Nickelodeon USA To Premiere Brand New "Big Time Rush" Episode "Big Time Tour Bus", Guest Starring Nick Star Victoria Justice, On Thursday 6th June 2013

Nickelodeon USA has announced in a post on their official Tumblr blog the exciting Nickelodeon News that Nickelodeon Star Victoria Justice ("Zoey 101", "Victorious") will be a special guest star in the upcoming brand new season 4 episode of Nick's hit original musical comedy show "Big Time Rush", called "Big Time Tour Bus", which Nick USA will premiere and show brand on the network on Thursday 6th June 2013 at 8:00pm ET/PT / 7pm c, as part of "Big Time Thursdays" and "Summer on Nick 2013"!:

[Click above for animated GIFs]Are you ready for some Big Time Breaking News????

VICTORIA JUSTICE is going to be guest starring on Big Time Rush Thursday, June 6, at 8pm/7c!!!

In the all-new episode of BTR, the boy band are on the way to a concert in their Tour Bus, but get stuck in the traffic, so Victoria Justice has to keep the crowd busy until they arrive.

Nickelodeon UK Announces Early Summer (July) 2013 Highlights - New Episodes Of "Supah Ninjas", And More!

The online British and Irish television guide Digiguide is reporting the exciting Nick UK News that Nickelodeon UK and Ireland will start to premiere and show season 2 of Nickelodeon's original action-comedy series "Supah Ninjas" on Nickelodeon UK & Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK weekdays at 4.30pm (repeated one hour later at 5.30pm on Nick UK's plus-one timeshift channel, Nick +1), from Monday 1st July 2013, as part of "July on Nick UK 2013" and early Summer 2013 on Nickelodeon UK!

Below is a list of brand new "Supah Ninjas" season 2 episodes currently announced to premiere on Nick UK in July 2013:

Monday 1st July 2013 - "The Con Man"
Tuesday 2nd July 2013 - "Flint Forster"
Wednesday 3rd July 2013 - "Grounded Ninja"

[Nickelodeon UK News via Nick UK fanblog, NickUKHub]

Nickelodeon Star and actor Ryan Potter, who portrays the character 'Mike Fukunaga' on the hit live action Nickelodeon show "Supah Ninjas", confirmed the news in May 2013 that Nickelodeon has decided to cancel and not renew "Supah Ninjas" for a third season ("Supah Ninjas" season 3). Although not confirmed, it is rumoured that the reason why Nick has decided to not make a new season of the award-winning "Supah Ninjas" is because of low ratings.

Other Early Summer on Nickelodeon UK Highlights include the return of Will Smith's hit 90's sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" everyday at 4.30am in the morning (replayed at 5.30am on Nick +1) and Nickelodeon UK's popular original comedy series "Summer in Transylvania" weekday mornings at 11:00am (repeated at 12:00pm on Nickelodeon+1), plus brand new episodes of Nick UK's newest comedy series "Wendell & Vinnie" continue weekdays at 7:00pm (8pm +1) and all-new episodes of Nick UK's brand new dance-themed reality show "Jordan & Perri's Ultimate Block Party" continue Fridays at 6.30pm (7.30pm +1), and Nickelodeon's brand new original animated series (Nicktoon) "Legend of Korra" on Sunday, 7th July 2013 at 9:00am (repeated at 10:00am on Nick UK's plus-one timeshift channel, Nick+1)!

Nickelodeon's New "Sanjay and Craig", "SpongeBob SquarePants" Top All US TV With Kids

Nickelodeon, one of the world's leading entertainment brands for kids and families, has announced, in the following press release from TVbytheNumbers, the Nickelodeon USA News that Nickelodeon's hit original animation (NickToon) lineup vaulted "SpongeBob SquarePants" and the new "Sanjay and Craig" into the top two spots, respectively, on all TV with kids this week!

Original Nickelodeon Press Release:

NICK’S NEW SANJAY AND CRAIG, SpongeBob SQUAREPANTS TOP ALL TV WITH KIDS

Net Lands Week’s Top Preschool Series -- Bubble Guppies and Peter Rabbit


NEW YORK–June 4, 2013 – Nickelodeon's hit animation lineup vaulted SpongeBob SquarePants and the new Sanjay and Craig into the top two spots, respectively, on all TV with kids this week. Number-one SpongeBob SquarePants averaged a 5.3/1.7 million K2-11 and 3.5 million total viewers; and Sanjay and Craig in its second week averaged a 5.1/1.7 million K2-11 (up +16% over last year’s like time period) and 3.1 million total viewers (up +8%). Nickelodeon also landed TV’s top two preschool series this week: Bubble Guppies, which again was the number-one preschool series; and Peter Rabbit, which ranked at number two.

Nick’s newest hit Sanjay and Craig also had a strong showing among kids 6-11, where it ranked as the number-one animated program with that demo, averaging a 5.5/1.1 million (up +34% over last year’s like time period). Sanjay and Craig follows the adventures of Sanjay, an excitable and irreverent 12-year-old boy (Maulik Pancholy, 30 Rock) and Craig, a smooth-talking snake and master of disguise (Chris Hardwick, Nerdist, The Talking Dead). Together, they embark on epic kid-inspired quests that are at times totally ridiculous, absolutely gross and weirdly sweet. The series airs Saturday mornings at 10:30 a.m. (ET/PT).

Additionally, Nick's hit preschool series Bubble Guppies was the top preschool program for the week, averaging a 5.9/801,000 K2-5, followed by Peter Rabbit, which averaged a 5.6/753,000 K2-5.

Nickelodeon also marked its 19th consecutive week of year-over year gains, posting a 2.7/899,000, up +4% among kids 2-11, and averaging 1.7 million total viewers.

Tags: Sanjay & Craig Ratings, SpongeBob ratings

European Broadcasters Acquire Rights To Raft Of Animated Nickelodeon Shows

The entertainment news website C21Media is reporting the Nickelodeon Europe news in the following article that television broadcasters in Europe have picked up the broadcast rights to a raft of Nickelodeon shows from Nick's parent company Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN).

The Ukrainian cable channel QTV has acquired season two of Nickelodeon's new CGI-animated "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" series for airing in 2014. QTV has also acquired episodes of the popular Nickelodeon Original Animated Series (Nicktoons) "The Penguins of Madagascar", "Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness", "The Legend of Korra" and "Robot & Monster" from VIMN.

In the Czech Republic, the commercial television station TV Nova has picked up episodes of "Penguins of Madagascar" and "Kung Fu Panda", while public broadcaster Ceska TV has taken the first season of "Ninja Turtles".

Finally, Digit Alb in Albania has also picked up the first season of Nick's TMNT, along with season two of "Kung Fu Panda: Legends" and seasons five and six of the popular Nickelodeon Preschool Animation series "Dora the Explorer":

Nick takes up dance lessons

Nickelodeon in the UK has greenlit a live-action dance series for its preschool channel.

Kushaboom (8x5′) sees a group of children join the show’s presenter [Helena Dowling] and her puppet co-presenter [DJ Kusha] for a dance class on a dance floor that transforms into a globe.

In related news, Ukrainian cable channel QTV has acquired season two of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from Nick’s parent Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) to air in 2014.

QTV has also acquired episodes of Penguins of Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, The Legend of Korra and Robot & Monster from VIMN.

In the Czech Republic, TV Nova has picked up episodes of Penguins of Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda, while pubcaster Ceska TV has taken the first season of Ninja Turtles.

Finally, Digit Alb in Albania has also picked up the first season of Ninja Turtles, along with season two of Kung Fu Panda and seasons five and six of Dora the Explorer.

Nico Franks
04-06-2013
©C21Media

GENRES: Animation, Children's
SHOWS: Kushaboom, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
COMPANIES: Nickelodeon, Viacom International Media Networks
SECTIONS: C21Kids
COUNTRIES: UK, Ukraine, US

Virgin Media Adds Live Streams Of Nickelodeon UK And Nick Jr. UK To Mobile Version Of Virgin TV Anywhere Streaming Service

Virgin Media has today (Tuesday 4th June 2013) announced in the following press release, from 4-Traders, that the UK cable operator has added Nickelodeon UK, Nick Jr. UK and MTV UK to the mobile version of the company's Virgin TV Anywhere streaming service. Previously only available to watch through computers, the Viacom International Media Networks channels are now also available for Virgin Media customers to stream on mobile devices, including computers, tablets and smartphones, similar to BSkyB's Sky Go IPTV service:

Virgin Media Inc. : Virgin TV Anywhere gains eleven dazzling channels

* Watch Corrie on the go with newly-added ITV channels
* HISTORY® and Bio® channels among latest to join line-up
* Total live and On Demand channels upped to 75

Virgin Media has added 11 new live channels to Virgin TV Anywhere, its award-winning1 cloud-based entertainment service available exclusively to Virgin TV customers.

The new array of live channels - including channels from ITV, A&E Networks UK and Viacom International Media Networks2 - enables Virgin Media subscribers to take their home entertainment beyond the TV to devices such as computers, tablets and smartphones at no extra cost.

The introduction of ITV, ITV 2, ITV 3 and ITV 4 to the service means customers need never miss an episode of Coronation Street and can watch everything from The Americans and Britain's Got Talent to The Jeremy Kyle Show and even live sport while they're on the move.

American Pickers and Mud Men on HISTORY will keep those with a hankering for history entertained while Bio programmes I Survived… and Dance Moms inspire viewers with extraordinary true-life tales.

Content from Viacom now available to stream via tablet includes MTV's ever-popular Geordie Shore as well as enduring animated favourites such as Nickelodeon's Sponge Bob Square Pants and Nick Jr's Dora the Explorer.

The new channels join the collection of entertainment, news, documentaries, music and even premium sport and movies channels already available on Virgin TV Anywhere3.

Virgin TV customers can access Virgin TV Anywhere through the web or, for the 1.5 million customers with Virgin Media TiVo®, through a mobile and tablet app.

Scott Kewley, Virgin Media's multiscreen product director, said: "The latest channels to join Virgin TV Anywhere are brimming with top soaps, documentaries and comedy and follow hot on the heels of the 21 channels we added to the service in April. With an ever-expanding array of programmes available that cater for every taste, customers will never be stuck for something to watch, catching their favourite shows and discovering new ones in ways not offered on rival platforms. When paired with a Virgin Media TiVo box, we believe TV Anywhere offers our best, most interactive entertainment experience yet."

The online service is available to all Virgin TV customers, with extra features for TiVo users to manage their boxes through a range of exclusive tools such as remote record and managing 'My Shows'.

The mobile and tablet app is available on iOS devices such as the iPad and will be coming to Android devices later this year. The app offers the ability to manage TiVo boxes including scheduling recordings and deleting shows. It also acts as a touch/gesture-based remote control when at home which means viewers can search for whatever they want using a full QWERTY keyboard and without taking over the big screen. They can flick any live TV show or recording straight to the TV and even immediately start watching something On Demand from any point without the need to fast-forward or rewind4.

For further information on Virgin TV Anywhere, head to virginmedia.com/discovertvanywhere.

Notes to Editors

1 Virgin TV Anywhere was awarded 'The companion and second screen' prize at the 2013 Connected TV World Summit

2 A list of the live channels added to Virgin TV Anywhere is included below. Channel access is based on the TV package customers have and the method of access (online or through the mobile/tablet app). Starred channels were previously available on computers only but are now also available to stream on tablets.

Channel

Bio
CI
H2
HISTORY
ITV
ITV 2
ITV 3
ITV 4
MTV*
Nick Jr*
Nickelodeon*

3 The full list of live channels and On Demand programming is included below. Channel access is based on the TV package customers have and the method of access (online or through the mobile/tablet app).

Channel Live - online Live - iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch App On Demand - online

5 USA
5* [5 Star]
Animal Planet
BBC Worldwide
Bio
Boomerang
British Eurosport
British Eurosport 2
Cartoonito
Cartoon Network
Channel 4
Channel 5
CI
CNN
Comedy Central
Discovery Channel
Discovery Home & Health
Discovery Shed
Discovery Science
Discovery Turbo
Discovery History
Disney Channel
Disney Junior
Disney Original Movies
Disney XD
Dmax
E!
Eden
ESPN
ESPN Classic
Fox
GOLD
H2
Heat
HISTORY
I.D.
ITV
ITV 2
ITV 3
ITV 4
Kerrang!
Kids Extra (Hit Entertainment)
Kiss
Magic
More 4
MTV
National Geographic
National Geographic Wild
Nickelodeon
Nick Jr
PBS America
Quest
Smash Hits
Sony Entertainment TV
Sky 1
Sky 2
Sky Arts 1
Sky Living
Sky Livingit
Sky Movies On Demand
Sky Movies Action & Adventure
Sky Movies Comedy
Sky Movies Crime & Thriller
Sky Movies Disney
Sky Movies Drama & Romance
Sky Movies Family
Sky Movies Select
Sky Movies Greats
Sky Movies Premiere
Sky Movies Sci-Fi & Horror
Sky Movies Showcase
Sky News
Sky On Demand
Sky Sports On Demand
Sky Sports 1
Sky Sports 2
Sky Sports 3
Sky Sports 4
Sky Sports F1
Sky Sports News
Syfy
TLC
Universal Channel
The Box
US Boxsets (NBCU, Starz)

Streaming services on Virgin TV Anywhere can be used anywhere in the UK using a fixed or wireless broadband connection. Streaming over 3G is not supported. Whilst there is no charge to use the Virgin TV Anywhere service for Virgin TV customers, charges may apply for using public Wi-Fi or mobile networks.

4 The mobile/tablet app can be used to browse and select content and manage recordings as well as view live TV. To use remote control functionality, the Virgin TV Anywhere app needs to be paired to customers' TiVo box(es) and the mobile/tablet device needs to be connected to the same local area network as the TiVo box. Customers will require additional networking equipment such as an ethernet cable, or, in some cases, smart TV wireless adapters or powerline adapters - more information at www.virginmedia.com/powerline.

For journalist enquiries contact

Press Office
t: 0207 909 2225
e: pressoffice@virginmedia.co.uk

About Virgin Media

Virgin Media is the first provider of all four broadband, TV, mobile phone and home phone services in the UK.

The company delivers ultrafast broadband connections to over half of all UK homes, with speeds of up to 120Mb, and is expanding this cable network - the result of a multi-billion pound investment - to reach thousands more people across the country.

Virgin Media has developed the most advanced interactive television service, bringing together broadcast TV, thousands of hours of on demand programming and the best of the web in a single set-top box powered by TiVo. The company was the first to offer HD TV and 3D on demand to millions of UK households.

Virgin Media also operates the most popular virtual mobile network in the UK which, when launched, was the world's first such mobile phone service. It is also one of the largest fixed-line home phone providers in the country.

Virgin Media Inc. is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market and the London Stock Exchange (VMED).

Also, from The Next Web:

Virgin adds 8 new channels to its UK TV Anywhere service including ITV, and brings 3 more to mobile

UK cable TV company Virgin Media has added 8 completely new channels to its online Virgin TV Anywhere service, and made 3 additional ones available for mobile users, bringing its total ‘live’ and ‘on-demand’ channel count to 75.

The new channel additions include ITV, ITV 2, ITV 3 and ITV 4, and are the latest terrestrial channels to be added after Channel 4 and Channel 5. Indeed, while BBC Worldwide is part of the offering (on-demand only), the main BBC channels have yet to be added.

Virgin TV Anywhere launched last November to rival BSkyB’s Sky Go service, serving up online and mobile access to TV shows and movies on the move – though it only supports WiFi connections. It launched with more than 40 channels initially, though it added another 21 to the mix in April this year.

The other new additions are: Bio, the Crime & Investigation Network (CI), History and History 2 (H2). While MTV, Nick Jr. and Nickelodeon were previously available through computers only, they are now also available to stream on mobile.

Virgin TV Anywhere is available via the Web for any customer, though only those on Virgin Media TiVo are able to access the service via their smartphone or tablet.

BSkyB (Sky) and Virgin are the main competitors for the UK subscription TV market. Sky launched its Sky Go service back in July 2011, after merging its existing Sky Player and Sky Mobile TV services. Initially it was only available on iOS in terms of mobile, though it finally hit Android in early 2012. Though Virgin is available through iOS devices, it has yet to land on Android – though this should be remedied later this year.

Also, from Broadcast:

Virgin Media bulks up streaming service

Virgin Media has added a further 11 live channels including ITV and Viacom’s bouquet of channels to its Virgin TV Anywhere streaming service.

The move means that customers of the cable platform can now watch 75 channels on the cloud-based entertainment service, which is available on devices including computers, tablets and smartphones.

This comes on the back of a deal to add 21 channels to the service in April.

Virgin struck the agreement with ITV, A+E Networks UK and Viacom International Media Networks to add channels including ITV, ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4, History, Bio, Crime & Investigation Network, H2, MTV, Nickelodeon and Nick Jr.

Scott Kewley, Virgin Media’s multiscreen product director, said: “With an ever-expanding array of programmes available that cater for every taste, customers will never be stuck for something to watch, catching their favourite shows and discovering new ones in ways not offered on rival platforms.

When paired with a Virgin Media TiVo box, we believe TV Anywhere offers our best, most interactive entertainment experience yet.”

Nickelodeon UK Presenter Becomes Brand Ambassador For London, UK Based PR, Talent And Media Agency MoreThanMe

The advertising industry news website campaignlive.co.uk is reporting the news that Nickelodeon UK and Ireland presenter Jamie Rickers (co-host of Nick UK's "Camp Orange", "Jamie's & Anna's Big Weekend", "UPick Summer") has become a brand ambassador for MoreThanMe, a new globally integrated PR, Talent and Media agency which has recently launched in London, England, UK!:

MoreThanMe integrated agency launches in London

Integrated media agency MoreThanMe has launched in the capital with brand ambassadors including Nickelodeon's Jamie Rickers.

The new agency has a team of seven staff and is headed by managing director Anthony Burr, with Robert Stiff as chairman.

MoreThanMe has separate marketing and public relations divisions, as well as a talent management team and a creative solutions operation.

Burr, a former journalist with the Sunday Times, Daily Express and Sky Sports switched careers to work in PR with his mentor Ian Monk before creating his own agency, Burr Media in 2009.

He said: "MoreThanMe represents a long held vision of mine to spawn a media agency which can provide the client with all that they should ever require under one roof.

"The creative solutions adds a real vibrancy, and I am bringing in experts in every field. Branding and advertising go hand in hand, so we see advertising as being phase two."

The agency officially launched at the beginning of June, with PR clients including celebrities such as: Richard Dinan from 'Made in Chelsea’; Michael Jarman, the financial commentator; Felicity Gerry, the high profile criminal barrister; and Chrissie Reeves, OK Magazine’s royal and showbiz editor.

Meanwhile, the agency is providing branding and marketing support to SMEs including social media website TalkHoliday, the new online FX platform Volopa, exotic travel company Select Seychelles and private security brand Senturion.

[...]

Tags: Integrated agency, Media Relations, robert stiff, Anthony Burr, Media agency, burr media, ian monk, Public Relations, Media / Entertainment, Morethanme, Agency, PR agency, Agencies

Amazon Inks Deal With Viacom To Bring Popular Nickelodeon Shows To Amazon Prime Instant Video Customers; Deal Includes UK And Germany's LOVEFiLM Streaming TV Services

Kidscreen's children's digital entertainment and media news website iKids is reporting the exciting Nickelodeon International News in the following article that Amazon.com has secured an expanded multi-year, multi-national licensing deal with Viacom that will see a raft of hit kids shows including "Dora the Explorer", "Go, Diego, Go!", "Blue's Clues" and "The Backyardigans" become available to Amazon Prime Instant Video customers across mobile devices and internet-connected TVs and consoles! The deal comes a little more than a month after rival streaming service Netflix announced it was letting its existing deal with Viacom expire.

Kindle Fire customers with FreeTime Unlimited will be able to access select Nick and Nick Jr. (preschool) programming such as "Bubble Guppies", "Team Umizoomi" and "Victorious", as well as future episodes from series including "Dora The Explorer", "SpongeBob SquarePants", "Fairly OddParents", and "Fresh Beat Band".

European online subscription service LOVEFiLM, a Amazon subsidiary, also expects to add Viacom children's content for its customers in Germany and the UK later this summer.

According to Bill Carr, Amazon's Vice-President (VP) of digital video and music, the new deal gives customers the largest online subscription offering of Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. shows.

The technology industry news website CNET UK Crave is also reporting LOVEFiLM's UK content deal with Viacom International Media Networks also includes programming from Nickelodeon's sister networks, MTV and Comedy Central.

The news coms after the UK version of Amazon.com's LOVEFiLM acquired the streaming and VOD rights to 20 years' worth of episodes of "Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers" and the live-action "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" series, "Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation", from Saban Brands. The new deal will enable LoveFilm subscribers to view the very first episodes of "Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers" right through to the most recent "Super Samurai" season in HD:

Amazon Prime picks up Viacom kids programming


Amazon.com has secured an expanded multi-year, multi-national licensing deal with Viacom that will see a raft of hit kids shows including Dora the Explorer, Go, Diego, Go!, Blue’s Clues and The Backyardigans become available to Amazon Prime Instant Video customers across mobile devices and internet-connected TVs and consoles. The deal comes a little more than a month after Netflix announced it was letting its existing deal with Viacom expire.

Kindle Fire customers with FreeTime Unlimited will be able to access select Nick and Nick Jr. programming such as Bubble Guppies, Team Umizoomi and Victorious, as well as future episodes from series including Dora, SpongeBob SquarePants, Fairly Odd Parents, and Fresh Beat Band.

European online subscription service LOVEFiLM also expects to add Viacom kids content for its customers in Germany and the UK later this summer.

According to Bill Carr, Amazon’s VP of digital video and music, the new deal gives customers the largest online subscription offering of Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. shows.

Prime Instant Video now features more than 41,000 movies and TV episodes for its members to stream using Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire HD, iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Roku, Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii and Wii U, and additional internet-connected TVs and devices.

Tags: Amazon Prime Instant Video, Amazon.com, digital media, Dora the Explorer, Kindle FreeTime Unlimited, Viacom

Also, from CNET UK Crave:

Lovefilm UK nabs Nickelodeon, new shows due in summer


Lovefilm subscribers will enjoy a glut of extra shows in the next few months, as parent-company Amazon has tied up a new contract with Viacom.

The freshly-inked deal will see TV programmes from Nickelodeon, MTV and Comedy Central hitting the streaming service.

That could see Lovefilm becoming more kid-friendly, as Nickelodeon owns the rights to cracking childrens' shows including Dora the Explorer, Fairly Odd Parents and [David] Hasselhoff favourite SpongeBob SquarePants.

That could help Lovefilm battle its major rival Netflix, which already has rights to all those shows, and has also sealed a deal to stream Disney flicks to UK youngsters.

Lovefilm recently squeezed US drama Vikings onto its service as a UK exclusive, in a bid to compete with the likes of Netflix's House of Cards, or Sky's iron-clad grip on Game of Thrones.

Lovefilm isn't confirming exactly which shows from Nickelodeon, MTV and Comedy Central will be landing on its streaming service, offering only that individual programmes would be confirmed soon. It's not unusual for US shows to take ages to make it to the UK, or never arrive at all.

Do you prefer Lovefilm or Netflix? Is streaming TV the future, or would you rather brew a hot mug of cocoa and settle in with good-old broadcast telly? Let [NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, and/or NickALive!'s Facebook wall].

Also, from C21Media:

Amazon absorbs SpongeBob

Amazon has signed a multi-year licensing agreement with Viacom, bringing a selection of shows previously available on Netflix to its VoD service.

Amazon’s Prime Instant Video will host content from Nickelodeon and Nick Jr, including shows such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, Blue’s Clues and The Backyardigans.

Some of these will be available exclusively on Amazon. Customers of the company’s European business LoveFilm in the UK and Germany will get some of the same shows later this summer.

Netflix’s licensing deal with Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) came to a close last week.

In addition to kids’ content such as SpongeBob, older-skewing shows from MTV and Comedy Central including Key & Peele, Workaholics, Awkward and Teen Mom 2 will also be available to Amazon users.

In related news, Nickelodeon in Asia has picked up fairytale toon Mia and Me for broadcast on its pay TV channels in countries including Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Mia and Me follows a schoolgirl-turned-elf fighting to save the Unicorn populatio. Its first season (26x24′) has been sold to more than 70 broadcasters worldwide.

A second season is currently in production with M4E/Gerhard Hahn joint-venture Lucky Punch alongside Italian toon house Rainbow and Canada’s March Entertainment.

Nico Franks
05-06-2013
©C21Media

TAGS: vod
GENRES: Animation, Children's
SHOWS: Dora the Explorer, Mia and Me, SpongeBob SquarePants
COMPANIES: Amazon, Netflix, Viacom International Media Networks
SECTIONS: C21Kids
COUNTRIES: US

Also, from World TV PC:

Also, from Variety:

Amazon Boosts Viacom TV Pact, After Shows Roll Off Netflix

Subset of Nick, MTV and Comedy Central shows under multiyear deal are exclusive to Amazon's Prime Instant Video

Dora is heading into the Amazon.

Viacom and Amazon cut an expanded multiyear, multinational digital video licensing agreement — giving the Internet retailer access to hundreds of Nickelodeon and MTV shows just a few weeks after the Viacom content dropped off Netflix.

At this point, Viacom is supplying Netflix only movies from the Epix service, the joint venture with MGM and Lionsgate; Paramount has a separate output deal with Netflix. Netflix has noted that as the Viacom titles have rolled off, it is adding content from Walt Disney Co. under a multiyear pact.

Terms of the new Amazon-Viacom deal were not disclosed. The deal, which covers video available to subscribers of the Prime free-shipping program, includes a subset of exclusive TV shows unavailable via any other digital video subscription service, including kids’ programming such as “Bubble Guppies,” “The Backyardigans,” “Team Umizoomi,” “Blue’s Clues” and “Victorious,” along with MTV’s “Awkward” and Comedy Central’s “Tosh.0″ and “Workaholics.”

Prime members also will have access to future episodes of “Dora the Explorer,” “SpongeBob SquarePants,” “Fairly Odd Parents” and ”Fresh Beat Band.” LoveFilm customers in the U.K. and Germany will get some of those shows later this summer.

“Kids shows are one of the most watched TV genres on Prime Instant Video,” said Bill Carr, Amazon’s VP of digital video and music. “And this expanded deal will now bring customers the largest subscription selection of Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. TV shows online, anywhere.”

Viacom topper Philippe Dauman commented, “Amazon has created a unique, brand-friendly environment for streaming entertainment and consumer products and we are excited to work with Amazon to bring customers shows they love.”

Also under the companies’ deal, certain shows from Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. will be available in Kindle FreeTime Unlimited, a service that provides books, games, educational apps, movies and TV shows on the Amazon tablets.

Still, the Viacom agreement with Amazon does not preclude the media conglom from selling other content to Netflix that is not exclusively carried by Amazon. According to an industry exec with knowledge of the situation, Viacom remains in talks with Netflix about a new deal for TV shows while the company also continues to have licensing deals with Netflix in international markets.

Amazon’s Prime Instant Video now offers 41,000-plus movies and TV episodes. As previously announced, later this month Prime Instant Video will exclusively offer PBS’s “Downton Abbey” and CBS’s “Under the Dome,” with each episode of the latter added four days after initial broadcast. Amazon also last month inked an expanded pact with NBCUniversal, which includes exclusive streaming rights to five drama series from NBC, USA Network and Syfy for four years.

In addition, Amazon last week greenlit its first original series, to be available starting later this year on the retailer’s Prime Instant Video and LoveFilm services. The group of five shows are comedies “Alpha House” and “Betas,” along with kids’ shows “Annebots,” “Creative Galaxy” and “Tumbleaf.”

Viacom, for its part, is expanding its TV Everywhere push to try to preserve its existing cable distribution deals. Nick, for example, has released apps that provide full-length episodes, plus games and other digital content, on iPad and iPhone and expects to launch a version for Microsoft Xbox 360 next month.

FILED UNDER: Amazon Netflix Viacom

Also, from Reuters UK:

Amazon writes huge check for video rights to Dora, SpongeBob

(Reuters) - Amazon.com Inc wrote its largest-ever check for a subscription-streaming deal, securing hundreds of mostly childrens' TV programs from Viacom Inc for its Internet video service and ratcheting up pressure on rival Netflix.

Amazon's deal with Viacom gives the world's largest Internet retailer broader access to hit shows including "Dora the Explorer" and "SpongeBob SquarePants." Netflix had previously conceded that losing access to those shows would be a blow.

Amazon agreed to pay more than $200 million to Viacom for the license, its largest subscription-streaming transaction ever, a person familiar with the deal said. A second person familiar said the deal would run more than two years and included a deeper library of content than the prior Netflix agreement.

The Amazon-Viacom pact comes just days after Netflix stopped streaming popular Nickelodeon programming, following the expiration of its deal with the company.

The deal includes about 4,000 TV episodes that will be available to stream for free on Amazon Prime Instant Video. This service is free for subscribers to Amazon's Prime program, which, for $79 a year offers free two-day shipping in the United States for items purchased through Amazon.

Part of the payment went to secure exclusive subscription streaming rights to several shows from Viacom's Nick Jr channel, including the "Dora" franchise, "Go Diego Go!," "Blue's Clues" and "The Backyardigans."

Amazon is spending heavily on video content as it competes with Netflix and Hulu for a piece of the fast-growing market for TV and movies delivered over the Internet. Childrens' shows are among the most-watched on Amazon's service, according to Bill Carr, the company's vice president for digital video and music.

Netflix Chief Executive Reed Hastings, in a CNBC interview last week, said his service still had plenty of content for children but losing the Viacom programming could hurt.

"If you're a parent and your child's looking for 'Blue's Clues,' you know, that is definitely a problem," he said, while noting that Netflix still has programming from the likes of Disney and Cartoon Network.

In early May, Netflix announced a new multiyear license agreement with Walt Disney Co that gave Netflix the exclusive right to stream "Jake and the Never Land Pirates," along with access to other Disney shows including "Handy Manny."

Viacom's shares rose 1 percent to $67.575 in morning trading, while Netflix shares were up 1.4 percent at $225. Amazon gained 44 cents to $267.34.

Also, from Mashable:

Dora and SpongeBob Come to Amazon Prime

Are you upset that Dora the Explorer is no longer on Netflix? It might be time to switch to Amazon Prime, where Dora, SpongeBob and hundreds of other Viacom TV shows will now have a home.

Amazon and Viacom announced a new multi-year licensing agreement on Tuesday that brings thousands of episodes Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., MTV and Comedy Central shows to Amazon Prime. The deal is an expansion of a previous deal Viacom and Amazon signed in 2012, and comes in the wake of the loss of Viacom content from streaming rival Netflix.

While the terms of the new agreement weren't disclosed, people familiar with the deal told Mashable that it was "in the hundreds of millions" and classified it as Amazon's biggest content deal to date.

And good news for European users: Amazon Lovefilm customers in Germany and the UK will be getting some of these shows later this summer. Given the difficulties of international content deals, it's impressive that Amazon will be able to offer a subset of programming to its customers outside the United States.

While content from across Viacom's networks are included in the deal, Amazon is putting special focus on its offerings for kids.

"Kids shows are one of the most watched TV genres on Prime Instant Video," said Bill Carr, Amazon's VP of digital video and music, in a statement about the deal.

Amazon Prime users will have full access to the Nick and Nick Jr. shows, and select shows from Nick and Nick Jr. will be available on Kindle FreeTime Unlimited — a service our own Pete Pachal has called "Amazon's secret weapon." Kindle FreeTime Unlimited is a cheaper subscription offering for Kindle Fire owners that gives them access to an assortment of kid-friendly video programming.

Amazon Prime Instant is available on the web, as well as Roku, iOS, Kindle Fire, Xbox, PlayStation 3 and a number of smart TVs and Blu-ray players.

Do these new shows make you more likely to consider an Amazon Prime subscription? Let us know in the comments. As for me, I'm off to watch Teen Mom 2.

TOPICS: AMAZON, AMAZON INSTANT, AMAZON PRIME, APPS AND SOFTWARE, BUSINESS, MEDIA, NETFLIX, TELEVISION, VIACOM

Also, from SlashGear:

Amazon snatches Viacom on-demand deal leaving Netflix facing parent ire

Amazon has sealed a deal with Viacom, bringing a clutch of new shows – including Dora the Explorer and Go, Diego, Go! – to Prime Instant Video, and potentially dropping Netflix in even hotter water with angry parents. The deal, which will see Amazon add Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., MTC, and Comedy Central shows to its on-demand catalog, follows the expiration of Netflix’s licensing agreement with Viacom last month, which prompted outcry from some subscribers after the shows their children watched regularly suddenly disappeared from the listings.

Exact terms of the deal are unconfirmed, though it’s described as a “multi-year, multi-national” agreement. Amazon has already said that LOVEFiLM subscribers in the UK and Germany will see “some” of the shows covered as part of today’s agreement, though they’ll have to wait until later in the summer before they’re available.

Amazon’s content will be available on the Kindle Fire, as well as through iOS devices and Roku’s set-top boxes. Consoles will also be catered for, together with some smart TVs. Instant Prime membership is part of Amazon’s Prime program, priced at $79 per year.

Access to content has become the new sparring ground for on-demand providers, with who has the biggest and broadest catalog being an important factor as viewers shop around for the best deal. Netflix discovered to its cost last month that suddenly losing access to shows – particularly those aimed at kids – could quickly raise the ire of subscribers, who have become used to being able to show their children certain programs.

After Netflix lost the deal with Viacom, many parents threatened to leave and sign up with the next service to offer the coveted shows; alternatively, there were suggestions that some could turn to illegal downloads instead. Netflix is yet to comment on the Viacom deal with Amazon.

TeenNick USA Unveils Latest Trailer For The Brand New "House Of Anubis" Special, "The Touchstone Of Ra"

To celebrate and promote Nickelodeon USA's teens and young adults network, TeenNick, premiering and showing the brand new "House of Anubis" movie "The Touchstone of Ra" on Monday 17th June 2013 at 9.00pm ET / 6.00pm PT, the entertainment and celebrity news website Just Jared Jr. has unveiled the Nick channels' second teaser trailer/promo for "The Touchstone of Ra", which gives SIBUNA fans and TeenNick USA viewers another sneak peek first-look at the all-new HoA special, including the main storyline, which you can watch below here on NickALive! by clicking on the 'More' link below!

Zodiak Rights Launches Their Brand New "Tickety Toc" Website, TicketyToc.com!

Zodiak Rights has today unveiled their brand new and fully interactive "Tickety Toc" website especially for British fans of the CGI-animated preschool series, which you can visit here at TicketyToc.com!
Based on the popular fast-paced, slapstick animation which is shown week days on Channel 5 and Nick Jr., visitors to the newly launched TicketyToc.com will enter the world of TicketyTown through the Clock House where they'll be able to interact and play with Tommy and Tallulah and all their TicketyTown friends in a environment full of bright colours and imagery as well as engaging functionality to allow children to easily navigate around the site! Although designed for viewers in the UK, the website is also cleverly programmed to the exact time of day for each child, wherever they are in the world.

The brand new "Tickety Toc" website features a 'Play' section which is packed with online games based on the series, such as Moovellous hidden object game "Finding Time", where players have to help Tommy and Tallulah find a selection of hidden objects for Madame Au Lait, "Chime Time Is Coming", where it's very nearly 'Chime Time', and interactive quizzes where visitors can learn more about Tommy, Tallulah, Hopparoo, Battersby, Chikidee, Lopsiloo, Madame Au Lait, McCoggins, Pufferty, Spring Chicks, and Tooteroo, plus visitors to TicketyToc.com can also watch huge selection of high quality online streaming videos featuring clips from the show, all before 'Chime Time'!

The all-new TicketyToc.com also features a News area where visitors can read the latest "Tickety Toc" news, a merchandise section where visitors can learn all about the exciting range "Tickety Toc" toys, books and magazines available, and a 'About The Show' area, where visitors can learn about the series. Visitors can also find out when they can next watch "Tickety Toc" on TV in the broadcast section, and parents can find useful information about the "Tickety Toc".

In an innovative move, the site includes an in-built timer [which can be set from five to thirty minutes] which allows parents to set a limit on how long their children are spending in front of the computer screen, without 'calling time' on their fun.

TicketyToc.com is one of the first children's websites to be fully built in HTML5 and CSS3, allowing users full functionality to enjoy the same experience whether they are using a mobile, tablet or desktop. And while the youngsters have fun with the digital content on the site, parents can have peace of mind that they can choose to limit the amount of time their youngsters spend on the site. The timer can be over-written by the parents, and was included as a response to a growing concern that some children are spending too much time in front of a screen.

The launch of the new website coincides with brand new episodes of Tickety Toc being shown weekday mornings on Nick Jr at 8am and 4pm (repeated at 9am and 5pm on Nick Junior UK's plus-one timeshift channel, Nick Jr.+1), and on Channel 5's Milkshake! at 9am (10am on Channel 5+1).

Jennifer Lawlor, SVP Consumer Products at Zodiak Rights, the IP company behind Tickety Toc said: "We're delighted with the Tickety Toc website as it not only reflects the fun and energy of the show, while capturing the shows ethos which is all about the lead characters Tommy and Tallulah getting things done within a given timeframe, but is also tapping into concerns of parents who are keen to let their children access suitable fun digital content, within reasonable limits.”

Jennifer continues: "We know that kids are using mobiles and tablets more and more, and parents are often concerned about ‘screen time’. The 'Timer' feature on TicketyToc.com allows parents to have an element of control, and gets kids used to an automatic cut-off time, whilst still allowing them to have fun!"

Glynn Hayward, Creative Director at Complete Control, the Digital Agency which built the website said: "We understand there is a huge rise in children accessing children's digital content on tablets and mobile devices. As most children’s digital content is built in flash, this content is therefore not available to them on these devices. TicketyToc.com is one of the first children’s brand sites to be fully built in HTML5 and CSS3. The site is designed using ‘responsive design’, which adapts its layout automatically to deliver the fun site across all platforms."

Glynn adds: "We haven't forgotten laptops and desktops as we know significant amount of views still come from those platforms, but all aspects of the website have been designed to look great and play fantastically across all devices & operating systems."