Thursday, February 13, 2014

International Broadcasters Acquire Rights To A Raft Of Nickelodeon Shows

World Screen, a publication which covers the international media business, is reporting the exciting Nickelodeon news that Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) has licensed a number of Nickelodeon's original animated series to broadcasters in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Iceland.


In New Zealand, TVNZ has acquired the first season of buddy comedies "Robot & Monster" and "Sanjay and Craig", as well as the freshman season (season one) of "Monsters vs. Aliens". FOUR channel picked up seasons one and two of "Fanboy & Chum Chum", the first season of "The X's" and season 9 of "Fairly Odd Parents". Meanwhile, Australia's Ten network took season 2 of "Penguins of Madagascar".

For Channel 2 in Iceland, 365 Media has picked up the first two seasons of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles", the first season of which is also headed to RTE in Ireland. "Dora the Explorer" season seven has been taken by NRK in Norway and Switzerland's RSI, which also signed up for season two of "Kung Fu Panda".

In the Baltics, ViaSat secured "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" season one and the sophomore season (season two) of "Kung Ku Panda" for Latvia and Estonia; season one of "Legend of Korra" for Lithuania; and season two of "T.U.F.F Puppy" for Latvia. Additional deals include the classic Nickelodeon NickToon "Ren & Stimpy" to 4Music in the U.K.; Nickelodeon Preschool's "Wonderpets" to Sweden's SVT; and "Avatar: The Last Airbender" to Fox in Finland.
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MEGA Brands Announces Expansion of Nickelodeon Licensed Partnership With MEGA BLOKS "SpongeBob SquarePants" For Fall 2014

MEGA Brands, a trusted family of leading global brands in construction toys, games & puzzles, arts & crafts and stationery, has announced the exciting Nickelodeon Licensing news in the following press release, from Canada Newswire via Yahoo! Finance, the expansion of their Mega Bloks kids' construction toys portfolio for 2014 with Nickelodeon's hit original animated series (Nicktoon), "SpongeBob SquarePants"! Toy insiders will get a preview of the new MEGA BLOKS construction line hitting stores during Fall/Autumn 2014 at the American International Toy Fair 2014 in New York City (Booth #751).



MEGA BLOKS SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS construction sets to hit stores in fall 2014 (CNW Group/MEGA Brands Inc.)

Mega Brands' licensed partnership with Nickelodeon is expanding to offer an exciting range of construction toys based on "SpongeBob SquarePants" for fans to build their favorite characters, including SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star and Squidward Tentacles, and their very own under-the-sea universe. Starting Fall 2014, kids can find "SpongeBob SquarePants" Mega Bloks in the construction toy aisle of their favorite toy stores.

UPDATE: Mega Brands has announced in a separate press release that Mega Bloks' "SpongeBob SquarePants" range will feature collectible figures and buildable playsets like "Krusty Krab Attack" and "Invisible Boatmobile Rescue"!

For more information about Mega Bloks' "SpongeBob SquarePants" construction toy range, please visit the MEGA Brands booth at the American International Toy Fair, Jacob K. Javitz Convention Center, New York City, booth #751 from Sunday 16th to Wednesday 19th February 2014.

Original MEGA Brands Inc. Press Release:

MEGA Brands Announces Expansion of Nickelodeon Licensed Partnership with MEGA BLOKS SpongeBob SquarePants for Fall 2014

CNW Group / MEGA Brands Inc.
February 11, 2014 9:00 AM

MONTREAL and NEW YORK , Feb. 11, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Gearing up for an exciting New York Toy Fair, MEGA Brands Inc. announces an expansion of their Mega Bloks kids' construction toys portfolio for 2014 with Nickelodeon's hit animated series, SpongeBob SquarePants. Toy insiders will get a preview of the new MEGA BLOKS construction line hitting stores this fall at the American International Toy Fair in New York City (Booth #751).

Mega Brands' licensed partnership with Nickelodeon is expanding to offer an exciting range of SpongeBob SquarePants construction toys for fans to build their favorite characters and their very own under-the-sea universe. Starting Fall 2014, kids can find Mega Bloks SpongeBob SquarePants in the construction toy aisle.

"We are proud to extend our kids building toy portfolio with SpongeBob SquarePants," said Vic Bertrand , Chief Innovation Officer, MEGA Brands. "With a combination of great characters, creative builds and fun features, kids will love creating their own Mega Bloks SpongeBob SquarePants stories."

Since its launch in July 1999, SpongeBob SquarePants has become one of the most beloved animated characters in TV history, and a global pop culture phenomenon. In its 14th year, the series continues to rank as the number-one animated series with kids 2-11 on all of television, as well as one of the most 'liked' animated series on Facebook, with more than 100 million fans. Over the past several years, SpongeBob has averaged more than 100 million total viewers every quarter across all Nickelodeon networks.

"We are thrilled to extend our relationship with MEGA Brands to now include our beloved SpongeBob SquarePants brand," said Manuel Torres , Senior Vice President, Global Toys and Publishing, Nickelodeon Consumer Products Group. "The development of these innovative and unique construction-based toys will reconnect kids around the world with traditional toy play, and bring the adventures of SpongeBob from the TV screen, to the play room."

For more information, please visit the MEGA Brands booth at the American International Toy Fair, Jacob K. Javitz Convention Center, New York City , booth #751 from February 16 th to 19th, 2014.

About MEGA Brands

MEGA Brands (MB.TO) is a trusted family of leading global brands in construction toys, games & puzzles, arts & crafts and stationery. They offer engaging creative experiences for children, families and collectors through innovative, well-designed, affordable and high-quality products.

The MEGA Brands headquarters is in Montreal, Quebec, Canada , where the company was originally founded by Rita & Victor Bertrand over 40 years ago. The Montreal facility houses an International Design Center and North America's Biggest Toy Factory, where hundreds of people make millions of MEGA BLOKS products every year.

For more information, please visit www.megabrands.com and www.megabloks.com

The MEGA logo, Mega Bloks, Rose Art , Mega Puzzles, Mega Games and Board Dudes are trademarks of MEGA Brands Inc. or its affiliates.

About Nickelodeon:

Nickelodeon is one of the most globally recognized and widely distributed multimedia entertainment brands for kids and family. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company's portfolio includes television programming and production around the world, plus special events, consumer products, digital offerings, recreation, books, feature films and pro-social initiatives. Nickelodeon's brands are seen globally in more than 500 million households across more than 130 territories, via more than 70 locally programmed channels and branded blocks. Outside of the United States , Nickelodeon is part of Viacom International Media Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.

SOURCE MEGA Brands Inc.

Image with caption: "MEGA BLOKS SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS construction sets to hit stores in fall 2014 (CNW Group/MEGA Brands Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140211_C9031_PHOTO_EN_36527.jpg

Contact:

Stephanie D. Pinsonnault
Public Relations, MEGA Brands
Tel: (514) 333-5555 ext. 2504
Cell: (514) 258-7115
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