Thursday, August 12, 2021

First Look: Paramount Plus to Premiere New 'iCarly' Episode 'iCan Fix It Myself' on August 12

Check out a a super first look at the brand new iCarly episode "iCan Fix It Myself" (#111), dropping Thursday, August 12, exclusively on Paramount+! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com!


Carly (Miranda Cosgrove) is in over her head when she tries to repair her car herself rather than ask for help. Spencer (Jerry Trainor) tries to help Maeve (Lyric Lewis) reveal her secret to Harper (Laci Mosley). Carly also talks about missing Sam.

Directed by Nathan Kress (Freddie), this episode introduces Josh Plasse as Carly's new romantic interest, Wesley (Wes).















More Nick: Paramount Plus Renews Hit Series 'iCarly' for a Second Season!

Originally published: August 11, 2021.

Source: @NathanDuarte_; H/T: Anime Superhero Forum /@Theagames10.

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'Odo' Takes Flight to Milkshake! and KiKA

BAFTA-winning and EMMY® nominated children’s television producer Sixteen South Originals together with co-producer Letko have announced their new preschool series, Odo, has been commissioned by KiKA and Channel 5 for its multiplatform pre-school programming block Milkshake!


The 52 x 7’ hand-drawn 2.5D animation, is a co-production between Sixteen South and Polish animation studio Letko who created the look for the series based on artwork by illustrator Alena Tkatch. The show’s beautiful lighting and shading gives it a 3D feel in a 2D world – dubbed 2.5D by its creators. Currently in production, Odo the series aimed at kids aged 3-5, is set to premiere in summer 2021.

The series follows the adventures of Odo, the littlest owl at the Forest Camp who is determined to prove that despite his size, he is every bit as capable as all the bigger birds. The series aims to teach young children self-efficacy and to believe in themselves to help combat the alarming rise in anxiety and depression levels in today’s children. Comedic and warm, with a genuine gender-free hero, the stories also deal with important themes such as immigration, racism, respect for others, and show kids how to deal with setbacks in a meaningful way while fostering the development of social skills.


Odo is a little owl who just can’t sleep. Being nocturnal, he should sleep during the day – but Odo is different. To keep him busy while they sleep, his parents send him to the Forest Camp where young birds of all species and sizes come to learn important life skills. Odo doesn’t mind being one of the smallest birds there – he’s very comfortable in his own feathers – but he does mind being told that he can’t do something because he’s little. Odo believes that he is capable of anything that he puts his mind to – but his ambitions far outweigh his ability, meaning chaos is never far away.

Colin Williams, Showrunner, Sixteen South Originals, said: “I am thrilled to be in production with this very special show. When we created it in 2018, we were really concerned at the growing levels of anxiety and depression in children. After what our kids have been through in the last 12 months, now more than ever, this really is a show for its time. We’re thrilled to have lots of new voices in our writing team and we’re not shying away from telling stories that need to be told – stories addressing racism, welcoming the migrant, adoption, loneliness and friendship groups. Odo is a cheeky but lovable character with bags of self-belief. To have the opportunity to once again co-produce with our beloved partners at KiKA and Milkshake! is just wonderful.”


Jakub Karwowski, Odo Exec Producer, Letko, said: “Odo has a great and unique character and we wanted the style of the show to be special as well. We created it in 2D with all the theatrical beauty of traditional two-dimensional animation, but adding lots of depth to the show with special 3D lighting and shading, giving the characters a 3D feel in a 2D world. We’re using a warm earthy palette to evoke a feeling of being outside on a sunny day – full of colour, light and energy.”

Sebastian Debertin, Odo Exec Producer, KiKA, said: “Odo is a wonderful show, warm and funny with a great big beating heart. It celebrates the square peg in a world of round holes and showcases the effectiveness of believing in oneself. We are sure our viewers are going to love it as much as we do!”

Louise Bucknole, VP Kids Programming ViacomCBS Networks UK & Ireland and Odo Exec Producer Milkshake! said: “Just like our pre-school audience, the young birds at Forest Camp are all growing and developing their personalities and their voices, as they discover the world around them whilst having lots of fun. The series teaches them important life lessons while being friendship focussed, inclusive and full of curious wonder. We know our viewers will really relate to Odo and his adventures and the series will soon be flying high!”

First pitched at Cartoon Forum in 2018, Odo is produced by Sixteen South and Letko and co-produced with KiKA and Milkshake! The show has been commissioned with support from the government funded Young Audiences Content Fund (YACF), which is managed by the BFI and supports the creation of distinctive, high-quality content for young audiences, Northern Ireland Screen and the Polish Film Institute. The series is also being produced in association with Canal+ and S4C. The Exec Producers are Colin Williams for Sixteen South, Jakub Karwowski for Letko, Sebastian Debertin for KiKA and Louise Bucknole for Milkshake!, John Knowles is Production Executive for BFI/YACF and the Educational Consultant is psychologist Natascha N. Crandall, Ph.D.  The series is distributed globally by Sixteen South Rights.

Warsaw-based award-winning 2D animation studio Letko specialises in the development and production of animation film projects and is devoted to animation storytelling and technical creativity. They have co-produced four 2D feature films in the last three years and produced two TV series and two short art films.

KiKA is the children’s channel of German public broadcasters ARD and ZDF. Milkshake! is a pre-school multiplatform brand that broadcasts every morning on Channel 5 and home to some of the world’s favourite preschool characters.

In addition to Milkshake! and KiKA, Odo will also air on Canal+ (France), ABC (Australia), TVO Kids (Canada), RTE (Ireland), Mini Mini (Poland), SVT (Sweden), NRK (Norway), S4C (Wales) and VRT Ketnet (Belgium).

Last year, Sixteen South split itself into three independent units—Sixteen South Rights, focussed on rights and distribution; Sixteen South Originals, focused on development; and Sixteen South Studios, which does service work in addition to the company’s own 2D animation.

Sixteen South Originals previously collaborated with Nick Jr. UK & Ireland on the popular preschool series Lily's Driftwood Bay.

Milkshake! | Odo | Weekends


Brand new Odo continues this weekend at 7:40am, exclusively on Milkshake! Join Odo, the small owl who goes to Forest Camp and doesn't let his size hold him back as he takes on every challenge with the help of his friends!


Originally published: March 30, 2021.

Additional source: AnimationXpress.

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Soak Up the Summer with SpongeBob Summer on Nicktoons UK

Soak up the summer with back-to-back SpongeBob SquarePants with SpongeBob Summer, everyday from 9:30am, only on Nicktoons UK & Ireland!





Originally published: July 30, 2021.

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Nickelodeon's 'SpongeBob SquarePants' Universe Expands Again with More Than 50 New Episodes Picked Up Across Three Series

NICKELODEON’S SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS UNIVERSE EXPANDS AGAIN,
WITH MORE THAN 50 NEW EPISODES PICKED UP ACROSS
KAMP KORAL: SPONGEBOB’S UNDER YEARS, THE PATRICK STAR SHOW
AND THE ORIGINAL SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS SERIES

Nickelodeon Orders 13 Additional Episodes of The Patrick Star Show
and Adds 13 Episodes to SpongeBob SquarePants Season 13

Paramount+ Renews Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years for Season Two,
and Adds 13 Episodes to Season One


Share it: @Nickelodeon @SpongeBob @OfficialPatrickStar @NickAnimation @ParamountPlus

BURBANK, Calif.—Aug. 11, 2021—In a move underscoring the power and success of Nickelodeon’s franchises, the network is expanding its SpongeBob SquarePants universe with 52 episodes across the property’s three series. Nickelodeon has greenlit additional episodes of The Patrick Star Show and season 13 of the original SpongeBob SquarePants series and also, Paramount+ has renewed Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years for a second season and added additional episodes to season one. Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years, The Patrick Star Show and SpongeBob SquarePants, which are all currently in production at the Nickelodeon Animation Studio in Burbank, find the denizens of Bikini Bottom continuing to embark on all-new adventures.

Said Ramsey Naito, President of Nickelodeon Animation, “SpongeBob is the centerpiece of our franchise strategy to expand the worlds of our characters and grow our global reach even further. It’s a property that wins on every platform because the richness of the characters and the comedy intrinsic to the storytelling continue to appeal to so many fans around the world.” 

Each of the three series in the SpongeBob SquarePants universe continue to garner sizeable audiences. The Patrick Star Show ranks as the number one animated show across all television with Kids 6-11 year to date. The original SpongeBob SquarePants series remains overall television’s top animated kids’ show, with the SpongeBob SquarePants library on Paramount+ reigning as one of the service’s most-watched titles, as well. Since its March 4 debut, Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years has risen to the top as one of Paramount+’s most popular original titles for kids. 

The pickup includes the following:

  • The Patrick Star Show (Season 1, 13 additional episodes, Nickelodeon): The second spinoff of the number-one animated series SpongeBob SquarePants follows a younger Patrick Star living at home with his family, where he hosts his own variety show for the neighborhood from his television-turned-bedroom.
  • SpongeBob SquarePants (Season 13, 13 additional episodes, Nickelodeon): Nickelodeon’s longest-running animated series continues the nautical adventures of SpongeBob and his Bikini Bottom friends Patrick, Sandy, Mr. Krabs, Plankton and Squidward, which will explore a variety of situations.
  • Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years (Season 1, additional 13 episodes, Season 2, 13 episodes, Paramount+): In the first-ever SpongeBob SquarePants spinoff, the CG-animated prequel follows 10-year-old SpongeBob SquarePants and his pals as they spend their summer building underwater campfires, catching wild jellyfish, and swimming in Lake Yuckymuck at the craziest camp in the kelp forest, Kamp Koral.
 
Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years features Tom Kenny (SpongeBob), Bill Fagerbakke (Patrick), Rodger Bumpass (Squidward), Clancy Brown (Mr. Krabs), Carolyn Lawrence (Sandy) and Mr. Lawrence (Plankton) reprising their iconic roles. Carlos Alazraqui (Rocko's Modern Life, The Casagrandes) and Kate Higgins (Blaze and the Monster Machines) join as new characters Nobby and Narlene, narwhal siblings who live in the woods surrounding the camp.

The Patrick Star Show brings together Fagerbakke as the young adult Patrick Star alongside cast members: Tom Wilson (Cecil Star), Cree Summer (Bunny Star), Jill Talley (Squidina Star); and Dana Snyder (GrandPat). Additional cast members include Kenny, Bumpass, Lawrence, Brown and Mr. Lawrence, all who continue to voice their famed role.

SpongeBob SquarePants voice cast members include Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants), Bill Fagerbakke (Patrick Star), Rodger Bumpass (Squidward), Clancy Brown (Mr. Krabs), Carolyn Lawrence (Sandy Cheeks) and Mr. Lawrence (Plankton).

Marc Ceccarelli, Vincent Waller and Jennie Monica are co-executive producers of SpongeBob SquarePants, The Patrick Star Show and Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years. All series were developed for television by Claudia Spinelli, SVP of Animation Development, Nickelodeon, with production overseen by Kelley Gardner, Vice President, Current Series, Animation, Nickelodeon.

The greenlights come on the heels of the just launched The Patrick Star Show (July 9, 2021). Along with the Paramount+ original, Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years, these series are part of Nickelodeon’s strategy to be the home of the biggest franchises kids and families love, and it expands its growing portfolio of influential properties that already includes SpongeBob SquarePants, PAW Patrol, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Blue’s Clues & You!, the all-new animated Star Trek: Prodigy series for Paramount+, The Smurfs partnership and Transformers co-production.

Since its launch July 17, 1999, SpongeBob SquarePants has reigned as the number-one animated series on TV for the last 18 years, while generating a universe of beloved characters, pop culture catchphrases and memes, theatrical releases, consumer products, a Tony Award®-winning Broadway musical and a global fan base.  SpongeBob SquarePants is the most widely distributed property in ViacomCBS Networks International history, seen in more than 170 countries and territories, translated in 30+ languages, and averaging more than 100 million total viewers every month. SpongeBob SquarePants was created by Stephen Hillenburg and produced by Nickelodeon in Burbank. The character-driven cartoon chronicles the nautical and sometimes nonsensical adventures of SpongeBob, an incurable optimist and earnest sea sponge, and his undersea friends.






Nickelodeon, now in its 42nd 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 brand includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, location-based experiences, publishing and feature films. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of ViacomCBS Inc. (Nasdaq: VIACA, VIAC).

###


Originally published: August 11, 2021 at 17:48 BST.

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VIS Unveils Black Narratives, A Dedicated Writing Room for Diverse Content Creation

VIS UNVEILS BLACK NARRATIVES, A DEDICATED WRITING ROOM FOR DIVERSE CONTENT CREATION

A TEAM OF BLACK SCREENWRITERS BASED IN BRAZIL TO DEVELOP AN INCLUSIVE MULTIETHNIC REPRESENTATION IN CONTENT


MIAMI – MAY 12, 2021 – VIS, a division of ViacomCBS, announced today the launch of Narrativas Negras (Black Narratives), a writing room of Black writers dedicated to developing representative and inclusive content for Viacom International Studios. The talented team of authors based in Brazil will be led by Marton Olympio and includes the collaboration of Renata Diniz, Eliana Alves Cruz, Estevão Ribeiro, and Lidiane Oliveira. Together they will develop projects in different genres to include series, fiction, and films. In addition, they will serve as diversity and inclusion consultants, providing valuable insights that align with the market's evolving demands.

Last November, ViacomCBS International Studios announced that 25% of its budget in Latin America would be invested in creating and developing BIPOC (black, indigenous, and person of color) content.

"For us to be successful, it's important that the content we develop speaks to and attracts the different viewers that are out there. We especially want to raise those voices and highlight stories that are not well represented in media," said Federico Cuervo, SVP, Head of VIS Americas. "Black Narratives is an important first step; however, it only marks the beginning of our efforts to create more diverse content that represents cultures worldwide. This initiative is starting in Brazil but will be replicated in other regions to enrich our product offering with different perspectives that identify with other ethnicities and groups."

"Writers are storytellers," said Marton Olympio, Director of Narrativas Negras. "We are extremely excited to be a part of this project and be able to share our stories, important stories that need to be told, all over the world."

In Brazil, VIS also participates in different festivals and local talent gatherings to develop new stories that elevate the value of diversity and inclusion.

In Latin America and around the world, ViacomCBS is committed to having a diverse workforce both in front of and behind the camera that reflects the communities where their people live and work and the audiences. ViacomCBS is also dedicated to creating an inclusive and equitable work environment where all employees can feel valued and heard and encouraged to do their best every day.

For more about VIS, find more information here or on our social networks Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Eliana Alves Cruz

Estevão Ribeiro

Federico Cuervo

Lidiane Oliveira

Marton Olympio

Renata Diniz

###

About ViacomCBS International Studios

Introduced in 2018, ViacomCBS International Studios is a division of ViacomCBS Networks International that includes production of content for ViacomCBS brands and platforms, including Paramount+, Nickelodeon, MTV, Smithsonian Channel, Comedy Central, Channel 5, Network 10, VIS, Telefe, Ananey and Porta Dos Fundos and for third parties, as well as sales and distribution of original productions, co-productions, formats sold for local adaptations and ready-made content. In 2020, VIS KIDS launched to further the expansion of the studio's global kids content pipeline. The content that ViacomCBS International Studios produces covers all genres, from pre-school to young adult and live action and animation, as well as soap operas, dramas, short and long-form comedy formats and feature film productions.

--Ends--

Creating a Space for Black Stories at ViacomCBS

The head writer of ViacomCBS International Studios' Narrativas Negras, an all-Black writers room in Brazil, introduces the team creating more inclusive content for the studio.

In Brazil, telenovelas and soap operas dominate pop culture. But more times than not, when you see a Black person on screen, they’re playing a maid, a chauffeur, or busboy. And they’re given few, if any, lines.

As head writer for Narrativas Negras (Black Narratives), an all-Black writers room and diversity and inclusion consultancy group within ViacomCBS International Studios (VIS), it’s my hope that we’ll start a conversation around the importance of diversity in Brazilian entertainment. I want to help to combat the lack of representation of Black culture on and offscreen, by developing and producing representative and inclusive content in a variety of genres across film and TV.

We’re a writers’ room on paper, but I like to refer to us as an “idea engine.” We come up with the concept, and VIS takes that concept into further development and production. The project is part of VIS’ commitment to devoting 25 percent of its yearly Latin American budget to the creation and development of “Black, indigenous and person of color” (BIPOC) content.

When VIS tasked me with building the team, the most important factor for me was making sure that we were all different. We’re diverse in skin tone, upbringing, and the type of writing we do. (Though, like many Black Brazilian writers, the six of us are used to being the only Black person in mostly white writers’ rooms.) They’re fantastic, hardworking, and brilliant writers who all bring something different to the room. Renata Diniz is an actress, Eliana Alves Cruz writes novels, and Estevão Ribeiro creates comic books. It makes the stories we come up with richer and fresher.

We all grew up watching American cinema. Compared to Brazil, representation of BIPOC people was better in Hollywood—albeit not much better. Still, it opened our eyes to the possibility of seeing ourselves represented on screen.

We live in different cities, but we meet as a group every single morning over Zoom to brainstorm potential plotlines, conflicts, characters, among other story elements. Then, we proceed with one idea we all agree on and dive deeper by asking ourselves a range of questions: What does this world look like? How does this character speak? Where is the point of tension?

We then decide on a final synopsis to pitch to the production team at VIS. Thus far, VIS has greenlit two of our ideas for production, and we have three others that we’re perfecting ahead of our next pitch.

As the current writing team gets pulled into other projects, we will add new writers in their absence, so that our ideas remain fresh and ever-changing.

A Team Committed to Crafting New Narratives

Renata Diniz

Credits: Amani's Veil

What’s the most influential TV show you watched growing up? I was very fond of TV Globo’s TV Colosso and TV Cultura’s Castelo Ra-Tim-Bum.

What’s your advice to writers of color who are trying to break in the industry? Write to have something to show. In addition, look for different writer’s groups and events that focus on scriptwriting.

What do you think is most important to consider when it comes to creating diverse, inclusive TV/film content? There’s a thirst and hunger for Black stories in genres other than comedy and drama. Whether in sci-fi or fantasy, westerns or horror, there are gaps that need to be filled.

Eliana Alves Cruz

Credits: Água de Barrela, O crime do Cais do Valongo, Nada digo de ti, que em ti não vejaz

What’s the most influential TV show you watched growing up? Mostly soap operas.

What’s your advice to writers of color who are trying to break in the industry? Write as much as you can, even without having a project in mind. Writing is like any other activity—it takes practice.

What do you think is most important to consider when it comes to creating diverse, inclusive TV/film content? Empathy is a must. If you’re not looking at the world from different perspectives, it’s impossible to reflect our diverse reality. It’s also essential to try and shed the stereotypes you might have absorbed while watching TV and film, or even while reading books.

Natalia Oliveira

Natalia Oliveira

What’s the most influential TV show you watched growing up? I remember watching most of Sistema Brasileiro de Televisão’s (SBT) telenovelas, including Chiquititas, Cumplices de um Resgate, Rebelde. In all of them, the representation was next to none. It was always embarrassing when I couldn’t “act” in a school game as the blonde character I was a fan of. And the attempts to look like her were also painful. More recently, seeing how TV Globo’s telenovela Amor de Mãe handled Black characters made me eager to collaborate on new ways to portray BIPOC people on TV. It features multiple Black people in its cast but in very stereotypical roles.

What’s your advice to writers of color worldwide trying to break in the industry? Study a lot. Also, be sure to watch diverse content as much as possible to find stories that inspire you. We grew up consuming other people's stories, especially white people’s stories.

What do you think is most important to consider when it comes to creating diverse, inclusive TV/film content? Diversity should not only be limited to race or creed. We need diversity in approach, technique, and genre. I think the best way to destroy stereotypes and stigmas is to build plurality.

Estevão Ribeiro

Credits: While He Was Dead, Passarinhos, Pequenos Heróis, Futuros Heroes

What’s the most influential TV show you watched growing up? The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and MacGyver.

What’s your advice to writers of color worldwide trying to break in the industry? First: You are not alone. I know we all want to have a byline or be able to autograph a copy of our own works, but working in a group is the best learning experience, so get together and build each other up! Also, learn from your white peers.

What do you think is most important to consider when it comes to creating diverse, inclusive TV/film content? Hear your people, the people around you. People who like you and people who despise you. Then, see what they have in common and their differences. Write about it. Bring light and provocation. And don't run away from sensitive topics! Search, listen, write, and invite people to read.

Lidiane Oliveira

What’s the most influential TV show you watched growing up? The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and TV Globo’s Malhação.

What’s your advice to writers of color who are trying to break in the industry? Dedicate yourself to writing, researching, and watching different formats. And make sure you’re always writing, especially about situations in your own life.

What do you think is most important to consider when it comes to creating diverse, inclusive TV/film content? We no longer need to build on the same stereotypical narratives around Black people that are already out. It is necessary to go further, dig deeper, and tell other stories.


###


Originally published: Thursday, May 13, 2021.

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ViacomCBS Releases 2020 Social Impact Review - '2020 in Focus'

ViacomCBS Releases 2020 Social Impact Review - “2020 in Focus”


Summary

ViacomCBS announced the release of its 2020 Social Impact Review – 2020 In Focus – providing a snapshot of the company’s social impact strategy last year.

Report Highlights

ViacomCBS announced today the release of its 2020 Social Impact Review – 2020 In Focus – providing a snapshot of the company’s social impact strategy last year. As a company passionate about entertaining and informing the world, their approach to social impact was rooted in making the most of the company’s core strengths and assets:

  • Unleashing the power of ViacomCBS content
  • Creating inspiring cultural moments
  • Reaching diverse audiences across the globe
  • Empowering employees
  • Continuing to build on a legacy of social impact.

“2020 was a year of rising to the occasion: one in which ViacomCBS had to demonstrate who we are as a company and how we show up for our employees, audiences, communities and partners around the world,” said Bob Bakish, ViacomCBS President and CEO. “We faced one of the worst health crises in a generation and a racial reckoning that continues to reverberate across our society. In true ViacomCBS fashion, we responded quickly and strengthened our commitment to social impact by building on our legacy of driving change and using our power as a global content creator for good.”

The ViacomCBS 2020 Social Impact Review highlights the company’s commitment as one of the world’s largest content creators to making social impact a top priority across the entire organization. And while this work has been woven into the fabric of ViacomCBS for decades, the report shares how ViacomCBS harnessed this energy in 2020 to make a real difference in the following focus areas:

  • Company Response to COVID-19
  • Social & Racial Justice
  • Mental Health
  • Civic Engagement
  • Giving Back

The report highlights the company’s commitment through actions such as:

  • $100M committed in March 2020 to help support those impacted by COVID-19, including non-staff employees on ViacomCBS productions, as well as through third-party community partners.
  • Launched #AloneTogether, a massive social and talent-led campaign that included over 174,000 TV spots and social media posts to educate audiences about the importance of social distancing and drive unity through entertainment despite the pandemic.
  • Committed nearly $19M through the BET COVID Relief Fund in collaboration with United Way.
  • In response to the watershed moments of racial injustice, ViacomCBS stood up for what’s right by deepening and expanding commitments to advance equality and combat social biases.
  • On June 1, 2020, ViacomCBS channels went dark in honor of George Floyd and to pay tribute to other victims of racial violence.
  • Pledged $250M+ by MTV Entertainment Group over the next 3 years to fuel the growth of content led and produced by BIPOC & women-owned & operated production companies.
  • Collaborated with a coalition of media and entertainment companies, mental health experts and organizations to create a first-of-its-kind Mental Health Media Guide as a resource for content creators to use to help expand positive mental health portrayals.
  • Spearheaded a coalition of over 2,700+ partners—including Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, Univision, BET, YMCA and United Way—to achieve record-breaking early voting turnout in 2020 and drive more than 3 million votes cast on Vote Early Day.
  • Empowered employees and families in 20+ offices and regions globally to engage with 75+ community partners for the company’s first-ever fully virtual day of service.
  • Nickelodeon created #KidsTogether as a spinoff of ViacomCBS' broader #AloneTogether campaign. Delivered in 14 languages for kids and families around the world featuring Nick stars and talent—like SpongeBob SquarePants, Bubble Guppies and The Casagrandes—it provided tips on staying healthy and suggested activities to do at home.
  • Nickelodeon’s School Partnership Program builds on the objective to provide educators with complimentary access to resources that help make learning more accessible, fun and innovative. Nickelodeon prioritized fostering long-term relationships with 31 under-resourced schools, impacting 275,000 kids in 2020.

“This is what we do best at ViacomCBS. As we continue this work, we are committed to doing our part to cultivate meaningful and lasting change in our communities and helping eradicate hate worldwide. We know our work isn’t done, and that there is much more to do. We’ll continue to lean into our history to accelerate our journey, and we’ll update you regularly to share our progress.” – Bob Bakish, ViacomCBS President & CEO


About ViacomCBS

ViacomCBS (NASDAQ: VIAC; VIACA) is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Driven by iconic consumer brands, its portfolio includes CBS, Showtime Networks, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount+, Pluto TV and Simon & Schuster, among others. The company delivers the largest share of the U.S. television audience and boasts one of the industry’s most important and extensive libraries of TV and film titles. In addition to offering innovative streaming services and digital video products, ViacomCBS provides powerful capabilities in production, distribution and advertising solutions for partners on five continents.

For more information about ViacomCBS, please visit www.viacomcbs.com and follow @ViacomCBS on social platforms.

2020 In Focus: ViacomCBS Social Impact Review

By Bob Bakish | President and CEO, ViacomCBS


2020 was a year of rising to the occasion: one in which ViacomCBS had to demonstrate who we are as a company and how we show up for our employees, audiences, communities and partners around the world. We faced one of the worst health crises in a generation and a racial reckoning that continues to reverberate across our society. In true ViacomCBS fashion, we responded quickly and strengthened our commitment to social impact by building on our legacy of driving change and using our power as a global content creator for good.

Across our organization, we took action that led to real results. We helped launch #AloneTogether, a massive social and talent-led campaign that included over 174,000 TV spots and social media posts to educate our audiences about the importance of social distancing and drive unity through entertainment despite the pandemic. In response to the watershed moments of racial injustice, we stood up for what’s right by deepening and expanding our commitments to advance equality and combat social biases. We went dark across our channels on June 1 to honor George Floyd and pay tribute to the victims and communities affected by racial violence. We used our platforms to help drive historic early voting turnout, with more than 3 million votes cast on Vote Early Day in the U.S. We engaged more than 75 partners so that ViacomCBS employees and their families could contribute over 7,500 volunteer hours through our global Virtual Community Day celebration.

This is just a snapshot of the impact ViacomCBS had last year. Our social impact strategy was rooted in making the most of our core strengths by unleashing the power of our content, creating inspiring cultural moments, reaching diverse audiences across the globe, empowering our employees and continuing to build our legacy. And while this work has been woven into the fabric of our company for decades, we’re proud to release this report and share how we harnessed this energy to make a real difference in 2020. We focused on the following areas:

  • Our Response to COVID-19
  • Social & Racial Justice
  • Mental Health
  • Civic Engagement
  • Giving Back

At our core, ViacomCBS is made up of a team of doers and creatives looking to change the world. As a one of the world’s largest content creators, our commitment to social impact is a top priority.

This commitment starts with me, my senior leadership team and our Board of Directors, and extends across our entire organization. We also have some of the most powerful brands across every genre, format and demographic. And that brings a unique responsibility and opportunity to use our content, platforms and reach for action.

This is what we do best at ViacomCBS. As we continue this work, we are committed to doing our part to cultivate meaningful and lasting change in our communities and helping eradicate hate worldwide.

We know our work isn’t done, and that there is much more to do. We’ll continue to lean into our history to accelerate our journey, and we’ll update you regularly to share our progress.

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Paramount Plus Australia Launches On iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Google TV, Fetch TV, Telstra TV, Sony Bravia and Amazon Fire TV

Paramount+ Launches On iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Google TV, Fetch TV, Telstra TV, Sony Bravia And Amazon Fire TV.


Paramount+, which launched today (August 11) in Australia, is available online at ParamountPlus.com.au and on mobile and connected TV devices via the Paramount+ app on iPhone, iPad and Apple TV, and Android devices, Google TV and other Android TV OS devices.

The service will be accessible on Apple TV channels on the Apple TV app, as well as through Google platforms and devices (Android devices, Google TV and other Android TV OS devices), Fetch TV, Telstra TV, Sony Bravia (Android TV) and Amazon Fire TV.

Liz Baldwin, Senior Vice President, Head of Streaming, ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand, said: “We are excited to launch Paramount+ on such a broad range of platforms.

“We are thrilled to allow subscribers to enjoy the mountain of entertainment available on Paramount+ in as many places and on as many devices as possible, across Apple, Google, Fetch TV, Telstra TV, Sony Bravia and Amazon Fire TV devices.”

Scott Lorson, CEO Fetch TV, said: “Fetch has experienced tremendous success on the strength of our ‘All your entertainment, easy’ proposition. We are thrilled to be launching the highly anticipated Paramount+ to our content offering and expect strong take-up of the service by our subscribers eager to access the broad range of premium entertainment it offers.”

Nathan Gumley, Home and Entertainment Executive, Telstra TV, said: “We’re excited to be a Paramount+ launch partner. Paramount+’s huge range of content adds to the fantastic streaming experience on Telstra TV, providing Australians a simple way to find and watch the best in global and local content all in one place.”

Aki Hosoda, Head of TV Australia, Sony, said: “Sony Australia is excited to showcase world class entertainment from Paramount+ on our Bravia Android TV’s. The addition of Paramount+ reinforces our commitment to delivering the latest high-quality content to our growing customer base in Australia.”

Priced at $8.99 per month for a monthly subscription or $89.99 for an annual subscription, new subscribers will have access to a free seven-day trial.

Paramount+ subscribers will have access to more than 20,000 hours of content throughout the year, delighting Australian audiences with unique stories, iconic stars and a mountain of entertainment, including a robust offering of premier local content.

Join the conversation:





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More Nick: Paramount Plus Renews Hit Series 'iCarly' for a Second Season!

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'NickMusic' Africa Host Lerai Rakoditsoe to Take Part in Advancing Diversity Week Session on September 20

Nick News Brief: Lerai Rakoditsoe, host of Nickelodeon Africa's brand new music magazine series NickMusic, will be taking part in the "Featured Conversation with Voice of Nickelodeon Africa, Lerai Rakoditsoe" session of the inaugural Advancing Diversity Week on Monday, September 20, as part of the event's "D-E-I + Belonging! Program".


Hosted by MediaVillage and AdvancingDiversity.org in collaboration with The FQ, Advancing Diversity Week is the advertising and media industry's first-ever collective virtual multi-day diversity-focused gathering, taking place September 20-23. For more information, visit https://week.advancingdiversity.org.


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Farmington Hills Youth Theatre in MI Presenters 'The SpongeBob Musical', August 13-15, 2021

Nick News Brief: Farmington Hills Youth Theatre takes a trip under the sea with The SpongeBob Musical, based on the beloved Nickelodeon TV series, through Aug. 15 at The Hawk Community Center, 29995 W. 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI. Performances are 7 p.m. Aug. 13; 1 and 6 p.m. Aug. 14 and 2 p.m. Aug. 15. Tickets are $12 in advance at fhgov.com/youththeatre and $15 at the door.



The SpongeBob Musical: Live On Stage! was broadcast in December 2019 across Nickelodeon platforms and featured much of the original Broadway company reprising their performances, including Tony nominee Ethan Slater as the high-energy title sponge, Tony nominee Gavin Lee as Squidward Q. Tentacles, Danny Skinner as Patrick Star, Brian Ray Norris as Eugene Krabs, and Wesley Taylor as Sheldon Plankton. The TV event is available to stream on Paramount+ and now is available on DVD.

The Original Cast Recording is available now from Masterworks Broadway wherever music is sold and streamed: https://spongebobmusical.lnk.to/SpongebobMusicalRecording

More Nick: Concord Theatricals Acquires Licensing Rights for Nickelodeon's Broadway Hit 'The SpongeBob Musical'!

Original source: The Oakland Press.

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Veronica Liu Joins Nickelodeon's Animated 'Transformers' Series as Storyboard Artist

Queens-based story artist Veronica Liu has joined Nickelodeon and eOne's upcoming Transformers animated series as a Storyboard Artist. Liu joined Nickelodeon Animation in May 2021, and previously spent four years at animation studio Titmouse, Inc., serving in a variety of roles, such as Storyboard Artist, Character Designer, Storyboard Supervisor and Episodic Director.


Liu will be taking part in Montclair State University's "CART Employer Series: Nickelodeon" session on October 27, 2021, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm.

"Meet Veronica Liu, Storyboard Artist from Nickelodeon Animation Studio’s new series Transformers! Learn about her career and field experience working with 2D and 3D storyboarding and ask your questions! Registration is REQUIRED. Please log into your Hire A Red Hawk account to register for this event."

Nickelodeon and Hasbro’s Entertainment One (eOne) announced in February that have partnered to co-produce an original animated Transformers series (26 half-hour episodes), based on the iconic global property. In the action-comedy series, a new species of Transformers must find their place and purpose among Autobots, Decepticons, and the human family that adopts them. The series will premiere exclusively on Nickelodeon in the U.S. in 2022 before rolling out internationally.

The all-new animated Transformers series is executive produced by Ant Ward (Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), and Nicole Dubuc (Transformers: Rescue Bots) and developed and co-executive produced by Dale Malinowski (Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles). Produced by Nickelodeon Animation Studio, the series is developed for television by Spinelli and Dana Vasquez-Eberhardt, Senior Director, Current Series and Development, Animation. Production will be overseen for Nickelodeon by Conrad Montgomery, Vice President, Current Series, Animation and for eOne by Mikiel Houser, Director of TV Development. The series is being animated by Icon Creative Studio in Canada.

Please note that this is not a press release.


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September 2021 on Nickelodeon GSA: The Astronauts | The Casagrandes | Baby Shark | Beatbuds | Dorg Van Dango + More

Nickelodeon Germany (Deutschland), Switzerland (Schweiz) and Austria (Österreich) is kicking autumn off in style this September with the launch of a brand new show, the premiere of brand new episodes and much much more! Check out Nick GSA's September 2021 programming highlights in the press release below!:


Ron Howards “Die Astronauten” und weitere TV-Highlights im September

10/08/2021

Format-Themenwochen

Ab 6. September können sich Zuschauer*innen jeden Alters auf tolle Thementage der beliebtesten Nick-Formate wie Cosmo & Wanda – Wenn Elfen helfen, Henry Danger und Willkommen bei den Louds freuen.

Nick wünscht gute Unterhaltung!

06. September / 17:15–20:05 Uhr / Die Thundermans-Montag
13./20./27. September / 17:20–20:05 Uhr / Die Thundermans-/Die Astronauten-Montag
7./14./21.28. September / 17:20–20:05 Uhr / Die Pinguine aus Madagascar-Dienstag
8./15./22./29. September / 17:20–20:05 Uhr / Cosmo & Wanda-Mittwoch
9./16./23/30. September / 17:20–20:05 Uhr / Danger-Donnerstag
10./17./24. September / 17:20–20:05 Uhr / Willkommen bei den Louds-Freitag

SPECIAL
SpongeBob Schwammkopf Weekends

Die Nachmittage an den Wochenenden stehen im September ganz im Zeichen des beliebten gelben Schwamms SpongeBob Schwammkopf. 

04./05. September / 13:35–20:15 Uhr
11./12. September / 13:35–20:15 Uhr
18./19. Juli / 13:35–20:15 Uhr
25./26. Juli / 13:35–20:15 Uhr

ZEICHENTRICK BEI NICK

Immer montags bis freitags ab 14:40 Uhr zeigt Nick unterhaltsame und spannende Zeichentrick-Unterhaltung für die ganze Familie etwa mit der weltweit äußerst beliebten Animationsserie Avatar – Der Herr der Elemente. 

SERIENPREMIERE
Die Astronauten

Nickelodeon hebt ab: In der neuen Serie Die Astronauten startet ein divers-quirliger Kindercast ab 13. September 2021 ins Weltall. Fünf Kids stellen sich dem größten Abenteuer ihres Lebens, als sie versehentlich mit dem Raumschiff Odyssey II in den Weltraum geschossen werden. Ohne Astronautentraining und trotz aller Widrigkeiten, wie dem defekten Zentralcomputer Matilda, lernt das bunt zusammengewürfelte Team mit Köpfchen und Zusammenhalt, diese spektakuläre Reise zu überleben und über sich hinauszuwachsen. Großartige Unterhaltung für Kinder und Jugendliche sowie ihre Eltern!

13. September / 17:20 Uhr / Staffel 1 / Episoden 01–03
20. September / 18:00 Uhr / Staffel 1 / Episode 04
27. September / 18:00 Uhr / Staffel 1 / Episode 05

PREMIEREN NEUER EPISODEN

In Die Casagrandes begleiten die Zuschauer*innen Ronnie Anne, eine lebendige unabhängige 11-Jährige, die das Stadtleben mit ihrer großen, liebevollen mexikanisch-amerikanischen Familie erkundet.

06. – 10. September / 17:05 Uhr / Staffel 1 / Episode 20A – Staffel 2 / Episode 2A 
13. – 17. September / 17:05 Uhr / Staffel 2 / Episode 02B – 04B
20. – 24. September / 17:05 Uhr / Staffel 2 / Episode 05A – 08A
27. – 30. September / 17:05 Uhr / Staffel 2 / Episode 08B – 10A

Dorg Van Dango

Neue Folgen gibt es auch von Dorg Van Dango. Er ist eigentlich ein ganz normaler Junge – mit der Ausnahme, dass seine vier besten Freunde magische Wesen sind. Getarnt als Teenager, versuchen Jet das Einhorn, RD der Alien, Yooki das Gespenst und Patronella die Hexe Dorg zu helfen, das Leben zu meistern. Doch es wird chaotisch!

06. – 10. September / 15:50 Uhr / Staffel 1 / Episode 16A – 18A
13. – 17. September / 15:50 Uhr / Staffel 1 / Episode 18B – 20B
20. – 24. September / 15:50 Uhr / Staffel 1 / Episode 21A – 23A
27. – 30. September / 15:50 Uhr / Staffel 1 / Episode 23B – 25A

Baby Sharks Große Show

Der Song und Kindertanz zu „Baby Shark“ begeistert bereits seit vielen Jahren Millionen von Kindern weltweit und die bekannteste Version von Pinkfong ist mit über 9 Milliarden Aufrufen mit Abstand das meistgeklickte Youtube-Video. Nun kann man Baby Sharks Abenteuer auch im TV erleben: Nick zeigt das spannende und lustige Leben des energiegeladenen Baby Sharks und seines Freundes William. Und natürlich sind Papa Shark, Mama Shark, Grandma Shark und Grandpa Shark auch mit dabei!

04. September / 07:05 Uhr / Staffel 1 / Episode 4
11. September / 07:05 Uhr / Staffel 1 / Episode 5
18. September / 07:05 Uhr / Staffel 1 / Episode 6

Die BeatBuds, Jetzt wird gerockt!

In der neuen Animationsserie für Vorschüler*innen von Nickelodeon Die BeatBuds, Jetzt wird gerockt! reisen die Musiker Jonny und Matty von Konzert zu Konzert und erleben dabei tolle Abenteuer, von denen sie in ihren Songs erzählen. Es darf mitgesungen werden!  

04. September / 07:00 Uhr / Staffel 1 / Episode 3
11. September / 07:00 Uhr / Staffel 1 / Episode 4
18. September / 07:00 Uhr / Staffel 1 / Episode 5
25. September / 07:00 Uhr / Staffel 1 / Episode 6





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