The series removed today are:
- Are You Afraid of the Dark? (2019)
- Big Nate*
- Blue's Clues & You!
- It's Pony
- Middlemost Post
- Ollie's Pack
- Rugrats (2021)*
- Ryan's Mystery Playdate
- Santiago of the Seas
- That Girl Lay Lay
In addition, each show has had their official pages on nick.com and nickjr.com removed as well.
The removal of Rugrats (2021) and Big Nate pages is particularly surprising. Produced by Nickelodeon Animation, both shows are currently in their second seasons, and are thought to still be in active production, with plans for a third season of Rugrats (2021), a reboot of Nickelodeon's beloved '90s series of the same name. Up until recently, new episodes of both shows originally premiered on the Paramount+ streaming service, before making their linear TV premieres on Nickelodeon a few months later. However, earlier this year, linear premieres for both series moved to Nicktoons, with Nicktoons airing new episodes of Rugrats (2021) still to be released on Paramount+.
Thankfully, physical media for both Rugrats (2021) exists, with season one being released on DVD in two parts:
This is said to be part of content removal addressed in the most recent Q4 earnings call on February 28. Targeting Nick titles is a little surprising as, according to parent Paramount Global, the network’s Kids & Family content consistently ranks among the most watched and re-watched programming on Paramount+.
“In connection with our continued review of our international content strategy, during the first quarter of 2024 we made a strategic decision to focus on content with mass global appeal,” the company said in its 10-K filing. “As part of this, we are rationalizing original content on Paramount+, especially internationally, and improving the efficiency of our linear network programming. As a result, we have reviewed our expansive global content portfolio and are removing select content from our platforms.”
Paramount expects “to recognize additional programming charges that we currently expect to be in the range of approximately $700 million to $900 million during the first quarter of 2024.”
The news follows Paramount+ removing several shows and seasons on March 1: Back at the Barnyard (seasons 1-2), How to Rock (season 1), Knight Squad (season 1-2), Make It Pop (season 1-2), Planet Sheen (season 1), Sam & Cat (season 1), and Supah Ninjas (season 1-2). A number of Nickelodeon productions were also removed on January 1 as well as in June last year.
Stream a Mountain of Entertainment, including your Nickelodeon favorites on Paramount+! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com!
Originally published: March 28, 2024 at 22:13 GMT.
