Sunday, August 02, 2020

Nickelodeon Africa Encourages Literacy for Kids with New 'Nickelodeon’s Let’s Read!' Mandela Day Special

Official Nickelodeon Africa press release:

NICKELODEON ENCOURAGES LITERACY FOR KIDS ON MANDELA DAY

NICKELODEON’S LETS READ!
A MANDELA DAY SPECIAL IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GAUTENG DEPARTMENT OF SPORT, ARTS, CULTURE AND RECREATION


Johannesburg, July 09 2020 – ViacomCBS Networks Africa’s kids channel, Nickelodeon Africa has partnered with the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation in support of The Nelson Mandela Day and five inspirational young authors to curate a fun and interactive Nickelodeon’s Let’s Read! Special. The show aims to encourage a love of reading and writing amongst kids. Our talented young authors include Buhle Mthethwa (12 yrs old), Michelle Nkamankeng (11 yrs old), Ngcali Metu (11 yrs old), Prince Mashawana (8 yrs old) and Lelo Mofokeng (11 yrs old).

The MEC for the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Ms Mbali Hlophe highlights the importance of harnessing a sense of creativity & literacy in schools, particularly for young children. “To secure a bright future and progressive community, we must make a positive impact on the lives of children, invest in literacy skills and spark their thinking at preliminary stages when their minds can be nurtured, this special goes a long way in making a significant difference to our future leaders and authors,” says MEC Hlophe.

The MEC added that the Department’s plans are nothing if they do not make room for young creatives, and they continue to work with all talents, including kid authors who will read excerpts of their published work. “The partnership with Nickelodeon Africa is crucial as it is in line with the Department’s Born to Read program aimed at inculcating the culture of reading in children, by also encouraging expectant mothers to read to their kids during pregnancy,” added MEC Hlophe.


The young authors, who are backed by the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation will showcase excerpts of their published works while key aspects are animated on screen by local animators.

South African singer, actress and television presenter, Nandi Madida will host the show. She will be joined by Bothlale Boikanyo a young poet and singer, who will expand on key themes from each young author’s work and relate these themes to Mandela’s life story and lessons.

Tasania Parsadh, Nickelodeon Africa Channel Director at ViacomCBS Networks Africa said, “Tata Madiba was passionate about education and was an avid reader throughout his life. The value of literacy in schools is of national importance, especially during these unprecedented times. While Nickelodeon makes the world a more playful place, reading drives creativity and expands kids and adults’ imaginations. We are excited to showcase these young authors and hope to inspire a culture of literacy in all kids.”

“Reading is a powerful tool for our youth as it offers a child from any background the opportunity to escape their reality and be a part of a new world when reading a book, not only that but it also allows one to interpret and to contribute to the stories in the book, encouraging creativity which is an important skill to have in life. No matter what class, culture, race or social standing you’re in. You are afforded an opportunity to read. As a mother I want to encourage my children to know and appreciate the power and beauty of literacy.” concluded Nandi Madida.

The special will focus on encouraging literacy amongst kids and will also include interactive arts and crafts tutorials, dance and music performances and a special “Wash your Hands” song using the popular Baby Shark song and character, who is now part pf the Nickelodeon family. The show will broadcast on NickToons (DStv channel 308) Saturday, 18 July at 11:30 CAT, 15:30 CAT and 20:30 CAT and on Sunday, 19 July at 07:40 CAT.

Nickelodeon’s Let’s Read! Special by Nickelodeon and Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation is supported by 94.7.


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The special also features Nickelodeon superstar and social media phenomenon JoJo Siwa!


From Sandton Chronicle:

Eight-year-old superhero wants to build a South Africa of readers and writers.


Lively superhero SuperMash loves reading himself, he already has his own comic book out for kids to enjoy.

“South Africa needs to get kids to read more and we need to build the confidence in young kids to start writing and publishing from a young age.”

Mzansi’s favourite child superhero, SuperMash, has launched a new campaign to help build more authors and make reading fun and cool for the youth.

Partnering up with Nickelodeon, Prince Mashawana believes that for our country to move forward and for the kids of the country to become the best that they can be, they need to read more. “South Africa needs to get kids to read more and we need to build the confidence in young kids to start writing and publishing from a young age,” he said.

He mentioned that even overseas children younger than him are already loving books. “I have seen children who are younger than me in the US and UK releasing their second and third books, while in South Africa many don’t even get the opportunity to release even one in their lifetime.”

To try make kids even more interested in reading, SuperMash and Nickelodeon did an inspiring segment on Mandela Day, 18 July, with media personality Nandi Madida. Four other young authors shared some content from their books with the Nickelodeon audience.

The ‘Let’s Read’ campaign has motivated many young children thus far and SuperMash plans to continue to build the momentum, “You have to start somewhere, I want kids to start reading and once a few kids make it cool to read everyone will follow. I am extremely excited to be one of those kids,” he said.

According to the Progress in International Reading Literacy (PIRLS) study which tested reading comprehension of learners in their fourth year of primary schooling, South Africa ranked last out of 50 countries. They found that that 78 per cent of South African learners at this level could not read for meaning. The eight-year-old boy wonder said that one solution won’t solve this issue alone, a multiple implementation concept is needed to rectify the statistics in South Africa in terms of reading.

More effort into promoting a culture of reading, encouraging parents to read to their children more, having a more effective link between South African languages, making books more accessible, promoting young authors in the country and improving education in terms of the process to publish a book.

“I know of a South African author based in KwaZulu-Natal who was in his teens when he released his first book. He came from humble beginnings, yet, he wrote an entire book on his smartphone. We need to celebrate the success of our kids more. South Africa, please celebrate and promote us more,” said the Bryanston resident.

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More Nick: MultiChoice and ViacomCBS Africa Launch Nick Jr. in Ethiopia!

Originally published: Thursday, July 09, 2020.

H/T: JustNje.

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August 2020 on Nick Jr. UK & Ireland: New 'PAW Patrol Dino Rescue' | New Bubble Guppies | Let’s Play | Underwater Week | Ricky Zoom Competition + More

There is lots of fun to be had with Nick Jr. UK & Ireland this summer!


Not only can your little one play along with their favourite Nick Jr. friends from 7am every day with ‘Let’s Play’, Nick Jr. also has ‘Underwater Week’ coming on the 24th of August, airing every weekday from 9-11am and 2-4pm every weekday, with new Bubble Guppies episodes and the chance to win Baby Shark prizes! And if you can’t wait to win… you can enter Nick Jr.'s prize draw for the chance to win a ZOOM-tastic Ricky Zoom prize bundle!

Plus, Nick Jr. are excited to announce that the PAW Patrol pups are going on an adventure of prehistoric proportions in brand new series Dino Rescue! Hitting your screens from the 31st of August at 5pm! Just scroll down to learn more…


- New PAW Patrol Coming Soon! The PAW Patrol pups are heading to Dino Land for brand new adventures in PAW Patrol Dino Rescue! And there is a brand-new pup, dinosaur expert Rex! You can learn more about Rex and have fun learning dinosaur facts with your little one in this colouring pack. [PRINT]

- WIN a Ricky Zoom prize bundle! It’s competition time, and this month Nick Jr. are giving away two amazing Ricky Zoom prize bundles courtesy of Argos, which include: 1 x Zoom Family Pack; 1 x DJ Pop & Go Playset; 1 x Loop Launch & Go Playset. Check your inbox for the latest Nick Jr. Fan Club newsletter! [Learn More]

- Let's Play Activity Hub!: Not only can your little one play along with Nick Jr. every day from 7am, you can also play online together! Get ready to get crafty next week and keep an eye out for even more Nick Jr. games, videos and activities! [PLAY]

- Join The Krusty Krab Crew: You can have patty-flippin’ family fun with the SpongeBob Challenge memory game, part of the kid skills available on the Amazon Echo and other Alexa-enabled devices! To enable the skill, simply say "Alexa, start SpongeBob Challenge”. [Learn More]

More Nick: Peppa Pig to Support Team GB for the Tokyo Olympics With 'Big Inspiration for Little Piggies' Campaign!
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Summer on Nick Jr. UK and Nickelodeon Preschool News and Highlights!

Slime Queen Karina Garcia Headlines Week of New 'Ryan's Mystery Playdate' Episodes, Beginning August 3 on Nickelodeon

Get set for a week of brand new episodes of Ryan's Mystery Playdate, weekdays at 10:30 a.m. (ET/PT) from Monday, August 3, only on Nickelodeon! Special guests include YouTube Slime Queen Karina Garcia!



Ryan's Mystery Playdate with Karina Garcia on Brand New Episodes on Nickelodeon!

This is a sneak peek of brand new episode of our show on Nickelodeon, Ryan's Mystery Playdate! We had an amazing guest in the episode and had a great playdate and fun challenge like spin art!!!

Monday, August 3, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. - Ryan's Artsy Playdate: Ryan's gotta make sure he can craft his way through his challenges so he can get to his designin' playdate. (#315A)

Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. - Ryan's Fiddlin’ Fun Playdate: Ryan must carry a note through his challenges in order to get to his tunin' playdate. (#315B)

Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. - Ryan's Builder Playdate: Ryan's gotta zoom through his challenges in order to get to his creative playdate. (#316A)

Thursday, August 6, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. - Ryan's Scientific Playdate: Ryan's gotta get through his challenge elements in order to get to his scientific playdate. (#316B)


More Nick: Nickelodeon Greenlights 'Ryan's Mystery Playdate' Season 4; Pocket.watch to Expand Show Globally
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LoFi Krabby Patty Remix ๐Ÿ” | SpongeBob SquarePants

LoFi Krabby Patty Remix ๐Ÿ” | SpongeBob SquarePants


Sit back and vibe to the beats and beauty of a Krabby Patty ๐Ÿ” ๐ŸŽถ

Watch SpongeBob SquarePants on Nickelodeon!

Check out the Nickelodeon Animation Studio online: Website | Facebook | Tumblr | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Listen to The SpongeBob Musical here!: https://spongebobmusical.blogspot.com

SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated is now available on PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch!

CALLING ALL GOOFY GOOBERS! (ROCK!) Are ya ready for a deep dive into the world of SpongeBob SquarePants? The SpongeBob YouTube channel is THE PLACE for all fan-favorite SpongeBob moments! We’re serving up everything from legendary scenes to remixes of classic songs to deep dives into Bikini Bottom lore. Be sure to check back every week for Music Mondays, Wumbo Wednesdays, and Flashback Fridays! Subscribe now at https://www.youtube.com/SpongeBobOfficial!

Shop SpongeBob!: https://www.spongebobshop.com - SpongeBob face masks now available, with ALL proceeds going to charity!

More Nick: CBS All Access to Premiere 'Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years' During Early 2021!
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Zusammen gegen Rassismus - Ein Nick Spezial | Moderiert von Alicia Keys | Nickelodeon Deutschland

Zusammen gegen Rassismus - Ein Nick Spezial | Moderiert von Alicia Keys | Nickelodeon Deutschland


More Nick: Nickelodeon GSA Orders 'Spotlight' Season 5!
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Summertime Sing Along w/ Bubble Guppies! | Nick Jr.

Summertime Sing Along w/ Bubble Guppies! | Nick Jr.


The Bubble Guppies soak up the sunshine and sing the "Summertime" song! They sing about all their favorite things about summer - the warm weather, eating ice cream, and going to the beach!

#Summertime #BubbleGuppies #NickJr

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

Subscribe to the official Blue’s Clues & You! YouTube channel! Subscribe today at https://at.nick.com/BCYSubscribe!

More Nick: Nickelodeon's Noggin App Opens 'Camp Noggin'
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What Did You Think of New 'All That' Episode '1129'? | Nickelodeon Fan Poll

What did you think of the brand new All That episode "1129"? Vote in the poll and sound off in the comments below!

Nickelodeon to Host 'Danger Force in Full Force' Week

It's Danger Force in Full Force on Nickelodeon! Tune into Nick all week at 8:00 p.m. (ET/PT) from Monday, August 3 to catch episodes Danger Force with power-packed extras, including fun facts and the inside scoop from the cast! It all leads up to the first-ever Danger Force Minisode, premiering Saturday, August 8:00 p.m. (ET/PT), only on Nick!


In the first ever Danger Force Minisode, "Secrets Revealed!," the gas cloud remains over Swellview as Mary the news anchor gets her own talk show, Gabbin’ With Gaperman. Brainstorm is set to be the first guest, but will he be able to keep Danger Force’s identities a secret once he is on television?


Make sure to subscribe to the brand-new Henry Danger YouTube channel! Up the (You)Tube!: https://at.nick.com/HenryDangerYouTube

More Nick: Jay Pharoah Hosts 'Nickelodeon’s Unfiltered' on Nick!
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon and Danger Force News and Highlights!

What Did You Think of 'Nickelodeon's Unfiltered' Episode 'Corgi Rock Party!'? | Nickelodeon Fan Poll

What did you think of the third episode of Nickelodeon's brand new virtually produced series, Nickelodeon's Unfiltered, "Corgi Rock Party!"? Vote in the poll and sound off in the comments below!

What Did You Think of the New 'Danger Force' Episode 'Chapa's Crush'? | Nickelodeon Fan Poll

What did you think of new Danger Force episode "Chapa's Crush"? Vote in the poll and sound off in the comments below!

Viral 'SpongeBob SquarePants' Anime Parody Trends Online After YouTube Strike

#SaveSpongeBobAnime Trends as YouTube Takes Down Parody of Nickelodeon Hit

It seems that fans of Bikini Bottom have had to struggle with the loss of the first full episode of the Spongebob SquarePants anime, created by fan animator Narmak, but the same fans are rallying with the hashtag of #SaveSpongebobAnime to bring back this insane interpretation of the works of the Krusty Krab and their friends after receiving a Youtube Strike. The hashtag soon became the third-highest trending topic on Twitter on Saturday (August 1). While there have been a number of hilarious trailers that have given us an idea of what the anime version of this long running Nickelodeon series would look like, it was only in this episode that we gained a hilarious understanding through this unofficial adaptation!


The YouTube thumbnail of "SpongeBob Anime Ep1: Bubble Bass Arc."

The short, "SpongeBob Anime Ep1: Bubble Bass Arc" first was posted to creator Narmak's YouTube channel, with 1.54 million subscribers, on July 24. The nearly 15-minute short film loosely adapts an episode of SpongeBob SquarePants titled "Pickles." In the original episode, a character named Bubble Bass orders a Krabby Patty hamburger, which is made by SpongeBob. Bubble Bass claims SpongeBob forgot the pickles, sending him spiraling into a depression. At the end of the episode, it's revealed that SpongeBob had not forgotten the pickles after all—rather that Bubble Bass was hiding them under his tongue to get out of paying.

Narmak's version is much more dramatic. In the episode, Bubble Bass has stolen the secret formula for the Five-Pickle Patty, and SpongeBob and Squidward fight him in Jellyfish Fields in order to return it to Mr. Krabs, the proprietor of the Krusty Krab. The characters have all been redesigned to fit the anime style, and the short packs in a number of references both to the original show as well as classic anime.

YouTube took down the video on Friday (July 31), however, saying the video violated the platform's child safety policy, according to a tweet by Narmak. On Saturday, Narmak tweeted that YouTube had rejected his appeal via an automated email.

Though "SpongeBob Anime Ep1" is definitely not for kids, due to strong language and violence, Narmak told Newsweek that in addition to marking the video as "not made for kids," his entire YouTube channel is also marked as not for children.

"YouTube has made a huge mistake. There was no warning, no heads up, and no help from them. I have followed their community guidelines, including their chiId policy, yet still this has happened. I had to go out of my way to make a ruckus on social media and contact them myself to try to get it resolved," Narmak said. "The YouTube rep, Ian, I spoke to was very amazing and raised the issue to the internal team, and I am waiting for a response."

Newsweek reached out to YouTube for comment.

Narmak's "ruckus" resulted in the trending #SaveSpongeBobAnime hashtag, which, as of publication, is trending in the U.S. with over 12,300 tweets. Many posters had harsh words for YouTube.

"Honestly this is just sad. @NARMAK13 spent months on this and it's just done. Wow," Twitter user @MissCaution13 wrote, alongside an image of SpongeBob holding a sign reading "Save SpongeBob Anime."


"Youtube took down Narmak's Spongebob anime EP1 & even rejected his appeal to bring it back??? Because it violated child safety policy, even though he marked it as not for kids .-. SIX MONTHS of work was put into that AMAZING animation," @FloofyLyeon wrote.


"It's somewhat understandable that @YouTube might have confused this as targeting children because Spongebob and friends but that's about it. The video, thumbnail, and name itself did at no point give that "targeting children" only info. Please #SaveSpongeBobAnime it's worth it," @unluckmi wrote.


Though the "SpongeBob Anime" has yet to be restored to YouTube, Narmak shared the video to the user-generated content sharing site NewGrounds.


The same day as the video was taken down, Narmak posted a trailer on YouTube for the English-language dub of the "SpongeBob Anime" short, saying it was "coming soon," but no date has been set. Though the original Japanese-language short featured dramatic, anime-style voice-acting, the English version features impressions of the original show's voices.

More Nick: CBS All Access to Premiere 'Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years' During Early 2021!

Additional source: ComicBook.
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On This Day in 2003 | My Life As A Teenage Robot Premiered on Nickelodeon

On This Day in 2003 | My Life As A Teenage Robot Premiered on Nickelodeon


it's been 17 years since we first met our favorite teenage robot!

Nicktoons Facts: My Life As A Teenage Robot was created by Rob Renzetti and premiered on August 1st, 2003. Set in the fictional town of Tremorton, the series follows the adventures of a robot girl named XJ-9, or Jenny, as she prefers to be called, who attempts to juggle her duties of protecting Earth while trying to live a normal human life as a teenager. MLAATR ran for 62 episodes over three seasons, winning two Emmy awards and garnering an additional nomination for Outstanding Animated Program.

BRB gotta go prevent some hostile aliens from annihilating us all ๐Ÿค–

Check out Nickelodeon's On This Day and Remember When Facebook pages to find out awesome Nick moments from every era throughout Nickelodeon history!

Watch all your ‘80s, ‘90s, and ‘00s Nickelodeon favorites on NickRewind, your late-night destination for your favorite childhood Nickelodeon cartoons and live-action shows! NickSplat doesn't question football-shaped heads, but embrace them - along with Reptar bars, a Big Ear of Corn, orange soda, and even slime for Pete (and Pete's) sake. Make your slime-covered Nickelodeon childhood dreams come true every night on TeenNick USA, and anytime you want on NickSplat on VRV, Nick Pluto TV, NickHits on Amazon Prime Video Channels and Nick on CBS All Access!

Like NickRewind on Facebook, subscribe to the NickRewind YouTube channel and follow NickRewind on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive digital content from all of your throwback favorites like Rugrats, Hey Arnold!, iCarly, Victorious, Kenan & Kel, CatDog, Doug, Rocko’s Modern Life, The Amanda Show, Clarissa Explains It All, The Ren & Stimpy Show, Are You Afraid of the Dark?, and so much more!

Join Nickelodeon's official I Was A Nick Kid Facebook Group!: https://www.facebook.com/groups/IWasANickKid/


More Nick: Netflix and Nickelodeon Form Multi-Year Output Deal to Produce Original Animated Films and Series!

H/T: Special thanks to @NSNeeder300 and @BovineBonita!
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