Friday, February 08, 2019

Nickelodeon USA to Premiere 'Power Rangers Beast Morphers' "Later this Spring"; Hasbro Partnering with Paramount for New 'Power Rangers' Movie

Hasbro today (Friday, February 8, 2019) confirmed during their Q4 2018 financial results investors call that Nickelodeon USA is set to premiere Power Rangers Beast Morphers, the latest season of the iconic Power Rangers franchise, "later this Spring"! Additionally, the global play and entertainment company, which acquired the Power Rangers franchise from Saban last year, revealed that they'll be releasing their Power Rangers Beast Morphers consumer product line during the second quarter of 2019, and that they're currently in talks with Paramount to make a second Power Rangers movie!


On the Power Rangers Beast Morphers TV series:

"In terms of Power Rangers, we are incredibly excited. We have our new series that will launch later this Spring called Beast Morphers, for Power Rangers. The product line is extensive. It has now been shown around the world at multiple toy fairs and retailers are very excited. Our consumer products teams are really stepping up behind that excitement, so this is a new original series. It's produced by the same team that produced Power Rangers before albeit with new energy and a connection between our teams and the original core Saban team, that's really just tremendous. We're incredibly excited. It will launch in North America in Q2 and then launches in the rest of the world throughout the remainder of the year. So it's a rollout, obviously English-speaking territories before it goes to translated territories, in terms of language."

"We have a great partnership with Nickelodeon and we have a commitment from them. Great new leadership at Nickelodeon with Ryan Robbins and the team, and Bob Bakish has been incredibly supportive of our efforts there and also our efforts at Paramount parenthetically where we would produce the movie alongside our relationship with Transformers and other films. So they have a great team there and we feel very strong with our opportunity to work with them and build this brand together."

On the movie plans and beyond:

The 2020 plans and beyond are even more robust because we get it for a full year and then we do intend to add a movie to the mix in the next few years and so. Again, we will build this brand. This brand had been far bigger in the past than what it was at present and we feel like there is a lot of opportunity. It reminds me of a lot of the early days of some of our Hasbro brands where we looked at how big they have been in their history and asked ourselves how big could we make this in the future. We believe in the power and potential of Power Rangers.

Hasbro originally announced plans for the new Power Rangers movie during an investors call in August 2018.

2017’s Saban’s Power Rangers movie follows five ordinary teens who must become something extraordinary when they learn that their small town of Angel Grove – and the world- is on the verge of being obliterated by an alien threat. Chosen by destiny, our heroes quickly discover they are the only ones who can save the planet. But to do so, they will have to overcome their real-life issues and before it’s too late, band together as the Power Rangers. The film brought in $142 million worldwide and starred Dacre Montgomery, Naomi Scott, RJ Cyler, Ludi Lin and Becky G as the five Rangers, with Elizabeth Banks as Rita Repulsa, Bryan Cranston as the voice of Zordon, and Bill Hader as the voice of Alpha 5.

Hasbro is best known for working with Paramount to produce all of the recent Transformers movies, including Bumblebee, which released in December 2018. Hasbro has also granted Paramount Pictures major motion picture releases to franchises such as My Little Pony and G.I. Joe in recent years. The new Power Rangers movie also could also be released under the Nickelodeon Movies label, as both Nickelodeon and Paramount are owned by Viacom, and Nickelodeon airs the Power Rangers series.

No further information was revealed, so at the moment we don't know when the movie could be releasing (likely no sooner than 2021) and at this time, is not publicly confirmed whether or not the movie will be a sequel to Lionsgate’s feature film released in 2017, or a reboot the movie franchise entirely. Hasbro could choose to find success by rebooting the movie franchise entirely – with a new cast, new suit designs, new Zords, and more. Although, the further we get from the 2017 movie the harder and less practical it becomes to get that cast back together.

Fans will have to stay tuned to find out exactly what Hasbro has planned for Power Rangers on the big screen in conjunction with their plans for Power Rangers Beast Morphers – the 26th season of Power Rangers premiering on Nickelodeon in 2019.

Hasbro recently acquired the Power Rangers property in full from Saban Brands for $522 million in early May 2018.

The Power Rangers are going full on “beast mode” with its 26th season of Power Rangers Beast Morphers, which releases on Nickelodeon in 2019. Featuring an all-new cast of heroes and villains, Power Rangers Beast Morphers will expand the Power Rangers universe with tactical leather suits, ‘Beast Bot’ sidekicks and elevated battle footage.

Set in the future, a secret agency combines a newly discovered substance called “Morph-X” with animal DNA to create the Power Rangers Beast Morphers team. The Rangers must fight off an evil sentient computer virus named Evox which is bent on taking over the source of all Ranger power, the Morphin Grid itself. Only one fighting force can come together and stop Evox once and for all: the three new Beast Morpher Power Rangers and their Beast Bot sidekicks! Featuring never-before-seen leather suits and an all-new beast-themed arsenal (including dynamic new Zords), fans should get ready for a season full of secret ops and morphinominal fun!



Power Rangers Beast Morphers will star Rorrie Travis as Devon / Red Ranger, Jacqueline Scislowski as Zoey / Yellow Ranger, Jasmeet Baduwalia as Ravi / Blue Ranger, Abraham Rodriguez as Nate, Colby Strong as Blaze, Cosme Flores as Ben, Kristina Ho as Betty, Liana Ramirez as Roxy.

For the first time ever, each of the Power Rangers will have their own sidekick in Power Rangers Beast Morphers! The Beast Bots are the lovable sidekicks that will aid the Rangers in the quest to defeat Earth’s evildoers.

- The Red Ranger’s Beast Bot will be a Cheetah named Cruise.
- The Blue Ranger’s Beast Bot will be a Gorilla named Smash.
- The Yellow Ranger’s Beast Bot will be a Jackrabbit named Jax.


Power Rangers Beast Morphers will use footage from the 2012 Super Sentai series Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters (the 36th season overall).

Connect with Power Rangers: powerrangers.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

More Nick: nWay Announces 'Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid'; Feature Rangers Vs. Villains Team Combat Across Multiple Gaming Platforms!

Originally published: Thursday, February 7, 2019 at 12:10am GMT.

Sources: Cosmic Book News, Power Rangers NOW, Comic Book.
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Nickelodeon USA to Premiere Third Seasons of 'Crashletes' and 'The Dude Perfect Show' in February 2019

Nickelodeon USA has announced the exciting news that they'll be premiering the action-packed third seasons of the viral sports clip series Crashletes and comedy-sport series The Dude Perfect Show in February 2019!


With even more outrageous sports moments and a superstar lineup of guest commentators, the new season of Crashletes will premiere on Nick on Sunday, Feb. 3, at 12:45 p.m. (ET/PT), following the brand-new Double Dare at Super Bowl special at 12:00 p.m. (ET/PT)!


In the premiere episode, Los Angeles Rams star running back Todd Gurley tests out the show’s new app, “Instaslam,” and checks out very costly crashes in the brand-new viral clip category, “High-Priced Crashletes.” Click here for a sneak-peek on ThePostGame.com!

Throughout the season, co-hosts Brandon Broady and Stevie Nelson will be joined by a guest athlete in each episode who will help provide in-depth analysis of viral sports bloopers, blunders and absurdities.

Fan-favorite viral clip categories returning this season include: “Synchronized Stinking,” a celebration of our favorite pairs of Crashletes who fail together; “Friday Night Cat Fights,” when cats show off their fighting skills; and more. Brand-new categories include: “Ball of the Wild,” when animals take athleticism to new heights, and “Crashletes Cucumbers,” where athletes remain incredibly cool under the pressure of a fail.

Celebrity athletes making appearances throughout the season are: Ryan Blaney (NASCAR), Dustin Brown (Los Angeles Kings), Brandi Chastain (former USA Soccer player), Skylar Diggins-Smith (Dallas Wings-WNBA, Little Ballers), Prince Fielder (former MLB player), Jessie Graff (professional stunt woman), Tony Hawk (professional skateboarder), Laurie Hernandez (Olympic gold medal gymnast), Melvin Ingram (Los Angeles Chargers), DeAndre Jordan (Dallas Mavericks), Gus Kenworthy (Olympic silver medalist skier), Becky Lynch (WWE), The Miz (WWE), Candace Parker (Los Angeles Sparks-WNBA), Ryan Sheckler (professional skateboarder), Bubba Wallace (NASCAR), DeMarcus Ware (former NFL player) and Shaun White (professional snowboarder).

Featuring unbelievable stunts and adrenaline-inducing challenges, The Dude Perfect Show will premiere on Friday, Feb. 8, at 7:30 p.m. (ET/PT)!


In the premiere episode, the Dudes take rocket technology, and themselves, to new heights as they challenge each other to develop alternate uses for rockets, and later create their own “Sport of the Future” that is played in the air.

The new season will showcase the guys’ “Go Big” mantra in their unique world of sports stunts, crazy competitions and the all-out hilarious friendship between best friends Tyler Toney, Cody Jones, Garrett Hilbert, twins Coby and Cory Cotton, and their beloved panda mascot. Episodes will take a behind-the-scenes look as the Dudes dream up their next viral video, prep wacky battles and create hilarity in their headquarters in Dallas, Texas.

This season, viewers will see the Dudes continue to push themselves even harder as they attempt a challenging trick shot using a giant RC plane, build the ultimate State Fair game experience, take on some requests from their fans, create an action movie trailer, and attempt one of their most incredible stunts ever, a Bungee Jump Dunk!

Special guests Daniella Perkins and Owen Joyner from Nickelodeon's hit comedy Knight Squad also join the Dudes for an episode to challenge them to create the ultimate trick shot Escape Room!

Crashletes and The Dude Perfect Show will continue to air regularly back to back in an hour-long sports programming block on Fridays at 7 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon. Both shows are created by Rob Dyrdek and Shane Nickerson of Superjacket Productions (Ridiculousness, Fantasy Factory).

Crashletes Sneak Peek Clip featuring LA Rams’ Todd Gurley via Kidzworld:



‘Crashletes’ Season 3 [HD] Official Promo w/ Double Dare at Super Bowl LIII 🏟🏈 Next Sunday on Nick








More Nick: Nickelodeon USA's February 2019 Premiere Highlights!

Originally published: Friday, January 25, 2019.
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Jace Norman REACTS to Henry Danger Scenes! ðŸĪŠ | #TBT | Nickelodeon

Jace Norman REACTS to Henry Danger Scenes! ðŸĪŠ | #TBT



Jace Norman (Henry Hart) reacts to some hilarious scenes from Henry Danger and shares what happened behind the scenes and more! What are some of your favorite moments in Henry Danger? Tell me in the comments!

What do you want Jace to react to next?! ðŸ’Ŋ🙌 Let Nick know in the comments on YouTube, and make sure to catch more Henry Danger on Nickelodeon!

More Nick: Nickelodeon USA's February 2019 Premiere Highlights!
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Arthur the Pig Nails His Audition! 🐷 | Cousins for Life | Nickelodeon

Arthur the Pig Nails His Audition! 🐷 | Cousins for Life | Nick



Looks like Arthur might become a PIG deal soon on Cousins for Life. Stuart (Dallas Dupree Young) & Ivy (Scarlet Spencer) team up to pitch their pig Arthur (Sally Sue) as the next big star, take on the biggest carnival ride they can find, and teach a lesson on sea turtles! Catch all of these amazing moments and more on Cousins for Life on Nick!

More Nick: Nickelodeon USA's February 2019 Premiere Highlights!
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Creddie or Seddie? 💘 iCarly | Ep. 2 | Nick Love Story | Nickelodeon

Creddie or Seddie? 💘 iCarly | Ep. 2 | Nick Love Story



Discover the origin story of Creddie and Seddie! 💘 Which couple do you ship? Vote in the poll and let me know how you voted in the comments below!

Miss episode 1 of Nick Love Story? Watch it here!: http://nickalive.blogspot.com/2019/02/why-fremmer-is-forever-ep-1-nick-love.html

Watch more of your favorite shows on Nickelodeon!

Are you TEAM CREDDIE or TEAM SEDDIE? 💜

SpongeBob SquarePants | SpongeBob Vs Crushes | Nickelodeon UK

SpongeBob SquarePants | SpongeBob Vs Crushes | Nickelodeon UK



What does SpongeBob think about love? SpongeBob's saying what we're all thinking!

Have a HART-ATTACK with Jace Norman, starts Monday 11th February 2019, only on Nickelodeon UK & Ireland!

More Nick: Nickelodeon UK Announces SLIMEFEST 2019!
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Pop Up Box w/ Valentine’s Day Surprises Ft. PAW Patrol, Butterbean, Blaze & More! | Nick Jr.

Pop Up Box w/ Valentine’s Day Surprises Ft. PAW Patrol, Butterbean, Blaze & More! | Nick Jr.



There are lots of sweet Valentine’s Day surprises in store for your Nick Jr. fan when they take a look inside our pop up box! You can find more of your kid’s favorite shows, weekday mornings on Nickelodeon and everywhere you find Nick Jr.

Super cool surprises pop out of our Nick Jr. Valentine’s Day box including a Butterbean-inspired paper cake tower! When you take a closer look inside of this box, you can get Valentine’s Day DIY card ideas including a spinning card featuring Blaze; a magical disappearing card for your Shimmer and Shine fan; and cute slider cards featuring Abby Hatcher and PAW Patrol. There’s even super simple Valentines with PAW Patrol, Butterbean, Blaze, Top Wing, and Shimmer and Shine themed messages. There are so many special Valentine’s Day ideas, you're going to want to make them all! Before getting started, watch an extended bonus clip from Abby Hatcher included after the pop up box video!

Kids can watch their favorite Nick Jr. shows weekdays on Nickelodeon and all week long on the Nick Jr. channel: http://nickjr.com/tvschedule/

Visit nickjr.com/valentines-day/ and the Nick Jr. App for more Valentine's Day videos and games!

Preschoolers can watch full episodes online, play games, and discover silly surprises in the free Nick Jr. App and at NickJr.com. Stream Nick Jr. for free in the Nick Jr. App on Roku and Apple TV or download full episodes for offline viewing on iTunes or Google Play.

You can also download premium apps featuring your child's favorite Nick Jr. shows on iTunes, Google Play, and Amazon, including Nick Jr. Draw and Play and Nick Jr. Let’s Learn!

More Nick: Nickelodeon USA's February 2019 Premiere Highlights!
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We’re Ready! ðŸŽķ Get Down Granny! ðŸŽķ | READY SET DANCE | Nick Jr. Australia

We’re Ready! ðŸŽķ | READY SET DANCE | Nick Jr.



Jump up everybody! It’s time to get your body moving & grooving with Freeze and Twirl dance moves! The READY SET DANCE kid crew is ready to dance to all the best music. Get ready to dance a long with the READY SET DANCE Kid Crew. ðŸŽķ

LYRICS:
Let’s twist, twist now
Criss cross, crossing crossing in and out
Let’s Run, with high knees
Shake it off

TWIRL with twirl

and FREEZE with freeze
5,6,7,8
Everybody everywhere
Raise your hands up in the air
Now we’re ready and we’re set to
Dance! (Ready set dance, Ready set dance)
Every boy and every girl
Everywhere around the world
We’re all ready, we’re all set to
Dance! (Ready set dance, Ready set dance)

Get Down Granny! ðŸŽķ | READY SET DANCE | Nick Jr.



Shhh, Granny is sleeping! But she just might jump up and raise the roof for Freeze and Twirl and the READY SET DANCE Kid Crew.

LYRICS:
Verse 1
Granny’s sleeping
Shhhh, Shhhh


Tip-toe creeping
‘cause if granny wakes up


Chorus 1
Ahhhhhhhh
Raise the roof Granny
Raise the roof Granny
Shake it shake Granny
Shake it shake Granny
Jump around jump
Jump around Granny
Get down Granny
Get down Granny
Granny get down


Verse 2
Granny’s sleeping
Shhhh, Shhhh

Tip-toe creeping
‘cause if granny wakes up

Chorus 2
Ahhhhhhhh
Raise the roof Granny
Raise the roof Granny
Shake it shake Granny
Shake it shake Granny
Jump around jump
Jump around Granny
Get down Granny
Get down Granny
Granny get down


Spoken
F: Granny’s getting groovy
T: Granny’s taking a chance
F: Let’s get down with Granny
T: Come on
F+T: Ready Set Dance


Chorus 3
Ahhhhhhh
Raise the roof Granny
Raise the roof Granny
Shake it shake Granny
Shake it shake Granny
Jump around jump
Jump around Granny
Get down Granny
Get down Granny
Granny….

Raise the roof Granny
Raise the roof Granny
Shake it shake Granny
Shake it shake Granny
Jump around jump
Jump around Granny
Get down Granny
Get down Granny
Granny get down

COMIC KICKER
(spoken)

T: Now that is dance school… (spoken like an old granny)
F: Cool
[laughs]

Watch more READY SET DANCE on Nick Jr. Australia! Visit nickjr.com.au and the Nick Jr. Play app for more READY SET DANCE!

More Nick: Nick Jr. Australia Commissions New Dance Series 'Ready Set Dance'!
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I'm With Cupid | Valentine's Day Marathon! | Thursday at 4pm E/P! | YTV

I'm With Cupid | Valentine's Day Marathon! | Thursday at 4pm E/P!



It's Valentine's Day! And YTV is celebrating with all your favourites! So grab your red roses, heart shaped candies and your valentine and join YTV for a hearty helping of Valentine's Day fun! It's I'm With Cupid! Thursday, February 14 starting at 4pm E/P!

Featuring: The Thundermans, SpongeBob SquarePants, The Loud House, Henry Danger, Knight Squad, Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn and more!

More YTV: YTV Asks Fans To "Keep It Weird" As Channel Fetes 30th Anniversary!
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Viacom CFO Wade Davis on Cheddar - 2/5/2019 | Viacom

Viacom CFO Wade Davis on Cheddar - 2/5/2019



Viacom CFO Wade Davis appeared on Cheddar following Viacom's release of its first-quarter fiscal 2019 earnings. He discussed the growing revenue streams that Viacom has manufactured outside of its core business, the immeasurable unlocked value of the company’s content library, the importance of creating more value for distributors, and the game-changing pending acquisition of Pluto TV – the largest free streaming television service in the United States.

More Nick: Nickelodeon and Netflix Sign Original Animated Film Deal; Announces 'Rise of the TMNT' and 'The Loud House' Movies!
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Spin Master | 20th Anniversary Documentary

Spin Master | 20th Anniversary Documentary



To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Spin Master, and to recognize our relentless drive to push the boundaries of innovation, creativity, and fun, we created this documentary looking back at our exciting journey.

Spin Master was founded in 1994 by two childhood friends, Ronnen Harary and Anton Rabie, soon after graduation from The University of Western Ontario. Ben Varadi, a classmate of Anton's from The University of Western Ontario's Richard Ivey School of business, joined the Company subsequently in 1994.

Spin Master has achieved significant growth over the past two decades, transforming itself from a small, single-product toy company into a leading global, diversified, multi-platform and highly innovative children's entertainment company. The business has progressed through key stages, from start-up growth, building the base, Bakugan growth, refocusing to diversified growth, and now operating across all toy industry super categories.

In 1998, Spin Master launched its Air Hogs brand, the first products designed to be easily flown by children and required limited assembly. The brand came to the company from two British inventors based on an innovative design involving a miniature engine powered by compressed air. Air Hogs has come to represent affordable, technologically-advanced, and innovative vehicles with hobby-grade remote control performance, designed and priced for the mass market.

From 2002 - 2007, Spin Master expanded its international footprint, establishing sales and distribution offices across western Europe. The company also opened its Los Angeles marketing and design hub, allowing the company to access deep local toy design, marketing, and engineering talent. During this time of growth, Spin Master made its first significant acquisition, acquiring X-Concepts, Inc, maker of Tech Deck. This growth allowed expansion of the company's licensing capabilities and relationships with major entertainment companies. In late 2007, Spin Master launched the most successful product in its history, Bakugan. The Bakugan brand started out as an inventor's sketch of a ball that could be opened up to reveal a character inside. The brand immediately attracted a large following among five to ten-year old boys and the richness of the Bakugan characters, story and game play provided Spin Master the opportunity to extend the brand with the co-development of a global animated television series.

But as Bakugan approached the end of its product lifecycle and the company experienced a significant decline in sales, it needed to take swift action to rightsize the business, and reorganize and reduce operating risk. The roles of its founders were refined, and the company strategically complemented its executive management team with the addition of executives, including a new Global President and Chief Operating Officer, Ben Gadbois. These swift actions put Spin Master back on course for growth.

Today, the company has resumed its history of growth, with a renewed focus on diversification and increased operational and financial discipline. It has expanded into a number of new toy categories, organically and through acquisitions. The company's acquisition of Spy Gear expanded the company's offering in boys action and outdoor toys; the acquisition of Meccano provided an entry into the building sets category; and, the acquisition of Cardinal Games has made Spin Master the #2 manufacturer in the games & puzzles category in North America.

In July 2015, Spin Master completed its public offering and began trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Since 2000, Spin Master has received 103 Toy of The Year (TOTY) nominations with 28 wins across a variety of product categories, including 13 TOTY nominations for Innovative Toy of the Year, more than any of its competitors. Spin Master has been nominated for more Innovative TOTY awards than any other toy company.

The company's continued investment and support of its entertainment division has also yielded meaningful results. To date, Spin Master has produced six television series, including the 2007 success, Bakugan Battle Brawlers, and current hit PAW Patrol, which is broadcast in over 160 countries and territories globally.

When Spin Master began to chart its course in the children's entertainment industry, the founders recognized that in order to compete successfully with the established brands of larger companies, they had to design and market innovative products that would "wow" consumers and disrupt the traditional toy market. With the inspiration of its founders, who remain actively engaged in the business, Spin Master has maintained a deeply rooted culture of creativity, partnership, and passion.

Pushing the boundaries of innovation, creativity, and fun!

Happy anniversary, Spin Master! :)

Watch PAW Patrol, Rusty Rivets and Abby Hatcher on Nickelodeon!

Visit spinmaster.com for more information about Spin Master.

Spin Master Melds Story, Character, Play in TV Show 'Abby Hatcher'

Spin Master melds story, character, play in TV show 'Abby Hatcher'


Ronnen Harary, co-founder and co-CEO of the Spin Master toy and entertainment company, poses for a photograph at their office in Toronto on Tuesday, January 29, 2019. Nathan Denette / THE CANADIAN PRESS

TORONTO — “Aspirational” is a word that comes up often as Spin Master co-founder Ronnen Harary describes the spunky lead character of his company’s latest preschool TV series Abby Hatcher.

Along with original stories, it’s a quality writers strive for because “if the characters are aspirational, there’s a chance that potentially the kids will want to buy some merchandise and some toys.”

That realization helped turned Spin Master’s other preschool series Paw Patrol into a licensing and programming juggernaut, and Harary would love a repeat with Abby Hatcher.

That’s aspirational, too.

“We’re about play and storytelling,” Harary told the Financial Post during a recent interview at Spin Master’s airy, light-filled downtown offices, where boxed toys greet visitors in the lobby and giant plush Chase and Skye dolls from Paw Patrol nestle into auditorium seats overlooking the cafeteria.

“At the end of the day it’s the love of the characters, and potentially how the characters emote and how the characters interact on the show that can translate well in the physical play. That’s the marriage of the two.”

Spin Master’s origins as a toy company in 1994 positioned it well to expand into digital and TV content over the past dozen years, says Harary, crediting that early focus on making toys kids like with the ability to hone a sense of shows kids watch.

And while toys can influence program development, the TV hits boost toy lines, adds Jennifer Dodge, executive vice president of Spin Master Entertainment.

“At Spin Master we have a very special situation,” acknowledges Dodge, who joined Spin Master in 2009, but left briefly in 2015 to head preschool programming at Nickelodeon for two years.

“When you marry the knowledge of what children love from a storytelling and a character standpoint with what they want to play with, it gives you the maximum amount of knowledge you need to go out and build a world of stories that are really going to resonate with children.”

A few blocks from Spin Master’s headquarters, actor Macy Drouin erupts in coos while watching spritely animated creatures bound onscreen at Abby Hatcher's audio production studio, Vapor Music.

The 13-year-old voice lead has seen them countless times but says she genuinely adores the so-called Fuzzlies, who are the trouble-prone pals to her title character.

“Oh, he’s so cute,” Drouin squeals when one of her favourites (they’re all her favourite) appears. “I get goosebumps every time!”

Drouin says she wouldn’t mind voicing her seven-year-old heroine for a few more years.

Even though she’s well beyond the target demographic, Drouin admits she and her friends are also fans of Paw Patrol, which they watch with her friend’s little brother.

For those who’ve escaped the grip Paw Patrol holds on many households with young children, the show centres on a 10-year-old boy and his pack of rescue dogs, each of whom have special abilities and cool vehicles. They include Marshall the firefighting Dalmatian, Chase the German shepherd police dog and Skye, the cocker spaniel pilot.

In addition to reaching beyond the traditional preschool demographic, Harary says he’s been surprised by data that suggests Paw Patrol is equally appealing to boys and girls.

Still, when Rob Hoegee pitched Abby Hatcher as a humour-filled series led by a courageous and caring girl, Spin Master saw a chance to add “a girl-oriented” show to their roster, which also includes the boy-led Rusty Rivets.

Early data on Abby Hatcher, which premiered Jan. 1 on Nickelodeon in the United States and debuts in Canada on Monday, February 11th on TVO and Knowledge, suggests the series is subverting gender expectations, too, says Harary: “Actually, more boys are watching the show than girls, which is completely fascinating.”

Again, he credits that to the fact Abby “does really interesting, cool things” and is “aspirational.”

“We’re not a research-heavy company. We’re more of an art, intuitive-based company,” adds Harary.

Abby Hatcher has been in development for close to four years to nail down the writing, cast, animation, music and direction.

“It’s not just like, ‘Oh, they kind of look like a toy so then they’re going to work,”' he says, agreeing that the Fuzzlies seem like obvious toys. “It’s much deeper, it’s much more complex.”

But of course, Abby-themed toys are on the horizon. Harary says plushies will likely land at the end of the year, and more products are on deck for 2020.

Harary is also bullish on the recent re-launch of the Bakugan toy line and TV show, and continued growth for Paw Patrol, which hits TV Tokyo in April.

“It’s the first North American preschool show to come to Japan in over 10 years,” he boasts of the series, seen in Canada on Netflix and the provincial broadcasters TVO, B.C.’s Knowledge, City Saskatchewan, and Tele-Quebec, and on Nickelodeon channels globally.

Dodge touts Spin Master’s holistic approach to kids entertainment as unique but also necessary for a generation of digital natives whose play patterns blur regularly with their computer, mobile and TV screen habits.

“Today, our audience really doesn’t differentiate between physical product and what they have on the screen. If you love a character and a world, you want to experience it on every level and that could be passively by watching a story on television or on your iPad,” she says.

“It could be more active by using an app and exploring that world digitally. Or it could be more physically where you’re building out that play yourself and taking the power in your own hands.”

Abby Hatcher airs regularly on Nickelodeon USA and premieres in Canada on Monday, February 11, 2019 on TVO and Knowledge Network at 7:57am. PAW Patrol and Rusty Rivets airs regularly on Nickelodeon channels worldwide. Abby Hatcher will roll out on Nickelodeon’s international channels and branded blocks throughout 2019.

More Nick: Nickelodeon USA Premieres 'Abby Hatcher'!
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Nickelodeon To Develop Norman Lear Animated Project, 'Man of the House' [Updated: 2/8/19]

Originally published: Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Update (8/2/19): The New York Post is reporting that Nickelodeon has put the Man of the House project on hold for now. Please note that this is currently unconfirmed, however, it is attached to a article featuring an interview with Leer.

Official Nickelodeon USA Press Release:

NICKELODEON TO DEVELOP NORMAN LEAR ANIMATED PROJECT, "MAN OF THE HOUSE"


Claudia Spinelli to Oversee Project as Newly Appointed Vice President of Animation Development at Nickelodeon



BURBANK, Calif.--May 23, 2018--Nickelodeon today announced the development of a new animated project, Man of the House (working title), from Norman Lear's ACT III Productions. With creative concept by Colombian-American writer and illustrator Michael Molina (Trivia Night), Man of the House follows 11-year-old JosÃĐ as he helps his mother Maria watch over his two younger siblings, Maria Juliana (Maju) and Diego, while trying to form a hip-hop group with his quirky classmate and neighbor, Wilbur, that lives downstairs. Lear (All in the Family, The Jeffersons) and Brent Miller (One Day at a Time) will serve as executive producers.

The development of Norman Lear's project will be overseen by Claudia Spinelli, who has been promoted to the role of Vice President, Animation Development. Formerly Vice President of Current Series, Spinelli will oversee the development pipeline of all new animated content, while identifying potential creators, showrunners, writers and directors. She will also work closely with Nickelodeon's talent relations department and the animation community to scout new talent for animation development.


"Norman has been telling stories about families, parents and kids for many years, and it's so exciting that he and his producing partners Brent and Michael, want to tell this story to today's generation of Nick kids," said Chris Viscardi, Senior Vice President, Nickelodeon Animation.

Viscardi continued, "I am also incredibly excited that Claudia will oversee the development of this project, among many more, as Nick's new head of development. Claudia has shepherded some of today's most popular series including SpongeBob Square Pants and Sanjay and Craig. She is a true creative partner and a trusted voice with a love for storytelling. I look forward to her continued leadership in our animation group."

Spinelli began her career at Nickelodeon in 2000 in the development department. In 2002, she expanded her role by joining the Current Series group as a creative executive overseeing the brand management of SpongeBob SquarePants, The Fairly OddParents, Jimmy Neutron and Avatar. Throughout her career at Nickelodeon, she has also worked on animated shows Sanjay and Craig, Robot and Monster, Making Fiends, and Planet Sheen, among others. As SpongeBob SquarePants grew in popularity, Spinelli was elevated to Executive in Charge of the series in 2007. For the past decade, her work on SpongeBob SquarePants has extended beyond the show as she has helped initiate projects throughout other areas of the company including: marketing partnerships with Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade; SpongeBob SquarePants theme park attractions; video games featuring the iconic character; and the most recent debut of SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical, which was recently nominated for 12 Tony Awards.

Spinelli holds a BFA in film from New York University. She also earned an MFA in Animation and Digital Arts from University of Southern California, where later she taught a class on Introductory Principles of Motion for Animation for the Interactive Media Department. In between her degrees, Spinelli has held a number of positions in various animation houses in New York City on commercials and short films.

Founded in 1985 by television icon Norman Lear, ACT III Productions is a media company dedicated to creating and or producing content that not only entertains, but also creates a conversation and is best known for producing popular films including Stand by Me, The Princess Bride and Fried Green Tomatoes.

Brent Miller, Lear's producing partner and head of production and development for the company, also serves as an executive producer with Lear on projects including the critically acclaimed reimagining of One Day at a Time, documentary series America Divided, and upcoming pilot Guess Who Died.

After graduating from Columbia University in New York City, Michael Molina produced sketch videos and feature film, Trivia Night, with comedy troupe Local Empire before relocating to Los Angeles. Molina has also written educational animated TED talks that have garnered millions of views online, covering topics ranging from dÃĐjà vu to vampires.

Nickelodeon, now in its 39th 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, digital, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 90 million households and has been the number-one-rated kids' basic cable network for 22 consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB).

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Via TheFutonCritic.com; Additional sources: Wikipedia, IndieWire; H/T: TVKIDS.
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