Tuesday, December 09, 2014

Nickelodeon USA Scores Eighth Consecutive Weekly Win With Kids

Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids and families, has announced the exciting Nickelodeon Ratings News in the following press release, from Nickelodeon's Kids and Family Press Site, NickPress.com, that Nick USA closed the first week of December 2015 (Monday 1st to Sunday 7th December 2014, as the top basic cable network in total day with kids 2-11 (2.0/608K), scoring its eighth straight weekly win and landing the top programs across key kid demos!


Original Nickelodeon Press Release:

NICKELODEON SCORES EIGHTH CONSECUTIVE WEEKLY WIN WITH KIDS

SpongeBob SquarePants is Week's Top Show with Kids 2-11; Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn and The Thundermans Win on Saturday Night with Kids 6-11; PAW Patrol Leads with Preschoolers

NEW YORK – Dec. 9, 2014 – Nickelodeon closed the first week of December (12/1/14-12/7/14) as the top basic cable net in total day with kids 2-11 (2.0/608K), scoring its eighth straight weekly win and landing the top programs across key kid demos.

The network's victory was driven by a strong performance from SpongeBob SquarePants (4.4/1.3M), which was the number-one show on cable with kids 2-11 for the week. It was also the top kids show on basic cable with total viewers, posting 2.7M P2+. Nick's newest live-action hits continued to perform well, with Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn (3.6/665K) and The Thundermans (3.5/653K) winning in their respective time slots, at 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Saturday night, with kids 6-11.

Additionally, Nickelodeon's PAW Patrol led the preschool category, averaging a 6.0/716K with kids 2-5.

Nickelodeon, now in its 35th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 19 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B).

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Nickelodeon Nominated For Multiple Awards In The 46th NAACP Image Awards

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has announced the fantastic Nickelodeon News that Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids and families, a Nickelodeon writer and a host of Nickelodeon Stars have been nominated for awards in the 46th NAACP Image Awards, an event which celebrates the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color in the arts (television, recording, literature, motion picture and writing & directing), as well as those individuals or groups who promote social justice through their creative endeavors!


Nickelodeon's pro-social awards event, the "Nickelodeon HALO Awards", and Nickelodeon Preschools brand-new original animated series "Dora and Friends: Into the City!" have been nominated in the "Outstanding Children's Program" category of the 2015 NAACP Image Awards.

Nickelodeon Stars Amber Montana and Curtis Harris, who portray Taylor Hathaway and Miles Preston, respectively, in Nickelodeon's hit original live-action comedy series "The Haunted Hathaways", Fatima Ptacek, who voices Dora in Nickelodeon Preschool's "Dora the Explorer" and "Dora and Friends", and Taliyah Whitaker, who provides the voice of Gina Giant in Nickelodeon's popular CG-animated preschool series "Wallykazam", have been nominated in the "Outstanding Performance by a Youth in a Youth/Children's Program (Series or Special)" category.

Regina Hicks, a writer on Nick At Nite's popular family comedy series "Instant Mom", has been nominated in the "Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series" category for her writing work on the episode "A Kids's Choice", in which Gabby (Sydney Park), James (Tylen Jacob Williams) and Aaron (Damarr Calhoun) submit their own videos to win tickets to a sold-out Cody Simpson concert. The episode guest stars Cody Simpson as himself.

You can find a full list of 46th NAACP Image Awards nominees, which were announced on Tuesday 9th December 2014 during a press conference from the Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills, California, here on the NAACP Image Awards' official website, naacpimageawards.net.

The winners will be announced live during a two-hour event, including red carpet coverage, broadcast on TV ONE on Friday 6th February 2015.

Congratulations and good luck to all the nominees of the 2015 NAACP Image Awards!

(Additional source: The Wrap.)
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Nickelodeon Continues To Lead In Developing The Next Generation Of Animation Talent With 2015 Global Animated Shorts Program

Original Nickelodeon Press Release via TVByTheNumbers.com:

NICKELODEON CONTINUES TO LEAD IN DEVELOPING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ANIMATION TALENT WITH 2015 GLOBAL ANIMATED SHORTS PROGRAM

Open Call for Submissions to Take Place Feb. 1–March 31, 2015

Search Includes International and Preschool Pitches to Feed Animation Studio's Growing Slate of Original Content


BURBANK, Calif. – Dec. 9, 2014 – Nickelodeon continues to pave the way in discovering and curating talent with its 2015 global Animated Shorts Program open call, Feb. 1–March 31. Marking the fourth year for the program, the network's development team will continue to oversee domestic and international pitches for the Nickelodeon and Nick preschool audience, which is designed to identify and develop animation talent and provide a platform for fresh content for kids. Last year's program yielded its first 13-episode series greenlight with Chris Savino's The Loud House which will premiere in 2016.


"We continue to be impressed by the magnitude and quality of ideas generated each year from this global program, and its success is clearly proven not only through our increasing stable of content, but also by the incredible talent we are fortunate of having inside and outside of our animation studio," said Russell Hicks, President, Content Development and Production, Nickelodeon.

As part of the network's search for original and funny content to complement its already dynamic development slate, the Animated Shorts Program launched in 2012 and collected more than 600 pitches. The program turned global its second year, and in 2014, amassed more than 1500 pitches worldwide from a broad spectrum of creative talent. Past select animated shorts will be found on the Short Toons section on Nick.com and the Nick App.

Ideas and pitches will be accepted from a wide pool of creative talent from all quarters including artists, designers, writers, directors and comedians. Creators will be provided with the necessary artistic and production support teams to help them complete their fully animated short.

The submissions period will run from Feb. 1–March 31. Shorts must be original, humor-based and character-driven. All animation styles are encouraged from 2D, digital 2D, stop motion, CG or mixed media. Final pitches should be two minutes in length, and in the form of a rough storyboard. Full program guidelines are available at www.nickshortspitches.com.

Savino's (Rocko's Modern Life, The Powerpuff Girls) The Loud House follows 11-year-old Lincoln as he gives an inside look at what it takes to survive in the bedlam of a large family, especially as the only boy with 10 sisters. Additionally, Gary "Doodles" Di Raffaele, discovered through Nickelodeon's inaugural Animated Shorts Program in 2012, is one of the creators and executive producers, alongside Steve Borst, of Nickelodeon's Breadwinners which will debut its second season next year.

As the leader in television animation production, Nickelodeon has a legacy of creating ground-breaking animated shows including The Fairly OddParents, SpongeBob SquarePants, Fanboy & Chum Chum, Dora the Explorer, Wallykazam!, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Legend of Korra, Breadwinners and Sanjay and Craig, which are all produced at the Nickelodeon Animation Studios in Burbank, Calif.

About Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon, now in its 35th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in almost 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 19 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B).

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TeenNick USA And YTV Canada To Premiere "Open Heart" On Tuesday 20th January 2015

Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids and families, and the Canadian media and entertainment company Corus Entertainment Inc. have announced the exciting news in the following press releases that TeenNick USA, Nickelodeon USA's 24-hour network exclusively for and about teens and tweens, and Corus' children's channel YTV will start to premiere and show the brand-new original teen live-action drama series "Open Heart" from Tuesday 20th January 2015 at 9:00pm (ET), beginning with the hour-long series premiere episode titled "Last Things First"!



From left to right: Elena Juatco (Dr. Scarlet McWhinnie), Patrick Kwok-Choon (Seth Park), Kevin McGarry (Dr. Timothy “Hud” Hudson), Demore Barnes (Dr. Dominic Karamichaelidis "Dr. K"), Jonathan Whittaker (Edward Blake), Tori Anderson (Dr. London Blake), Sherry Miller (Helena Blake),Karis Cameron (Dylan Blake), Justin Kelly (Wes Silver), Jenny Cooper (Dr. Jane Blake), Jeff Douglas (Richard Blake), Cristine Prosperi (Mikayla Walker), Mena Massoud (Jared Malik), Dylan Everett (Teddy Ralston). Courtesy of Epitome Pictures

Original TeenNick Press Release via NickPress.com:

SECRETS, LIES AND DRAMA UNFOLD IN TEENNICK'S BRAND-NEW LIVE-ACTION MYSTERY SERIES, OPEN HEART, PREMIERING TUESDAY, JAN. 20, AT 9 P.M. (ET)

Series From the Producers of Degrassi Stars Newcomer Karis Cameron and Degrassi Alums Cristine Prosperi and Justin Kelly

NEW YORK – Dec. 9, 2014 – TeenNick combines suspense with relatable teen drama in the brand-new live-action mystery series, Open Heart, debuting Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 9 p.m. (ET). Produced by Epitome Pictures, a DHX Media company, in association with marblemedia, Open Heart follows 16-year-old Dylan Blake (Karis Cameron), the rebellious daughter of a fractured family of doctors, as she uses her stint as a youth hospital volunteer to secretly investigate the disappearance of her father. Open Heart will air regularly on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. (ET) on TeenNick.

In the wake of her father's disappearance, 16-year-old Dylan Blake falls in with the wrong crowd, gets arrested, and earns court-ordered community service volunteering at Open Heart Memorial, the hospital where her mother and sister are doctors and where her grandparents are board members and benefactors. All Dylan has to do is follow the rules. The hospital is the last place her father was seen alive and while most people think it's a straightforward case of abandonment, Dylan doesn't believe that and sets out to prove something bad happened to her father. Putting her old delinquent skills back into service, Dylan and her new friends--the bright and gossipy Mikayla (Cristine Prosperi) and the handsome charmer Wes (Justin Kelly)—start looking into her dad's disappearance, unearthing a trail of clues that lead them to some very unexpected places.

In the hour-long series premiere, “Last Things First,” Dylan starts community service at Open Heart Memorial. She begins a covert investigation into her dad's disappearance and tries to get her hands on hospital security footage from the day he disappeared. Meanwhile, Dylan's sister London struggles with the pressure her mother, Dr. Jane Blake, puts on her at work.

Open Heart reunites Degrassi stars and introduces a crop of newcomers with a cast that includes: Karis Cameron as Dylan Blake, Tori Anderson as Dr. London Blake, Justin Kelly as Wes Silver, Cristine Prosperi as Mikayla Walker, Kevin McGarry as Dr. Timothy "Hud" Hudson, Patrick Kwok-Choon as Seth Park, Jenny Cooper as Dr. Jane Blake, Demore Barnes as Dr. Dominic Karamichaelidis, Elena Juatco as Scarlet, Mena Massoud as Jared, Dylan Everett as Teddy and Jeff Douglas as Richard Blake.

Viewers can immerse themselves in the narrative with a unique digital component that extends their on-air involvement with immediate and exclusive content that places them in the center of the mystery. The Open Heart: Unlocked! app, launching January 2015 on iOS and Android, allows fans to join the plot during and in between episodes to keep up with Dylan's ongoing investigation. The app unlocks Dylan's phone so viewers can scour her text messages, photo gallery and social media accounts to learn more about her private life and study the clues she collects. The Open Heart website (www.open-heart.com) continues the journey with exclusive character confessions and episodic bonus features. Viewers can also visit TeenNick.com, TeenNick's Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr for additional Open Heart content.

TeenNick, Nickelodeon's 24-hour TV network exclusively for and about teens and tweens, is available in almost 73 million households via cable, digital cable and satellite. Featuring a roster of ever-popular Nick favorites, original programming and award-winning series, the brand presents an authentic teen experience, with all its emotional intensity, energy and humor, across multiple platforms and integrated social media. TeenNick and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB).

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Original Corus Entertainment Inc. Press Release via CorusEnt.com:

12/9/2014

YTV Prescribes a Dose of Mystery with New Teen Drama Series Open Heart

From the producers of Degrassi, series debuts with a special one-hour premiere episode on Tuesday, January 20 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on YTV

Viewers uncover clues to series' mystery with an immersive mobile and web experience

(Toronto, Canada) Corus Entertainment's YTV will kick off the New Year with an exciting new drama series, Open Heart, produced by Epitome Pictures in association with marblemedia. Open Heart is a gripping mystery series, folded into a sprawling family saga, set against the high-stakes workplace drama of a hospital. At the centre of the story is Dylan Blake, the rebellious daughter of a fractured family of doctors, who uses her stint as a youth hospital volunteer to secretly investigate the mysterious disappearance of her father. The 12 x 30-minute series premieres Tuesday, January 20 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on YTV and will also debut day-and-date in the U.S. on TeenNick. For a sneak peek of the series, visit www.open-heart.com.

"YTV is witnessing a strong desire from teens who want to participate in the same serialized, high-stakes dramas that adults are currently enjoying, but with content that speaks to them; "Open Heart" is the perfect series to bring this to life on YTV," said Jamie Piekarz, Director of Content, Corus Kids. "With the production team behind Degrassi and a stellar cast, Open Heart offers our teen fans a thrilling story to tune into every week with the added bonus of taking viewers beyond each episode and into Dylan's world through engaging digital content."

In the wake of her father's disappearance, 16-year-old Dylan Blake falls in with the wrong crowd, gets arrested, and earns court-ordered community service volunteering at Open Heart Memorial, the hospital where her mother and sister are doctors and where her grandparents are board members. All Dylan has to do is follow the rules. But the hospital is the last place Richard was seen alive, and while most think it's a straight up case of abandonment, Dylan doesn't believe it. Something bad happened to her father, if she can only prove it. Putting her old delinquent skills back into service, Dylan and her new friends, the bright and gossipy Mikayla and the handsome charmer Wes, begin a covert investigation into her dad's disappearance, unearthing a trail of clues that lead them to some very unexpected places.

"In addition to being part of Dylan's adventures on television each week, fans will also get to join her in the digital world, following her every step of the way and in real time," said executive producer, show-runner and writer Ramona Barckert. "The best part? No waiting between episodes for more content - the Open Heart experience happens all week long. I've never seen anything like this before. It's really cool!"

Exciting newcomer Karis Cameron (Signed, Sealed, Delivered; The Haunting Hour) stars as Dylan Blake with the series also starring Tori Anderson (The L.A. Complex, Warehouse 13, Flashpoint), Justin Kelly (Degrassi, Lost Girl, Latest Buzz), Cristine Prosperi (Degrassi, Nicky Deuce), Kevin McGarry (Being Erica, Saw 7), Patrick Kwok-Choon (Nikita, Rookie Blue, Being Erica), Jenny Cooper (Hemlock Grove, Scandal, NCIS, C.S.I. Miami, 24), Demore Barnes (Hemlock Grove, The Listener, Flashpoint), Jeff Douglas (Lost Girl, Rookie Blue), Elena Juatco (Repo! The Genetic Opera, Breaking the Rules, Sorority Surrogate), Mena Massoud (King, Combat Hospital, Poser) and Dylan Everett (King, Combat Hospital, Poser).

Viewers can immerse themselves in the narrative with a unique digital component that extends the on-air experience with immediate and exclusive content that places them in the centre of the mystery. The Open Heart: Unlocked! app, launching January 2015 on iOS and Android, invites fans to join the plot during and in-between episodes to keep up with Dylan's ongoing investigation. The app unlocks Dylan Blake's phone so viewers can scour her text messages, photo gallery and social media accounts to learn more about her private life and study the clues she collects. The Open Heart website continues the journey with exclusive character confessions and episodic bonus features.

Open Heart is executive produced by Linda Schuyler and Stephen Stohn, Ramona Barckert, Matt Hornburg and Mark Bishop. Directors are Stefan Brogren and Samir Rehem. Writers include Ramona Barckert, Chris Pozzebon, Scott Oleszkowicz, Brendan Gall, Brendon Yorke and Barbara Haynes. Production Executives for Corus Entertainment are Jamie Piekarz and Chris Bell and for TeenNick, Kim Powers. The series is produced with the financial participation of the Shaw Rocket Fund, the Cogeco Program Development Fund, Bell Fund and RBC Royal Bank.

About Epitome Pictures
Toronto-based Epitome Pictures has produced award-winning youth and family drama for more than 34 years. Its flagship programs, including The Kids Of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Junior High, Degrassi High, and the current series, Degrassi: The Next Generation, now known simply as Degrassi, have been honoured with multiple Gemini Awards, Teen Choice Awards, the Television Critics Association Award, The Peabody Award, two International Emmy© Awards and three Primetime Emmy© nominations. Past Epitome series include The L.A. Complex, Instant Star, Riverdale, and Liberty Street. In August 2014, Epitome began production on a new family mystery series, entitled Open Heart, slated for international broadcast in 2015. Epitome Pictures is part of DHX Media Ltd. (TSX: DHX.A, DHX.B).

About marblemedia
marblemedia develops, produces and distributes engaging multiplatform entertainment experiences for audiences around the world. With nearly 250 hours of programming distributed in more than 200 territories, marblemedia has been honoured by Playback Magazine with the 2013 Outstanding Achievement Award, in addition to being named Transmedia Producer of the Year (2011) by the publication. marble has won a Canadian Screen Award, two Gemini Awards, been nominated for an Emmy® Award and was identified as a Next Generation Content Producer (2009) by The Hollywood Reporter. The company owns a 50-acre production ranch and operates a Toronto-based studio, home to 50 staff, and an L.A. office. The company was co-founded by Mark Bishop and Matt Hornburg in 2001. www.marblemedia.com.

About YTV
Celebrating 25 years in television, YTV is a leading cross platform entertainment brand for kids and families. The channel offers quality entertainment with hilarious animated and live-action comedy series, popular Nickelodeon series, blockbuster movies, top-rated original Canadian programming, music, celebrities and the channel's after-school block, The Zone. Through its multiple platforms and exclusive digital and interactive content, YTV is the voice of Canadian youth culture. YTV is owned by Corus Entertainment Inc.


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Follow Corus PR on Twitter @CorusPR
Follow YTV on Twitter @YTVofficial
Follow Open Heart on Twitter @OpenHeart_TV, #OpenHeart

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