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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q

|X|     QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE           SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2004

OR

|   |      TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE            SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the transition period from _____________ to _____________

Commission file number 0-7843

4Kids Entertainment, Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

New York
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
13-2691380
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

1414 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10019
(212) 758-7666

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of Registrant’s principal executive offices)


      Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes |X|    No |_|        

      Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes |X|    No |_|

      At November 9, 2004, the number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s common stock, par value $.01 per share, was 13,355,393.







4Kids Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Table of Contents


Page #

Part I--FINANCIAL INFORMATION



        Item 1.

Financial Statements

 

     

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2004
   (Unaudited) and December 31, 2003

2

     

 

Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine
   months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 (Unaudited)

3

     

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine
   months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 (Unaudited)

4

     

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

5

     

        Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
   Condition and Results of Operations

13

     

        Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

20

     

        Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

21

     

Part II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

     

        Item 2.

Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds

22

 

        Item 6.

Exhibits

22


        Signatures

 

23






Part I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements

4KIDS ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2004 AND DECEMBER 31, 2003
(In thousands of dollars, except share data)



ASSETS 2004
2003
CURRENT ASSETS: (Unaudited)
     Cash and cash equivalents   $  92,645   $  95,136  
     Investments  24,127   24,443  


     Total cash and investments  116,772   119,579  
     Accounts receivable - net  28,106   37,143  
     Prepaid Fox broadcast fee, net of accumulated amortization 
       of $53,851 and $36,447 in 2004 and 2003, respectively  14,377   8,688  
     Prepaid income taxes  3,123   2,670  
     Prepaid expenses and other current assets  1,726   1,690  
     Deferred income taxes  493   --  


     Total current assets  164,597   169,770  
 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT - NET  2,996   3,350  
 
OTHER ASSETS: 
     Accounts receivable - noncurrent, net  1,402   2,662  
     Investment in equity securities  726   726  
     Film and television costs - net  9,430   8,183  
     Deferred income taxes - noncurrent  3,660   2,575  
     Other assets - net  8,529   6,014  


TOTAL ASSETS  $191,340   $193,280  


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES: 
     Due to licensors  $  12,919   $  11,835  
     Media payable  403   2,178  
     Accounts payable and accrued expenses  12,714   9,706  
     Deferred revenue  8,137   8,070  
     Deferred income taxes  --   52  


     Total current liabilities  34,173   31,841  
 
DEFERRED RENT  1,055   952  


     Total liabilities  35,228   32,793  


COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 3) 
 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 
     Preferred stock, $.01 par value - authorized, 3,000,000 shares; none issued  --   --  
     Common stock, $.01 par value - authorized, 40,000,000 shares; 
       issued, 14,101,393 and 13,965,343 shares; outstanding 13,351,393 and 
         13,965,343 shares in 2004 and 2003, respectively  141   140  
     Additional paid-in capital  55,539   52,798  
     Accumulated other comprehensive income  779   693  
     Retained earnings  114,597   106,856  


   171,056   160,487  
     Less- cost of 750,000 treasury shares  14,944   --  


   156,112   160,487  


TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY  $191,340   $193,280  


See notes to consolidated financial statements.

2


4KIDS ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2004 AND 2003
(In thousands of dollars, except share data)



Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2004
2003
2004
2003
NET REVENUES   $       24,682   $       25,334   $       69,246   $       69,681  




COSTS AND EXPENSES: 
  Selling, general and administrative  10,473   8,579   27,411   23,996  
  Production service costs  1,941   2,574   6,942   6,556  
  Amortization of television and film costs and 
     Fox broadcast fee  8,408   9,700   22,957   24,204  




           Total costs and expenses  20,822   20,583   57,310   54,756  




INCOME FROM OPERATIONS  3,860   4,481   11,936   14,925  
INTEREST INCOME  375   252   953   835  




INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES  4,235   4,733   12,889   15,760  
INCOME TAXES  1,704   1,866   5,148   6,278  




NET INCOME  $         2,531   $         2,867   $         7,741   $         9,482  




PER SHARE AMOUNTS: 
  Basic earnings per common share  $            0.19   $            0.22   $            0.56   $            0.72  




  Diluted earnings per common share  $            0.18   $            0.20   $            0.54   $            0.68  




  Weighted average common shares 
      outstanding - basic  13,527,388   13,247,459   13,762,211   13,174,119  




  Weighted average common shares 
      outstanding - diluted  14,124,098   14,169,729   14,445,848   14,018,995  




See notes to consolidated financial statements.


3


4KIDS ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2004 AND 2003
(In thousands of dollars)



2004
2003
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:      
     Net income  $   7,741   $   9,482  
     Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash 
       provided by operating activities: 
     Depreciation and amortization  979   928  
     Amortization of television and film costs and Fox broadcast fee  22,957   24,204  
     Provision for doubtful accounts  30   253  
     Deferred income taxes  (1,630 ) (784 )
     Tax benefit on exercise of stock options  1,343   1,569  
     Changes in operating assets and liabilities: 
     Accounts receivable  10,267   10,736  
     Film and television costs  (6,800 ) (9,115 )
     Prepaid income taxes  (453 ) (30 )
     Prepaid Fox broadcast fee  (23,093 ) (22,149 )
     Prepaid expenses and other current assets  (36 ) 7  
     Other assets - net  (2,515 ) (2,532 )
     Due to licensors  1,084   (121 )
     Media payable  (1,775 ) (3,570 )
     Accounts payable and accrued expenses  3,008   (1,623 )
     Deferred revenue  67   1,160  
     Deferred rent  103   171  


     Net cash provided by operating activities  11,277   8,586  


CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: 
     Proceeds from maturities of investments  49,029   63,242  
     Purchase of investments  (48,713 ) (88,443 )
     Purchase of property and equipment  (625 ) (525 )


     Net cash used in investing activities  (309 ) (25,726 )


CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: 
     Proceeds from exercise of stock options  1,399   1,832  
     Purchase of treasury shares  (14,944 ) --  


     Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities  (13,545 ) 1,832  


EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH 
     AND CASH EQUIVALENTS  86   87  


NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS  (2,491 ) (15,221 )
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  95,136   78,712  


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD  $ 92,645   $ 63,491  


SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: 
 
CASH PAID DURING THE PERIOD FOR: 
     Income Taxes  $   5,377   $   5,600  


See notes to consolidated financial statements.


4


4KIDS ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands of dollars, except share and per share data)



1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

4Kids Entertainment, Inc. (the “Company”), together with the subsidiaries through which the Company’s businesses are conducted (the “Company”), is a diversified entertainment and media company specializing in the youth oriented market with operations in the following business segments: (i) Licensing, (ii) Advertising Media and Broadcast and (iii) Television and Film Production/Distribution.

Licensing — The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, 4Kids Entertainment Licensing, Inc. (“4Kids Licensing”) and 4Kids Entertainment International, Ltd. (“4Kids International”), are engaged in the business of licensing the commercial rights to popular children’s properties, personalities and product concepts. 4Kids Licensing typically acts as exclusive agent in connection with the grant to third parties of licenses to manufacture and sell all types of merchandise based on such properties, personalities and product concepts. The licensing of these rights has been primarily in the areas of toys, electronic games, trading cards, food, toiletries, apparel, housewares, footwear and publishing rights. 4Kids Licensing also licenses merchandising rights in connection with certain television shows and motion pictures produced by the Company. 4Kids International, which is based in London, manages the Company’s properties in the United Kingdom and European marketplaces.

4Kids Technology, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary, develops ideas and concepts for licensing which integrate new and existing technologies with traditional game and toy play patterns. Websites 4Kids, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary, specializes in website development by creating websites designed to enhance and support the marketing of children’s properties represented by the Company.

Advertising Media and Broadcast — The Company, through a multi-year agreement with the Fox Broadcasting Company (“Fox”), leases Fox’s Saturday morning programming block (the “Fox Box”). The Company provides substantially all programming content to be broadcast on the Fox Box, which airs on Saturday mornings from 8am to 12pm eastern/pacific time (7am to 11am central time); and retains all of the revenue from network advertising sales for the four-hour time period. 4Kids Ad Sales, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company manages and accounts for the revenue and costs associated with the Fox Box.

The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, The Summit Media Group, Inc. (“Summit Media”), provides media planning and buying services for clients in both print and broadcast media. Summit Media is compensated by receiving a percentage of the cost of the media it places.

Television and Film Production/Distribution — The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, 4Kids Productions, Inc. (“4Kids Productions”), produces and acquires animated and live-action television programs for distribution to the television, home video and theatrical markets. 4Kids Productions adapts foreign programming for the US market and also produces original animated television programming for domestic and international broadcast. Additionally, 4Kids Productions produces original music compositions for use with its television and film production activities.

4Kids Entertainment Music, Inc. (“4Kids Music”), a wholly-owned subsidiary, markets and administers the musical operations for the Company on certain existing and newly created music associated with its television programming. 4Kids Entertainment Home Video, Inc. (“4Kids Home Video”), a wholly-owned subsidiary, distributes home videos associated with television programming produced by 4Kids Productions.

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation — The consolidated financial statements, except for the December 31, 2003 consolidated balance sheet, are unaudited. In the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003 and the results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003. Because of the inherent seasonality and changing trends of the toy, game, entertainment and advertising industries, operating results for the Company on a quarterly basis may not be indicative of operating results for the full year.


5


These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, for the year ended December 31, 2003, which are included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K with respect to such period filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2004. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The December 31, 2003 consolidated balance sheet amounts are derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements.

Revenue RecognitionMerchandising licensing revenues: Merchandise licensing revenues are recognized when the underlying royalties from the sales of the related products are earned. The Company recognizes guaranteed royalties at the time the arrangement becomes effective if the Company has no significant direct continuing involvement with the underlying property or obligation to the licensee. Where the Company has significant continuing direct involvement with the underlying property or obligation to the licensee, guaranteed minimum royalties are recognized ratably over the term of the license or based on sales of the related products, if greater. Licensing advances and guaranteed payments collected, but not yet earned by the Company, are classified as deferred revenue in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Broadcast advertising revenues: Advertising revenues are recognized when the related commercials are aired and are recorded net of agency commissions and an appropriate reserve when advertising is sold together with a guaranteed audience delivery. Internet advertising revenues are recognized on the basis of impression views in the period the advertising is displayed. Fee-based commissions for media planning and buying services, for clients in both print and broadcast media, are recognized at the time the related media runs.

Episodic television series revenue: Television series initially produced for networks and first-run syndication are generally licensed to domestic and foreign markets concurrently. The length of the revenue cycle for episodic television varies depending on the number of seasons a series remains in active exploitation. Revenues arising from television license agreements are recognized in the period that the films or episodic television series are available for telecast.

Production and adaptation costs charged to the licensor are included in net revenues and the corresponding costs are included in production service costs in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

Home video revenues: Revenues from home video and DVD sales, net of a reserve for returns, are recognized on the date that video and DVD units are shipped by the Company’s distributor to wholesalers/retailers. Consistent with the practice in the home video industry, the Company estimates the reserve for returns based upon its review of historical returns rates and expected future performance.

Music revenues: Revenues from music sales, net of a reserve for returns, are recognized on the date units are shipped by the Company’s distributor to wholesalers/retailers as reported to the Company. In the case of musical performance revenues, the revenue is recognized when the musical recordings are broadcast and/or performed.

Prepaid Fox Broadcast Fee — The Company has capitalizes the broadcast fee paid to Fox and amortizes the amount over the broadcast season based on estimated advertising revenue. During the nine months ended September 30, 2004, the Company paid Fox and certain affiliates $6,934 and $16,159 attributable to the second and third year’s broadcast fees, respectively, and during calendar year 2003, the Company paid Fox and certain affiliates $6,328 and $19,506 attributable to the first and second year’s broadcast fees, respectively. The unamortized portion of these fees of $14,377 and $8,688 are included in “Prepaid Fox broadcast fee” on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively.

Film and Television Costs — The Company accounts for its film and television costs pursuant to AICPA Statement of Position (“SOP”) No. 00-2, Accounting by Producers or Distributors of Films. The cost of production for television programming, including overhead, participations and talent residuals is capitalized and amortized using the individual-film-forecast method under which such costs are amortized for each television program in the ratio that revenue earned in the current period for such program bears to management’s estimate of the total revenues to be realized from all media and markets for such program. Management regularly reviews, and revises when necessary, its total revenue estimates on a title-by-title basis, which may result in a change in the rate of amortization applicable to such title and/or a write-down of the value of such title to estimated fair value. These revisions can result in significant quarter-to-quarter and year-to-year fluctuations in film write-downs and rates of amortization. If a total net loss is projected for a particular title, the associated film and television costs are written down to estimated fair value. All exploitation costs, including advertising and marketing costs, are expensed as incurred. Television adaptation and production costs that are adapted and/or produced are stated at the lower of cost, less accumulated amortization, or fair value.


6


Reclassifications — Certain amounts reported for the prior period have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation.

Translation of Foreign Currency — In accordance with SFAS No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income (“SFAS No. 130”), the Company classifies items of other comprehensive income by their nature in the financial statements and displays the accumulated balance of other comprehensive income separately from retained earnings and additional paid-in capital in the equity section of the consolidated balance sheet. The assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign subsidiary, 4Kids International have been recorded in their local currency and translated to U.S. dollars using period-end exchange rates. Income and expense items have been translated at the average rate of exchange prevailing during the period. Any adjustment resulting from translating the financial statements of the foreign subsidiary is reflected as “other comprehensive income”. Comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 was $2,460 and $7,768, respectively, which included translation adjustments of ($12) and $86 for the respective periods. Comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 was $2,916 and $9,569, respectively, which included translation adjustments of $49 and $87 for the respective periods.

Stock-Based Compensation — SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” encourages, but does not require, companies to record compensation cost for stock-based compensation plans at fair value. The Company has chosen to account for stock-based compensation awards to employees under APB No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and its interpretation, FASB Interpretation No. (“FIN”) 44, “Accounting for Certain Transactions Involving Stock Compensation, an interpretation of APB Opinion No. 25.”

In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure (“SFAS No. 148”). Among other things, SFAS No. 148 requires the disclosure in interim reports of compensation expense calculated according to SFAS No. 123 for those awards of stock-based employee compensation that were outstanding and accounted for under the intrinsic value method of APB No. 25. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share as if the fair value based method under SFAS No. 123 had been applied to all outstanding and unvested awards in each period.


Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2004
2003
2004
2003
Net income as reported   $2,531   $2,867   $7,741   $9,482  
 
Deduct stock-based employee compensation 
 expense determined under fair value based 
 method for all awards, net of tax  461   251   2,993   1,486  




 
Pro forma net income  $2,070   $2,616   $4,748   $7,996  




 
Net income per share: 
Reported 
   Basic  $   0.19   $   0.22   $   0.56   $   0.72  




   Diluted  $   0.18   $   0.20   $   0.54   $   0.68  




Pro forma 
   Basic  $   0.15   $   0.20   $   0.35   $   0.61  




   Diluted  $   0.15   $   0.18   $   0.33   $   0.57  





The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The weighted average assumptions used for options granted in 2004 and 2003 included no dividend yield for the periods, expected volatility of approximately 58% and 60% for 2004 and 2003, respectively, a risk-free interest rate of approximately 2.06% and 1.92% for 2004 and 2003, respectively, and an option duration of 3.7 and 3.5 years for 2004 and 2003, respectively.


7


Recently Issued Accounting PronouncementsConsolidation of Variable Interest Entities — In January 2003, the FASB issued FIN No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. In December 2003, the FASB issued FIN No. 46 (Revised) (“FIN 46-R”) to address certain implementation issues. This interpretation clarifies the application of Accounting Research Bulletin (“ARB”) No. 51, Consolidated Financial Statements — for companies that have interests in entities that are Variable Interest Entities (“VIE”) as defined under FIN 46. According to this interpretation, if a company has an interest in a VIE and is at risk for a majority of the VIE’s losses or receives a majority of the VIE’s expected gains it shall consolidate the VIE. FIN 46-R also requires additional disclosures by primary beneficiaries and other significant variable interest holders. For entities acquired or created before February 1, 2003, this interpretation was effective no later than the end of the first interim or reporting period ended June 30, 2004, except for those VIE’s that are considered to be special purpose entities, for which the effective date was no later than the end of the first interim period or reporting period ending after December 15, 2003. The adoption of the provisions of this interpretation by the Company did not have a material effect on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities — In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“SFAS No. 149”). SFAS No. 149 amends and clarifies financial accounting and reporting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts and for hedging activities. SFAS No. 149 is effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003, except as stated in the statement for hedging relationships designated after June 30, 2003. The adoption of this standard by the Company did not have a material effect on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Financial Instruments — In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity (“SFAS No. 150”). SFAS No. 150 requires that certain financial instruments, which under previous guidance were accounted for as equity, must now be accounted for as liabilities. The financial instruments affected include mandatory redeemable stock, certain financial instruments that require or may require the issuer to buy back some of its shares in exchange for cash or other assets and certain obligations that can be settled with shares of stock. SFAS No. 150 is effective for all financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and to all other instruments that exist as of the beginning of the first interim financial reporting period after June 15, 2003. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 150 on July 1, 2003. The adoption of this standard by the Company did not have a material effect on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.

3. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES


a. Litigation – DSI Toys - During 2003, the Company’s subsidiary, Summit Media served as the media buying agency for DSI Toys, Inc. (“DSI”). On October 17, 2003, DSI filed a voluntary petition under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Law in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. In January 2004, the Trustee for the bankruptcy estate of DSI (the “Trustee”) sent a letter to Summit Media alleging that DSI made payments to Summit Media totaling $1,159 (the “Amount”) during the ninety (90) day period prior to DSI’s bankruptcy filing and asserting that such payments constituted avoidable preference payments. On May 6, 2004 the Trustee filed suit against Summit Media to seek to recover the Amount. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to this claim. The Amount paid to Summit Media was not a payment with respect to an antecedent debt. The Company intends to vigorously defend its position.

  The Company, from time to time, is involved in litigation arising in the ordinary course of its business. The Company does not believe that such litigation will, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of its operations.

b. Deferred Revenue — Music Publishing — In July 2002, 4Kids Music granted a right to receive a 50% interest in the Company’s net share of the music revenues from currently existing music produced by the Company for its television programs (excluding Pokémon)(“Current Music Assets”) to an unaffiliated third party in an arms length transaction for $3,000. Further, the Company agreed to grant a right to receive a 50% interest in the Company’s net share of music revenues from future music to be produced by the Company for its television programs (excluding Pokémon) (” Future Music Assets”) to the same third party for $2,000. In consideration of the grant of Future Music Assets, the Company received $750 in each of June 2003 and 2004 and will receive $500 in June 2005.

  The Company has deferred all amounts received under the contract, and recognizes revenue as the Current Music Assets and Future Music Assets generate revenue over the contract term. Notwithstanding the foregoing, as of the date that the Company has delivered all of the Future Music Assets required under the contract, any portion of the $5,000 that remains deferred and not recognized, will be recognized as revenue. Pursuant to the above, the Company recognized revenue of $75 and $370 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively, and $68 and $347 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003, respectively. The Company has included $3,426 and $3,046 as deferred revenue on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively. 


8



  Home Video – On various dates since May 2002, 4Kids Home Video entered into agreements with an unaffiliated third party home video distributor (the “Video Distributor”), pursuant to which 4Kids Home Video provides ongoing advertising, marketing and promotional services with respect to certain home video titles, that are owned or controlled by the Company and which are distributed in the U.S. and Canada by the Video Distributor. The Video Distributor has paid the Company advances of $3,670 ($370 during the nine months ended September 30, 2004) against 4Kids Home Video’s share of the distribution and service fee proceeds to be realized by 4Kids Home Video from such titles. Pursuant to the above agreements, the Company recognized revenue of $75 and $258 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively, and $0 and $587 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003, respectively. The Company has included $512 and $400 as deferred revenue on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively.

  Other Agreements — In addition, the Company has entered into other agreements for various properties and advertising time on the Fox Box in which the Company has received certain advances and/or minimum guarantees. Accordingly, as of September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003 the unearned portion of these advances and guaranteed payments were $4,199 and $4,624, respectively, and are included in deferred revenue on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

c. Master Toy Licensee — 4Kids Licensing, is the exclusive Merchandise Licensing Agent for the “Pokémon” property outside Asia. The master toy licensee (“Licensee”) for the “Pokémon” property and The Pokémon Company LLC, (the assignee of certain rights and obligations of Nintendo of America Inc. with respect to the “Pokémon” property) entered into a master toy license agreement (the “Agreement”) effective January 1, 2001.

  Under the terms of the Agreement, Licensee was required to pay a minimum royalty for the period from January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2003. Since all of the conditions under the Agreement were met and the full amount of the minimum guaranteed royalties were payable by the Licensee, the Company earned $7,500 over the period of the Agreement. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003, the Company earned royalties relating to the Agreement of $0 and $2,500, respectively. During 2003, the Agreement was amended extending the term to December 31, 2006.

d. Fox Broadcast Agreement — In January 2002, the Company entered into a multi-year agreement with Fox to lease the Fox Box. The Company is providing all programming content for the Fox Box and commenced doing so with the September 2002 broadcast year. The agreement has an initial term of four broadcast years, with the Company having the option to extend the term for up to two additional broadcast years. 4Kids will pay a fee of $25,312 for each broadcast year during the initial term of the agreement.

  The agreement provided for 50% of the fee for the first broadcast season to be paid within ten days of the execution of the short form agreement in February 2002, with the balance of the fee for the first broadcast season to be paid in four equal installments in September 2002, December 2002, February 2003 and April 2003. The fee for each subsequent broadcast year is payable 50% in the June preceding the beginning of the broadcast year (which begins in September) with the balance of the fee for the broadcast year payable in four equal installments in September, December, February and April. All payments required to be made on or prior to November 9, 2004 have been made. Additionally, the agreement requires the Company to establish a $25,000 letter of credit for the benefit of Fox, which letter of credit may be reduced by the Company as installments of the final year’s fee are paid. As of September 30, 2004, the Company had received a commitment from a bank for the letter of credit, but the letter of credit had not been issued pending completion of the long form agreement with Fox. Upon the issuance of the letter of credit, the Company will grant a security interest in its cash balances to the issuing bank to secure the amount of such letter of credit and will appropriately disclose these amounts as restricted cash in its consolidated financial statements.

  The cost of the Fox Box is capitalizes and amortizes over each broadcast season based on estimated advertising revenue for the related broadcast season. The Company recorded amortization expense of $6,699 and $17,404 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively, and $7,167 and $17,836 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003, respectively. During 2004, the Company has paid Fox and certain affiliates $6,934 and $16,159, attributable to the second and third year’s broadcast fees, respectively, and during calendar year 2003, the Company paid $6,328 and $19,506 attributable to the first and second year’s broadcast fee, respectively. The unamortized portion of these fees of $14,377 and $8,688 are included in “Prepaid Fox broadcast fee” on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively.


9



  The agreement further provides that, at the Company’s option, up to $10,300 of each year’s fee may be paid by delivering shares of the Company’s common stock. Over the initial four year term of the agreement, the Company will pay Fox an aggregate fee of $101,250. The Company will incur additional costs to program the four hour block and to sell the related network advertising time. These costs will include direct programming costs to acquire, adapt and deliver programming for broadcast during the weekly four hour block as well as additional indirect expenses of advertising sales, promotion and administration.

As of September 30, 2004, the minimum guaranteed payment obligations under the Fox broadcast agreement are as follows:

Year ending
December 31,

Amount
                                          2004     $ 3,164  
                                          2005    25,312  
                                          2006    6,328  

                                          Total   $ 34,804  


  The Company’s ability to recover the cost of its fee payable to Fox will depend on the popularity of the television programs the Company broadcasts on the Fox Box and the general market demand and pricing of advertising time for Saturday morning children’s broadcast television. The popularity of such programs impacts audience levels and the level of the network advertising rates that the Company can charge. Additionally, the success of merchandise licensing programs and international broadcast licenses and home video sales based on such television programs broadcast on the Fox Box is dependent on consumer acceptance of the properties. If the Company estimates that it will be unable to generate sufficient future revenue from advertising sales, home video sales and merchandising licensing at levels to cover the cost of its contractual obligation to Fox, the Company would record a charge to earnings to reflect an expected loss on the Fox agreement in the period in which the deficiency or factors affecting the recoverability of the fee payable become known. The Company will be required to make certain assumptions and estimates about future events such as advertising rates and audience viewing levels in evaluating its ability to recover the cost of the Fox fee. Such estimates and assumptions are subject to market forces and factors beyond the control of the Company and are inherently subject to change.

  There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to recover the full cost of the Fox fee and in the event it cannot, it would record the resulting charge to earnings to reflect an expected loss on the Fox fee, which could be significant.

e. Contractual Arrangements — During the normal course of business, the Company may enter into various agreements with third parties to license, acquire, distribute, broadcast, develop and/or promote properties. The terms of these agreements will vary based on the services and/or properties included within the agreement, as well as, geographic restrictions, duration, property and exploitation condition and results of operations.

f. Stock Purchases — On November 25, 2003, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized the Company to purchase up to 750,000 shares of its common stock in the open market or through negotiated prices from time-to-time through December 31, 2004. As of September 30, 2004, the Company had purchased 750,000 shares at an average price of $19.93 per share. All purchases were made out of the Company’s surplus.


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4. SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION

The Company applies SFAS No. 131, Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information. The Company has three reportable segments; (i) Licensing, (ii) Advertising Media and Broadcast, and (iii) Television and Film Production/Distribution. The Company’s reportable segments are strategic business units, which, while managed separately, work together as a vertically integrated entertainment company. The Company’s management regularly evaluates the performance of each segment based on its net revenues, profit and loss after all expenses, including amortized film, television costs and the Fox broadcast fee and interest income.

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. The Company’s Television and Film Production/ Distribution segment recorded inter-segment revenues and the Company’s Advertising Media and Broadcast segment recorded inter-segment charges related to the estimated acquisition costs of episodic television series for broadcast. In the opinion of management, such acquisition costs represent the estimated fair value which would have been incurred in a transaction between unaffiliated third parties on an arms length basis. All inter-segment transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.


Licensing Advertising
Media and
Broadcast
TV and Film
Production/
Distribution
Total
Three Months Ended September 30,          
2004: 
     Net revenues from external customers  $  11,489   $   4,837   $  8,356   $  24,682  
     Amortization of television 
        and film costs and Fox 
        broadcast fee  --   6,699   1,709   8,408  
     Segment profit (loss)  6,459   (3,994 ) 1,770   4,235  
     Interest income  370   5   --   375  
 
2003: 
     Net revenues from external customers  $  13,046   $   5,543   $  6,745   $  25,334  
     Amortization of television 
        and film costs and Fox 
        broadcast fee  --   7,167   2,533   9,700  
     Segment profit (loss)  9,091   (4,843 ) 485   4,733  
     Interest income  249   3   --   252  
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 
2004: 
     Net revenue from external customers  $  32,512   $ 13,929   $22,805   $  69,246  
     Amortization of television 
        and film costs and Fox 
        broadcast fee  --   17,404   5,553   22,957  
     Segment profit (loss)  18,949   (9,686 ) 3,626   12,889  
     Interest income  938   15   --   953  
     Segment assets  149,716   19,519   22,105   191,340  
 
2003: 
     Net revenues from external customers  $  37,112   $ 13,774   $18,795   $  69,681  
     Amortization of television 
        and film costs and Fox 
        broadcast fee  --   17,836   6,368   24,204  
     Segment profit (loss)  24,950   (12,024 ) 2,834   15,760  
     Interest income  820   15   --   835  
     Segment assets  128,948   21,098   21,448   171,494  


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Additionally, through the Company’s London office and network of international subagents, which allow it to license its properties throughout the world, the Company recognized net revenue from international sources primarily in Europe, of $2,373 and $7,437 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively, and $3,808 and $7,528 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003, respectively.

********************






12


Item 2.     Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
                  (In thousands of dollars unless otherwise specified)

General

The Company receives revenues from a number of sources, principally from the Licensing, Advertising Media and Broadcast and Television and Film Production/Distribution reportable segments. The Company typically derives a substantial portion of its licensing revenues from a small number of properties, which usually generate revenues only for a limited period of time. Because the Company’s licensing revenues are highly subject to the changing trends in the toy, game and entertainment business, the Company’s licensing revenues from year to year from particular sources are subject to dramatic increases and decreases. It is not possible to precisely anticipate the length of time a property will be commercially successful, if at all. Popularity of properties can vary from months to years. As a result, the Company’s revenues and net income may fluctuate significantly between comparable periods. The Company’s licensing revenues have historically been derived primarily from the license of toy and game concepts. Thus, a substantial portion of the Company’s revenues and net income are subject to the seasonal variations of the toy and game industry, and to the decisions made by third parties regarding the timing of the release of licensed products. Typically, a majority of toy orders are shipped in the third and fourth calendar quarters. In addition, Summit Media provides media buying services to a significant number of toy and video game companies which place a substantial portion of their overall annual advertising in the fourth quarter. The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of advertising time related to its lease of the Fox Saturday morning television block as more fully described in Note 2 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In view of the increased demand for commercial time on the Fox Box by children’s advertisers for the holiday season, the Company’s advertising sales subsidiary sells advertising time at higher rates in the fourth quarter generally resulting in higher advertising revenues for the fourth quarter. As a result, much of Summit Media’s and 4Kids Ad Sales revenues are earned in the fourth quarter when the majority of toy and video game advertising occurs. In the Company’s usual experience for many of the reasons stated above, the Company’s revenues during the second half of the year have generally been greater than during the first half of the year. The Company’s revenues in the most recent fiscal years have been heavily influenced by popularity trends of “Yu-Gi-Oh!", “Pokémon” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” properties and advertising revenue derived from the sale of commercial time on the Fox Box which is typically sold with a guaranteed audience delivery. Further, revenue fluctuations result from guarantee and minimum royalty payments occurring throughout the year, some of which are recognized as revenue upon the execution and delivery of license agreements.

Critical Accounting Policies

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations discusses the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company continually evaluates the policies and estimates it uses to prepare its consolidated financial statements. In general, management’s estimates and assumptions are based on historical experience, known trends or events, information from third-party professionals and other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making the judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions and conditions.

Our accounting policies are more fully described in Note 2 of the Notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Below is a summary of the critical accounting policies, among others, that management believes involve significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

The Company has revenue recognition policies for its various operating segments, which are appropriate to the circumstances of each business. See Note 2 of the Notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for a discussion of these revenue recognition policies.

The Company records reductions to revenues for estimated future returns of merchandise, primarily home video products. These estimates are based on trends and projections of customer demand for and acceptance of various products. Differences may result in the amount and timing of the Company’s revenue for any period if actual performance varies from these estimates. In addition, the Company records a reduction to advertising revenue for any under-delivered audience guarantees with regard to advertising time sold on the Fox Box.


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Film and Television Costs

Film and television costs - -   In accordance with Statement of Position No. 00-2, “Accounting by Producers or Distributors of Films” (“SOP 00-2”), management’s judgment is required, as it relates to total revenues to be received and costs to be incurred throughout the life of each program or its license period, to determine the amortization of capitalized film and television programming costs associated with revenues earned and any fair value adjustments.

Film and television programming costs are amortized in the consolidated statements of income in the direct proportion that revenues currently recognized bears to management’s estimate of total future revenues to be received throughout the life of each motion picture or television program. Estimates of revenues are reviewed and reassessed periodically on a title-by-title basis.

Fox Broadcast Fee

Fox Broadcast Agreement – The Company leases the Saturday morning programming block known as the Fox Box from Fox. The cost of the Fox Box has been and will be capitalized and amortized over the broadcast season based on estimated advertising revenue. In developing future estimated revenues, the Company has made certain assumptions with regard to the anticipated popularity of the television programs the Company broadcasts on the Fox Box and the general market demand and pricing of advertising time for Saturday morning children’s broadcast television. The popularity of such programs impacts audience levels and the level of the network advertising rates that the Company can charge. These estimates are based on historical trends, as well as the Company’s subjective judgment of future customer demand and acceptance of its television programming. Differences may result in the amount and timing of revenue for any period if actual performance varies from the Company’s estimates. See Note 3 of the Notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for a detailed discussion of the Fox broadcast agreement.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities — On January 2003, the FASB issued FIN No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. In December 2003, the FASB issued FIN No. 46 (Revised) (“FIN 46-R”) to address certain implementation issues. This interpretation clarifies the application of Accounting Research Bulletin (“ARB”) No. 51, Consolidated Financial Statements — for companies that have interests in entities that are Variable Interest Entities (“VIE”) as defined under FIN 46. According to this interpretation, if a company has an interest in a VIE and is at risk for a majority of the VIE’s losses or receives a majority of the VIE’s expected gains it shall consolidate the VIE. FIN 46-R also requires additional disclosures by primary beneficiaries and other significant variable interest holders. For entities acquired or created before February 1, 2003, this interpretation was effective no later than the end of the first interim or reporting period ended June 30, 2004, except for those VIE’s that are considered to be special purpose entities, for which the effective date was no later than the end of the first interim period or reporting period ending after December 15, 2003. The adoption of the provisions of this interpretation by the Company did not have a material effect on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities — In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“SFAS No. 149”). SFAS No. 149 amends and clarifies financial accounting and reporting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts and for hedging activities. SFAS No. 149 is effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003, except as stated in the statement for hedging relationships designated after June 30, 2003. The adoption of this standard by the Company did not have a material effect on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Financial Instruments — In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity (“SFAS No. 150”). SFAS No. 150 requires that certain financial instruments, which under previous guidance were accounted for as equity, must now be accounted for as liabilities. The financial instruments affected include mandatory redeemable stock, certain financial instruments that require or may require the issuer to buy back some of its shares in exchange for cash or other assets and certain obligations that can be settled with shares of stock. SFAS No. 150 is effective for all financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and to all other instruments that exist as of the beginning of the first interim financial reporting period after June 15, 2003. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 150 on July 1, 2003. The adoption of this standard by the Company did not have a material effect on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.


14


Results of Operations

The following table sets forth our results of operations expressed as a percentage of total net revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003.


Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2004
2003
2004
2003
Net Revenues   100 % 100 % 100 % 100 %




 
Selling, general ;amp administrative  43 % 34 % 40 % 34 %
Production service costs  8 % 10 % 10 % 9 %
Amortization of television 
  and film costs and Fox broadcast fee  34 % 38 % 33 % 35 %




 
Total Costs and Expenses  85 % 82 % 83 % 78 %
 
Income from Operations  15 % 18 % 17 % 22 %
Interest income  2 % 1 % 1 % 1 %




 
Income before income taxes  17 % 19 % 18 % 23 %
 
Income taxes  7 % 8 % 7 % 9 %




 
Net Income  10 % 11 % 11 % 14 %





Three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to three and nine months ended September 30, 2003

Revenues

Revenues by reportable segment and for the Company as a whole, were as follows:

           For the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003

2004
2003
$ Change
% Change
          Licensing   $11,489   13,046   $(1,557 ) (12 %)
          Advertising Media & Broadcast  4,837   5,543   (706 ) (13 %)
          Television and Film Production/Distribution  8,356   6,745   1,611   24 %




          Total  $24,682   $25,334   $  (652 ) (3 %)





           For the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003

2004
2003
$ Change
% Change
          Licensing   $32,512   $37,112   $(4,600 ) (12 %)
          Advertising Media & Broadcast  13,929   13,774   155   1 %
          Television and Film Production/Distribution  22,805   18,795   4,010   21 %




          Total  $69,246   $69,681   $  (435 ) (1 %)





The changes in consolidated net revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively, were due to a number of factors. In the Licensing segment, revenue for the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”, “Cabbage Patch Kids”, “American Kennel Club” and “The Dog” properties, increased significantly in 2004 as compared to 2003, but were offset by decreased revenue attributable to reduced marketing fees earned on lower “Yu-Gi-Oh!” card and video game sales and lower international licensing revenue on “Yu-Gi-Oh!”. In addition, revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 reflected the recognition of the third and final installment of $2,500 of minimum guaranteed royalties under the master toy license on the “Pokémon” property in the first quarter of 2003.


15


“Yu-Gi-Oh!” continues to be the largest contributor in this segment. In the Advertising Media and Broadcast segment, revenue from the sale of advertising time on the Company’s Fox Box television programming block decreased during the three months ended September 30, 2004 when compared with the comparable quarter in 2003 as a result of lower Nielsen ratings. Lower Nielsen ratings reflect reduced audience levels and consequently, lower advertising sales. These decreases were offset during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 by increased advertising sales on the Company’s Foxbox.tv websites and home videos. In the Television and Film Production/Distribution segment, revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 in this segment, increased primarily from the theatrical release of the “Yu-Gi-Oh!" movie in August 2004 and from home video and international broadcast agreements for the “Yu-Gi-Oh!” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” television programs. Additionally, production service revenue increased $386 in the nine months 2004 when compared with nine months 2003 as a result of work performed on producing the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” television programs and the 2004 “Yu-Gi-Oh!” movie.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 22%, or $1,894 to $10,473 and 14%, or $3,415 to $27,411 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively, when compared to the same periods in 2003, primarily due to increased costs associated with guaranteed payments made by the Company to acquire the “Yu-Gi-Oh!” movie representation rights. Additionally, costs related to compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of approximately $400 and costs associated with the Company’s international television broadcast operation increased, which were partially offset by a reduction in advertising and promotional costs to support the launch of the new Fox Box season when compared to the prior year.

Production Service and Capitalized Film Costs


Production service and capitalized film costs were as follows:

           For the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003

2004
2003
$ Change
% Change
          Production Service Costs   $1,941   $2,574   $(633 ) (25 %)
          Amortization of Television and Film Costs  1,709   2,534   (825 ) (33 %)

           For the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003

2004
2003
$ Change
% Change
          Production Service Costs   $6,942   $6,556   $ 386   6 %
          Amortization of Television and Film Costs  5,553   6,369   (816 ) (13 %)

The decrease in production service costs during the three months ended September 2004 primarily resulted from the absence of certain television production costs incurred during the same period in 2003 which related to programs that premiered on the Fox Box in September 2003, including “Funky Cops” and “Sonic X”. This decrease was offset in the nine month period by increased production costs on the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” television program and the August 2004 “Yu-Gi-Oh!” movie, which are billed in part to the property owners and/or movie studios. When the Company is entitled to be paid for such production costs, the Company categorizes them as production service costs and reflects a corresponding amount in revenue for the amount billed back to the property owners.

As of September 30, 2004, there was $9,430 of capitalized film production costs in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets relating primarily to various stages of production on 287 episodes of animated programming. The decrease in amortization of capitalized film costs during 2004 was the result of higher costs in 2003 arising from write-offs of various episodes of television programs during 2003. Based on management’s ultimate revenue estimates as of September 30, 2004, approximately 65% of the total completed and unamortized film and television costs are expected to be amortized during the next year, and over 90% of the total completed and unamortized film and television costs are expected to be amortized during the next three years.

Fox Broadcast Fee

Amortization of the Fox broadcast fee decreased 7%, or $468 to $6,699 and decreased 2%, or $432 to $17,404 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2003. The decrease is a result of advertising revenue earned during the period based on estimated advertising for the applicable broadcast season. The annual fee paid to Fox and certain affiliates is capitalized and amortized during each broadcast year. During the first nine months of 2004, the Company paid Fox and certain affiliates $6,934 and $16,159, attributable to the second and third year’s broadcast fees, respectively, and during calendar year 2003, the Company paid $6,328 and $19,506 attributable to the first and second year’s broadcast fees, respectively. The unamortized portion of these fees of $14,377 and $8,688, are included in “Prepaid Fox broadcast fee” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively.


16


In addition to advertising revenues, the operating costs of 4Kids Ad Sales, Inc. and the amortization of the Fox broadcast fee, the overall impact of the Fox Box on the Company’s results of operations includes:


i) revenues generated from merchandise licensing, international broadcasting rights licensing, home videos and music publishing of Fox Box properties, and
ii) production and acquisition costs associated with the television programs broadcast on the Fox Box.

The ability of the Company to further develop its merchandising, international broadcast licenses, home video and music publishing revenue streams was a significant component of its evaluation to lease the Fox Box programming block.

Interest Income

Interest income increased 49%, or $123 to $375 and 14%, or $118 to $953 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2003, resulting primarily from higher average rates on cash balances invested during the respective periods.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense decreased 9%, or $162 to $1,704 and 18%, or $1,130 to $5,148 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2003, due to lower pre-tax income. The Company’s effective tax rate remained relatively consistent at approximately 40% for both 2004 and 2003.

Net Income

As a result of the above, the Company had net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 of $2,531 and $7,741, respectively, as compared to net income for the same periods in 2003 of $2,867 and $9,482.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Financial Position

Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments as of September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003 were as follows:


2004
2003
$ Change
Cash and cash equivalents   $  92,645   $   95,136   $(2,491 )
Investments  24,127   24,443   (316 )



   $116,772   $ 119,579   $(2,807 )




During the nine months ended September 30, 2004, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents and short-term investment balances decreased by $2,807 to $116,772, primarily as a result of cash payments incurred for licensing the Fox Box and repurchases of common stock made under the Company’s stock repurchase program, substantially offset by collecting seasonally high fourth quarter accounts receivable, and increases in accounts payable and accrued expenses.

Working capital, consisting of current assets less current liabilities, was $130,424 as of September 30, 2004 and $137,929 as of December 31, 2003.

Sources and Uses of Cash

Cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 were as follows:


Sources 2004
2003
$ Change
 
Operating activities   $ 11,277   $   8,586   $   2,691  
Investing activities  (309 ) (25,726 ) 25,417  
Financing activities  (13,545 ) 1,832   (15,377 )


17


As of September 30, 2004, the Company had $24,127 invested primarily in short-term government obligations. During 2004, the Company purchased property and equipment of $625, which was comprised primarily of computer and television production equipment and leasehold improvements, as compared to purchases of property and equipment of $525 for the first nine months of 2003. Purchases of property and equipment for 2004 are expected to be comparable to that of 2003.

Cash flows from financing activities were generated by proceeds from the exercise of stock options by the Company’s employees. On November 25, 2003, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized the Company to purchase up to 750,000 shares of its common stock in the open market or through negotiated prices from time-to-time through December 31, 2004. Such purchases are to be made out of the Company’s surplus. As of September 30, 2004, the Company had purchased 750,000 shares at an average price of $19.93 per share.

During 2004, the Company’s improvement in its cash flow from operations was directly the result of strong consumer demand for a small number of its licensed properties.  While the Company strives to further diversify its revenue streams, management remains cognizant of changing trends in the toy, game and entertainment business and the difficulty in predicting the length of time a property will be commercially successful.  As a result, the Company’s revenues, operating results and cash flow from operations may fluctuate significantly from period to period and present operating results are not necessarily indicative of future performance.

Fox Broadcast Agreement

The Company’s license agreement with Fox to program the network’s four hour Saturday morning children’s block commenced in September 2002, requiring the Company to pay annual fees of $25,312 through 2006. Under the terms of the agreement, during the first nine months of 2004, the Company paid Fox and certain affiliates a total of $6,934 and $16,159 attributable to the second and third year’s broadcast fees, respectively, with three additional payments for the third broadcast season of $3,164 each due in December 2004, and February and April 2005. Fees for each subsequent broadcast year are payable 50% in the September preceding the beginning of the broadcast year (which begins in September) with the balance of the fee for the broadcast year payable in four equal installments in September, December, February and April. Additionally, the Agreement requires the Company to establish a $25,000 Letter of Credit for the benefit of Fox, which Letter of Credit may be reduced by the Company as installments of the final year’s license fee are paid. As of September 30, 2004, the Company had received a commitment for the letter of credit, but the letter of credit had not been issued pending completion of the long form agreement with Fox. Upon the issuance of the letter of credit, the Company will grant a security interest in its cash balances to the issuing bank to secure the amount of such letter of credit and will appropriately disclose these amounts as restricted cash in its financial statements. The agreement further provides that, at the Company’s option, up to $10,300 of each year’s fee may be paid by delivering shares of the Company’s common stock. Further, the Company will incur additional costs to program the four hour block and to sell the related network advertising time. These costs will include direct programming costs to acquire, adapt and deliver programming for broadcast during the weekly four hour block as well as additional indirect costs of advertising sales, promotion and administration.

Contractual Commitments

The Company’s contractual obligations and commitments are detailed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. As of September 30, 2004, the Company’s contractual obligations and commitments have not materially changed, except for the Fox Broadcast Agreement detailed above, from December 31, 2003.

Forward Looking Information and Risk Factors That May Affect Future Results

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company. We may from time to time make written or oral statements that are “forward-looking,” including statements contained in this report and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in reports to our stockholders. These “forward-looking” statements may relate to such matters as anticipated financial performance, business prospects, technological developments, new products, research and development activities, liquidity, and similar matters or to developments beyond our control, including changes in domestic or global economic conditions. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties and are made on the basis of management’s views and assumptions as of the time the statements are made. There can be no assurance, however, that our expectations will necessarily come to pass. A variety of factors could cause our actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed or anticipated in our forward-looking statements. The factors listed below are illustrative and other risks and uncertainties may arise as are or may be detailed from time to time in our public announcements and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


18


Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Section 404 compliance

We are subject to various regulatory requirements, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Section 404”), beginning with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2004, the Company’s management will be required to furnish a report regarding its internal controls over financial reporting. Among other things, the report will contain (i) an assessment and statement as to the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting as of the end of the Company’s fiscal year, which must include disclosure of any material weaknesses in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting and (ii) a statement that the Company’s auditors have issued an attestation report on management’s assessment of such internal controls.

We are currently in the process of documenting and evaluating our system of internal controls. This process is extremely expensive, time consuming and subject to change as there is no precedent available by which to measure compliance. Presently, we cannot be certain as to the timing of the completion of our (i) documentation, testing and remediation work and (ii) independent auditor’s attestation procedures on our system of internal controls that is required under Section 404.

In this regard, we recently received a letter from our independent auditors stating that, in their view, the Company may not be able to complete its Section 404 compliance work on a timely basis. Our auditors stated that their belief is based upon several factors, including the current narrow window of time for any required remediation, and that the Company has several processes and controls that are quarterly and the fourth quarter must be tested. The timing of such testing will coincide with the closing of the annual financial statements. In view of the foregoing and in view of the finite time period allotted to our auditors to complete their internal control audit procedures, our auditors may not be able to complete their work in order to be able to provide the attestation report on management’s assessment of such internal controls at year end.

While we anticipate being able to implement fully the requirements relating to Section 404, we cannot be certain as to the timing of completion of our evaluation, testing and remediation actions. If our management identifies one or more material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting, as prescribed by Section 404, we may be unable to assert that our internal controls over financial reporting are effective as of December 31, 2004 or our auditors may be unable to attest that our management’s report is fairly stated or to express an opinion on the effectiveness of our internal controls, even if the Company’s auditors issue an unqualified opinion on the Company’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2004. If such Section 404 work is not completed on a timely basis or the Company’s auditors do not deliver an unqualified attestation, it could result in a loss of investor confidence in our financial reports, adversely affect our stock price and/or subject the Company to sanctions or investigation by regulatory authorities. 

The Company’s revenues are subject to the high volatility of consumer preferences with respect to entertainment.

The Company’s business and operating results ultimately depend upon the appeal of our properties, product concepts and programming to consumers. A decline in the popularity of our existing properties or the failure of new properties and product concepts to achieve and sustain market acceptance could result in reduced overall revenues, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Consumer preferences with respect to entertainment are continuously changing and are difficult to predict and can vary from months to years. Entertainment properties often have short life cycles. There can be no assurances that:


  (1) any of our current properties, product concepts or programming will continue to be popular for any significant period of time;

  (2) any new properties, product concepts or programming we represent or produce will achieve an adequate degree of popularity; or

  (3) any property’s life cycle will be sufficient to permit us to profitably recover advance payments, guarantees, development, marketing, royalties and other costs.

Our failure to successfully anticipate, identify and react to consumer preferences could have a material adverse effect on our revenues, profitability and results of operations. In addition, the volatility of consumer preferences may cause our revenues and net income to vary significantly between comparable periods.

A substantial portion of our licensing revenue typically derives from a small number of properties.

We typically derive a substantial portion of our licensing revenues from a small number of properties, which properties usually generate revenues only for a limited period of time. Because our licensing revenues are highly subject to the changing trends in the toy, game and entertainment business, our licensing revenues from year to year from particular sources are subject to dramatic increases and decreases.


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Our business is typically seasonal and therefore our annual operating results will depend significantly on our performance during the holiday season.

Sales of our licensed toy and game concepts are seasonal, with a majority of retail sales occurring during the third and fourth calendar quarters. The revenues of Summit Media, which provides media services to a significant number of toy and video game companies, and 4Kids Ad Sales, which sells advertising time for the Fox Box, are also seasonal, with a significant portion of the revenue typically generated during the fourth quarter when the demand for and pricing of commercial time for holiday season children’s advertising is at its highest. In addition, a failure by us to supply programming on Fox Box which attracts viewers during the holiday season could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

As a result of the seasonal nature of our business, we would be significantly and adversely affected by unforeseen events, such as a terrorist attack or a military engagement, that negatively affect the retail environment or consumer buying patterns, particularly if such events were to impact the key selling season.

We may not be able to successfully protect our intellectual property rights.

We rely on a combination of trade secret, copyright, trademark, patent and other proprietary rights laws to protect the intellectual property we own or license. Third parties may try to challenge the ownership by the Company or its licensors of such intellectual property. In addition, our business is subject to the risk of third parties infringing on the intellectual property rights of the Company or its licensors and producing counterfeit products. We may need to resort to litigation in the future to protect the intellectual property rights of the Company or its licensors, which could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and could have a material adverse effect on our business and competitive position.

We may be negatively affected by adverse general economic conditions.

Current conditions in the domestic and global economies are extremely uncertain. Adverse changes may occur as a result of softening global economies, wavering consumer confidence caused by the threat or occurrence of terrorist attacks, war, or other factors affecting economic conditions generally. Such changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Other factors may affect our performance.

A wide range of factors could materially affect our performance, including the following:

Changes in Company-wide or business-unit strategies, which may result in changes in the types or mix of businesses in which the Company is involved or chooses to invest;

Technological developments that may affect the distribution of the Company’s creative products or create new risks to the Company’s ability to protect its intellectual property;

International, political and military developments that may, among other things, result in increases in broadcasting costs or loss of advertising revenue due to pre-emptions of the Fox Box.

If Alfred Kahn, the Chairman and CEO becomes unavailable due to death, disability or termination and an acceptable replacement for Mr. Kahn is not found within a specified period of time, or there is change of control of the Company resulting in a significant change of duties for Mr. Kahn.

This list of factors that may affect future performance and the accuracy of forward-looking statements are illustrative, but by no means exhaustive. Accordingly, all forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Fluctuations

From time to time, the Company may be exposed to the risk of future currency exchange rate fluctuations, which is accounted for as an adjustment to stockholders’ equity and changes in the exchange rates between various foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar may, as a result, have an impact on the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component of stockholders’ equity reported by the Company, and such effect may be material in any individual reporting period. The Company is currently not a party to any market risk sensitive instruments, or any derivative contracts or other arrangements that may reduce such market risk.


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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

The Company has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures under the supervision of and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is included in such reports.

There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

See “Risk Factors” for a discussion of the Company’s current progress in complying with Section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.


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Part II -OTHER INFORMATION

Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds

(e)     Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES


Period During 2004
Total Number of
Shares Purchased

Average Price
Paid Per Share

Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Program

Maximum Number
of Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans
or Programs. (1)

Jan. 1 - Jan. 31      -   -      -    750,000  

Feb. 1 - Feb. 29    -   -    -    750,000  

March 1 - March 31    10,000   $22.20    10,000    740,000  

April 1 - April 30    140,000   $23.87    140,000    600,000  

May 1 - May 31    109,500   $21.11    109,500    490,500  

June 1 - June 30    140,500   $22.21    140,500    350,000  

July 1 - July 31    0   $0    0    350,000  

August 1 -         August 31    318,200   $16.92    318,200    31,800  

September 1 - September 30    31,800   $17.79    31,800    0  

Total    750,000   $19.93    750,000    0  


(1)     On November 25, 2003, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized the Company to purchase up to 750,000 shares of its common stock in the open market or through negotiated prices from time-to-time through December 31, 2004. All such purchases were made out of the Company’s surplus.

Item 6. Exhibits

(a) Exhibits


  31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

  31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

  32.1 Joint Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


4KIDS ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

Dated: November 9, 2004

By: /s/ Alfred R. Kahn

Alfred R. Kahn
Chairman of the Board,
Chief Executive Officer and
Director

By: /s/ Joseph P. Garrity

Joseph P. Garrity
Executive Vice President,
Treasurer, Principle Financial Officer,
Principle Accounting Officer and
Director


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