Monday, August 03, 2015

Nickelodeon's Together For Good and Plan International Want to Inspire Kids to Make a Change in Their Community

Original Nickelodeon International and Plan International Press Release via Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Asia's official Pressroom:

Nickelodeon's "Together For Good" and Plan International Want to Inspire Kids to Make a Change in Their Community

Log on to good.nickelodeon.tv today to get started


SINGAPORE, 3 AUGUST 2015 – Hey kids, are you ready to make your mark on the world? Child rights organisation Plan International and Nickelodeon International have teamed up to launch an exciting new campaign, Nickelodeon's Together For Good, to engage, celebrate and reward kids outside of the U.S. who are making a difference in their communities. The campaign kicks off across all Nickelodeon platforms outside of the U.S. including the dedicated microsite good.nickelodeon.tv. Kids can log on now to read inspirational stories about kids who are already making a change in their communities, engage in activities and challenges and download a toolkit showing them how to get involved and start making an impact – big or small.


* Click here to view Nickelodeon's Together For Good promo featuring The Thundermans' Jack Griffo and Kira Kosarin.

* Beginning mid-week, Nickelodeon and Plan International will invite kids aged 6 to 17 years old to log on to good.nickelodeon.tv to upload photos and videos of themselves making a difference in their community. A panel of Nickelodeon International and Plan International team members will then choose four finalists in each participating region outside of the U.S. who will be recognized for their achievements on Nickelodeon's websites and social media channels in their respective regions.

* Nickelodeon viewers will then have the opportunity to log on to good.nickelodeon.tv to vote to select one special change maker in each region who is creatively making a stand-out impact in their community.

* The campaign will culminate with a celebration honouring change makers from around the world and the announcement of one lucky finalist who will be selected by Nickelodeon and Plan International to receive the ultimate prize, an all-expense-paid trip to the U.S. to attend a Nickelodeon event as a VIP guest.


Nickelodeon's Together For Good is Nickelodeon International's new initiative to empower kids to make positive changes in the world around them. Together For Good will serve as Nickelodeon's international platform to inspire its audiences to get involved in their communities, provide the resources and education to get the job done and celebrate the impact they're making every day.



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About Plan International

Plan International is one of the oldest and largest children's development organisations in the world. We work in 51 developing countries across Africa, Asia, and the Americas to promote child rights and lift millions of children out of poverty. Plan International is an independent organisation, with no religious, political, or governmental affiliations. In 2014, Plan International worked with 86,676 communities. Our work areas had a population of 164.9 million people - including 81.5 million children.

About Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon, now in its 36th year globally and 17th year in Asia, is one of the most globally recognized and widely distributed multimedia entertainment brands for kids and family. Creating surprising and playful entertainment experiences everywhere it goes, Nickelodeon has a portfolio that 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 450 million households in over 100 territories via more than 70 locally programmed channels and syndication. For more information about Nickelodeon in Asia, visit www.nick-asia.com.

Contacts:

Davinder Kumar

Global Media Manager, Plan International Headquarters, UK

Tel: + 44 (0)1483 733211, Mobile: + 44 (0)7773633835

Email: [...]

Skype: [...]

Loh Bi Feng

Viacom International Media Networks

Senior Executive, Communications, Asia

t: +65 6420 7154 m: +65 9002 9607

e: [...]

ABOUT VIMN ASIA PRESS
Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), is comprised of many of the world's most popular multimedia entertainment brands, including MTV, MTV LIVE HD, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Comedy Central, Paramount Channel, and more. Viacom brands are seen globally in more than 3.2 billion households in approximately 170 territories and 37 languages via more than 200 locally programmed and operated TV channels and more than 550 digital media and mobile TV properties. Keep up with VIMN news by visiting the VIMN PR Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/VIMN_PR. For more information about Viacom and its businesses, visit www.viacom.com, the Viacom blog at blog.viacom.com and Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/Viacom.

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Brazil's TV Cultura To Premiere "Winx Club" Season Six On Thursday 6th August 2015

The entertainment news blog Anime, Manga E TV is reporting the Winx-Tastic news that, following the premiere of the "Winx Club" movie "The Secret of the Lost Kingdom" on Friday 31st July 2015, the free-to-air Brazilian television network TV Cultura will start to premiere and show "Winx Club" ("O Clube das Winx") season six on Thursday 6th August 2015! Following the debut of the first episode of the sixth season of "Winx Club", TV Cultura will continue to air brand-new episodes from "Winx Club" season 6 weekdays at 5:30pm (17h30).


In season six of "Winx Club", called "Bloomix", the Trix are back and take over Cloud Tower and ally themselves with a new witch from Earth called Selina. Selina possesses a magical book called the Legendarium that can make myths and legends become real. In order to stop the both Trix and Selina, the Winx Club must achieve a new evolved transformation, and search for Eldora; the fairy godmother who is the only one who knows how the lock the evil book for good. "Winx Club" season six is co-produced by Nickelodeon and Rainbow S.r.l. "Winx Club" season six is comprised of 26 episodes.


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Power Rangers Take Flight At Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2015

For the first time ever, Saban's Power Rangers will be taking part in the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta! As one of the largest balloon festivals in the world, more than 500,000 spectators are expected to watch as hundreds of hot air balloons take to the skies during the four-day celebration, taking place between Thursday 6th and Sunday 9th August 2015.


Saban's Power Rangers will launch two brand-new "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" balloons at the festival's Night Glow event on Thursday evening at 9.15 pm. As the only brand with two balloons participating, the Power Rangers balloons have been designed in the likeness of the iconic Red and Pink "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" helmets!

Visitors of the festival will be able to watch the Power Rangers balloon team prep, inflate, launch and land the Powered Up balloons each day of the event. VIP guests will also be invited to attend a Power Rangers picnic on Friday afternoon, which will feature "Power Rangers Dino Charge" meet and greets, and themed giveaways. Also on Friday, fans can follow the balloons throughout the day on the Power Rangers Instagram (@PowerRangersPics) via the hashtag #RangersTakeFlight.

"The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is a weekend of non-stop family fun, which is a perfect fit for Saban's Power Rangers brand," said Gustavo Antonioni, Managing Director, Consumer Products EMEA at Saban Brands. "The "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" are a pop-culture phenomenon and we think fans of all ages are going to love seeing the larger-than-life Red and Pink Ranger balloons flying high in the sky."

"Power Rangers Super Megaforce" airs daily in the UK on POP at 8.30am and Kix at 12pm. The all-new season, "Power Rangers Dino Charge", debuts Monday 31st August 2015 at 7:30am on POP.

Source: Toys 'n' Playthings.
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Viacom Acquires 50% Stake in Indian Regional Networks

Original Viacom Inc. Press Release via Business Wire:

Viacom Acquires 50% Stake in Indian Regional Networks

July 31, 2015 07:47 AM Eastern Daylight Time

NEW YORK & MUMBAI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Viacom Inc. (Nasdaq: VIAB, VIA), today announced that it has acquired a 50% interest in Prism TV Private Limited for 9.4BN rupees (approximately $153M USD). Prism TV owns and operates regional entertainment channels in India, including ETV Marathi, ETV Kannada, ETV Bangla, ETV Oriya and ETV Gujarati, all of which were recently rebranded under the 'COLORS' umbrella.


The transaction was completed today between Nickelodeon Asia Holdings Pte Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Viacom Inc., and Shinano Retail Private Limited, a company effectively 100% owned by Reliance Industrial Investments and Holdings Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited. The parties received clearance from India's Foreign Investment Promotion Board earlier this month.

With this acquisition, Viacom Inc. will hold 50% of Prism TV and the remaining 50% interest will continue to be owned by the Network18 Group, Viacom's partner in the Viacom18 joint venture. Viacom18 is the fastest growing entertainment network in India, operating 10 channels including MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and COLORS, a leading Hindi general entertainment brand. The deal gives Viacom a significant presence in the fast growing regional TV sector in India, where almost 60% of the population of more than 1.2 billion people speak regional dialects as their first language. Collectively, regional TV stations account for the second largest share of viewing in the Indian market, behind only Hindi general entertainment channels.

Philippe Dauman, President and CEO of Viacom, said: "We're thrilled to be broadening our presence in one of the largest and fastest growing TV markets in the world, and deepening our already strong partnership with Network18. This acquisition is an important step in building on our leadership position in India, a key market in Viacom's international growth strategy."

A P Parigi, Group CEO Network18, said: "This acquisition by Viacom International Media Networks further strengthens the partnership with Network18 both in terms of depth and breadth. I am confident India will emerge as a global entertainment powerhouse in the year ahead."

Bob Bakish, President and CEO of Viacom International Media Networks, said: "Regional TV networks – and regional ad markets – are the next wave of growth in India. Having a strong national and broad regional presence gives us a powerful platform to launch additional brands, and introduce successful franchises and formats across India."

Sudhanshu Vats, Group CEO Viacom18, said: "This acquisition is a big milestone for Viacom & Network 18 and it showcases their combined conviction to build a powerful broadcast offering for the Indian market. We are delighted by the transaction and the next growth phase for the companies."

About Viacom

Viacom is home to premier global media brands that create compelling television programs, motion pictures, short-form video, apps, games, consumer products, social media and other entertainment content for audiences in more than 165 countries and territories. Viacom's media networks, including Nickelodeon, CMT, Nick Jr., TeenNick, Nicktoons, TV Land, Nick at Nite, MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, SPIKE, Logo, BET, CENTRIC, Channel 5 (UK), Tr3s, Paramount Channel and VIVA, reach a cumulative 3.2 billion television subscribers worldwide. Paramount Pictures is a major global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment. For more information about Viacom and its businesses, visit www.viacom.com. Keep up with Viacom news by following Viacom's blog at blog.viacom.com and Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/viacom.

About TV18

TV18 Broadcast Ltd operates news channels - CNBC-TV18, CNBC Awaaz, CNBC-TV18 Prime HD, CNBC Bajar, CNN-IBN, News18 India, IBN7 and IBN-Lokmat (a Marathi regional news channel in partnership with the Lokmat group). TV18 also operates a joint venture with Viacom, called Viacom18, which houses a portfolio of popular entertainment channels – Colors, Colors HD, MTV, SONIC, Comedy Central, VH1, Nick. Nick Jr. and Nick Teen - and Viacom18 Motion Pictures, the group's filmed entertainment business. TV18 has also forayed into the Indian factual entertainment space through A+E Networks | TV18 (a joint venture between A+E Networks and TV18 Broadcast) and operates HistoryTV18. TV18 and Viacom18 have also formed a strategic joint venture called IndiaCast, a multi-platform 'content asset monetization' entity mandated to drive domestic and international channels distribution, placement services and content syndication for the bouquet of channels from TV18, Viacom18 and other broadcasters.

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Nick Jr. USA Starts To Show "Winx Club" Season Six

Original Rainbow and Kilogrammedia Press Release via Licensing World:

Winx Club Is Back In The USA!


Winx Club - the magical Rainbow brand that is a smash-hit around the world - is set to return to U.S. screens with brand-new episodes beginning August 3 on the Nick Jr. channel!

Winx Club follows the adventures of a group of young fairies, and combines action and adventure with comedy. The combination of family-friendly storylines, fashionable themes and beautiful animation has captured the hearts of young girls across the world and led to a decade of dominance as one of the globe's most popular girls' properties.

Winx Club season 7 will also be rolling out on Nickelodeon channels internationally beginning this summer.

"We are delighted that, thanks to Nickelodeon, U.S. fans will once again be able to enjoy the magic of Winx Club," says Andrea Graciotti, Head of TV Sales at Rainbow. "Nickelodeon is the number-one brand for kids and I know they will do a fantastic job in showing Winx Club to both existing fans and those that are new to Winx Club!"

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Meet Butch Hartman, The Creator Of "Fairly OddParents", "Danny Phantom" And "T.U.F.F. Puppy!"

The Nickelodeon Animation Studio has unveiled a magical "Meet the..." video featuring a interview with Butch Hartman, the talented creator of Nickelodeon's popular original animated series (Nicktoons) "Fairly OddParents", "Danny Phantom", and "T.U.F.F. Puppy!" (aka "STUD Puppy!"), which you can watch in the super online streaming video clip below!:



In the interview, Butch talks his hit Nick shows, showcases his musical talent, shows off his magic skills and offers tips to aspiring creators on how to get started in the industry! There's also a first-look at Chloe, a potential brand-new character that may appear in "Fairly OddParents" season 10! (look out for the sneak peek at around 00:51 seconds)


Screenshot via Coonfoot Productions.

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Nickelodeon To Launch Teen Nick Channel And Nick App In Italy

Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Italy has extended its partnership with Sky Italia to further expand its range of channels and multimedia content on the Italian digital satellite service!


Under the new multi-year agreement between the two parties, Viacom will expand its portfolio further on Sky through the launch of two new pay channels: Teen Nick, a brand-new Nickelodeon-branded channel targeted towards teenagers that will launch towards the end of 2015, and MTV Next, a all-new MTV-branded channel featuring a strong interactive component, which launched on Saturday 1st August 2015 in the Entertainment area of the SKY EPG on channel number 133.

Financial details weren't disclosed.

The launches of TeenNick and MTV Next will complement VIMN Italy's kids and entertainment offerings on Sky Italy, which currently airs Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Comedy Central and MTV on its subscription based service. Sky Italy also recently closed a deal with Viacom to acquire Nuova Societa Televisiva Italiana, the company that operates a free-to-air MTV Italy channel, in an effort to further expand beyond its pay TV model.

As part of the partnership, Viacom will launch authenticated Nickelodeon and MTV branded apps in Italy in 2016, in which consumers will be able to watch content, play games and interact with their favourite characters and shows on a variety of devices. A selection of Viacom content will also be available on Sky On Demand and a number of its channels are expected to be launched on Sky Go in Italy by the end of the year.

Viacom International Media Networks will offer such services in Italy to meet the needs of its audience, especially young people, who are increasingly accessing content and interacting with their favourite programmes wherever they are through all kinds of devices*. Viacom International Media Networks, thanks to this partnership with Sky Italy, is expanding its portfolio of linear and non-linear channels in Italy to offer audiences even more!

Sources: Digital-News, World Screen, The Hollywood Reporter. Huge thanks to matteu21 for the news!
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