Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Nickelodeon Latin America Sees Significant Ratings Growth in Argentina

Nickelodeon Latin America (Latinoamérica) reported a ratings growth of 41 percent in December 2018 compared to the same month in 2017 in the channel's target demo of children aged 4-to-11 in Argentina, according to data from Kantar IBOPE!


The ratings gains help position Nickelodeon Argentina are one of the top 3 pay television channels for children in the country. Helping Nick to achieve this significant ratings gain included Nickelodeon productions such as The Loud House, The Adventures of Kid Danger, Bunsen Is a Beast, and Kally's Mashup, the second season of which is set to premiere on the channel on Monday 18th February 2019 at 19:00.

"These results demonstrate the deep knowledge we have about our audience and the unparalleled quality of our diverse content," said Tatiana Rodríguez, Senior Vice President (SVP) of Programming & Creative Strategy for Nickelodeon Latin America. "We continue betting on stories that represent the kids of today. Working for the youngest is a big responsibility, the little ones are sponges that absorb all the messages and for that reason we feel that we have the responsibility to entertain them in a fun way".

Darío Turovelzky, the newly named SVP of Global Contents at Viacom Americas, added: "We work to strengthen Nickelodeon's content and programming strategy to consolidate it as a leading brand in the target audience of children in Argentina. The great performance is the result of teamwork in Southern Cone and Regional teams that drives us to continue on this path of growth that gives us great satisfaction, reinforcing the core values ​​of Nickelodeon."

From TVNIÑOS:

Nickelodeon registra crecimiento de sintonía en Argentina

De acuerdo a datos de Kantar IBOPE, Nickelodeon informó que durante diciembre obtuvo un crecimiento en rating del 41 por ciento comparado al mismo mes del año anterior en el target de niños de 4 a 11 años en Argentina.

De esta manera, el canal se posicionó en el top 3 de los canales de televisión paga infantiles en el país. Entre los destacados de programación se encuentran producciones como The Loud House, Las aventuras de Kid Danger, Bunsen es una bestia y Kally’s Mashup. La segunda temporada de esta serie se lanzará el 18 de febrero.

“Estos resultados demuestran el conocimiento profundo que tenemos sobre nuestra audiencia y la inigualable calidad de nuestros diversos contenidos”, dijo Tatiana Rodríguez, VP sénior de programación y estrategia creativa de Nickelodeon Latin America. “Seguimos apostando por historias que representen a los chicos de hoy en día. Trabajar para los más jóvenes es una gran responsabilidad, los pequeños son esponjas que absorben todos los mensajes y por ello sentimos que tenemos la responsabilidad de entretenerlos de una manera divertida”.

Darío Turovelzky, VP sénior de contenidos globales de Viacom Américas, agregó: “Trabajamos para fortalecer con contenido y estrategia de programación a Nickelodeon para consolidarla como marca líder en el target de niños en Argentina. El gran desempeño es consecuencia de un trabajo en equipo de Cono Sur y Regional que nos impulsa a continuar en este camino de crecimiento que nos da mucha satisfacción, reforzando los valores principales de Nickelodeon”.

###

More Nick: Viacom International Studios Greenlights 'Noobees' Season 2 for Nickelodeon Audiences in Latin America and Brazil!

Additional sources: Google Translate, DeepL Translator, Wikipedia.
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New Era Ambassadors Curren Caples And Louie Lopez Style New Rocket Power Cap Collection

We are riders, on a mission!

The New Era Cap Company has partnered with Nickelodeon to unveil a fresh collaboration that’s a total blast from the past!


New Era's new line has been envisioned with the help of New Era Action Sports Ambassadors and professional skaters Curren Caples and Louie Lopez. The duo says they spent their downtime watching Rocket Power on Nickelodeon when they weren’t grinding out gnarly new tricks. Together, they teamed up with New Era to design a limited edition Rocket Power Collection featuring a wide variety of 59FIFTY and 9TWENTY caps showcasing some of the show’s most iconic characters and phrases! Most caps also are available in a variety of sizes.

The caps are available to purchase online now at neweracap.com. Prices range from $20-$35 (USD).

The New Era x Rocket Power headwear collection follows New Era Cap previously teaming up with Nickelodeon to release a retro Nickelodeon Collection in December 2017 which paid homage fan-favorite '90s Nick shows such as Hey Arnold!, Rugrats, Double Dare, Rocko’s Modern Life, All That, Legends of the Hidden Temple, and Nickelodeon's famous orange splat logo.

Check out the New Era x Rocket Power cap collection below. Don't be a lame-o shoobie, shop the New Era x Rocket Power cap collection today! Woogity woogity woogity! 🤙

PROPS & MOTION CAPTURE on the Henry Danger Set! | BTS Ep. 7 | #SetLifeOnNick | Nickelodeon

PROPS & MOTION CAPTURE on the Henry Danger Set! | BTS Ep. 7 | #SetLifeOnNick



Did you know that the Virus that Kid Danger fights is a man in a green suit? Did you know that Piper's puzzle was made more than once? Check out these secrets and more as Jace Norman, Riele Downs and the rest of the cast work with some special tricks that make the Henry Danger "A New Evil" Trilogy a spectacular thrill ride!

Want to ask the cast a question about #setlife? Leave a comment for them on YouTube!

Catch the Power Packed Encore of the Henry Danger 3-Part Television Event, featuring bonus extras, Wednesday January 23rd at 7:00pm ET/PT on Nickelodeon USA!

More Nick: Nickelodeon USA to Premiere New 'Henry Danger'/'Knight Squad' Crossover Special 'Knight & Danger' on Saturday, February 2nd, 2019!
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, Google+, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon and Henry Danger News and Highlights!

Bixler High Private Eye “Runaway Scooter” + Henry Danger & Rufus 2 BONUS Scenes | Nickelodeon

Bixler High Private Eye “Runaway Scooter” + Henry Danger & Rufus 2 BONUS Scenes | Nick



Jace Norman feels gooood about fighting crime and saving the world from bad guys. Check out an intense scene from the new Nickelodeon original TV movie Bixler High Private Eye, and bonus scenes of his most villainous arch nemeses in Henry Danger and Rufus 2. Be sure to catch more on TeenNick!

Who else LOVED Bixler High Private Eye?! 🖤🔍

NickHeads in Canada: Bixler High Private Eye premieres Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 6:00pm (ET/PT) on YTV Canada, as part of SaturJace!

More Nick: 2019 on Nickelodeon USA | New Shows, Specials, Events, Movies, Episodes, and More!
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, Google+, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon and Bixler High Private Eye News and Highlights!

Bixler High Private Eye “Police Chase” + Henry Danger BONUS Scenes | Nickelodeon

Bixler High Private Eye “Police Chase” + Henry Danger BONUS Scenes | Nick



Check out the exciting action-filled opening scene from the new Nickelodeon original TV movie Bixler High Private Eye, and bonus scenes of Jace Norman’s most memorable stunts in Henry Danger. Be sure to catch more on TeenNick!

Have you watched Bixler High Private Eye yet? What was YOUR favorite part?! 🕵

NickHeads in Canada: Bixler High Private Eye premieres Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 6:00pm (ET/PT) on YTV Canada, as part of SaturJace!

More Nick: 2019 on Nickelodeon USA | New Shows, Specials, Events, Movies, Episodes, and More!
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, Google+, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon and Bixler High Private Eye News and Highlights!

Bixler High Private Eye “The Kiss” w/ Jace Norman & Ariel “Baby Ariel” Martin + Bonus Scenes | Nickelodeon

Bixler High Private Eye “The Kiss” w/ Jace Norman & Ariel “Baby Ariel” Martin + Bonus Scenes | Nick



Your favorite sweethearts -- Jace Norman and Ariel “Baby Ariel” Martin -- share an on-screen kiss that left us shipping more than ever in the new Nickelodeon original TV movie Bixler High Private Eye. Smells like teen romance, but Nickelodeon aren't done yet… There’s still more bonus romance from Blurt! and Henry Danger. Be sure to catch more on TeenNick!

Did YOU think Xander and Kenzie would kiss?! 😘

NickHeads in Canada: Bixler High Private Eye premieres Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 6:00pm (ET/PT) on YTV Canada, as part of SaturJace!

More Nick: 2019 on Nickelodeon USA | New Shows, Specials, Events, Movies, Episodes, and More!
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, Google+, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon and Bixler High Private Eye News and Highlights!

The Loud House Family Band Guide 🎸| #TryThis | Nickelodeon

The Loud House Family Band Guide 🎸| #TryThis | Nickelodeon



The Louds are starting a family band! Help Nick get these future superstars rockin’ by figuring out WHO will do WHAT. From lead guitarist to lead mechanic, there’s a lot to do before this act can hit the road. 🎸 Plus - Every band needs an awesome name! Comment on YouTube with what you think the Loud House Family Band should be called, and Nickelodeon will respond to the winning name! Rock on!

Watch more The Loud House on Nickelodeon!

More Nick: Nickelodeon USA's January 2019 Premiere Highlights | All New All Nick!
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Abby Hatcher Hotel Surprises: Tour The Hatcher Palace Hotel! | Nick Jr.

Abby Hatcher Hotel Surprises: Tour The Hatcher Palace Hotel! | Nick Jr.



Take a tour of the Hatcher Hotel and meet all of Abby’s friends and fuzzlies! Find full episodes of Abby Hatcher weekday mornings on Nickelodeon, and everywhere you find Nick Jr.

Ready to take a tour and see what surprises are in store at the Hatcher Palace Hotel? Let’s check in and check out the hotel’s five-star staff, stylish salon, kitchen, and more. In this free online video, kids can visit each floor of the hotel to see where each fuzzly friend resides. Meet Abby’s parents, Princess Flug, Mrs. Melvin and Harriet, Chef Jeff and Curly, and more! The Hatcher Palace Hotel is the perfect place to play. You never know what treasures you might find. So grab your preschooler and explore the whole hotel!

Kids can watch their favorite Nick Jr. shows weekdays on Nickelodeon and all week long on the Nick Jr. channel: http://nickjr.com/tvschedule/

More Nick: Nickelodeon USA to Premiere 'Peppa Pig' Chinese New Year Special on Monday, February 4!

Preschoolers can watch full episodes online, play games, and discover silly surprises in the free Nick Jr. App and at NickJr.com. Stream Nick Jr. for free in the Nick Jr. App on Roku and Apple TV or download full episodes for offline viewing on iTunes or Google Play.

You can also download premium apps featuring your child's favorite Nick Jr. shows on iTunes, Google Play, and Amazon, including Nick Jr. Draw and Play and Nick Jr. Let’s Learn!

More Nick: Nick Jr. USA to Premiere 'Thomas & Friends' Chinese New Year Special on Saturday, February 2!
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, Google+, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon Preschool, Nick Jr. and Abby Hatcher News and Highlights!

Club 57 | Reto de la caja misteriosa | Nickelodeon Latinoamérica

Club 57 | Reto de la caja misteriosa | Latinoamérica | Nickelodeon en Español



¿Qué hay dentro de la caja misteriosa? ¡Sigue a los chicos de #Club57 en el reto de la #MysteryBox y aprovecha para conocer más sobre ellos! ¿Qué les preguntarías tú a Evaluna Montaner, Riccardo Frascari, Isa Castillo, Sebas Silva y todo el cast?

¡Sigue pendiente que el show se estrenará muy pronto por Nick!

Más Club 57: http://www.mundonick.com/programas/club-57/io25rf

Más Nick: Nickelodeon Latin America to Premiere 'Kally's Mashup' Season 2 on Monday 18th February 2019!
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, Google+, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon Latin America and Club 57 News and Highlights!

Kally's Mashup 2 | El nuevo Dante | Nickelodeon Latinoamérica

Kally´s Mashup 2 | El nuevo Dante | Latinoamérica | Nickelodeon en Español



Dante ha crecido mucho como músico y llega totalmente renovado a la segunda temporada de Kally's Mashup. ¿Qué crees que pasará entre él y Kally?

Kally's Mashup 2: http://mundonick.com/programas/kallys-mashup/bin4jl

Más Nick: Nickelodeon Latin America to Premiere 'Kally's Mashup' Season 2 on Monday 18th February 2019!
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, Google+, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon Latin America and Kally's Mashup News and Highlights!

Noobees | Entrevista com Tânia | Nickelodeon Brasil

Noobees | Entrevista com Tânia | Brasil | Nickelodeon em Português



Conheça Tânia, da equipe de Noobees!

Mais: http://mundonick.uol.com.br/noobees

Mais Nick: Nickelodeon Brazil to Premiere 'Noobees' on Monday 4th February 2019; Announces Immersive 'Noobees' Truck!
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, Google+, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon Brazil and Noobees News and Highlights!

La Patrulla Canina: Los Súper Cachorros 🐾 Vídeo Musical | Nick Jr. España

La Patrulla Canina: Los Súper Cachorros 🐾 Vídeo Musical | Nick Jr. España



Chase, Skye, Rubble, Zuma, Everest, Rocky, and Marshall make up the Mighty Pups! 🐾 Watch as these paw-some pups power up and put their new superhero skills and gear into action. If you love the La Patrulla Canina theme song, then you’ll love this video that captures the theme song for the special, one-hour Mighty Pups movie event. 🎶 Show you’re a part of the pack with super singing powers by singing along to this music video. And if you’re looking for more of your favorite cartoon character pups, you can find PAW Patrol everywhere you find Nick Jr.!

Más Nick: Nick Jr. Spain to Premiere 'Butterbean’s Café' on Monday 4th February 2019!
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, Google+, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nick Jr. Spain, Nickelodeon Preschool and and PAW Patrol News and Highlights!

Transformers: Robots in Disguise | Theme Song | Hebrew Version | Nickelodeon Israel

רובוטריקים בהסוואה | שיר הפתיחה 🎵 | ניקלודיאון



יותר: https://nick.walla.co.il

יותר ניקלודיאון: TeenNick Israel to Premiere 'Noobees' Soon!

Additional source: Google Translate.
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Funko Unveils Nickelodeon Rugrats: Tommy Pickles FunkO's Cereal

A Baby's Gotta Do What a Baby's Gotta Do!

OK, '90s babies. It’s time to grab a bottle of milk, because your childhoods are calling! Rugrats cereal from Funko will be the only thing you will want to eat while you watch cartoons!


The multigrain cereal features Tommy Pickles, the leader of the gang on Nickelodeon's beloved '90s animated series Rugrats. The cereal has been created by Funko, a company that sells pop-culture products - including Rugrats vinyl figures, and is available to purchase now at FYE (limit four boxes per customer), priced $12.99 (reduced from SRP $14.99)! The cereal was also available at Walmart, but is now unfortunately sold out.

The 7-ounce box includes a Tommy Pickles figurine — equipped with his recognizable blue shirt, diaper, and baby bottle. The cereal itself appears to have an orange-y color, which matches the Nickelodeon logo. Talk about nostalgia!

Product details:

Nickelodeon Rugrats: Tommy Pickles FunkO's Cereal

Start the day off right by putting the fun back in breakfast with FunkO's!

Each box also contains a collectible Pocket Pop! Tommy Pickles figure
NET WT 7 OZ (198g)
Multigrain cereal

Watch all your '90s Nickelodeon favorites on NickSplat, your late-night destination for your favorite childhood Nickelodeon cartoons and live-action shows! NickSplat doesn't question football-shaped heads, but embrace them - along with Reptar bars, a Big Ear of Corn, orange soda, and even slime for Pete (and Pete's) sake. Make your slime-covered Nickelodeon childhood dreams come true every night at 11 PM ET/PT on TeenNick USA, and anytime you want on NickSplat on VRV! #NickSplat!

More Nick: Nickelodeon and Paramount to Bring 'Rugrats' Back for the Next Generation of Kids with an All-New TV Series and Feature Film!

Original source: Best Products; H/T: Delish.
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'The SpongeBob Movie: It's a Wonderful Sponge' Begins Principal Photography

The SpongeBob Movie: It's a Wonderful Sponge, the forthcoming origin story for SpongeBob SquarePants, today (Tuesday, January 22, 2019) begun principal photography in in Newhall, CA, according to a listing from Production Weekly!


The news follows the movie adding Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice cinematographer Larry Fong to the team in December 2018.

Besides Batman v Superman and Watchmen, Fong has worked with director Zack Snyder on 300 and Sucker Punch, as well as putting in hours on other huge properties like Shane Black's The Predator, J.J. Abrams's Super 8, and ABC series Lost.

Paramount Animation president Mireilla Soira revealed in October that the upcoming film is set to be an origin tale with a bit of an homage to the Frank Capra holiday classic It's a Wonderful Life.

"For the first time ever, we're going to get to the origin of how little SpongeBob met the rest of the Bikini Bottom gang at summer camp," Soria said. "The film's opening will take place at Camp Coral when all of our favorite characters meet for the first time."

In addition to delving into SpongeBob's character history, the film is also set to depart from previous films as well as the television series in terms of how it's made as well. It's a Wonderful Sponge will be the first SpongeBob feature film not to be animated by the South Korean studio behind the TV show, Rough Draft Korea. Instead, Montreal-based Mikros Image will animate the film. The film will also be the first SpongeBob movie to feature entirely computer-generated animation as the first film was hand animated while the second, The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water, featured a mix of hand animated and CG-animated scenes.


Mikros Image has the project up on their website and are also recruiting to fill up several roles such as Production Assistant, Artist layout/animators and more.

Sadly, this movie marks the first SpongeBob SquarePants production to follow Stephen Hillenburg's death. The creator of SpongeBob passed away in November after a battle with ALS, as is expected to receive an "In Memory Of" credit in the movie. There has also been a push to incorporate the famed animated character into the Super Bowl Halftime Show in February 2019. The stadium hosting the event is aware of the campaign but has not committed to doing anything - although Maroon 5, who is set to perform during the Super Bowl half-time show, has released a cryptic video about their upcoming performance, which features a quick glimpse of SpongeBob SquarePants!

Sitting in the director's chair for the movie will be Tim Hill, known for his work on the TV series. Additionally, Hill co-wrote the script for The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie in 2004. Expected to lend their voices to reprise their roles as well are voice actors Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Rodger Bumpass, Clancy Brown, Mr. Lawrence, Jill Talley, Carolyn Lawrence, Mary Jo Catlett, and Lori Alan. Composer Hans Zimmer will also be providing the music. Reportedly, the movie goes into production as of today, meaning new updates about its progress and other plot details are expected to be made available over the coming weeks.

The SpongeBob Movie: It's a Wonderful Sponge is set to open in theaters in the U.S. on July 17, 2020. The film will be the third in the series with The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie having been released in 2004 and its sequel, The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water, in 2015. The movies' release was first anticipated to be released in 2019, during the series’ 20th anniversary year, however later announced that the film was being pushed back a year.

SpongeBob SquarePants has emerged as a global pop culture phenomenon since the animated series first premiere don Nickelodeon in July 1999. The series is the most-watched animated program for over 14 consecutive years. Seen in over 185 countries and translated into more than 50 languages worldwide, the cartoon follows the adventures of SpongeBob, a cheerful, optimistic and earnest sea sponge -- who just so happens to look more like a bright yellow kitchen sponge than a sea creature -- and his various friends in the fictional underwater city of Bikini Bottom. Among those friends are SpongeBob's best friend, a pink starfish named Patrick Star, his neighbor and co-worker octopus Squidward Tentacles, and Sandy Cheeks, a squirrel from Texas.

Both The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie and The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water were box office successes for the studio, bringing in a combined $465.3 million on a budget of $104 million between the two films.

Since its launch in July 1999, SpongeBob SquarePants has emerged as a pop culture phenomenon. The series has been the most-watched animated program with kids 2-11 for more than 15 consecutive years, and over the past several years, it has averaged more than 100,000,000 total viewers every quarter across all Nickelodeon networks. SpongeBob SquarePants is the most widely distributed property in Viacom International Media Networks history, seen in more than 208 countries and territories and translated in 55+ languages. The Paramount Pictures feature film The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water premiered Feb. 6, 2015, landing at #1 opening weekend. The character-driven cartoon chronicles the nautical and sometimes nonsensical adventures of SpongeBob, an incurably optimistic and earnest sea sponge, and his undersea friends in the fictional underwater city of Bikini Bottom. Among those friends are SpongeBob's best friend, a pink starfish named Patrick Star, his neighbor and co-worker octopus Squidward Tentacles, and Sandy Cheeks, a squirrel from Texas.

SpongeBob SquarePants has been renewed through to at least the show's twelfth season, will be celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2019, has its own critically acclaimed Broadway show, which is set to tour the U.S. from Fall 2019, and has a third upcoming movie, The SpongeBob Movie: It's a Wonderful Sponge, set to be released in Summer 2020!

More Nick: Nickelodeon Outlines SpongeBob SquarePants' 20th Anniversary Celebration Plans | SpongeBob Imagination Shellabration!

Sources: Pursue News, MovieWeb, AltPress.
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Viacom Agrees to Acquire Pluto TV

Viacom Agrees to Acquire Pluto TV

Acquisition of Leading Free Streaming Television Platform Marks Next Step in Viacom’s Evolution

Provides Scaled Direct-to-Consumer Platform and Expands Opportunities Across Distribution Partnerships, Advanced Advertising

Platform Will Benefit from Viacom’s Content Library, International Footprint and Marketing Capabilities

January 22, 2019 06:24 PM Eastern Standard Time


NEW YORK--Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Pluto TV, the leading free streaming television service in U.S., for $340 million in cash.

Founded in 2013, Pluto TV streams more than 100 channels and thousands of hours of on-demand content spanning television and movies, sports, news, lifestyle, comedy, cartoons, gaming and trending digital series. The ad-supported, internet-based TV service features world-class programming sourced from over 130 partnerships with media networks, major film and television studios and a wide range of digital content producers.

Today, Pluto TV has more than 12 million monthly active users, 7.5 million of which are on connected TVs. Its audience streams billions of minutes of content each month across devices such as Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, and Sony PlayStation consoles, as well as built-in integrations on smart TVs from Samsung and Vizio, and mobile apps on Android and iOS. Pluto TV has also secured new distribution deals that will make the service available on tens of millions of additional devices in the coming months.

Strategic Highlights

The acquisition of Pluto TV will advance Viacom’s key strategic priorities, including expanding its presence across next-generation distribution platforms and growing its advanced advertising business. Additionally, access to Viacom’s global reach, leading brands and vast, unencumbered library will help solidify Pluto TV as the leader in the free streaming video market in the U.S., and accelerate Pluto TV’s global growth. The benefits of this transaction include:

-- CREATES A SCALED D2C OFFERING

- Provides Viacom with direct access to millions of consumers

- Serves as a very important marketing engine to acquire and retain consumers for Viacom’s targeted subscription products, including Noggin and Comedy Central Now

- Provides a new distribution outlet for Viacom Digital Studios’ content, beyond the existing AwesomenessTV channel on Pluto TV

- Promotes Viacom brands and content that live on other platforms, such as pay-TV, theaters and beyond

-- MEANINGFULLY ENHANCES ADVANCED MARKETING SOLUTIONS BUSINESS

- Immediately adds billions of high-quality addressable advertising impressions, which will further strengthen Viacom’s ability to serve advertisers and their agencies

- Brings an additional audience that is young, gender-balanced and hard to reach

-- ADDS IMPORTANT OFFERING FOR DISTRIBUTION PARTNERS

- Further expands Viacom’s ability to partner with distributors by adding a premium, free service for broadband-only and other subscribers

- Serves as a customer acquisition and retention tool for certain tiers of pay-TV packages

- Represents a significant opportunity for all types of distributors, including mobile operators

-- UNLOCKS VIACOM LIBRARY VALUE

- Creates an incremental opportunity to monetize Viacom library product; importantly, Viacom’s current-window programming will remain in the pay-TV ecosystem on its branded networks

- Benefits from Viacom’s strategic decision to curtail the licensing of large library packages to SVOD over the last two years

-- CREATES GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY

- Leverages Viacom’s international reach, infrastructure and capabilities

- In particular, Viacom sees a very compelling near-term opportunity to create a Spanish language offering, capitalizing on Viacom International Media Networks’ library, in both the U.S. and Latin America

-- ACCELERATES PLUTO TV’S LEADERSHIP IN FREE STREAMING TV

- Strengthens key areas of Pluto TV’s offering for consumers by including Viacom’s content across kids, African-American, reality and comedy

- Gives Pluto TV access to Viacom’s brands and marketing capabilities to grow audience and usage

- Delivers incremental value to Pluto TV’s existing content and distribution partners

“Today marks an important step forward in Viacom’s evolution, as we work to move both our company and the industry forward. Pluto TV’s unique and market-leading product, combined with Viacom’s brands, content, advanced advertising capabilities and global scale, creates a great opportunity for consumers, partners and Viacom,” said Bob Bakish, Viacom President and CEO. “As the video marketplace continues to segment, we see an opportunity to support the ecosystem in creating products at a broad range of price points, including free. To that end, we see significant white space in the ad-supported streaming market and are excited to work with the talented Pluto TV team, and a broad range of Viacom partners, to accelerate its growth in the U.S. and all over the world.”

Viacom’s global footprint, portfolio of entertainment brands, deep content library and additional marketing resources will further enrich Pluto TV’s product and consumer experience and provide a clear roadmap for international expansion.

“Since our launch less than five years ago, and particularly over the past year, Pluto TV has enjoyed explosive growth and become the category leader in free streaming television," said Pluto TV CEO and Co-Founder Tom Ryan. "Viacom’s portfolio of global, iconic brands and IP, advanced advertising leadership and international reach will enable Pluto TV to grow even faster and become a major force in streaming TV worldwide. Viacom is the perfect partner to help us accomplish our mission of entertaining the planet.”

Mr. Ryan will continue to serve as CEO of Pluto TV, which will operate as an independent subsidiary of Viacom upon closing of the transaction. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2019 and is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approval.

Paul Hastings, Covington & Burling and Shearman & Sterling served as legal counsel to Viacom. Gunderson Dettmer and Hogan Lovells served as legal counsel to Pluto TV, and LionTree Advisors served as financial advisor to Pluto TV.

Funko Unveils New SpongeBob SquarePants Figures | London Toy Fair 2019

As part of their 2019 London Toy Fair Reveals, Funko has unveiled some of their upcoming SpongeBob SquarePants - including a Pop! SpongeBob wearing his famous Band Geeks outfit! SWEET VICTORY, YEAH!

Check out the news below, via the official Funko blog!:

Pop! Animation: SpongeBob SquarePants

“Are ‘ya ready, kids? Aye, aye captain! Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? SpongeBob SquarePants!”


Bring some Bikini Bottom whimsy and charm to your ​writing implements with Funko's brand-new SpongeBob SquarePants pen toppers!

Bring home SpongeBob, ​his best friend Patrick, his coworker Squidward and his boss Mr. Krabs. And if you're lucky Mr. Krabs might be willing to
share his secret formula for Krabby Patties!

Patrick might not always be the brightest bulb in the fish tank but you’ll never find a more loyal or warm-hearted friend. This Pop! Patrick Star wearing his classic board shorts is wielding a hammer and is sporting some unusual headgear. The normally surly Squidward Tentacles leaps and prances with joy as a Pop! ballerina. And Pop! SpongeBob has manifested a rainbow, surprising absolutely no one ​given his cheerful disposition.


Please Note: Final images coming soon.

Look for exclusives!

At Hot Topic find SpongeBob in band outfit!


Please Note: Final images coming soon.

At Target look for 10" SpongeBob!


Coming soon!

Visit https://linktr.ee/funko._pop for pre-order details!



As part of their 2019 London Toy Fair Reveals, Funko also unveiled Pop! TV: Bewitched and Dragon Ball Z! Pop! Animation vinyl figures!

Funko UK will be exhibiting their latest goodies at the 2019 London Toy Fair (stand E130), taking place between Tuesday 22nd - Thursday 24th January 2019 at Olympia London in Kensington. Visit https://www.toyfair.co.uk for more information about this year's show.

More Nick: Funko Announces 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' Pop! Animation Figures!
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