Saturday, December 27, 2014

2015 On Nickelodeon UK, NickToons, And Nick Jr.

Below are Nickelodeon UK's, Nicktoons UK's, Nickelodeon HD UK's, Nick Jr. Channel UK's and Nick Jr. 2's highlights for 2015:

Please note, that unless confirmed, all premiere dates are speculated and are yet to be confirmed by Nickelodeon UK.

"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" Movie Becomes The #1 Performing Home Entertainment Title of All 2014 Blockbusters

Paramount Home Media Distribution has announced the Turtley Awesome TMNT News in the following press release, from Business Wire, that "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles", the fun-filled and action-packed blockbuster from Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Films, packed a major punch with phenomenal sales during its first week of release on Blu-ray and DVD in the USA (Region A/1)! Among all films theatrically released in 2014 that earned more than $100 million at the box office, "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" has the highest ratio of disc sales to theatrical ticket sales for its first week of release. Produced by Michael Bay with Platinum Dunes, the film has earned over $478M to date at the worldwide box office. PHMD released TMNT on Blu-ray and DVD in the USA on Tuesday 16th December 2014.

Paramount Home Entertainment will release Nickelodeon Movies and Paramount Pictures' blockbuster "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" on DVD and Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D in the UK on Monday 16th February 2015. All editions are available to pre-order right now. The DVD will be available in region 2 and the Blu-ray editions will be region free.

Additionally, PHE will release the complete second season of Nickelodeon's hit CG-animated "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" series on DVD on Monday 30th March 2015. The DVD, titled "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Complete Season 2", is available to pre-order now.

About Paramount Home Media Distribution:

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' First Week Blu-Ray™ and DVD Sales Slice Their Way to Become the #1 Performing Home Entertainment Title of All 2014 Blockbusters


Cowabunga! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' First Week Blu-ray™ & DVD Sales Slice Their Way to Become the #1 Performing Home Entertainment Title of All 2014 Blockbusters (Photo: Business Wire)

December 23, 2014 04:05 PM Eastern Standard Time

HOLLYWOOD--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The fun-filled and action-packed blockbuster from Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Films, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, packed a major punch with phenomenal sales during its first week of release on Blu-ray™ and DVD. Among all films theatrically released in 2014 that earned more than $100 million at the box office, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES has the highest ratio of disc sales to theatrical ticket sales for its first week of release. Produced by Michael Bay with Platinum Dunes, the film has earned over $478M to date at the worldwide box office.

"The extraordinary performance of TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES is a testament to the wildly-entertaining re-launch of this beloved franchise and a major success for Paramount," said Dennis Maguire, President, Worldwide Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures. "Consumers clearly still want to own high-quality, repeatable entertainment, which is a positive sign for our industry as a whole."

Packed with jaw-dropping action and special effects and loaded with the franchise's signature humor, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES is fun for the whole family. In the eye-popping reimagining, the legendary heroes in a half shell take on the sinister Shredder to defend New York City with the help of intrepid reporter April O'Neil (Megan Fox).

The TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES Blu-ray Combo Pack includes loads of behind-the-scenes footage and interviews and limited quantities come with two reversible masks featuring all four signature colors of the beloved crime-fighters (while supplies last). Select retail outlets also are offering exclusive versions of the Blu-ray with collectible packaging, premiums and more.

Director David Green ("EARTH TO ECHO") will take the helm of the next installment in the film franchise, with Michael Bay set to produce alongside his Platinum Dunes partners Andrew Form and Brad Fuller, with Galen Walker and Scott Mednick also producing. Screenwriters Josh Appelbaum & André Nemec ("MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: GHOST PROTOCOL") are again coming aboard to write the sequel and will also Executive Produce. The sequel will be released in theaters on June 3, 2016.

Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies present a Platinum Dunes production, a Gama Entertainment/Mednick Productions/Heavy Metal production of a Jonathan Liebesman film: "TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES." Executive produced by Denis L. Stewart, Eric Crown, Napoleon Smith III and Jason T. Reed. Produced by Michael Bay, Andrew Form, Brad Fuller, Galen Walker, Scott Mednick and Ian Bryce. Based on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles characters created by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman. Screenplay by Josh Appelbaum & André Nemec and Evan Daugherty. Directed by Jonathan Liebesman.

About Paramount Home Media Distribution

Paramount Home Media Distribution (PHMD) is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment. PPC is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. The PHMD division oversees PPC's home entertainment, digital and television distribution activities worldwide. The division is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of home entertainment content on behalf of Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and CBS and applicable licensing and servicing of certain DreamWorks Animation titles. PHMD additionally manages global licensing of studio content and distribution across worldwide digital and television distribution platforms including online, mobile and portable devices and emerging technologies.

###
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon Movies and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles News and Highlights!

Saban Brands Announces Newly Formed Lifestyle And Entertainment Groups

Original Saban Brands Press Release via Saban Brands' corporate website, sabanbrands.com:

SABAN BRANDS ANNOUNCES NEWLY FORMED SABAN BRANDS LIFESTYLE GROUP (SBLG) & SABAN BRANDS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP (SBEG)

News Comes as a Result of Rapid Growth Within the Company’s Lifestyle and Entertainment Portfolios with Additional Acquisitions as a Top Priority and New Intellectual Properties in the Pipeline


LOS ANGELES, CA (December 11, 2014) – Saban Brands (SB) today announced the formation of two new units within the company, Saban Brands Lifestyle Group and Saban Brands Entertainment Group. Saban Brands Lifestyle Group (SBLG) was established to drive major expansion within the company’s diverse portfolio of fashion and lifestyle properties. To further solidify the foundation of Saban Brands, the company has simultaneously established Saban Brands Entertainment Group (SBEG) to oversee its entertainment portfolio.

Saban Brands has seen rapid growth over the past year across its portfolio of both entertainment and lifestyle brands. SBLG currently includes Paul Frank, a globally recognized, iconic fashion brand which features artistic designs for the young and young at heart, and recently acquired Macbeth, an apparel, footwear and accessories brand inspired by musicians. SBLG is dedicated to growing its portfolio of owned properties by acquiring a diverse group of consumer, fashion and lifestyle brands. SBLG will be led by Dan Castle, Managing Director of Strategic Business Development, from Saban Brands’ New York office and showroom. Castle will continue to report to Elie Dekel, President of Saban Brands.

“Saban Brands Lifestyle Group's focus is to actively acquire and grow brands that have a passionate consumer following,” said Castle. “SBLG is unique in that our brands will benefit from Saban’s vast resources and global reach.”

Alongside SBLG is SBEG, which includes existing powerhouse brands Power Rangers, Julius Jr. and Digimon Fusion as well as Popples, Luna Petunia and Emojiville in development. SBEG will continue to dedicate itself to developing innovative content that resonates with consumers across all media platforms.

“We have proven our approach to brand management and expansion, so these new units were a natural progression for us,” said Elie Dekel, President of Saban Brands, who will oversee the Entertainment Group and lead on the company’s expansion from the Los Angeles headquarters. “With the development of Saban Brands Lifestyle Group and Saban Brands Entertainment Group, we now have the opportunity to further elevate our current and future portfolio of properties in each of these sectors.”

About Saban Brands

Formed in 2010 as an affiliate of Saban Capital Group, Saban Brands (SB) was established to acquire and develop a worldclass portfolio of properties in the entertainment and lifestyle sectors. SB applies a global 360-degree management approach to growing and monetizing its brands through content, media, marketing, distribution, licensing and retail to markets worldwide and consumers of all ages. SB operates out of its global offices in Los Angeles, New York, London, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Singapore. For more information, visit www.sabanbrands.com.
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon, Power Rangers and Julius Jr. News and Highlights!

N.E.R.D Reunite To Record New Song "Squeeze Me" For "The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water" Soundtrack

The entertainment news websites Rolling Stone and AceShowBiz.com is reporting the exciting news that the American rock, funk, and hip hop band N.E.R.D have reunited to release a brand-new song titled "Squeeze Me" for the soundtrack for Nickelodeon Movies and Paramount Animation's upcoming "SpongeBob SquarePants" movie, "The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water"!


The fun and summery up-tempo song by Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo and Shay Haley premiered on Friday 26th December 2014 and is set for an official release on Monday 5th January 2015, The recording is N.E.R.D's first new track since 2010, when their latest album "Nothing" arrived.

"The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water" centers on SpongeBob SquarePants and his Bikini Bottom pals as they go on a epic quest. After a pesky pirate named Alameda Jack, played by Antonio Banderas, finds a magical book which gives anybody writing on its pages the power to do just about whatever they want, he discovers that the final page is missing and sets out on a mission to retrieve the missing page, which is protected deep under the surface by one legendary hero - SpongeBob SquarePants! After the pirate gets his hands on the last page of the book to put his evil plans in motion, SpongeBob, Patrick Star, Sandy Cheeks, Squidward Tentacles and Mr. Krabs discover that to save their underwater world, they must come to ours. After arriving on the surface and meeting a few humans, they learn that to fight off the menace endangering their beloved Bikini Bottom and get the last page back into the right hands so that they can rewrite the story, they must become superheroes - SpongeBob SquarePants becomes The Invincibubble, Patrick Star turns into Mr. Superawesomeness, Squidward Tentacles is Sour Note, Mr. Krabs turns into Sir Pinch-A-Lot, Sheldon J. Plankton becomes Plank-Ton, and Sandy Cheeks is The Rodent. Get ready for a movie so extreme, you'll need new pants! "The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water" features a mix of 2D & 3D CG-animation and live action.

"The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water" will be released in theatres in the USA on Friday 6th February 2015 and in Digital 3D and 2D in cinemas across the UK on Friday 20th March 2015!:
N.E.R.D Reunites for 'SpongeBob SquarePants' Movie Soundtrack 'Squeeze Me'

Pharrell, Chad Hugo and Shay Haley reunite for their first song since putting out the latest N.E.R.D. album 'Nothing' in 2010.

N.E.R.D is finally back with new music. The trio comprising of Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo and Shay Haley has made a contribution to the soundtrack of the upcoming "The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out of Water", recording a new song called "Squeeze Me".

The fun and summery up-tempo song was premiered on Friday, December 26. "The best part is the middle of me/ I'm your sponge baby go on and squeeze/ I'm better than pillows, won't you believe me/ Squeeze me," Pharrell sings from the perspective of SpongeBob SquarePants.

Set for an official release on January 5, 2015, "Squeeze Me" is N.E.R.D's first new track since 2010, when their latest album "Nothing" arrived. "We're trying not to think too much in a cartoon sense," Hugo said of the song in a recent interview with Variety. "But more just like a psychedelic, otherworldy type of thing. If you want to draw a parallel, maybe think of what The Beatles did with 'Yellow Submarine'."

"The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water", adapted from the popular Nickelodeon series created by Stephen Hillenburg, focuses on SpongeBob and the gang as they try to get back the krabby patty secret formula stolen by Antonio Banderas' Burger-Beard the Pirate. It arrives in U.S. theaters on February 6, 2015.
Also, from Rolling Stone:
Pharrell Reunites With N.E.R.D. for 'Squeeze Me'

The Neptunes offshoot records their first song together in four years for 'SpongeBob SquarePants' sequel soundtrack

Pharrell Williams has reunited with his fellow N.E.R.D. members Chad Hugo and Shay Haley for "Squeeze Me," the Neptunes offshoot's first new song in four years. The bouncy track will feature on the upcoming soundtrack for The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water. While the trio briefly reunited in concert in November, "Squeeze Me" marks N.E.R.D.'s first recording together since they released their fourth LP Nothing in 2010.

The "Squeeze Me" single will officially be released January 5th. Given the G-rated nature of its target audience, the tropical-flavored "Squeeze Me" is closer in sound and vibe to Pharrell's Grammy-nominated Despicable Me 2 solo hit "Happy" than N.E.R.D.'s raunchy singles like "Lapdance."

"We're trying not to think too much in a cartoon sense, but more just like a psychedelic, otherworldy type of thing," N.E.R.D.'s Hugo told Variety of their work for The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water soundtrack. "If you want to draw a parallel, maybe think of what the Beatles did with Yellow Submarine."

While Pharrell has kept busy working on everything from Beyoncé to "Get Lucky" and "Blurred Lines" to Gwen Stefani's upcoming solo LP – not to mention serving as a coach on The Voice – the producer is still making efforts to keep his In Search Of… crew alive. During Pharrell's all-star set at the Odd Future's Camp Flog Gnaw Festival in November, Williams brought out Hugo and Haley to join him for the trio's 2002 single "Rock Star."

"There will always be an N.E.R.D.," Pharrell said during a London concert in September. "I'm happy to be a nerd; the bullies lost, the nerds win."

Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon Movies and SpongeBob SquarePants News and Highlights!