and Andy, and the Genius Brands’ team where I will oversee and provide advice on the creation of a new destination for kids and their families,” said Loesch.

Genius Brands is currently on platforms including Dish, Amazon Prime, Sling TV, Comcast’s Xfinity on Demand, Roku, Apple TV and Apple iOS, Android, Cox, Tubi, and Xumo, with all transitioning into carrying Kartoon Channel!. New platforms launching Kartoon Channel content include SelectTV, RedBox, Plex, and Canela Media.