Toon Goggles is an American on-demand entertainment service for children that provides animated cartoons, live-action shows, games and music worldwide via the web and mobile applications on smartphones, OTT devices, smart TVs and tablets, led by CEO and co-founder Stephen Hodge.
Based in Los Angeles, California, Toon Goggles has developed partnerships with Sony, Samsung and Roku.Gary Rusak, "Toon Goggles added to Samsung’s Smart TV platform" , Kids Screen, 1/23/2014 Their children's content is compliant with COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act).Jesse Whittock, "Toon Goggles Builds Library with YFE" ,C21 Media, 1/31/2012
Toon Goggles allows animators to publish their shows for free. Animation rights holders are then provided with analytical data regarding the popularity of each show that they can present to network producers or investors.Wendy Goldman Getzler, "Cartoon website targets kids and network execs" ,Kids Screen, 3/18/2011
In December 2014, Toon Goggles introduced 4K streaming of 18 series within their service.Ryan Waniata, " Vizio’s P-series 4K UHD TVs will get more content thanks to Amazon, Ultraflix, and Toon Goggles" , Digital Trends, 12/22/2014
Features Many of Toon Goggles customers use the service on children's tablets, especially Techno Source's Kurio7Anna Attkisson, "Techno Source Kurio 7 Review" , Laptop Mag, 09/14/2012 and Oregon Scientific's MEEP!Jeremy Dickson, "Toon Goggles hits the Meep! screen tablet" ,Kids Screen, 9/12/2012 Some features include: 6 show categories including boys, girls, action, comedy, preschool, and educational 6 game categories including arcade, puzzle, sports, action, strategy and adventures News stories and educational content for kids and tweens TG Radio, a kid-safe music service with pop hits and soundtracks Parental control switch to monitor viewing UHD 4K streaming"Sony Electronics Showcases New 4K Ultra HD TV Line" , 1/25/2015 Access over 3G/4G/Wi-Fi and ability to save cartoons for offline viewing Localized interface in 18 different languages for global use
Background The Toon Goggles application is developed by Toon Goggles Inc., a start-up based in Los Angeles. In 2011, a demo website (www.toongoggles.com) was created to take to MIPCOM to show animation companies the exposure they could receive by placing their cartoons on the Toon Goggles service.Jeremy Dickson, "Toon Goggles secures kids content from BRB" ,Kids Screen, 7/17/2012 The mobile application was created soon after. In 2012, the platform secured one of its first partnerships with Panasonic to appear on the VIERA Connect television.Jeremy Dickson, "Toon Goggles content to reach Panasonic smart TVs" ,Kids Screen, 6/14/2012 Toon Goggles has been pre-installed and promoted on a variety of devices for sale.
Stephen L. Hodge, Managing Director, spearheaded the creation of Toon Goggles in 2011. James R. Cahall, Chief Technology Officer, heads the service's technology development and feature integration, including the company's move to offer 4K streaming. Jordan Warkol, Director of Business Development was an actor for 15 years starting at the age of 4 playing 'Froggy' in the 1994 version of "The Little Rascals.".
Business model Originally a free service, Toon Goggles now follows the Freemium model, offering users free content with pre-screened advertising and the ability to upgrade to the subscription service with an ad-free model."Toon Goggles Initiates Subscription Based Service" ,PR Web, 10/01/2012
Partners Toon Goggles has the following partnerships. Samsung Panasonic Sharp Aquos SonyEd Washington, "Toon Goggles lands on Sony Xperia" , Animation World Network, 2/04/2013 Roku Western DigitalJeremy Dickson, "Western Digital puts on Toon Goggles" , Kids Screen, 1/07/2014 VizioMercedes Milligan, "Toon Goggles, VIZIO Partnership Kicks Off" ,Animation Magazine, 8/04/2014 Wide Open West"Toon Goggles launches on WOW! Ultra TVs" ,Animation Magazine, 12/15/2014 Seiki KD Interactive Techno Source Oregon Scientific NetrangeJeremy Dickson, "Netrange Deal Brings Kids Entertainment Platform to Smart TVs Everywhere" , 12/29/2014 Southern TelecomWendy Goldman Getzler, "Polaroid’s kids Tablet to feature Toon Goggles content" ,Kids Screen, 5/28/2013 Hisense Idolian Mobilehttp://www.wxvt.com/story/22070655/idolian-mobile-to-add-toon-goggles-app-to-its-line-of-android-tablets-pcs Nook"Toon Goggles Launches Free App For Barnes and Noble’s Critically Acclaimed Nook HD and Nook HD+" ,Business Wire, 3/04/2013 U.S. Cellular"Toon Goggles Brings Kids Mobile Hub to US Cellular Customers" ,Consumer Electronics Net, 1/20/2015
Other Partners: PacketVideo
Lawsuit In mid to late 2019, Toon Goggles was involved in the lawsuit Securities and Exchange Commission v. Toon Goggles Inc., et al. According to the lawsuit, co-founder Ira Warkol held at least five unregistered broker deals to around 400 investors from August 2012 to late 2016, raising over US$19 million. The lawsuit also stated that the commissions were performed under several entities, such as another start-up called NetKids and two divisions from Toon Goggles themselves: Dinomite Apps and Yeti Productions (both of which dissolved in 2015 and 2016 respectively). Toon Goggles also failed to get complete records of their investors, including the number of shares and money gained. Warkol neither admitted nor denied the allegations and agreed to a settlement stating that he had to return $2 million and pay another US$190,000 fine, along with being permanently banned from any future security sales. The case was settled on October 29, 2019.
A separate but similar preceding had the SEC accuse director of operations' Brendan Pollitz for facilitating broker-dealer registration violations. Pollitz agreed to a cease-and-desist order, paying additional fines of up to $43,589.
References
External links Official Website Informational Website