NEW YORK (May 19, 2009) - 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: KDE), a global provider of children's entertainment, has reached agreement with Cartoon Network by which the popular cable network will air the "Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's" animated series and the 4Kids-produced "Chaotic: M'arrillian Invasion" starting next month (June 2009). Cartoon Network will also air the third season of "Chaotic" scheduled to be delivered in the fall of 2009.
"This is tremendous for 'Yu-Gi-Oh!' and 'Chaotic' fans across America," said Al Kahn, Chairman and CEO, 4Kids Entertainment, which produces "Chaotic" and the English language adaptation of "Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's.". "We are pleased to partner with Cartoon Network to bring two of our most exciting properties to a broader audience."
Since its debut in October 2007, the Chaotic Trading Card Game has become one of the most popular titles in the category, breaking into the "Top Three" of best-selling trading card games in North America. Its companion Website (www.chaoticgame.com) currently has more than 1.5 million registered users who have uploaded over 60 million cards for online play with fans the world over. TheCW4Kids five-hour Saturday morning broadcast block on The CW television network, is expected to continue airing the "Chaotic" series going forward.
Premiering in 2001, Yu-Gi-Oh! has amassed an international following with over 18.1 billion trading cards sold in seven languages throughout 51 countries. Approximately six million fans collect and play the Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card game across the globe.
Series descriptions follow:
"This is tremendous for 'Yu-Gi-Oh!' and 'Chaotic' fans across America," said Al Kahn, Chairman and CEO, 4Kids Entertainment, which produces "Chaotic" and the English language adaptation of "Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's.". "We are pleased to partner with Cartoon Network to bring two of our most exciting properties to a broader audience."
Since its debut in October 2007, the Chaotic Trading Card Game has become one of the most popular titles in the category, breaking into the "Top Three" of best-selling trading card games in North America. Its companion Website (www.chaoticgame.com) currently has more than 1.5 million registered users who have uploaded over 60 million cards for online play with fans the world over. TheCW4Kids five-hour Saturday morning broadcast block on The CW television network, is expected to continue airing the "Chaotic" series going forward.
Premiering in 2001, Yu-Gi-Oh! has amassed an international following with over 18.1 billion trading cards sold in seven languages throughout 51 countries. Approximately six million fans collect and play the Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card game across the globe.
Series descriptions follow:
"Chaotic: M'arrillian Invasion" (TV-Y7 FV) Season 2 of the Chaotic TV series
Chaotic's got a fierce new look and it's all-out anime action for every Battle, Creature clash and Scan Quest. As Tom and Kaz delve deeper into Chaotic, they quickly confront freaky new Creatures, uncover strange new Locations and scan awesome new BattleGear and Mugic. But their games take a shocking, world-rocking turn when a mysterious new tribe is accidentally unleashed. Will the force of their mega-mental powers let them conquer the Tribes and rule Perim? The answer lies in the all-new series "Chaotic M'arrillian Invasion."
"Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's" (TV-Y7 FV) Season 4 of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TV series
The future of dueling is revving up and it begins with a new legend, Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's, the latest entry in the internationally renowned series. Welcome to the new Domino City. Once the playground to legendary duelist Yugi Muto, this sprawling metropolis has since been transformed into a futuristic society where dueling has kicked into overdrive. Now the winners and losers aren't just separated by skill and strength... but by SPEED! For five special duelists, it's not just about winning or losing anymore - it's about survival, as they are the chosen "signers" who have been marked by destiny to uncover the secrets of the five dragons.
About 4Kids Entertainment
With U.S. headquarters in New York City, regional offices for its trading card business in San Diego, California and international offices in London, 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: KDE) is a global organization devoted to the creation, development, production, broadcasting, distribution, licensing and manufacturing of children's entertainment products.
Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, 4Kids produces animated television series and films, distributes 4Kids' produced or licensed animated television series for the domestic and international television and home video markets, licenses merchandising rights worldwide to 4Kids' owned or represented properties, and operates Web sites to support 4Kids' owned or represented properties. Through its majority owned trading card company and Website company, 4Kids produces and markets collectible trading card games. Additionally, the Company programs and sells the national advertising time in "TheCW4Kids" five-hour Saturday morning block on The CW television network. Additional information is available on the www.4kidsentertainment.com corporate web site and at the www.4kids.tv game station site.
About Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com), currently seen in more than 97 million U.S. homes and 166 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s ad-supported cable service now available in HD offering the best in original, acquired and classic animated entertainment for kids and families. Nightly from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (ET, PT), Cartoon Network shares its channel space with Adult Swim, a late-night destination showcasing original and acquired animation for young adults 18-34.
Chaotic's got a fierce new look and it's all-out anime action for every Battle, Creature clash and Scan Quest. As Tom and Kaz delve deeper into Chaotic, they quickly confront freaky new Creatures, uncover strange new Locations and scan awesome new BattleGear and Mugic. But their games take a shocking, world-rocking turn when a mysterious new tribe is accidentally unleashed. Will the force of their mega-mental powers let them conquer the Tribes and rule Perim? The answer lies in the all-new series "Chaotic M'arrillian Invasion."
"Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's" (TV-Y7 FV) Season 4 of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TV series
The future of dueling is revving up and it begins with a new legend, Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's, the latest entry in the internationally renowned series. Welcome to the new Domino City. Once the playground to legendary duelist Yugi Muto, this sprawling metropolis has since been transformed into a futuristic society where dueling has kicked into overdrive. Now the winners and losers aren't just separated by skill and strength... but by SPEED! For five special duelists, it's not just about winning or losing anymore - it's about survival, as they are the chosen "signers" who have been marked by destiny to uncover the secrets of the five dragons.
About 4Kids Entertainment
With U.S. headquarters in New York City, regional offices for its trading card business in San Diego, California and international offices in London, 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: KDE) is a global organization devoted to the creation, development, production, broadcasting, distribution, licensing and manufacturing of children's entertainment products.
Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, 4Kids produces animated television series and films, distributes 4Kids' produced or licensed animated television series for the domestic and international television and home video markets, licenses merchandising rights worldwide to 4Kids' owned or represented properties, and operates Web sites to support 4Kids' owned or represented properties. Through its majority owned trading card company and Website company, 4Kids produces and markets collectible trading card games. Additionally, the Company programs and sells the national advertising time in "TheCW4Kids" five-hour Saturday morning block on The CW television network. Additional information is available on the www.4kidsentertainment.com corporate web site and at the www.4kids.tv game station site.
About Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com), currently seen in more than 97 million U.S. homes and 166 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s ad-supported cable service now available in HD offering the best in original, acquired and classic animated entertainment for kids and families. Nightly from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (ET, PT), Cartoon Network shares its channel space with Adult Swim, a late-night destination showcasing original and acquired animation for young adults 18-34.
