Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Nick Expands The Nickelodeon Writing Program Globally

The entertainment news website C21Media is reporting the exciting Nickelodeon International news in the following article that Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids and families, will be expanding the Nickelodeon Writing Program to outside the USA for the first time in 2014 to help broaden their search to unearth new writing talent!


Dubbed the The Nickelodeon International Writing Program, the campaign will launch globally in January 2014 and is designed to attract writers spanning all international markets, cultures and backgrounds.

The successful applicant will eventually be given a salaried position at Nickelodeon's international headquarters in London, UK for six months.

For consideration in the 2014 – 2015 Program, Nick is requesting that materials be submitted together between Thursday 2nd January 2014 and Friday 28th February 2014.

Nickelodeon will then notify semi-finalists by the end of August 2014, finalists by the beginning of September 2014, chosen writers by the end of September 2014, with all others notified, by mail, by the end of October 2014. (Notification dates are subject to change)

You can find more information about Nick's first international Nickelodeon Writing Programme on the programs official website at international.nickwriting.com. Good luck to everyone who enters!:
[...]

In related news, Nick will broaden its search to unearth new writing talent outside the US for the first time in 2014.

Dubbed the Nickelodeon Writing Programme, the campaign will launch globally in January and is designed to attract writers spanning all international markets, cultures and backgrounds.

The successful applicant will eventually be given a salaried position at Nickelodeon’s international headquarters in London for six months.

[...]

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Central and Eastern European Broadcasters Acquire Raft of Nickelodeon Programming

The entertainment news website C21Media is reporting the exciting Nickelodeon Europe news in the following article that broadcasters across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) have acquired a range of live-action and animated Nickelodeon and MTV programming from Viacom International Media Networks.

In the Ukraine, free-to-air (FTA) channel NLO TV has picked up seasons one and two of Nickelodeon's popular martial arts-themed comedy action series "Supah Ninjas" and comedy-adventure television show "The Troop", plus season one of original scripted daily drama "The Greenhouse", in which, after losing their mother in a spaceship accident, a brother and sister arrive at an elite boarding school for gifted future leaders. They join two competing houses within the school and become rivals. Soon, mysterious and disturbing developments draw both groups into a secret investigation. The students of the school uncover a deadly plot to destroy the planet. Only by joining forces and working together, they will be able to save the world. "The Greenhouse" is an original scripted drama for boys and girls aged between 8-15. Nickelodeon's "The Greenhouse" was created by Giora Chamitzer, one of the leading creative minds in Israeli television, who also serves as the shows Show Runner. "The Greenhouse" is Produced by Nutz Productions and Ananey Communication, and debuted on Nickelodeon Israel as a daily drama on 17th December 2012.



Cast of Nickelodeon Israel's "The Greenhouse"

Elsewhere, satellite broadcaster Viasat has acquired the rights to a raft of Nickelodeon original animated series (Nicktoons) - season two of "T.U.F.F. Puppy" in Latvia; season one of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" and season two of "Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness" in both Latvia and Estonia; and season one of "Legend of Korra" in Lithuania. The content will air on FTA channels and also on secondary cable channels in the Baltic region.

In Lithuania, LNK has ramped up its Nickelodeon Original TV Movie offering, signing "Best Player", "Big Time Movie", "Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh", "Rags", "The Boy Who Cried Werewolf", plus MTV's musical film "The American Mall":
Nick content arrives in CEE

Broadcasters across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) have acquired a range of live-action and animated Nickelodeon series, while the Nick App has been launched outside of the US for the first time.

In Ukraine, free-to-air channel NLO TV has picked up season one of scripted live-action series The Greenhouse, plus seasons one and two of live-action show Supah Ninjas and The Troop, from Viacom International Media Networks.

Elsewhere, satellite broadcaster Viasat has acquired season two of TUFF Puppy in Latvia; season one of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and season two of Kung Fu Panda in both Latvia and Estonia; and season one of Legend of Korra in Lithuania.

The content will air on FTA channels and also secondary cable channels in the Baltic region.

In Lithuania, LNK has ramped up its Nickelodeon movie offering, signing Best Player, Big Time Rush Movie, Merry Christmas Drake & Josh, Rags, The American Mall and The Boy Who Cried Werewolf.

[...]

Nico Franks
10-12-2013
©C21Media

GENRES: Animation, Children's
SHOWS: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Greenhouse
COMPANIES: LNK, Nickelodeon, NLO TV, Viacom International Media Networks, Viasat
SECTIONS: C21Kids
COUNTRIES: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, US

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Viacom President And CEO Talks About Nickelodeon's Comeback At The 41st Annual Global Media and Communications Conference

The entertainment industry news magazine The Hollywood Reporter is reporting in the following article that Philippe Dauman, the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) discussed the performance of his firm's studio and networks, including Nickelodeon, at an investor conference on Monday 9th December 2013, in which he also talked about their outlook.

In a lunch time keynote appearance at the 41st Annual Global Media and Communications Conference, organized by UBS, Dauman announced that Viacom will continue to invest in growth opportunities, such as animation content at Nickelodeon and Paramount Pictures.

He reiterated that his team expects mid-single digit advertising revenue growth in the current quarter. He also predicted that Nielsen and others will make progress over the next year in terms of improving measurement of viewers on new devices.

"Nickelodeon has emerged in a much stronger place", Dauman said when asked about the 10 consecutive months of increased ratings since a slump at the network. He said investments in both animated and live-action fare, including the updated "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles", together with the Nick App, have helped the network.

"I feel very good and strong" about Nickelodeon's future, he said, pointing to how the network has again overtaken the Disney Channel in the kids 2-11 demographic ratings of late. He predicted the ratings lead would likely go back-and-forth over the near-term. Animated shows, such as Nick's recently launched all-new original animated series (Nicktoon) "Sanjay and Craig" and upcoming brand-new Nicktoon "Breadwinners", have good longevity and allow consumer products tie-ins, he said.

Asked about Paramount's decision earlier this year to put a "toe in the water" of the TV production sector, he said the company is developing ideas based on its library and new concepts for cable and broadcast networks. He said shows could go to Viacom's own and other companies' networks. He reiterated that the initiative required little investment and risk. When Viacom and CBS split in 2005, CBS got to keep the TV production business and the library of Paramount, including "Sabrina the Teenage Witch".

Asked about international trends, Dauman said Nickelodeon Germany (Deutschland) is doing very well. The UK, including Nickelodeon UK, has remained stable, while recent deals to fully take over joint ventures in such markets as Russia provides new upside opportunities. In India, he said Viacom will continue to look for growth, while China isn't really open for many foreign companies. Viacom International Media Networks Asia (VIMN) and Sohu Video recently announced a strategic collaboration for online video-on-demand (VoD) and video syndication in China, will enable over 389 million Chinese online video users to get free streaming of Mandarin-dubbed and subtitled Nickelodeon programming, including titles such as "SpongeBob SquarePants", "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" and "Avatar", on tv.sohu.com over the next 12 months.

Dauman had recently lauded a "stabilization we are seeing in the European economy", which will allow the company's European networks to return to sustained growth. Continental Europe had a difficult year for Viacom's TV networks unit, but things are looking up now, he had said last month.

Dauman on Tuesday also said more European countries would launch the Paramount Channel next year, with Latin America and Asia also providing opportunities.

Asked about carriage renewal talks with pay TV operators, Dauman said Viacom provides much value because its ratings and related revenues are higher than its carriage fees. He said he continues to expect at least high single growth in carriage fee revenue going forward. "I think there is a very strong change of that", he said when asked if a virtual pay TV operator could launch next year.

Dauman also touted Paramount Pictures Corporation's outlook and the studios new first-look deal with Jerry Bruckheimer at the UBS conference, highlighting that it would lead to another "Beverly Hills Cop" film, as well as "Top Gun 2":
Viacom CEO Expects Online Pay TV Operator Launch in 2014

UPDATED: Philippe Dauman also talks about Nickelodeon and MTV, says the Paramount Channel will launch in more international markets next year and touts Paramount's first-look deal with Jerry Bruckheimer.

NEW YORK – Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman discussed the performance of his firm's studio and networks at an investor conference here Monday, touting their outlook. And he drew some gasps when he predicted that 2014 could see the launch of a virtual pay TV operator, something that has long been discussed as a possibility.

But the Viacom boss didn't share specifics or name names.

Intel, Sony, Apple and other tech firms are believed to have looked at launching such a broadband-based pay TV service. Analysts have also said that once a virtual player launches, traditional pay TV firms could look at offering over-the-top TV packages to reach beyond their traditional geographic boundaries and provide national services.

The Wall Street Journal reported this summer that Sony had reached a preliminary agreement to carry Viacom‘s networks on its possible digital pay TV service.

In a lunch time keynote appearance at the 41st Annual Global Media and Communications Conference, organized by UBS, Dauman also said the company plans to return "a lot of money to our shareholders," while it would also continue to invest in growth opportunities, such as animation content at Nickelodeon and Paramount Pictures.

Asked about his appetite for acquisitions, he said the company's debt leverage puts it in a comfortable position. "Targeted acquisitions, largely internationally" continue to be in his focus, he said, adding he expects most deals to be worth $200 million or less.

He reiterated that his team expects mid-single digit advertising revenue growth in the current quarter. He also predicted that Nielsen and others would make progress over the next year in terms of improving measurement of viewers on new devices.

"Nickelodeon has emerged in a much stronger place," Dauman said when asked about the 10 consecutive months of increased ratings since a slump at the network. He said investments in both animated and live-action fare, including the updated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, together with a viewing app have helped the network.

"I feel very good and strong" about Nickelodeon's future, he said, pointing to how the network has again overtaken the Disney Channel in the kids 2-11 demographic ratings of late. He predicted the ratings lead would likely go back-and-forth over the near-term. Animated shows have good longevity and allow consumer products tie-ins, he said.

Discussing MTV, Dauman said 2014 will see more scripted show launches to build on the success of Teen Wolf and Awkward.

Asked about Paramount's decision earlier this year to put a "toe in the water" of the TV production sector, he said the company is developing ideas based on its library and new concepts for cable and broadcast networks. He said shows could go to Viacom's own and other companies' networks. He reiterated that the initiative required little investment and risk.

When Viacom and CBS split in 2005, CBS got to keep the TV production business and the library of Paramount.

Asked about international trends, Dauman said Nickelodeon Germany is doing very well. The U.K. has remained stable, while recent deals to fully take over joint ventures in such markets as Russia provides new upside opportunities. In India, he said Viacom will continue to look for growth, while China isn't really open for many foreign companies.

Dauman had recently lauded a "stabilization we are seeing in the European economy," which will allow the company's European networks to return to sustained growth. Continental Europe had a difficult year for Viacom's TV networks unit, but things are looking up now, he had said last month.

Dauman on Tuesday also said more European countries would launch the Paramount Channel next year, with Latin America and Asia also providing opportunities.

Asked about carriage renewal talks with pay TV operators, Dauman said Viacom provides much value because its ratings and related revenues are higher than its carriage fees. He said he continues to expect at least high single growth in carriage fee revenue going forward. "I think there is a very strong change of that," he said when asked if a virtual pay TV operator could launch next year,

Dauman at the UBS conference once again touted Paramount's outlook, saying: "We have a wealth of franchises," including new ones, such as World War Z, which is getting a sequel as the studio previously announced.

Dauman on Monday also touted a first-look deal with Jerry Bruckheimer, highlighting that it would lead to another Beverly Hills Cop film, as well as Top Gun 2.

Asked how he feels about the film business, he also said "we never want to wake up with a big loss" on a single film, and Paramount's strategy ensures that.

"This was an unusually crowded tentpole summer" that was very competitive, he had recently said, adding that a Star Trek sequel and World War Z "did quite well" in that context.

[Tags:] INTERNATIONAL, VIACOM, PHILIPPE DAUMAN, MTV, NICKELODEON, PARAMOUNT

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Viacom International Media Networks Asia And Sohu Video Partner To Bring Nickelodeon Programming To China

The entertainment industry news magazine The Hollywood Reporter is reporting the exciting Nickelodeon International news in the following article that Viacom International Media Networks Asia (VIMN), and Sohu Video, a unit of Chinese web giant Sohu.com, have announced a strategic collaboration for online video-on-demand (VoD) and video syndication in China!

The deal marks another milestone in providing legitimate content on the online TV and movie market in China, which is the world's largest Internet market with 591 million users.


The pact will enable over 389 million Chinese online video users to get free streaming of Mandarin-dubbed and subtitled Nickelodeon programming on tv.sohu.com over the next 12 months, Sohu and Viacom said in a joint statement.

Sohu Video will start to offer over 200 hours of Nickelodeon programming on Sunday 15th December 2013, including titles such as "SpongeBob SquarePants", "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" and "Avatar".

In the last year, the number of people who surf the web from smartphones and tablets has risen by 20 percent.

The Viacom-Sohu pact comes shortly after The Walt Disney Company China and Shanghai Media Group's BesTV New Media unit announced a joint venture to combine the two companies' technology and marketing skills to tap into Chinese market.

Nickelodeon programming is also available to watch in mainland China via Nickelodeon China, a Nickelodeon-branded programming block on China Central Television (also known as Chinese Central Television; commonly abbreviated as CCTV), the predominant state television broadcaster in mainland China. Current Nick programming NickHeads in mainland China can watch on Nick China, a joint venture between VIMN Asia and CCTV, include "SpongeBob SquarePants", "Dora the Explorer", "Danny Phantom", "Kids' Choice Awards", "El Chavo", "Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness", and "The Penguins of Madagascar". Former programming Nickelodeon China has aired in the past include the popular Classic Nickelodeon original animated series (Nicktoons) "Rugrats", "Hey Arnold!", "CatDog" and "The Wild Thornberrys":
Sohu Pacts With Viacom International for Online Video in China

Over 389 million users on tv.sohu.com are expected to get access to free streaming of Nickelodeon content.

Viacom International Media Networks Asia, a division of Viacom, and Sohu Video, a unit of Chinese online giant Sohu.com, have announced a strategic collaboration for online video-on-demand and video syndication in China.

The deal marks another milestone in providing legitimate content on the online TV and movie market in China, which is the world's largest Internet market with 591 million users.

The pact will enable over 389 million Chinese online video users to get free streaming of Mandarin-dubbed and subtitled Nickelodeon programming on tv.sohu.com over the next 12 months, Sohu and Viacom said in a joint statement.

"Nickelodeon's content has strong appeal and relevance with the Chinese audience. I hope that our collaboration will allow us to bring more exciting international children’s programming to our online users," said Dr. Charles Zhang, chairman and CEO [Chief Executive Officer] of Sohu.com.

"We are excited to collaborate with VIMN and welcome their well-established content on our platform," said Zhang.

Sohu Video will start to offer over 200 hours of Nickelodeon programming on Dec. 15, including titles such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Avatar.

"Today’s announcement reinforces and strengthens us as a media content provider in the fast-growing new media and mobile internet industry in China," said VIMN Asia's executive vice president [EVP] and managing director [MD], Indra Suharjono.

"We have been focused on developing our brand's presence in China, and expanding business relationships with partners that allow consumers to access VIMN’s entertainment content across a multi-platform environment," said Suharjono.

In the last year, the number of people who surf the web from smartphones and tablets rose by 20 percent.

The Viacom-Sohu pact comes shortly after The Walt Disney Company China and Shanghai Media Group's BesTV New Media unit announced a joint venture to combine the two companies' technology and marketing skills to tap into Chinese market.

[Tags:] AVATAR, VIACOM, NICKELODEON, INTERNATIONAL, ASIA, THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY, VOD, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (2013)

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Nickelodeon Australia And New Zealand Premiering More Brand New Episodes Of "Sam & Cat" All This Week

Nickelodeon Australia has announced the exciting Nickelodeon International News in a post on their official Facebook profile page, facebook.com/NickelodeonAustralia, that Nickelodeon Australia and New Zealand will be premiering and showing more brand new episodes of Nick's all-new live-action original comedy series "Sam & Cat" all this week (Monday 9th December 2013 - Friday 13th December 2013) at 4:30pm!:
Need more Sam & Cat in your life?

Join Jennette McCurdy and Ariana Grande on new babysitting adventures - All this week @ 4.30pm. http://ow.ly/rzzak


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