Thursday, October 08, 2015

Nickelodeon News Round-Up - Issue 33: Russia Edition

Below is a round-up of recently announced Nickelodeon Russia and CIS (Россия and СНГ) news:


- With increasing competition in the Russian children's television market, Nickelodeon Russia continues to hold the leading position in the children's TV genre, including thematic channels, enjoying a audience share growth of 15% amongst children aged 4-17 between May and August 2015, higher than pay children's television channels, even taking into account the seasonal factor. For more than two years, Nickelodeon ranks first among the television viewing audience aged between 4-17 years, helped by the channels varied content designed for children of all ages, including Nickelodeon's global hits, and effective content strategy and marketing support. At the end of August 2015, Nickelodeon Russia became the third most popular television channel among all channels in Russia for the audience demographic of children aged 4-11 years old. Together with Nick Jr. and Nickelodeon HD, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) offers the Russian market one of the best children's television portfolios with an audience share of 9.01% among children aged 4-11 years. Among the total population older than 4-years, more than 11 million people are watching children's TV channels at least 1 minute per month.;


- For the second consecutive year, Nickelodeon became a partner of the "Забег 5275" ("Race 5275") charity marathon! The event was held on Sunday 4th October 2015 in "Victory Park". The race, organized by "Линия жизни" and «Дорога вместе», gives everyone the opportunity to contribute to the challenging work of saving critically ill children, and combine this with a healthy hobby - running. All collected funds will be distributed between the charities. The marathon is designed not only for adults but also for children. This year, the event held two children's races: one for children aged between 0-to-6 years old, featuring a distance of 300 meters, and a marathon for children aged 7-to-13 years old featuring a 1 km distance. All young participants of the marathon were offered special Nickelodeon gifts, such as "SpongeBob SquarePants" plush toys, and "SpongeBob SquarePants" and "Dora the Explorer" magazines. Nickelodeon, along with the organizers of the marathon, focuses on the theme of healthy lifestyles. Recently, Nickelodeon Viacom Consumer Products (NVCP) Russia, in partnership with Di & Di, introduced a new range of "SpongeBob SquarePants"-branded health food products, which corresponds to the concept of useful and functional food. Congratulations to everyone who took part!;


- Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Russia, CIS, Ukraine and Baltics has launched a unique initiative for pay-TV operators called "Самый лояльный оператор 2016", "The most loyal operator in 2016", which aims to promote the most loyal partners.;


- Nickelodeon Viacom Consumer Products (NVCP) Russia and S7 Airlines have partnered to offer passengers a exclusive entertainment magazine and lunchbox featuring hit Nickelodeon properties "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles", "SpongeBob SquarePants" and "Dora the Explorer"! The campaign is supported by Gulliver & Co., a key NVCP licensee. S7 Airlines flight attendants will distribute a special entertainment magazine, featuring "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" and "Dora the Explorer" comics, to children aged between three-to-ten years old. Passengers on flights of more than three hours will also get breakfast, lunch or dinner in a bright lunchbox featuring their favourite Nickelodeon heroes! The scheme will be available to S7 Airlines customers up until the end of December 2015.;

- Studies confirm the popularity of Nickelodeon characters among children and teenagers who want to be like these characters become as smart and able to achieve their goals. For example, 86% of children aged 6-14 years, know the main character of "SpongeBob SquarePants", and almost half of them regularly watch the hit Nickelodeon animated series. 73% of Russian mothers believe "Dora the Explorer" is an example to follow, and every other mother in Russia says that "Dora the Explorer" has helped her daughter to make first steps in their daily lives. Animated series "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles", which in 2014 celebrated its 30th anniversary, has not lost its popularity, with brand awareness in Russia amounting to 95%.;


- Polystar Global Art (ENS GROUP) recently unveiled a brand-new range of Nickelodeon children's tableware, including bright plates of different sizes, large cups for hot drinks, as well as a ceramic piggy bank, featuring hit Nickelodeon properties "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" and "Dora the Explorer". The range was debuted at HouseHold Expo 2015.

- A new Russian law limiting foreign ownership of media has upended the sector, forcing companies to scramble to comply and throwing into doubt the fate of TV channels, glossy mags and news dailies. The law, signed in October 2014, orders media companies to have no more than 20 percent foreign ownership as of Friday 1st January 2016. The legislation was allegedly needed to prevent "foreign meddling" and its patriotic undertones are forcing international media groups to relinquish Russian assets by the end of the year or leave the once-booming market altogether. Viacom could also be forced to relinquish its control of 12 television stations that broadcast in Russia, including Nickelodeon, to a conglomerate belonging to Russian billionaire Viktor Vekselberg, RBK reported.
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