Tuesday, March 06, 2018

Nickelodeon Unveils Content Pipeline Of More Than 800 New Episodes, Details Expansion Into Location-Based And VR Experiences

Original Nickelodeon USA Press Release:

NICKELODEON UNVEILS CONTENT PIPELINE OF MORE THAN 800

NEW EPISODES, DETAILS EXPANSION INTO LOCATION-BASED

AND VR EXPERIENCES


Nickelodeon’s Upfront Presentation from Stage of SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical Highlights New Shows, including Blue’s Clues Remake; Original Short-Form; New Location-Based and Virtual Experiences


Presentation Punctuated by Special Appearances by WWE Superstar and 2018 Kids’ Choice Awards Host John Cena; Lip Sync Battle Shorties’ Nick Cannon and JoJo Siwa; Cast Members of Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Cast Members, Kat Graham, Brandon Mychal Smith and Josh Brenner; and Performances by the Cast of SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical



NEW YORK–March 6, 2018– Nickelodeon, the number-one kids’ network, detailed its plans for serving the new and next generation of kids on new and next-generation platforms as it heads into the 2018-2019 season. With content plans spanning its ecosystem, Nickelodeon announced: its largest content pipeline ever–more than 800 brand-new episodes of new and returning series–a 20% increase over last year; opportunities in social through original short-form content; a reboot of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and a remake of the preschool entertainment landmark, Blue’s Clues; moves into areas of emerging tech, with original VR and AR experiences; and location-based experiences, like this summer’s family musical festival, Nickelodeon SlimeFest. Details were unveiled during the network’s annual upfront presentation, held today at New York City’s Palace Theatre, home of the critically acclaimed SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical.

“With our share growing and content pipeline in overdrive, we are reinventing ourselves to best serve the new and next generation of audiences on new and next-generation platforms,” said Cyma Zarghami, President, Nickelodeon Group. “Kids are both our anchor and North Star, and that bond with the audience allows us to connect to them everywhere.”


During the presentation, Zarghami previewed the network’s upcoming content slate which includes: a development deal for Los Casagrandes, a brand-new companion series for animated hit The Loud House; Pony, a new animated comedy series developed by Nickelodeon International in the UK; a new game show, Keep It Spotless, executive produced by WWE Superstar John Cena; a second season of Lip Sync Battle Shorties, starring Nick Cannon and JoJo Siwa; the reimagined Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; a remake of the groundbreaking series Blue’s Clues; and Musical Dares, a new short-form series created and executive produced by Nick Cannon, and the first project by Viacom Digital Studios for Nickelodeon’s YouTube channel.


Nickelodeon also reviewed plans to continue expanding its footprint through innovative new partnerships and technologies. Today, Nick announced a new partnership with IMAX to bring to SlimeZone–its first multi-player, social VR experience–to select IMAX VR Centres globally this month. Plus, Nick is unveiling a brand-new AR mode for its number-one Sky Whale mobile gaming app, which averages two million active monthly users and has garnered nearly 30 million downloads.


The network is also expanding its location-based offerings with Nickelodeon SlimeFest, produced in partnership with Live Nation, the multi-day music festival for kids and families will take place in Chicago, IL, June 9-10 and feature performances by Grammy-winning DJ and producer Zedd, Liam Payne, multi-platinum artist Flo Rida, and Lip Sync Battle Shorties and social media star JoJo Siwa.

Nickelodeon also has created and launched a new brand campaign, called “That’s Me,” that showcases kids’ drive to be honest and authentic individuals who celebrate differences and diversity. Beginning this week, Nick will launch the first round of spots, which celebrates history-making women and highlights the brand’s longstanding legacy of strong female characters, to inspire and empower a new generation of girls.

With more than 800 episodes of new and returning series in its pipeline this season, Nickelodeon has content in every genre:

Preschool:

Nickelodeon is the number-one network for preschooler’s year to date, a leading position it has held for the past four years. Nick currently owns eight of the top 10 shows for Kids 2-5 this year, led by number-one-ranked PAW Patrol.


This season, the network will premiere more than 300 new episodes of returning hit shows, including PAW Patrol, Blaze and the Monster Machines, Shimmer and Shine, and Nella the Princess Knight. Nickelodeon has also greenlit the following new series:

  • Abby Hatcher, Fuzzly Catcher (26 episodes) –This animated preschool series centers on Abby and her new friends the Fuzzlies, who are amazing and quirky creatures that live in her family’s hotel. Together with her best Fuzzly friend Bozzly, Abby goes on wild adventures to fix Fuzzly mishaps and help them in any way she can. Produced by Spin Master Entertainment (PAW Patrol), Abby Hatcher Fuzzly Catcher features a social-emotional curriculum highlighting empathy, compassion and problem-solving skills.
  • Blue’s Clues (20 episodes) – This remake of the groundbreaking curriculum-driven, interactive series Blue’s Clues will bring back beloved puppy Blue for an all-new generation of preschoolers. The new series will be produced with a brand-new, live-action host and CG animation. Blue’s Clues was created by Traci Paige Johnson, Todd Kessler and Angela C. Santomero.
  • Butterbean’s Café (40 episodes) — This animated series centers on a fairy named Butterbean and her adventures running the neighborhood café with her friends. Butterbean’s Cafe features creative cooking, and a social-emotional curriculum that highlights entrepreneurial and leadership skills. Created by Jonny Belt and Robert Scull (Bubble Guppies), the series will premiere later this year.
  • Fashion Ally (working title, 40 episodes) – This animated series follows a little girl, Ally, in the high fashion world as she makes everything around her a bit brighter, bolder and more brilliant, one design fix at a time. Fashion Ally is created by Paula Rosenthal and produced by Slivergate Media (Sunny Day, Peter Rabbit).
  • The Swashbuckling Adventures of Capitán Calavera (working title, 20 episodes) – This animated action-adventure series follows 8-year-old Robi Montes, a brave and kind-hearted pirate, as he embarks on daring rescues, searches for treasures and keeps the high seas safe from villains like the nefarious pirate Bonnie Bones in a fantastical Caribbean world. The interactive series is created by Niki Lopez, Leslie Valdes and Valerie Walsh Valdes (Dora the Explorer), and infused with a Spanish-language and culture curriculum.

Animation:

Nickelodeon is the number-one network for Kids 2-11 and Kids 6-11 year to date, with its February performance marking 18 straight months at number one with Kids 6-11. Besides being home to TV’s top two animated kids’ shows, The Loud House and SpongeBob SquarePants, Nick currently owns eight of the top 10 shows with Kids 2-11 and Kids 6-11.


The network will air more than 200 episodes of returning animated hits like SpongeBob SquarePants and The Loud House this season, and has announced the following new shows:

  • Los Casagrandes (working title) – A companion to the animated hit The Loud House, this series in development follows Lincoln Loud’s friend Ronnie Anne and his brother Bobby Santiago as they adjust to their new life in the city, where they now live with their big, loving and chaotic multi-generational family, the Casagrandes.
  • Pony, an original 2D-animated buddy comedy that follows the life of an average girl, Annie, her (almost) average family and what happens when an excitable, unpredictable, loveable and talking pony comes to live with them in their city apartment. Pony is the first animated series to be greenlit for the U.S. from Nickelodeon International.
  • Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (26-episodes) – This new re-imagined 2D-animated series follows the band of brothers as they discover new powers and encounter a mystical world they never knew existed beneath the streets of New York City. Along for the adventure is the Turtles’ most trusted ally, April O’Neil, a street savvy native New Yorker and Splinter, father figure and sensei to the Turtles. The series debuts later this year.

Live Action:

Nickelodeon is the number-one network for Kids 2-11 and Kids 6-11 year to date, with its February performance marking 18 straight months at number one with Kids 6-11. Nick currently owns eight of the top 10 shows with Kids 2-11 and Kids 6-11, led by shows like top-ranked The Loud House, The Thundermans, and Henry Danger.


In live action, the network will roll out over 300 brand-new episodes of hit series including Henry Danger, The Thundermans, and Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn, and the following new and returning shows:

  • Keep It Spotless (20 episodes) – This new competition series, executive produced by WWE Superstar Jon Cena, features real kids competing in a variety of physical and paint-filled challenges with one goal in mind—to stay as clean as possible. Produced by ITV Entertainment and Hard Nocks South Productions, and based on a UK format from Possessed, Keep It Spotless is scheduled to premiere later this month.
  • Knight Squad (20 episodes) – This brand-new comedy, which premiered earlier this month, is set at a magical school for knights in training, where two mismatched students (Daniella Perkins and Owen Joyner) form an unlikely alliance to protect each other’s secret and pursue their dreams.
  • Lip Sync Battle Shorties (10 episodes, season two) – The hit competition series, renewed for a second season, features real kids lip-syncing pop songs in celebration of their favorite artists, while competing for the iced-out Shorties mic. Production will begin in Los Angeles this summer with multi-faceted entertainer Nick Cannon returning as host, along with show sidekick JoJo Siwa.

Short Form:

Musical Dares (10 episodes) – This brand-new, short-form series is a new twist on the classic concept of musical chairs. Created and executive produced by Nick Cannon, the live-action game show will combine real kids, physical competition and a full-blown dance party. Musical Dares is the first project by Viacom Digital Studios for Nickelodeon’s YouTube channel.

Additionally, Nickelodeon’s pipeline is rounded out with TV Movies and tentpoles including, Rocko’s Modern Life: Static Cling and Invader Zim specials. The brand will also feature three major TV events this year: 2018 Kids’ Choice Awards on March 24, with returning host and WWE Superstar John Cena; Kids’ Choice Sports in July; and HALO Awards in November.

*Ratings Source: Nielsen Media Research (1/1/2018-2/25/2018), Live+7 blended, 3 t/c min

Nickelodeon, now in its 38th 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, digital, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon’s U.S. television network is seen in more than 90 million households and has been the number-one-rated kids’ basic cable network for 22 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, VIAB).


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More Nick: Nickelodeon Unveils Content Pipeline Of More Than 800 New Episodes, Details Expansion Into Location-Based And VR Experiences | Nick Upfront 2018!
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Nickelodeon Reveals Character Art Of 'Baron Draxum', Voiced By WWE Superstar John Cena, In 'Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' | Nick Upfront 2018

Original Nickelodeon USA Press Release:

NICKELODEON REVEALS CHARACTER ART OF VILLAIN
BARON DRAXUM, VOICED BY WWE SUPERSTAR JOHN CENA,
IN ALL-NEW RISE OF TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES ANIMATED SERIES
Share it: @Nickelodeon @TMNT #TMNT

Nickelodeon today revealed a first look at the character art of original villain, Baron Draxum, voiced by WWE Superstar John Cena, in the all-new animated series Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  Cena will portray the Turtles’ newest nemesis, alongside Omar Miller (Ballers) as Raphael, Ben Schwartz (Parks and Recreation) as Leonardo, Josh Brener (Silicon Valley) as Donatello, Brandon Mychal Smith (You’re The Worst) as Michelangelo, Kat Graham (The Vampire Diaries) as April O’Neil and Eric Bauza (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) as Splinter. Cena unveiled the artwork at Nickelodeon’s Upfront presentation, held today in New York City.

“I’ve always been a fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, so getting the opportunity to voice a character, especially the villain Baron Draxum, is truly special,” said Cena.
An alchemist warrior mutant from the Hidden City, Baron Draxum is the self-proclaimed protector of all mutant-kind. Using ooze, he plans to mutate all of humanity with his insect-like creatures called Oozesquitoes.  Cena’s recurring character will debut in the premiere episode of Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, bowing later this year on Nickelodeon.

Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles follows the band of brothers as they discover new powers and encounter a mystical world they never knew existed beneath the streets of New York City.  The new 26-episode series is co-executive produced by Andy Suriano (character designer, Samurai Jack) and Ant Ward (supervising producer, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) at Nickelodeon in Burbank, Calif. Veteran animation industry voice actor Rob Paulsen is voice directing the series.
Viewers can visit the Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles page on Nick.com for more information and follow @TMNT for Turtle Power updates.
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Nickelodeon Greenlights 'Musical Dares', Brand-New Digital Short-Form Series From Nick Cannon | Nick Upfront 2018

Original Nickelodeon USA Press Release:

NICKELODEON GREENLIGHTS MUSICAL DARES,BRAND-NEW DIGITAL SHORT-FORM SERIES FROM NICK CANNON

NEW YORK—March 6, 2018—Nickelodeon has ordered 10 episodes of a brand-new digital short-form series, Musical Dares (working title), a new twist on the classic concept of musical chairs, set to air on Nickelodeon’s YouTube channel. Created and executive produced by multi-faceted entertainer Nick Cannon, the live-action game show will combine real kids, physical competition and a full-blown dance party. As part of the work of the Viacom Digital Studios, Musical Dares is Nickelodeon’s first original short-form series, and will begin production this summer.
Musical Dares is the hyper-real version of the coolest house party ever,” said Nick Cannon. “It’s a game show and dance party all rolled into one big, fun, silly, messy spectacle. Bring your strategy and stamina…you will need it!”
“We are deepening audience engagement through short-form content and expanding our ability to be everywhere kids are,” said Cyma Zarghami, President, Nickelodeon Group.  “With Nick Cannon at the helm, Musical Dares provides another avenue for our audience to connect with our brand in new and unexpected ways.”
Musical Dares, is a multi-round competition, each filled with unique and messy twists, turns and physical challenges, as kid contestants dance and race to a chair once the music stops. The winning team will receive cash and music-themed prizes.
Cannon currently serves as the host of Lip Sync Battle Shorties, which was just greenlit for a second season. He is also the host, creator and executive producer of the annual Nickelodeon HALO Awards, as well as TeenNick Top 10, currently in its eighth season.
Musical Dares is created and executive produced by Nick Cannon of NCredible Entertainment.  Jay Peterson and Todd Lubin’s Matador Content is producing the project, alongside Elizabeth Kelly who also serves as showrunner and executive producer.
Nickelodeon, now in its 38th 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, digital, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon’s U.S. television network is seen in more than 90 million households and has been the number-one-rated kids’ basic cable network for 22 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, VIAB).
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More Nick: JoJo Siwa, Zedd, Liam Payne and Flo Rida to Headline Nickelodeon USA's Inaugural 'SlimeFest' Music Festival!
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Nickelodeon Brings Augmented Reality To 'Sky Whale' Game App And New 'Do Not Touch' App | Nick Upfront 2018

Original Nickelodeon USA Press Release:

NICKELODEON BRINGS AUGMENTED REALITY TO NUMBER-ONE MOBILE GAME APP SKY WHALE AND BRAND-NEW DO NOT TOUCH APP

NEW YORK–March 6, 2018– Nickelodeon is bringing emerging tech to its audience with the addition of an augmented reality (AR) mode to its number-one mobile game app Sky Whale and the brand-new Do Not Touch AR app, which allows users to interact with disruptive moments and surprises in the real world. Nickelodeon’s Sky Whale averages two million active monthly users and nearly 30 million global downloads since launch. The AR-enhanced Sky Whale app, which challenges players in a 360-degree immersive experience, will be available this spring on the App Store and Google Play. The Do Not Touch app is available now for download on the App Store.
The Sky Whale AR mode makes a user’s physical space appear to become the Sky Whale sea and sky when viewed through a mobile device’s camera in a 360-degree challenge. In the game, players will steer the narwhal with a device, moving through the space to soar through the sky or swim underwater in a race to collect items and accumulate points for high scores. Tied to kids’ love of gaming, Sky Whale was the first in a series of apps created by the characters in Game Shakers that were brought to life for real kids to play.
Nickelodeon’s brand-new Do Not Touch AR app, available now on the App Store, builds on the popular “Do Not Touch” button found in the award-winning Nick app. The Do Not Touch AR app features interactive surprises and mini games that highlight both Nickelodeon properties and iconic trademarks, like SpongeBob SquarePants, The Loud House, slime and the Kids’ Choice Awards blimp, along with original animations.
The Do Not Touch AR app makes Nickelodeon’s iconic “Do Not Touch” button, and the animations and interactive experiences it randomly generates, seem to appear in a user’s surrounding physical space when viewed through a mobile device’s camera. Moving a device allows users to see the action from all angles on the screen, and tapping characters and objects reveals more surprises.
Nickelodeon, now in its 38th 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, digital, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon’s U.S. television network is seen in more than 90 million households and has been the number-one-rated kids’ basic cable network for 22 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, VIAB).
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More Nick: JoJo Siwa, Zedd, Liam Payne and Flo Rida to Headline Nickelodeon USA's Inaugural 'SlimeFest' Music Festival!
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Nickelodeon Greenlights New Original Animated Comedy Series 'Pony' | Nick Upfront 2018

Original Nickelodeon USA Press Release:

NICKELODEON GREENLIGHTS ORIGINAL ANIMATED

COMEDY SERIES PONY



NEW YORK–March, 6, 2018– Nickelodeon today announced a 20-episode order for Pony, an original 2D-animated buddy comedy that follows the life of an average girl, Annie, her (almost) average family and what happens when an excitable, unpredictable, loveable and talking pony comes to live with them in their city apartment. Pony is the first animated comedy series to be greenlit for the U.S. from Nickelodeon International. Created by Ant Blades, Pony is based off a short of the same name from Nickelodeon’s 2015 International Animated Shorts Program.

Pony follows Annie’s everyday life as a 9-year-old, from working at her parent’s city farm, located on their apartment balcony, homework, school friends and, most importantly, her friendship with Pony. Pony is Annie’s biggest cheerleader and best friend, although sometimes his optimism and enthusiasm lands the pair in unusual situations.

Ant Blades started his creative career writing and drawing for the cartoon strip Bewley. After his short stint as an animator, Blades worked for years in the digital creative industry before moving back to the animation field and setting up Birdbox, a studio that produces commercials, on-air spots and funny short films.

Nickelodeon’s International Animated Shorts Program is now a monthly themed outreach effort for original and funny content to fuel its dynamic development slate. Concepts for the program are received in all animation styles from 2D, digital 2D, stop motion, CG and mixed media. Finalists are provided with the necessary artistic and production support to help them complete their fully animated original, humor-based and character-driven short.

Nickelodeon, now in its 38th 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, digital, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon’s U.S. television network is seen in more than 90 million households and has been the number-one-rated kids’ basic cable network for 22 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, VIAB).

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More Nick: Nickelodeon Upfront 2018 Full Coverage!
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Nickelodeon Developing 'The Loud House' Companion Series 'Los Casagrandes'; Renews 'The Loud House' For Season 4 | Nick Upfront 2018

Original Nickelodeon USA Press Release:

NICKELODEON DEVELOPING LOS CASAGRANDES,

NEW COMPANION SERIES TO ANIMATED HIT THE LOUD HOUSE


The Loud House Greenlit for 26-Episode Fourth Season



NEW YORK–March 6, 2018– Nickelodeon announced today the development of Los Casagrandes (working title), a companion series to the animated hit The Loud House that will follow Lincoln Loud’s friend Ronnie Anne and her extended family, the Casagrandes, who live together in the big city. Nickelodeon has also greenlit a fourth season (26 episodes) of The Loud House, which will include a six-episode story arc featuring the Casagrandes. Since its launch in 2016, The Loud House has remained one of Nickelodeon’s top-rated shows and is currently the number-one series across television with Kids 2-11 and Kids 6-11 year to date.

Los Casagrandes expands The Loud House universe, and features heart, humor and a multi-generational ensemble that will speak to kids and families of today,” said Cyma Zarghami, President, Nickelodeon Group.

Los Casagrandes is being developed to have Ronnie Anne and Bobby Santiago adjust to their new life in the city, where they now live with their big, loving and chaotic multi-generational family, the Casagrandes. In the series, Ronnie Anne will make new friends, build stronger bonds with her relatives and explore the endless possibilities city life has to offer. Bobby will help Grandpa Hector run the family’s corner store, and becomes familiar with the neighborhood’s quirky characters.

The Casagrande family was first introduced in the The Loud House special, “The Loudest Mission: Relative Chaos,” and will continue to appear throughout the current third season. The Loud House centers on 11-year-old Lincoln Loud and his ten sisters as he gives an inside look at what it takes to survive the chaos of a huge family. Viewers can catch all-new episodes in its regular timeslot Fridays at 6:00 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon.

The Loud House is co-executive produced by Mike Rubiner (KaBlam!), who previously served as story editor since the series launch in 2016. Award-winning American cartoonist Lalo Alcaraz (Coco) will serve as a cultural consultant and consulting producer for the six-episode arc of The Loud House featuring the Casagrandes.

For more information on The Loud House, visit Nick.com, the Nick App, Instagram and the Facebook page. Episodes of The Loud House are available on the Nick App and Nick.com, for download on iOS, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Android, and Android TV and Nick On Demand. Episodes are also available for purchase on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Vudu, Xbox, PlayStation and Verizon. Additionally, fans can listen to the “Listen Out Loud with the Loud House” podcast, Nickelodeon’s first-ever original podcast for kids, on Nick.com, the Nick App, Nickelodeon’s YouTube channel and most podcast apps.

Nickelodeon, now in its 38th 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, digital, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon’s U.S. television network is seen in more than 90 million households and has been the number-one-rated kids’ basic cable network for 22 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, VIAB).

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More Nick: JoJo Siwa, Zedd, Liam Payne and Flo Rida to Headline Nickelodeon USA's Inaugural 'SlimeFest' Music Festival!
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