Nicktoons USA And NFL Network To Premiere "NFL Rush Zone" Season 3, "NFL Rush Zone: Guardians Unleashed", In Fall 2013

Nickelodeon USA's animation and action channel, Nicktoons USA, and the National Football League have announced in the following press release, from The Futon Critic.com, the exciting Nicktoons TV News that Nicktoons USA and the NFL Network will start to premiere and show the brand new 20-episode third season of the popular animated series "NFL Rush Zone", titled "NFL Rush Zone: Guardians Unleashed", from Fall (Autumn) 2013! The third installment of the Emmy nominated series, co-produced by Nickelodeon and the NFL, is based on NFLRUSH ZONE, the NFL's online world for kids.

Original Nicktoons Press Release:

"NFL RUSH ZONE: GUARDIANS UNLEASHED," SEASON THREE OF NICKELODEON, NFL ANIMATED SERIES, TO PREMIERE THIS FALL

NFL Coaches, Players to Voice Animated Personas in 20-Episode Original, Half-Hour Nicktoons Series

NEW YORK - July 11, 2013 - NFL Rush Zone, co-produced by Nickelodeon and the NFL, will air a 20-episode third season, NFL Rush Zone: Guardians Unleashed, the two entities jointly announced today. The third installment of the Emmy nominated series based on NFLRUSH ZONE, the NFL's online world for kids, debuts this fall on Nicktoons and NFL Network.

In season three, Ishmael (Ish), and his hero friends, the "Guardians," develop enhanced powers to protect the NFL and the world from new and familiar villains. The Guardians are aided by NFL coaches and players who voice their animated personas, including San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis, Chicago Bears running back Matt Forté, Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III, Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.

New weekly episodes from season two of NFL Rush Zone: Season of the Guardians, the first-ever original half-hour animated series jointly developed by a cable network and major U.S sports league, return to Nicktoons Sunday, July 14, at 11:00a.m. (ET) and will re-air on NFL Network Saturday, July 20 at 8:00a.m. (ET). Viewers will watch Ish and his friends fend off Wild Card and his wingman, Drop Kick, who are attempting to destroy the NFL and ultimately the world by harnessing the power of the 32 teams' Megacores that preserve the essence of each team, its fans and its community. All 32 NFL teams will be showcased throughout the series, which continues to feature NFL Films game footage.

When season two returns on Sunday with "Mystery Solved," viewers will hear Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson voice his animated persona. Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen, Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, Houston Texans running back Arian Foster, San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates, Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck and Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden, among other NFL personnel, will appear in season two.

NFL Rush Zone is available on Nicktoons.com and NFLRUSH.com following each episode's on-air premiere. Full-length episodes will also be available on the Nick App the day after premieres. Episodes also re-air on NFL Network and are produced in high definition for availability on video boards in NFL stadiums across the country.

NFL Rush Zone is produced by Rollman Entertainment, Inc. The team is led by veteran kids TV producer and Rollman Entertainment CEO Eric S. Rollman, who previously served as president of Marvel Animation; Saban Productions and Fox Family Productions working on thousands of animated and live action kids TV series, including The Avengers: World's Greatest Heroes, Super Hero Squad, Iron Man Armored Adventure and Power Rangers.

Nickelodeon and the NFL initiated their partnership in 2010 with Rush Zone: Guardians of the Core, a short-form series. The 22-chapter micro-series followed 10-year-old unlikely kid hero Ish on his destiny to protect shards of a power source that were fortified in NFL stadiums across the country. Ish's powerful enemy, Sudden Death, used an army of Blitz Botz in a plan to hunt down the shards and destroy the NFL in an attempt to take over the world. However, with a secret avatar, known as "The Sub," Ish ultimately defeated Sudden Death in the season finale at Cowboys Stadium during Super bowl XLV.

The NFLRUSH ZONE, a role playing game on NFLRUSH.com, was launched in December 2007 and today has more than 2.5 million registered users. The NFLRUSH ZONE is an immersive virtual world where kids are able to create avatars, join their favorite team, play games, chat and compete with friends in a safe and fun environment. All 32 teams are represented within the NFLRUSH ZONE with distinct team lands and team Rusherz and Avatars.

NFLRUSH ZONE is accessible on mobile devices and will feature exclusive content associated with the animated TV series, including achievements and games linked to the show. Users will become NFLRUSH Zone Guardians, immersing themselves in the world as they "Enter the RUSH ZONE" with Ish and his fellow Guardians.

About Nicktoons

Nicktoons has the highest concentration of B2 - 11 across all television and offers programming such as the NFL Rush Zone franchise, Rob Dyrdek's Wild Grinders, Iron Man: Armored Adventures, Alien Dawn, the Dragon Ball franchise, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Voltron Force, Monsuno, and the Power Rangers franchise as well as a roster of hits that have defined kids' and animation lovers' TV, including Avatar: The Last Airbender, Invader Zim, Danny Phantom, SpongeBob SquarePants, The Fairly OddParents, and The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius. Nicktoons currently reaches almost 68 million homes via cable, digital cable and satellite. Nicktoons and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB).

[via press release from Nicktoons]

Nickelodeon Films Brand New Television Movie "Jinxed" In Canada; To Premiere On TV In April 2014; To Star Nick Stars Jack Griffo, Ciara Bravo, Jacob Bertrand And Burkely Duffield

Upcoming Nickelodeon Star Jack Griffo, who will play the character 'Max Thunderman' in the upcoming brand new Nickelodeon comedy series "The Thundermans", has, in an exclusive interview with Canada's entertainment website THE MAG, announced the exciting Nickelodeon News that the Nick actor recently filmed a brand new Nickelodeon Movie in Canada called "Jinxed"!

"Jinxed" is about a family who is cursed with Murphy's Law, in which, if anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. In the film, Nick celebrity Jack Griffo will portray the character 'Brett'.

The Nickelodeon movie will also star Nickelodeon Stars Ciara Bravo, who plays 'Katie Knight' on Nickelodeon's hit musical sitcom "Big Time Rush", as 'Meg Murphy', Jacob Bertrand, who plays 'Henry' in Nick's alien comedy series "Marvin Marvin" and voices 'Gil' in Nickelodeon Preschool's (Nick Jr.'s) "Bubble Guppies", and Burkely Duffield, who plays 'Eddie Sweet' / 'Eddie Miller' in Nick's hit mystery drama series "House of Anubis" as 'Tommy'. You can view a full cast listing below.

As part of their new movie, Nickelodeon Productions filmed scenes on-location around Canada, including in Ladner Village, a fishing village located on the banks of the Fraser River that is a part of the Municipality of Delta, British Columbia, and inside the Delta Museum.

Nickelodeon is currently planning to premiere and show the brand new TV movie "Jinxed" in April 2014.

In the same interview, Nick Star Jack Griffo announced that Nickelodeon will start shooting their brand new comedy show "The Thundermans" (13 episodes x 30 minutes) full-time in July 2013. You can read his full interview with THE MAG below on NickALive!.

In the show, The Thundermans are a typical suburban family who happen to have astounding superpowers. At the center of the action are the 14-year-old Thunderman twins, Max (Jack Griffo) and Phoebe (Kira Kosarin), who share the same bathroom, the same school and the same annoying younger siblings. Their only difference? Phoebe is a super student with a super sunny disposition who super looks forward to being a superhero someday, and Max aspires to become a super villain. The 13-episode series will commence production this spring and is written by longtime Nickelodeon producer Jed Spingarn, who most recently served as co-executive producer of the hit series Big Time Rush and prior to that, produced on "The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius" and "Johnny Bravo". In the pilot, the part of 'Max' was played by Tyler Peterson.

According to iMDB, the current full cast of Nickelodeon's "Jinxed" is:

Keegan Connor Tracy ... Mom
Ciara Bravo ... Meg Murphy
Jacob Bertrand ... Charlie
Daniela Dib ... Square Dancer
Burkely Duffield ... Tommy
Jack Griffo ... Brett
Andrea Brooks ... Caitlin
Jay Brazeau ... Grandpa
Matthew Harrison ... Band Member
Donavon Stinson ... Dad
Jessa Danielson ... Violet
Carmel Amit ... Gypsy Woman
Elena Kampouris ... Ivy
Matthew Hoglie ... Festival Attendee
Gabrielle Giraud ... Edna
Elizabeth Tookey ... Dancer
Michelle Dawley ... Square Dancer

Also, from THE MAG:

THE MAG Chats with Jack Griffo!

Jack Griffo was practically born to act. Growing up in a family of theatre geeks, he stepped into the spotlight as a toddler, booked his first commercial at age two and honed his skills with years of community theatre before junior high. Now, he's Nickelodeon's next big star and becoming a familiar face on television screens around the world. You may recognize him from his guest-starring roles on JESSIE, MARVIN MARVIN, SEE DAD RUN and KICKIN' IT, to name a few. Next, he'll star in an upcoming superhero-themed comedy on Nickelodeon, THE THUNDERMANS. We'll soon get to know Jack as Max Thunderman, a wannabe super villain in a family of super heroes!

We caught up with Jack to find out more about the new show, his character and his favourite moments on set!

How would you describe your character, Max Thunderman, on THE THUNDERMANS?

Max always has something up his sleeve and loves to cause mischief. There's no way of getting around the fact that tries his best to be a super "villain" and aspires to one day conquer the world. He has his not so evil moments too, though. Underneath it all he really is a genuine kid who loves his family.

What can audiences expect from this new show?

Audiences can expect big laughs and really sweet special effects for our super powers!

Who is your favourite superhero or super villain of all time? And why?

My favourite super hero of all time would have to be Spiderman because it was my favorite comic as a little kid. And his suit is the coolest. My favourite super villain would either be Bane because of his voice and brute strength, or the Riddler because I love Jim Carrey.

You will be guest starring on JESSIE as Emma's love interest. Tell us a bit about your character, Brett Summers.

Brett is kind of your classic big shot at school that everyone likes. Think Ren MacCormack or Troy Bolton. He's really into football, which Emma tries to learn about to impress him.

What can fans expect from that episode?

I think fans can expect a little of everything from that one. Fun, laughs, and a little bit of romance.

What's the funniest or craziest thing that’s ever happened to you while on set?

The most recent one I can think of is my sister surprising me on set. It was the first episode of THE THUNDERMANS and I was rehearsing a scene in the living room. I hadn't seen her in a really long time, like almost two years, and I wasn't expecting to see her until the following weekend. She showed up and I was in complete shock and totally happy to see her. It was awesome.

What has been your most memorable role so far and why?

I think my most memorable role is when I played 'Benny' on KICKIN' IT. It was my first thing with a few lines and it was just amazing. The whole cast was great and I'm happy I can call them friends today.

You also play guitar and cover songs on YouTube. Would you ever consider pursuing music professionally?

Right now I am completely focused on acting but I wouldn't say no to a possible music career down the road a little. But for right now I'm just really interested in acting.

Who inspires you?

As far as acting goes, Aaron Paul is my favourite TV actor... In film, Leonardo DiCaprio, Edward Norton, Ethan Hawke, Ryan Gosling and Denzel Washington are a few of my favourites. In Life, my family inspires me every day to push myself towards my goals and believe in myself.

What are you most looking forward to this summer?

This summer is going to be a busy one. Of course, I can't wait to start THE THUNDERMANS full-time in July. I'm actually in Canada filming a movie right now called JINXED for Nickelodeon. It's really going great and I'll be filming it until I start THE THUNDERMANS. So those two are big ones for me. In my personal life, I'm looking forward to having some spare time to chill and hang out with my friends while school is out!

Thank you, Jack Griffo!

You can follow Jack on Twitter, watch him on YouTube and like him on Facebook! Be sure to check out his next guest-starring role on Disney's JESSIE, airing Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT on Family Channel!

[...]

Rainbow Adds New Licensing Agents To Key Properties "Winx Club", "Mia and Me", "Huntik" And "PopPixie"

The children's entertainment and media news website Kidscreen is reporting the exciting children's media news Italy-based Rainbow S.r.l., Europe's largest animation studio and the company behind the popular "Winx Club", "mia and Me", "Huntik: Secrets and Seekers" and "PopPixie" brands, has added a number of licensing agents to its global network.

The new additions to the Rainbow team include B-Rights ("Mia and me", "PopPixie" and "Huntik") in Greece, Planeta Junior ("Winx", "Mia and me", "PopPixie" and "Huntik") in Spain, PopCorn ("Mia and me") in Portugal, ELC in Eastern Europe and the Ukraine ("Winx", "PopPixie" and "Huntik"), Viz International in Malaysia and Singapore ("Winx", "Mia and me", "PopPixie" and "Huntik"), Bates Group in Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand ("Winx", "Mia and me", "PopPixie" and "Huntik") and Unite Licensing in Taiwan ("Winx", "Mia and me", "PopPixie" and "Huntik"). Wild Pumpkin and Exim, meanwhile, will represent "PopPixie", "Huntik" and "Mia and me" in Australia and Latin America respectively.

Rainbow's current relationship with Nickelodeon sees it handling "Winx Club" across the UK, US, Canada, Australia and Latin America.

Rainbow S.r.l. are expected to announce additional global agents for the "Winx Club" brand, particularly within Asia, soon:

"Mia and me" currently airs on Nickelodeon South East Asia (on Nickelodeon Philippines, Nickelodeon Singapore and Nickelodeon Malaysia) and on Nickelodeon Benelux (comprising of Nickelodeon Belgium/België, Nickelodeon Netherlands/Nederland, and Luxembourg):

Rainbow adds licensing agents to key properties

Italy-based Rainbow, Europe’s largest animation studio behind the Winx Club, mia and Me and PopPixie brands, has added a number of licensing agents to its global network.

The new additions to the Rainbow team include B-Rights (Mia and me, PopPixie and Huntik) in Greece, Planeta Junior (Winx, Mia and me, PopPixie and Huntik) in Spain, PopCorn (Mia and me) in Portugal, ELC in Eastern Europe and the Ukraine (Winx, PopPixie and Huntik), Viz International in Malaysia and Singapore (Winx, Mia and me, PopPixie and Huntik), Bates Group in Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand (Winx, Mia and me, PopPixie and Huntik) and Unite Licensing in Taiwan (Winx, Mia and me, PopPixie and Huntik). Wild Pumpkin and Exim, meanwhile, will represent PopPixie, Huntik and Mia and me in Australia and Latin America respectively.

Rainbow’s current relationship with Nickelodeon sees it handling Winx Club across the UK, US, Canada, Australia and Latin America.

Additional global agents for the Winx Club brand – particularly within Asia – are expected to be announced soon.

Tags: Licensing, Mia and Me, PopPixie, Rainbow, Winx Club

Also, from Licensing.biz:

Rainbow expands global reach with new licensing agents

TV and movie producer takes its Winx Club, Mia and Me, PopPixie and Huntik global.

Rainbow is expanding its international reach, appointing a number of leading licensing agents to its global network.

New additions to the Rainbow portfolio of licensing agents for its properties Winx, Mia and Me, PopPixie and Huntik, include: B-rights in Greece; Planeta Junior in Spain; Popcorn in Portugal; ELC in Eastern Europe and the Ukraine and Viz International in Malaysia and Singapore.

The plethora of new deals also sees Bates Group take up the properties in Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand; Unite Licensing in Tawain; and Wild Pumpkin and Exim in Australia and Latin America respectively.

In addition, Rainbow's relationship with Nickelodeon sees it handling Winx Club across the UK, US, Canada, Australia and Latin America, strengthening the brand in key overseas markets.

More agents are set to be appointed in the near future across Asia.

Maurizio Distefano, EVP and general manager global consumer products, Rainbow, said: "we are delighted to be making this announcement as we have added a host of very well-respected names to our global network of experienced and knowledgeable agents.

"This enables us to utilise the very best local licensing knowledge to maximise opportunities for our brands in key territories across the world."

TAGS rainbow

Nickelodeon USA May Premiere New CGI-Animated Series "Rabbids" In August 2013

The television news website The Futon Critic is reporting the exciting Nickelodeon News that Nickelodeon USA, also known as Nick, will start to premiere and show the networks brand new CGI-animated series "Rabbids", formally titled "Raving Rabbids", from Saturday 3rd August 2013, where Nick USA will debut new episodes every Saturday in the 11:30am-12:00pm EST/PT / 10:30am-11:00am C! Please note, however, that this Nick News is currently unconfirmed by Nickelodeon, and that Nick can change the premiere date and time for "Rabbids" at any time.


"Rabbids" is a CGI-animated series that brings to television the hysterical physical comedy that is the hallmark in Ubisoft's wildly successful "Raving Rabbids" video games. Irreverent, unpredictable and silly, the Rabbids are a mysterious breed of rabbit-like creatures that explore, and often wreak havoc, in the human world. Everything is a source of wonder and amusement, and these indestructible and uncontrollable creatures have absolutely no respect for the social rules that govern society. For them, there are no laws, no rules of the road. It's all about having fun and saying "Bwaaaaaah!" Nickelodeon has secured global broadcast rights for 26 new half-hour CG episodes (season one) of "Rabbids", which will be produced by Ubisoft.

Nickelodeon is also planning to debut a second brand new "Raving Rabbids" television series called "Rabbids Invasion" in 2014 which will be a interactive that will allow players to interact with scenes from the series by participating in mini-games. Using Xbox Kinect, players will be able to dance with the Rabbids, solve puzzles, throw objects at the screen and even scream at the television. The show was previewed at E3 2013. You can read the full news and information here on NickALive!.

Nickelodeon UK Announces Plans To Launch Localised Version Of The Nick App Later In 2013

The television industry news magazine and website Broadcast is reporting the very exciting Nickelodeon UK news in the following article that Tim Patterson, the Vice President (VP) of scheduling at Nickelodeon UK has announced and confirmed that Nickelodeon UK will be launching the Nick App in the UK and Ireland later this year (2013)!:

BBC Children's bids to up its multiplatform game

BBC Children’s is “lagging behind its audience” in terms of the platforms it uses and must focus its efforts on getting “alongside” them within a decade, director of children’s Joe Godwin has revealed.

At many sessions during the 10th Children’s Media Conference in Sheffield last week, discussion centred on how multiplatform elements of children’s content have now become a given, leaving creatives to hone their energies on storytelling.

Godwin and CBBC controller Cheryl Taylor both delivered the message that the BBC should be, in Godwin’s words, “setting the agenda for what children should be doing”.

With a cross-brand BBC Children’s mobile app on the way later this year, as well as research showing that 40% of households with children now own tablets, the BBC is on the lookout for shortform content for mobiles and tablets, particularly drama.

The corporation is close to announcing several interactive drama projects, including webonly narratives that feed into the main stories of CBBC dramas.

Meanwhile, CBBC is understood to be set to adapt Y Lifft, a second-screen playalong game show from Boom Pictures and interactive producer Cube Interactive developed as a Welsh language format for S4C.

The corporation is also looking at ways of using games to bridge the gap between CBeebies and CBBC. One option under consideration is for games to begin on a simple level on the CBeebies website and for players to progress to the CBBC site for higher levels.

“The technological advances of the past few years have made children’s lives harder to navigate,” said Godwin. “The toughest challenge is in mobile technology for children.

“The opportunity for constant content is fantastic, but it’s very difficult for broadcasters, especially PSBs, to be in all the places where children are.”

Nickelodeon is also releasing an app this year that combines short and long-form content, comic clips and cast interviews.

"The audience has to be fed and it wants relevant, but new, content," said Nickelodeon director of programming Tim Patterson. "But we don’t want the second screen's tail to wag the linear dog. We should focus on stories on-screen, then add value. Stuff on the cutting room floor, for example, can be used relatively inexpensively."