Tuesday, January 06, 2026

Nickelodeon Receives Raft of Nominations In 53rd Annual Annie Awards

The International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood, has announced the exciting news that Nickelodeon has received a raft of nominations in the 53rd Annual Annie Awards™, which recognizes the year’s best in the field of animation!

Rise of the Night Ninja | Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

In the 53rd Annual Annie Awards™, Nickelodeon has been nominated for:

  • Best Special Production

  • Best TV/Media - Preschool
    • The Tiny Chef Show
      • Episode: Tiny Chef's Spooky Stump Spectacular
        • Imagine Entertainment, Tiny Chef Productions and Nickelodeon Productions

  • Best TV/Media - Children
    • Wylde Pak
      • Episode: Sungandeul
        • Nickelodeon Animation Studios / Jam Filled Entertainment

  • Best Character Design - Feature

  • Best Direction - TV/Media
    • Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
      • Episode: Rise of the Night Ninja
        • Nickelodeon Animation Studios and Point Grey Pictures
          • JJ Conway, Kevin Molina-Ortiz

  • Best Storyboarding - TV/Media
    • Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
      • Episode: Rise of the Night Ninja
        • Nickelodeon Animation Studios and Point Grey Pictures
          • Richard Chi, Matthew Kim, Sheldon Vella, Lyndsay Simpson

Additionally, the South Park episode "Sermon on the 'Mount" (Comedy Central LLC) has been nominated for the "Best TV/Media - Mature" award!

For a complete list of 2026 Annie Awards nominations, please visit www.annieawards.org/nominations.

The 53rd Annie Awards™ will return to UCLA’s Royce Hall on Saturday, February 21, 2026. Pre-reception and Red Carpet will begin at 4:30 p.m., followed by the ceremony at 7:00 p.m., and after party immediately following the ceremony. All events will take place at UCLA.

The Annie Awards™ cover 37 categories and include Best Animated Feature, Best Animated Feature-Independent, Special Productions, Sponsored Films, Short Subjects, Student Films and Outstanding Individual Achievements, as well as significant lifetime achievement and the honorary Juried Awards.

Juried Awards also will be presented during the ceremony, honoring unparalleled achievement and exceptional contributions to animation. The Winsor McCay Award in recognition of lifetime or career contributions are being awarded to three recipients: Internationally lauded Annie Award and Academy Award-winning animator, writer and director Michaël Dudok de Wit; prolific and influential filmmakers and Annie Award and Academy Award winners Chirstopher Miller and Phil Lord; and Annie Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated writer/director Chris Sanders.

The June Foray Award for significant and benevolent impact to the animation community will be awarded to Sandy Rabins, animation and live action producer and the founding guiding light for the AnimAID effort to assist and support those in the animation industry who were affected by the L.A. Wildfires.

The Ub Iwerks Award for technical advancement affecting the animation industry will be awarded to Wacom, manufacturer of the Cintiq graphics tablet and other products that have become an integral part of animation production worldwide.

The Special Achievement Award acknowledging unique and outstanding achievement not recognized within the existing award category structure will be awarded to LightBox Expo, the annual event that brings the creative animation community of filmmakers together with animation students and fans.

This year’s Sponsors and Advertisers include - Platinum – DreamWorks Animation, Netflix and Warner Bros. Animation; Gold – Disney TV Animation; Silver – Sony Pictures Animation and Warner Bros. Pictures Animation; Bronze – GKIDS, Paper Animation/Infold Games Co., Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Skydance Animation; and Industry – Animation is Film (AIF), Animation Magazine, Backstage, Bento Box Entertainment, Motion Pictures Editors Guild, The Hollywood Reporter (THR), Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) and Variety. Nominee Reception Sponsors – Toon Boom and Wacom.

Created in 1972 by veteran voice actor June Foray, the Annie Awards™ have long recognized the animation industry's most talented artists and storytellers. ASIFA-Hollywood is the largest chapter of the international organization Association Internationale du Film D'Animation (ASIFA). Operating independently through member support and revenue from its events and initiatives, this nonprofit organization continues to unite the global animation community celebrating excellence, preserving history, and fostering education and innovation.

For up-to-the minute details and information on the 53rd Annie Awards™, please visit www.annieawards.org. For information on ASIFA-Hollywood, please visit www.asifa-hollywood.org.

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Originally published: January 06, 2026.


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'Emily In Paris' Renewed For Season Six at Netflix

PARIS IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA

NETFLIX RENEWS EMILY IN PARIS FOR SIXTH SEASON

Emily In Paris
Photo by Giulia Parmigiani

· Netflix announced today it has renewed EMILY IN PARIS for a sixth season.

· Emily In Paris 5 has amassed 26.8M views globally on Netflix in just 11 days, debuting at #2 in the Global Top 10 English TV list. This season reached the top 10 in 91 countries and #1 in 24 (including France, Italy, Brazil and Germany).

· Emily in Paris has captivated fans around the world for five seasons, with each season appearing in the global Top 10 English TV List for multiple weeks. The series invites fans into Emily's chic and fabulous life inspiring trends, memes, fashion, tourism, location visits and more. Emily even became the ultimate American in Paris for those unforgettable Olympics promos. As with his previous groundbreaking television series that put New York (Sex and the City) and Los Angeles (Beverly Hills, 90210 and Melrose Place) on the cultural map, creator Darren Star's signature storytelling has consistently shaped entertainment and global pop culture - this time through the lens of Paris.

· Darren Star was recently awarded the Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honour), France's highest civilian honor from French President Emmanuel Macron.

o Speaking at the ceremony, President Macron said: "I know, dear Darren, that this achievement means a lot to you, as you have made this series your love letter to France." "The way you view our country inspires millions to visit France, to return time and time again...And for those who already live here, Emily in Paris is an opportunity to see the beauty of our country with fresh eyes. For all this, I warmly thank you."

o Darren shared: "Being awarded the Legion d'Honneur by President Macron is both humbling and deeply emotional. France has become an essential part of my creative journey, and I'm grateful for the warmth, curiosity, and generosity with which it has embraced my work. It's an honor I will carry with immense pride."

· In celebration of Season 5's debut, Lily Collins, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, Ashley Park and Star set off for the Paris World Premiere at the Grand Rex theatre aboard the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. The cinematic journey - straight out of Emily Cooper's imagination - closed with a surprise musical moment from Ashley Park, featuring songs from the series, including the beloved "Mon Soleil."

ABOUT EMILY IN PARIS SEASON 5

· All episodes of Emily in Paris Season 5 premiered on December 18, 2025

· Synopsis: Now the head of Agence Grateau Rome, Emily faces professional and romantic challenges as she adapts to life in a new city. But just as everything falls into place, a work idea backfires, and the fallout cascades into heartbreak and career setbacks. Seeking stability, Emily leans into her French lifestyle, until a big secret threatens one of her closest relationships. Tackling conflict with honesty, Emily emerges with deeper connections, renewed clarity, and a readiness to embrace new possibilities.

· Creator / Executive Producer / Writer: Darren Star

· Executive Producers: Tony Hernandez, Lilly Burns, Andrew Fleming, Stephen Brown, Alison Brown, Robin Schiff, Grant Sloss, Joe Murphy

· Starring: Producer Lily Collins (Emily Cooper), Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu (Sylvie Grateau), Ashley Park (Mindy Chen), Lucas Bravo (Gabriel), Samuel Arnold (Julien), Bruno Gouery (Luc), William Abadie (Antoine Lambert), Lucien Laviscount (Alfie), Eugenio Franceschini (Marcello), Thalia Besson (Genevieve), Paul Forman (Nico), Arnaud Binard (Laurent G), Minnie Driver (Princess Jane), Bryan Greenberg (Jake), and Michèle Laroque (Yvette)

· Produced by: Paramount Television Studios, Darren Star Productions, and Jax Media

###


Emily in Paris Renewed: Say ‘Bonjour’ to Season 6

The romance continues.

Emily Cooper (Lily Collins) has one more reason to stay in Europe: Emily in Paris has been renewed for Season 6. 

Series creator Darren Star has already started dreaming about what could be next for Emily in Season 6. “There’s a lot of places I’d love to visit. But I think the show organically [follows] the storyline,” Star said at a press conference in December. “The show is Emily in Paris. It’s never going to permanently leave its home base. But if I can take the audience on a journey somewhere else, I would love that …  [It’s] fun to think about.”


The news comes quickly on the heels of Emily in Paris Season 5’s successful debut. The 10-episode season follows Emily as she travels to Rome for business — and pleasure. The Chicago-born marketing exec is tasked with launching an Agence Grateau office in the Eternal City, as she tackles a new relationship with luxury fashion heir Marcello Muratori (Eugenio Franceschini). But tensions rise in every corner of Emily’s life, and she’s pulled between the newness of Italy and her roots in France. 

Fans were as charmed by this latest installment as the men of Europe are by Emily. Season 5 amassed 26.8 million views globally in just 11 days, becoming the No. 1 TV series in 24 countries — including France, Italy, Brazil, and Germany. Season 5 also appeared in the Top 10 of 91 countries. The tales of Emily, her best friend Mindy Chen (Ashley Park), and their orbit of friends and lovers is so beloved, series creator Darren Star was recently awarded France’s highest civilian honor: chevalier de la Légion d’honneur. 

So what’s next for Emily in Paris? Keep reading to find out. 

This article contains major character or plot details.

What happens before Emily in Paris Season 6?

Emily in Paris Season 5 culminates in a trip to Venice for Marcello’s solo design debut. The fashion show goes so well that he’s embraced by his critical mother, Antonia (Anna Galiena), and offered complete control of his family’s historic cashmere business. Marcello asks Emily to join him at Muratori, but she declines. Emily wants her bustling career in Paris — not a quiet life in Marcello’s sleepy village of Solitano. 

Although Emily and Marcello break up (for a second time), Mindy is more committed than ever. Her on-again, off-again boyfriend Nicolas de Léon (Paul Forman) proposes in Venice, and Mindy accepts. The only problem is, Alfie (Lucien Laviscount) has made his romantic intentions for Mindy very clear. Ever the straight shooter, Alfie tells Mindy her engagement is a “big mistake.”  

In the Mediterranean, Emily’s ex Gabriel puts another possible shake-up into motion. Faced with a few weeks of vacation in Greece — and armed with the news of Emily’s latest split — Gabriel invites Emily to join him aboard his boss’s yacht. 

Will Emily accept? Will she even get Gabriel’s postcard? And what new surprises will Paris hold? Find out when Emily in Paris struts back onto your screen sometime in 2026. Until then, keep coming back to Tudum for more news out of Agence Grateau.

###

More from Deadline:

The news revealed Monday comes two weeks after the arrival of all 10 episodes of Season 5 on the streamer. Season 5 ended with a few cliffhangers, including one for Mindy (Ashley Park).

When Nicolas de Léon came back into the picture midseason, he had an uphill battle ahead of him to win back Mindy’s trust. By the end of the season, it seems he has done just that because Mindy accepts his marriage proposal in a gondola in Venice alongside Emily (Lily Collins) and Marcelo (Eugenio Franceschini). This is only slightly challenged by a flame kindled between Mindy and Alfie (Lucien Laviscount) earlier on in the show.

“Anything’s possible, and I definitely feel like the two of them had a lot of chemistry, and it came out of left field for Mindy,” creator Darren Star told Deadline in a Season 5 interview. “It’s not the way she saw her life going.”

In the finale’s last moments, Alfie confronts Mindy, notices the ring on her finger and wishes her luck. He had previously shared his thoughts on Nico with her. Mindy looks at Emily and says, “What am I doing?” before the show ends.

“Mindy’s never chosen the easier path for herself. In past seasons too she’s always picked the harder path for herself when she knows it’s the right path,” Park told Deadline. “I think because maybe this rift with Emily softened her, I don’t want to say weakened her, she kind of just wants to choose the easy path. And we see her make decisions in a spontaneous way that maybe she shouldn’t.”

As for Emily, she broke things off with Marcello, thinking he was going to propose to her because he was holding onto the ring for Nico. Then, Gabriel, who got a job as a chef on a yacht for most of the season, sent her a postcard asking him to join her in Greece.

“The thing that’s interesting about [Season 5] is, instead of it being open-ended for Emily, Emily is cool. She is fine. She is actually more concerned at work with what Princess Jane is bringing to the table,” Collins told Deadline. “She’s great with how she handled things with Gabriel and Marcello. It’s Gabriel that’s unsure, and I love that there’s a shift there.”

As for whether the show is officially heading to Greece, both Star and Collins remained coy but shared hopes to do so.

The last cliffhanger revolves around the fate of Agence Grateau, for which Sylvie (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu) had to bring aboard a white knight due to financial losses.

Created, executive produced and written by Star, Emily in Paris Season 5 also stars Lucas Bravo, Samuel Arnold, Bruno Gouery, William Abadie, Thalia Besson, Paul Forman, Arnaud Binard, Minnie Driver, Bryan Greenberg and Michèle Laroque.

Executive producers include Tony Hernandez, Lilly Burns, Andrew Fleming, Stephen Brown, Alison Brown, Robin Schiff, Grant Sloss and Joe Murphy. The show is produced by Paramount Television Studios, Darren Star Productions and Jax Media.

###


The season follows Emily (Collins) to Italy, where she opens a satellite office for the marketing agency she works for in Rome. She strikes up a new romantic relationship there, but — spoiler alert — ultimately opts to return to Paris.

“She really chooses her own life in Paris and her work, and what she’s worked so hard to achieve,” series creator Darren Star told The Hollywood Reporter about Emily’s decision. “I think ultimately that’s where her heart was and it clarified for her the fact that she wants to be in Paris and she wants to live there, and it’s not a temporary thing.”

Star also hinted at a resumption of the on-and-off romance between Emily and Gabriel (Lucas Bravo) in season six. “I don’t think that Emily and Gabriel would be … I don’t think it’ll be an instant relationship, though I do believe that people can find their way back to each other,” he said.

###

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Official Netflix press release courtesy of TheFutonCritic.com.

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'As Told By Ginger', 'KaBlam!' and 'Action League Now!' Removed From Paramount+

Paramount+ has suddenly removed As Told By Ginger from its programming library.

As Told By Ginger

Fans recently took notice that the Nickelodeon animated series had disappeared from the streaming service, leaving many worried about the availability of the beloved Nicktoon. Unfortunately, the loss of this animated classic from Paramount’s platform means that it cannot be legally viewed anywhere at the moment, as it currently isn’t available on any digital storefront. While there have been instances in the past of removed series playing leapfrog from one streaming service to another, an official comment has yet to be released by Paramount, meaning nothing has been confirmed when it comes to As Told By Ginger.

Rather than focusing on adventures taking place under the sea like SpongeBob SquarePants or attempting to take over the world like Invader Zim, Ginger’s animated series took a page from shows like Doug, creating an interesting yet mundane setting for its titular character. First premiering in the year 2000, the series would garner three seasons and became a cult classic for many Nickelodeon fans over the years. While a sequel series and/or spin-off was never announced, it still remains one of the more popular NickToons thanks to its storytelling, and it seems that the only way to legally revisit the show at this point is via physical media.

Nickelodeon describes As Told By Ginger as such, “Middle schooler Ginger Foutley thinks she’s a geek – but doesn’t want to be. She and her best pals, Dodie, Macie and Darren, aspire to shake the “geek” label and get in with the cool crowd. Will they succeed? As Told By Ginger offers the rare opportunity to get a definitive answer: unlike most animated shows, the characters aren’t stuck at one age – they actually get older as the show progresses — and the whole series is one continuing story.” Following the loss of this series on Paramount+, the question arises what other Nicktoons might be getting the axe.

As of the writing of this article, the streaming service still has Nickelodeon classics like SpongeBob SquarePants, Rocko’s Modern Life, Rugrats, Hey Arnold!, The Wild Thornberrys, and Rocket Power, to name a few. Fingers crossed that other animated fare from the cable network remains on Paramount+, but these days, it feels like nothing is safe when it comes to streaming.

The move echoes Paramount+ around the same time last year, when the platform removed a raft of Nickelodeon programing, including Doug. In a statement, a Paramount spokesperson said that the title purges are part of the company’s normal process of removing and adding titles, which is done on a monthly and quarterly basis.

Update (1/6/26): Unfortunately, two more classic Nickelodeon series were removed from Paramount+ during the winter holidays: KaBlam! and it's spin-off, Action League Now!.

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Stream a Mountain of Entertainment, including your Nickelodeon favorites on Paramount+! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com!


Originally published: December 19, 2025.

Original source: ComicBook.com (II).

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SpongeBob SquarePants Set For Another Big Year in 2026

SpongeBob SquarePants, the longest-running kids' animated series, is riding a wave of momentum into 2026 following the success of The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants.

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants

The film arrived in UK cinemas on Saturday 20th December 2025 and was supported by a dynamic marketing campaign featuring integrations in Roblox and Minecraft, impactful out-of-home placements, partnerships with Burger King and Waze and a comprehensive PR push. As part of the promotional activity, Paramount Pictures also hosted an engaging activation at Westfield Stratford, creating an immersive experience for fans during the festive season. This summer, the movie will land on Paramount+, creating a second major moment for the brand and driving renewed engagement after its theatrical debut.

Across consumer products, SpongeBob is experiencing record-breaking performance. In 2025, the brand delivered standout collaborations across fashion, beauty and lifestyle. Highlights include partnerships with Supreme, Stella McCartney, Wild, Made by Mitchell, Doodle Boy x M&S and a dedicated range at Home Bargains. The back end of the year also saw the launch of movie-related products from master toy partner Funrise, which flew off the shelves at retail.

With brand appetite at an all-time high, 2026 will bring more innovative collaborations and product launches aligned with the movie's arrival on streaming, keeping fans engaged.

On the content front, SpongeBob remains a powerhouse. In 2025, Plankton: The Movie premiered on Netflix, debuting as the No.1 kids' title globally. The franchise will continue to grow with the launch of its 17th season and Season 5 of The Patrick Star Show, ensuring fresh stories for fans worldwide. Additionally, the series expanded its reach in 2025 by joining CBBC, bringing SpongeBob to even more UK audiences.

In gaming, SpongeBob stands as one of the most successful IP games on Roblox, with SpongeBob Tower of Defense surpassing 500m global visits. THQ Nordic's Titans of the Tide launched in November 2025, and two SpongeBob-themed Fortnite experiences tied to The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants are now live, with a third coming in early 2026. Movie-themed merchandise is now available on Roblox, redeemable via Amazon gift cards. Fans can expect even more developments in this space throughout the year. With compelling content, innovative products and immersive experiences, SpongeBob SquarePants continues to captivate audiences and reinforce its status as a  global entertainment icon.

For licensing enquiries, contact ukcpmarketing@paramount.com.

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Based on an article featured in the January 2026 issue of Toy World Magazine.

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PAW Patrol Set for Another Landmark Year in 2026

Paw Patrol is poised for another landmark year in 2026, powered by a bold content slate, expansive consumer products strategy and high-impact brand experiences.

PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie / Toy World Magazine: January 2026 Issue Cover

Spring 2026 marks the arrival of the Search & Rescue theme across consumer products, introducing new toys and apparel inspired by content that premiered on Nick Jr. and Paramount+ in the U.K. & Ireland in October 2025. With a redesigned HQ in Adventure Bay, enhanced vehicles and action-packed missions, the theme continues to reinforce the franchise's unrivalled ability to captivate pre-school audiences. This momentum is amplified by a series of original one-hour specials, delivering fresh stories and adventures that keep families engaged throughout the year.

The pinnacle of 2026 will arrive in August, when the pups make their highly anticipated return to cinemas with Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie. In this third theatrical instalment, the Paw Patrol lands on a mysterious dinosaur island after a storm, where they meet Rex, a stranded pup. When Humdinger's reckless mining triggers a volcano, the team faces their biggest rescue mission yet, to save the island. Featuring an all-star cast, including Mckenna Grace, Terry Crews, Meredith MacNeill, Jameela Jamil, Paris Hilton, Emmy winners Snoop Dogg and Bill Nye, and franchise veteran Ron Pardo, the film promises broad family appeal and global excitement. Paramount Pictures will support the release with a major marketing campaign, complemented by a wide-reaching consumer products programme spanning toys, apparel, publishing, CPG and more, driving strong visibility and impact at retail.

Off-screen, the multi-year To the Rescue campaign from Spin Master Entertainment and Paramount will continue supporting parents in fostering teamwork, problem-solving and imagination in toddlers.

Further expanding its footprint, the UK's first Paw Patrol-themed land will open at Chessington World of Adventures in spring 2026. Spanning 1.4 acres and designed for children aged two to five, the land will feature four themed rides, including an entry-level 'my first rollercoaster', play areas and more. Five exclusive Paw Patrol-themed rooms at Chessington's Safari Hotel and costume character visits are already delighting fans.

The Paw Patrol London Bus Tour by Brigit's Bakery will continue in 2026. Families can hop aboard for a sightseeing adventure complete with themed afternoon tea, sing- alongs and challenges as they take in the iconic sights of London.

With its ongoing commitment to innovation, storytelling and meaningful family engagement, Paw Patrol remains a powerhouse brand and a cornerstone of pre-school entertainment.

For licensing enquiries, please contact ukcpmarketing@paramount.com.

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Stream a Mountain of Entertainment, including your Nickelodeon favourites on Paramount+! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com!


Based on an article that first appeared in the January 2026 issue of Toy World Magazine.

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