Thursday, February 05, 2015

Nickelodeon Champions Early Childhood Education with 2015 "Nick Jr. Beyond the Backpack" Campaign

Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids and families, has announced the exciting news in the following press release, from Business Wire, that Nickelodeon USA today launched its 2015 "Nick Jr. Beyond the Backpack" kindergarten readiness initiative geared to help parents and caregivers prepare their preschoolers for academic success. The campaign features Tia Mowry-Hardrict ("Instant Mom", "Tia & Tamera", "Sister, Sister") starring alongside some of Nickelodeon's beloved preschool characters, including Dora, Wally and Blaze in a PSA series airing across Nickelodeon USA's TV and digital platforms. The campaign also includes: an advisory committee comprised of leaders in children's education who are lending their expertise to "Beyond the Backpack"; a dedicated web site resource; bilingual (English/Spanish) educational materials; and a parent-targeted mobile program providing weekly tips and information. Every campaign element focuses on five key areas deemed critical to educational achievement: family engagement; health and wellness; early literacy; social and emotional development; and fundamental STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) skills. Nickelodeon has also partnered with an advisory committee of dedicated educators and children's advocates to create, distribute and promote Nick Jr. Beyond the Backpack-branded resources.


Original Nickelodeon Press Release:

Nickelodeon Champions Early Childhood Education with 2015 Nick Jr. Beyond the Backpack Campaign

Instant Mom Star Tia Mowry-Hardrict Signs on as Spokesperson for Kindergarten Readiness Program

2015 Beyond the Backpack Advisory Committee Includes Alliance for a Healthier Generation, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Association of Children's Museums, Boston Children's Museum, Children's Defense Fund, Common Sense Media, Jumpstart, National Council of La Raza, National Head Start Association, National Parent Teacher Association, Reach Out and Read and Too Small to Fail

February 05, 2015 02:39 PM Eastern Standard Time

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nickelodeon announced today the kickoff of its 2015 Nick Jr. Beyond the Backpack kindergarten readiness initiative geared to help parents and caregivers prepare their preschoolers for academic success. The campaign features Tia Mowry-Hardrict (Instant Mom) starring alongside beloved preschool characters, including Dora, Wally and Blaze in a PSA series airing across Nickelodeon's TV and digital platforms. The campaign also includes: an advisory committee comprised of leaders in children's education who are lending their expertise to Beyond the Backpack; a dedicated web site resource; bilingual (English/Spanish) educational materials; and a parent-targeted mobile program providing weekly tips and information. Every campaign element focuses on five key areas deemed critical to educational achievement: family engagement; health and wellness; early literacy; social and emotional development; and fundamental STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) skills.

Nickelodeon has also partnered with an advisory committee of dedicated educators and children's advocates to create, distribute and promote Nick Jr. Beyond the Backpack-branded resources. Organizations include: Alliance for a Healthier Generation, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), Association of Children's Museums (ACM), Boston Children's Museum, Children's Defense Fund, Common Sense Media, Jumpstart, National Council of La Raza (NCLR), National Head Start Association, National Parent Teacher Association, Reach Out and Read and Too Small to Fail.

"Our goal with Nick Jr.'s Beyond the Backpack, along with our partners, is to provide parents and caregivers with the information and resources they need to prepare their preschoolers for those important first steps toward formal education," said Marva Smalls, Executive Vice President, Public, Affairs, Nickelodeon Group. "Family engagement plays a crucial role in providing a solid foundation for young children to help ensure they not only succeed in school, but thrive."

"Nick Jr. Beyond the Backpack provides parents, who may not know where to start, with a customized learning plan from experts in the field of early childhood education, that will provide a solid foundation for preschoolers preparing to attend kindergarten," said Mowry-Hardrict. "As a mom of a preschooler, I am thrilled to partner with Nickelodeon on such an important issue."

Throughout the year, Mowry-Hardrict will be featured in PSAs alongside the most popular characters from Nick's hit preschool series, including Dora the Explorer, Blaze and the Monster Machines, Wallykazam! and PAW Patrol. The spots, airing across Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. and on the Beyond the Backpack site (www.beyondthebackpack.com), are designed to raise awareness of the important role early preparedness plays in the success of preschoolers entering kindergarten.

Originally founded in 2010 as a part of the 10th anniversary of the curriculum-driven preschool hit Dora the Explorer, the 2015 Beyond the Backpack initiative has expanded to include a broad range of educational and socio-emotional topics using the network's stable of hit preschool programs and characters, including Wallykazam!, which features a literacy curriculum; Team Umizoomi, which combines action-adventure with an interactive math curriculum; Bubble Guppies, which features core elements of kindergarten readiness including math, literacy, the arts, science and socio-emotional development; Peter Rabbit, which encourages problem-solving and interpersonal skills; PAW Patrol, which focuses on social skills and problem-solving; and Blaze and the Monster Machines, which comprehensively covers all areas of STEM in every episode.

The elements of the 2015 Nick Jr. Beyond the Backpack campaign include:

* A SMS text program – Beginning today parents can opt-in to "Beyond the Backpack On-the-Go" to get weekly activities and tips to make learning more fun for their preschoolers. Parents and caregivers can sign up by texting "BACKPACK" to 91757.

* A dedicated website – Parents and caregivers looking for more information can also visit www.beyondthebackpack.com, where they can take a quiz that when completed provides access to a customized learning plan, educational games, interactive videos and printable activities for their preschoolers.

* Beyond the Backpack Toolkit – A bilingual kindergarten readiness guide that features a checklist to help parents ensure their preschoolers have the appropriate developmental skills necessary to be successful in school, as well as interactive and skill building activities that can help kids meet necessary milestones.

* Kindergarten Readiness Block Party – In March Tia Mowry-Hardrict is teaming up with Nickelodeon and the Compton Unified School District in Compton, Calif. for a kindergarten readiness and registration event, featuring fun and educational activities, Nick Jr. costume characters and more.

* Additional Beyond the Backpack events – will be scheduled throughout the year. Visit www.beyondthebackpack.com for more information.

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 20 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, VIAB).

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Nickelodeon USA Unveils New "Splitting Adam" Video Clips

To celebrate Nickelodeon USA premiering and showing Nickelodeon's brand-new original TV movie "Splitting Adam", starring Jace Norman ("Henry Danger"), on Monday 16th February 2015 (Presidents' Day), Nickelodeon USA has unveiled four all-new "Splitting Adam" videos on the networks official YouTube channel, including two brand-new trailers and a fantastic look behind-the-scenes of the all-new Nick Flick, which you can watch in the online streaming video clip below!:

Splitting Adam | Official Trailer | Nick



Watch the official trailer for Nickelodeon's new movie, Splitting Adam, starring Jace Norman (Henry Danger), Jack Griffo (The Thundermans), and Isabella Mona (100 Things to Do Before High School) premiering on February 16

Splitting Adam | Official Trailer #2 | Nick



Adam Baker's got more than just double trouble, he's got a clone catastrophe! Catch the premiere of Nickelodeon's new movie, Splitting Adam, on February 16

Splitting Adam | Mo' Adams Mo' Problems | Nick



In the beginning there was Adam… and then things began to get strange. Meet all the Adams and watch them in action during Nickelodeon's new movie, Splitting Adam, premiering February 16

Splitting Adam | Behind The Scenes | Nick



Take a behind the scenes look of the making of Splitting Adam with Nickelodeon star Jace Norman.

Jace Norman, Tate Chapman, Amarr M. Wooten and Jack Griffo, four of the stars of Nickelodeon's brand-new film "Splitting Adam", tell viewers what they would do if they had clones of their own!

In Nick's all-new film, "Splitting Adam", Adam Baker (Jace Norman, "Henry Danger") is the busiest 15-year-old you'll ever meet! Between juggling multiple jobs, babysitting his sister, and helping his uncle perfect his magic act, his summer schedule is jam-packed. And that leaves little room for flirting with his dream girl, Lori (Isabela Moner, "100 Things To Do Before High School"). But after accidentally stumbling into his uncle's mysterious "tanning bed", Adam learns the answer to all of his problems – multiple Adams! With his new collection of clones, Adam is hopping on one wild ride with an epic splash!

"Splitting Adam" also stars Jack Griffo ("The Thundermans") as Vance Hansum, Amarr M. Wooten ("Instant Mom", "Step Up 2: The Streets") as Sheldon, Seth Isaac Johnson as Danny, Tate Chapman and Abby Chapman ("React to That", "Liv and Maddie") as Gillian, Chris Gauthier as Mr. Mattis, Caroline Cave as Mrs. Baker, Katia Peel as the voice of a little girl, Dani Dare as the voice of a little boy, and Brayden Snow as a dancing party kid, plus Tony Cavalero from the upcoming Nickelodeon show "School of Rock" as Magic Mitch!


"Splitting Adam", formally known as "Copy-Kid", is a movie directed by Scott McAboy, written by John E. Deaver, William S. Walker and produced by Pacific Bay Entertainment. Nickelodeon and Pacific Bay Entertainment filmed some of the "Splash 'n Crash" scenes of "Splitting Adam" at Cultus Lake Waterpark, located in British Columbia in Canada.

NickHeads can find out more information about Nickelodeon's brand-new original TV movie here at nick.com/splitting-adam!
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Sneak Peek Of New "Bella and the Bulldogs" Episode "Tex Fest", Premiering 2/7 On Nickelodeon USA

To celebrate Nickelodeon USA premiering and showing the next brand-new episode of the networks brand-new hit original comedy series "Bella and the Bulldogs", called "Tex Fest", on Saturday 7th February 2015 at 9:00pm (ET/PT) as part of Nick USA's all-new 'New Saturday Night' programming block, Nick USA has unveiled a fantastic sneak peek preview of the brand-new episode on their official YouTube channel, which you can watch in the online streaming video clip below!:



It's Tex Fest time and the school is celebrating, but Sawyer (Jackie Radinsky) and Sophie (Lilimar Hernandez) have their sights set on something else: sweet, sweet victory in Hot Pepper Showdown eating contest! Who will take home the Flaming Tongue Award? Find out on a new "Bella and The Bulldogs" on Saturday at 9pm/8c!
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Sneak Peek Of New "Henry Danger" Episode "Super Volcano", Premiering 2/7 On Nickelodeon USA

To celebrate Nickelodeon USA premiering and showing the next brand-new episode of the networks new hit original comedy series "Henry Danger", called "Super Volcano", on Saturday 7th February 2015 at 8:00pm (ET/PT) as part of Nick USA's all-new 'New Saturday Night' programming block, Nick USA has unveiled super sneak peek preview of the brand-new episode on their official YouTube channel, which you can watch in the online streaming video clip below!:



The world's in trouble and not even Captain Man can save the day! Find out what Captain Man (Cooper Barnes) and Kid Danger (Jace Norman) wind up doing before the whole world goes kablooey on a new "Henry Danger" this Saturday at 8pm/7c!

Don't forget, Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK will start to premiere and show Nick's all-new crime-fighting comedy series "Henry Danger" in February 2015, beginning with the hour-long special "The Danger Begins" on Friday 13th February 2015 at 5:00pm (repeated at 6:00pm on Nickelodeon +1)!
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Sneak Peeks From Brand-New "Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn" Episode "Take the Money and Run", Premiering 2/7 On Nickelodeon USA

To celebrate Nickelodeon USA premiering and showing the next brand-new episode of the networks new hit original comedy series "Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn", called "Take the Money and Run", on Saturday 7th February 2015, at 8:30pm ET/PT; 7:30c, Nick USA has unveiled two quad-tastic sneak peek previews of the all-new episode on their official YouTube channel, which you can watch in the online streaming video clips below!:

Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn | 'Take the Money and Run' Clip #1 | Nick:



These track-and-fit bands are pretty cool, except you can't play games on them! Will Nicky, Ricky, and Dicky reach 1,000 steps (woah, that's like a million!!) each in order to get their games back? Find out on a new Nicky, Ricky, Dicky, and Dawn this Saturday at 8:30pm/7:30c!

Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn | 'Take the Money and Run' Clip #2 | Nick



Nicky, Ricky, and Dicky might not walk 1,000 steps every day, but there's a good chance their dog, Squishy Paws, does! Guess we'll find out during a new Nicky, Ricky, Dicky, and Dawn on Saturday at 8:30pm/7:30c!

Plus, catch the next brand-new episode of "Bella and the Bulldogs", "Tex Fest", straight after NRDD at 9:00pm ET/PT, only on Nick USA!
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Nick Jr. UK's "Lily’s Driftwood Bay" Heads To Netflix, International Networks; Picks Up Raft Of Awards

The Jim Henson Company's third-party licensing and distribution label, HIP (Henson Independent Properties), has struck a number of broadcast and digital licensing deals for Nick Jr. UK's critically acclaimed animated preschool series "Lily's Driftwood Bay"!


On the digital side, Netflix has scooped up the show for the US, Canada, the UK and Ireland. International broadcasters KiKa (Germany), MTV Oy (Finland), TV New Zealand (New Zealand), TVB (Hong Kong) and Radio Television Brunei (Brunei) have also picked up the animated series.

Created and directed by Colin Williams ("Pajanimals", "Big and Small") and produced by Belfast-based independent children's television production company Sixteen South Television, "Lily's Driftwood Bay" premiered globally on Nick Jr. UK in May 2014 debuted shortly after in the US on Sprout and in Australia on ABC, and has been picked up by a host of other international broadcasters.

The mixed media animation series is created completely from items that have been found washed up on the beach and follows the imaginative adventures of six-year-old Lily. Based on an original idea from artist Joanne Carmichael, the series boasts an all-star line-up of voice talent including Stephen Fry ("QI" ("Quite Interesting"), "The Hobbit", "Blackadder", "Gadget Man"), Peter Mullan ("Harry Potter", "Top of the Lake"), Tameka Empson ("EastEnders", "3 Non-Blondes"), Jane Horrocks ("Sunshine on Leith", "Absolutely Fabulous"), Ardal O'Hanlon ("Father Ted", "London Irish", "My Hero"), Annette Crosbie ("One Foot in the Grave", "Hope Springs") and Richard Dormer ("Game of Thrones", "Good Vibrations", "Fortitude").

Following the successful launch of the first series in May 2014, Nick Jr. UK commissioned a second series of "Lily's Driftwood Bay", which will feature an additional 52 seven minute episodes of the hit preschool show, in July 2014.

The commission followed a licensing deal between Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer products (NVCP) and Sixteen South, which will see NVCP exclusively represent all licensing rights for the property within the UK and Ireland.

"Lily's Driftwood Bay" has also recently been honoured with multiple awards, including a Parents' Choice Recommended Award, a Broadcast Awards 2015 award for "Best Pre-School Programme", as well as being named as one of the Best Kids' TV Shows of 2014 by Common Sense Media!

Sources: Kidscreen, Twitter.com/AlexiWheeler, Twitter.com/BroadcastAwards
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Viacom International Media Networks To Launch Dual-Language Services On Nickelodeon HD And Nick Jr. Via OSN In The Middle East

World Screen is reporting the exciting Nickelodeon International news that, following the launch of Nickelodeon HD and Nick Jr. on the OSN pay-TV platform in the Middle East in January 2015, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) is making Arabic-language services available later this month!


As of Monday 9th February 2015, the two channels will be broadcast in both English and Arabic. Content from the newly launched Nickelodeon channels will also be available on OSN Play, the region's first online viewing platform offering entertainment anytime, anywhere on multiple devices. OSN Play is offered as a free value-added service to OSN subscribers.

Additionally, VIMN's Dubai Media City team will take over the production for Nickelodeon HD, transforming it into the only international kids' channel available in Arabic produced in the MENA region.

To celebrate Nickelodeon's upcoming "Kids' Choice Awards 2015" tentpole event, Nickelodeon has launched a localised official "Kids' Choice Awards 2015" website, kca.nickelodeonarabia.com, where kids in the Middle East can find out the latest news about "Kids' Choice Awards 2015", watch exclusive videos and will be able to vote for their favourite nominees in Nickelodeon's 28th Annual Kids' Choice Awards! "Kids' Choice Awards 2015" will air on Nickelodeon HD during the Spring 2015 programming season. The launch of a localised official KCA 2015 website may also hint that Nickelodeon may be planning to launch a localised official Nickelodeon website for Middle Eastern viewers soon at nickelodeonarabia.com!
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