Friday, July 11, 2014

Nickelodeon USA To Premiere "Blaze and the Monster Machines" In October 2014

UPDATE - Nickelodeon USA will premiere "Blaze and the Monster Machines" on Monday 13th October 2014 at 12:00pm (noon)! Full details can be found here on NickALive!

Publishers Weekly is reporting the exciting Nickelodeon Preschool news that Nickelodeon USA are planning to start to premiere and show Nickelodeon Preschool's brand-new CG-animated preschool series "Blaze and the Monster Machines" from October 2014! Additionally, PW is also reporting that Random House, the largest general-interest trade book publisher in the world, are planning to publish books based on Nick's upcoming preschool series in Spring 2015, marking Nickelodeon's first TV-based licensing and publishing program to hit retail less than a year after the debut of a show. Random House's "Blaze" books will be part of the book publishers 2014-2015 Nickelodeon Book slate, which will also see the publisher release titles based on "Dora and Friends: Into the City!", "Dora the Explorer", "Paw Patrol" and "The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water":
Random House is also debuting books tied to a number of other Nickelodeon franchises and new shows. Paw Patrol, a series t hat premiered last fall about a pack of six puppies that undertake rescue missions, will spur a list similar to that for Dora; books and toys will be the first products on the market. Titles tied to Blaze, a STEM-themed, monster truck-centered show for preschoolers that launches this October, will start to roll out in spring 2015, marking Nickelodeon’s first TV-based licensing and publishing program to hit retail less than a year after the debut of a show. Random House also plans a novelization and other tie-in titles for The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water 3D, to premiere in February 2015.


Blaze and the Monster Machines Pictured: AJ and Blaze in Blaze and the Monster Machines set to premiere on Nickelodeon this fall. Photo Credit: Nickelodeon. ©2014 Viacom International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Blaze and the Monster Machines" (20 episodes) is brand-new CG-animated series that will introduce preschoolers to the areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). This is the first preschool show that features a curriculum dedicated to all areas of STEM. Viewers will join an eight-year-old boy named AJ and his incredible monster truck Blaze on super-sized adventures. AJ and the viewer help Blaze as they explore the physics of how things move, master mathematics and discover how everyday technologies work. "Blaze and the Monster Machines" is created by Jeff Borkin ("Team Umizoomi", "Blue's Clues") and Ellen Martin ("Bubble Guppies", "The Backyardigans").
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Random House Announces Upcoming Slate Of Books Based On Nickelodeon Properties

Publishers Weekly is reporting the exciting Nick News in the following article that Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids and families, and Random House, the largest general-interest trade book publisher in the world, have announced that Random House are planning to publish a raft of brand-new books based on popular Nickelodeon properties, including "Dora and Friends: Into the City!", "Blaze and the Monster Machines", "Dora the Explorer" and "SpongeBob SquarePants"!

As part of the book publishers 2014-2015 publishing slate, Random House will publish six book titles based on Nickelodeon Preschool's brand-new animated preschool series "Dora and Friends: Into the City!", a spin-off of "Dora The Explorer", including Little Golden Books, readers, 8x8s, and a Big Golden Book. Random House will also continue to publish titled inspired by "Dora the Explorer". "The two complement each other," said Paula Allen, Nickelodeon's Senior Vice President (SVP) of global publishing. "This is a way to extend Dora the Explorer as her fans grow up. Both brands can live side by side, both on air and on shelf." "Dora and Friends: Into the City!", a brand-new animated preschool series starring the Latina heroine in new adventures, with new friends and a new interactive curriculum, premieres in primetime on Monday 18th August 2014 at 8:00pm (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon USA!

Additionally, Random House will also debut merchandise based on "Paw Patrol", with books and toys being the first products on the market, plus titles tied to Nickelodeon's upcoming brand-new animated preschool series "Blaze and the Monster Machines", which will premiere on Nick USA in October 2014. Titles will start to roll out in Spring 2015, marking Nickelodeon's first TV-based licensing and publishing program to hit retail less than a year after the debut of a show. Random House also plans a novelization and other tie-in titles for the upcoming Nickelodeon Movies and Paramount Pictures film "The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water 3D", set to be released in theaters and cinemas everywhere next year on Friday 6th February 2015:
Dora Moves to the City

Nickelodeon is launching a new TV series, Dora & Friends: Into the City, in August. It gives an older Dora human friends and a prosocial, team-building focus, as opposed to the animal friends and emphasis on discovery featured in original Dora the Explorer series. Random House is publishing six titles, including Little Golden Books, readers, 8x8s, and a Big Golden Book, for the new incarnation.

Dora the Explorer will continue, and Random House will still publish against that show as well. “The two complement each other,” said Paula Allen, Nickelodeon’s senior v-p of global publishing. “This is a way to extend Dora the Explorer as her fans grow up. Both brands can live side by side, both on air and on shelf.”

Random House is also debuting books tied to a number of other Nickelodeon franchises and new shows. Paw Patrol, a series t hat premiered last fall about a pack of six puppies that undertake rescue missions, will spur a list similar to that for Dora; books and toys will be the first products on the market. Titles tied to Blaze, a STEM-themed, monster truck-centered show for preschoolers that launches this October, will start to roll out in spring 2015, marking Nickelodeon’s first TV-based licensing and publishing program to hit retail less than a year after the debut of a show. Random House also plans a novelization and other tie-in titles for The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water 3D, to premiere in February 2015.

Meanwhile, Random House and other publishers are gearing up for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie, which debuts August 8. Random will publish a novelization and junior novelization tied to the film, but more important, Allen said, the movie will serve as a platform to market the multitude of Turtles TV tie-ins from Random House, IDW, Bendon, Publications International, Studio Fun, and Phidal. In June, Insight Editions published Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Ultimate Visual History, a coffee table book covering four eras of the Turtles.

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International Sports Star David Beckham to Be Honored with the First-Ever Legend Award at Nickelodeon's Inaugural Kids' Choice Sports 2014

Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids and families, has today, Friday 11th July 2014, announced in the following press release, from Business Wire, the exciting Nick News that world-renowned athlete David Beckham will be presented with the Legend Award at Nickelodeon's "Kids' Choice Sports 2014", in recognition of his incredible talent and outstanding sportsmanship on the field!


Nick's first-ever Legend Award blimp will go gold for Becks, as the sports legend is set to be honored for his top-level achievements. Nickelodeon's "Kids' Choice Sports 2014", hosted and executive produced by Michael Strahan ("LIVE with Kelly and Michael", "Good Morning America" correspondent. "Fox NFL Sunday", "Super Bowl Champion" and "Pro Football Hall of Famer"), will be telecast live on Thursday 17th July 2014 (8:00pm ET/PT). Kids are able to cast their votes in 14 categories on Nick.com/sports.


Joining the all-star lineup, formerly announced performers and presenters include: multi-Grammy, award-winning artist Pharrell Williams, country superstar duo Florida George Line, Super Bowl XLVIII champion Marshawn Lynch (Seattle Seahawks), NBA superstar Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder), Will Arnett and Megan Fox ("Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles"), Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), Nick Cannon ("America's Got Talent"), Henrik Lundqvist (New York Rangers), Victor Cruz (New York Giants), Metta World Peace (New York Knicks), George Lopez ("Lopez Tonight"), pro skateboarder Tony Hawk, Olympic snowboarder Kelly Clark, pro surfer Bethany Hamilton, Olympic gymnast McKayla Maroney, Dez Bryant (Dallas Cowboys) and Rico Rodriguez ("Modern Family").

Kids can now vote on Nick.com/sports and all of Nickelodeon’s digital platforms feature a brand-new voting experience http://www.nick.com/kids-choice-sports/vote. Kids can get in the game by watching video highlights of the nominees in each category, voting for their favorite all-star athletes, and even multiplying their votes with a special "Kids' Choice Sports" Slime Multiplier game. In the game, fans can rack up points while playing four different slime-filled sports games, while simultaneously adding votes to their favorite nominees. Kids will also be able to gear up for game day by watching funny short videos, photo galleries and more on the site. Then on July 17th, Nick.com will be the official destination to score a court-side seat for all of the orange carpet action, complete with a live video and photo stream, straight from the main event, at 7:30p.m. ET/PT.

Original Nickelodeon Press Release:

International Sports Star David Beckham to Be Honored with the First-Ever Legend Award at Nickelodeon's Inaugural Kids' Choice Sports 2014

Awards Telecast Hosted by Michael Strahan, Thursday, July 17

July 11, 2014 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--World-renowned athlete David Beckham will be presented with the Legend Award at Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Sports 2014, in recognition of his incredible talent and outstanding sportsmanship on the field. Nick’s first-ever Legend Award blimp will go gold for Becks, as the sports legend is set to be honored for his top-level achievements. Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Sports 2014, hosted and executive produced by Michael Strahan (LIVE with Kelly and Michael, Good Morning America correspondent. Fox NFL Sunday, Super Bowl Champion and Pro Football Hall of Famer), will be telecast live on Thursday, July 17 (8 pm ET/PT). Kids are able to cast their votes in 14 categories on Nick.com/sports.

Nickelodeon will bestow the first-ever Kids' Choice Sports Legend Award to David Beckham, who is the ultimate role model, inspiring generations of kids year after year. His talent is unmatched on the field, and his values, integrity and sportsmanship shine off the field. He exemplifies the qualities every kid aspires to achieve and his name is the first that comes to mind when we think of his sport.

Beckham began his professional career playing for Manchester United, making his first-team debut in 1992 at age 17. While playing for Manchester United, Beckham won the Premier League title six times, the FA Cup twice, and the UEFA Champions League in 1999. He then played four seasons with Real Madrid, winning the La Liga Championship in his final season with the club. In July 2007, Beckham signed a five-year contract with Major League Soccer club Los Angeles Galaxy. Beckham and the LA Galaxy won back-to-back MLS Cup Championships in 2011 and 2012. In 2013, he spent his last professional season with Paris Saint-Germain, where the club won its Lique 1 title.

Beckham made his England debut on September 1, 1996, at the age of 21. He was captain for six years and also holds the appearance record for an outfield player, appearing in three FIFA World Cups (1998, 2002 and 2006) and two UEFA European Championship tournaments (2000 and 2004).

He was the first English player to win league titles in four countries, England, Spain, the United States and France.

Joining the all-star lineup, formerly announced performers and presenters include: multi-Grammy, award-winning artist Pharrell Williams, country superstar duo Florida George Line, Super Bowl XLVIII champion Marshawn Lynch (Seattle Seahawks), NBA superstar Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder), Will Arnett and Megan Fox (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), Nick Cannon (America’s Got Talent), Henrik Lundqvist (New York Rangers), Victor Cruz (New York Giants), Metta World Peace (New York Knicks), George Lopez (Lopez Tonight), pro skateboarder Tony Hawk, Olympic snowboarder Kelly Clark, pro surfer Bethany Hamilton, Olympic gymnast McKayla Maroney, Dez Bryant (Dallas Cowboys) and Rico Rodriguez (Modern Family).

Kids can now vote on Nick.com/sports and all of Nickelodeon's digital platforms feature a brand-new voting experience http://www.nick.com/kids-choice-sports/vote. Kids can get in the game by watching video highlights of the nominees in each category, voting for their favorite all-star athletes, and even multiplying their votes with a special Kids' Choice Sports Slime Multiplier game. In the game, fans can rack up points while playing four different slime-filled sports games, while simultaneously adding votes to their favorite nominees. Kids will also be able to gear up for game day by watching funny short videos, photo galleries and more on the site. Then on July 17th, Nick.com will be the official destination to score a court-side seat for all of the orange carpet action, complete with a live video and photo stream, straight from the main event, at 7:30p.m. ET/PT.

Presenting sponsor of Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Sports 2014 is SUBWAY® restaurants. Associate sponsors are Air Hogs and Mattel's BOOMco.

Legendary Super Bowl Champion and Fox NFL Sunday analyst Michael Strahan is the co-host of the top-rated morning talk show LIVE with Kelly and Michael. He is also a special co-host for Good Morning America. Prior to joining the ranks of the top sports broadcasters in the country, Strahan helped lead the New York Giants to their third Super Bowl championship in 2007 with a dramatic win over the New England Patriots. A seven-time Pro-Bowler and one of only four players ever to lead the NFL in sacks for two seasons during his 15-year NFL career, Strahan was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2001 when he broke the 18-year-old NFL single season sack record with 22.5 sacks, a record that still stands today. This August, he will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Ian Stewart and Hamish Hamilton of Done + Dusted (London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony, 2013 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, iHeartRadio Music Awards 2014) will serve as executive producers of Kids' Choice Sports 2014, with Hamilton also serving as director of the show. Constance Schwartz of SMAC Entertainment is also an executive producer.

As president of Done + Dusted, Ian Stewart devises, stages and films some of the biggest events across the planet. The prolific production company has garnered awards from the Grammys to a Peabody, Emmys and BAFTAs, Rose d'Ors and countless others. Recent highlights include: NBC's New Year's Eve with Carson Daly 2012-2013, NBC’s Hurricane Sandy Coming Together benefit, CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute 2012 and Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2013.

Hamish Hamilton's credits as director include the 2014 Oscars, Super Bowl Halftime Show 2014, all four ceremonies for the London 2012 Olympic Games, 2013 MTV Video Music Awards and The Rolling Stones at Glastonbury. This year he received two BAFTAs and an Emmy nomination. Hamilton began his directing career in Scotland working for the BBC and has since travelled far and wide shooting documentaries, concert films and awards shows on every continent.

About Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon, now in its 35th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in almost 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 19 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B).
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