Lea Michele, Kaley Cuoco Sweeting, Jim Parsons, Andy Samberg, Michael Strahan And Tia Mowry-Hardrict To Present Orange Blimps At Nickelodeon's 2014 Kids' Choice Awards

People Magazine is reporting the exciting KCA 2014 news in a article on their official website, people.com, that Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids and families, has announced that "Glee" star Lea Michele, "The Big Bang Theory" stars Kaley Cuoco Sweeting and Jim Parsons, "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" star Andy Samberg, "Live! With Kelly and Michael" co-host Michael Strahan and Tia Mowry-Hardrict, the star of Nick at Nite's hit live-action comedy series "Instant Mom", will be presenters at the Nickelodeon 2014 Kids' Choice Awards, Nickelodeon's 27th Annual Kids' Choice Awards, where they'll be handing out Nickelodeon's coveted orange blimp awards to the winners of the 2014 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards as voted by NickHeads around the world!

Lea Michele is an American actress and singer who is best known for her performance as Rachel Berry on Fox's popular teen musical comedy-drama television series "Glee". Michele's portrayal of Rachel has received much critical praise, earning her a Satellite Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award and three consecutive People's Choice Awards. She has also received two Golden Globe nominations and an Emmy nomination for her performance.

Kaley Cuoco Sweeting is a American actress who first came to attention for her role as Bridget Hennessy on the ABC sitcom "8 Simple Rules". Cuoco later starred as Billie Jenkins on the final season of the supernatural drama series "Charmed". She has gained recognition for her role as Penny on the CBS comedy series "The Big Bang Theory", and has also appeared in the films "Lucky 13", "The Penthouse", and "Hop".

Jim Parsons is an American actor best known for playing the character Sheldon Cooper on the hit CBS sitcom "The Big Bang Theory", with his performance often cited as a significant reason for the program's success. He has received several awards for his performance, including the Television Critics Association award for the highest individual achievements in comedy, the National Association of Broadcasters Television Chairman's Award for a significant breakthrough in a specific art discipline, three Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series Musical or Comedy.

Andy Samberg is an Emmy and Golden Globe-winning American actor, comedian, writer, and member of the comedy group "The Lonely Island". He was a cast member on "Saturday Night Live" from 2005–2012, where he and his fellow "The Lonely Island" group members have been credited with popularizing the SNL Digital Shorts, the comical short films and music videos starring Samberg and other members of the SNL cast. He also starred in "Hot Rod", "I Love You, Man", "Hotel Transylvania", "That's My Boy", and "Celeste and Jesse Forever". He currently stars in the sitcom, "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" as detective Jake Peralta, for which he won a Golden Globe in early 2014.

Michael Strahan is a retired American football defensive end who spent his entire 15-year career playing for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). During his tenure with the Giants, Strahan set a record for the most sacks in a single season in 2001, and won a Super Bowl in his final season in 2007. After retiring from the NFL, Strahan became a media personality. He is currently a football analyst on Fox NFL Sunday, and he also serves as co-host on the television morning talk show "Live! with Kelly and Michael" alongside Kelly Ripa. He starred in and produced the short-lived Fox sitcom "Brothers" and appeared as host for "Pros vs. Joes" alongside fellow Fox football analyst Jay Glazer. On February 1, 2014, he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Michael Strahan will be the host of Nickelodeon's first-ever "Kids' Choice Sports" awards in July 2014.

Tia Mowry-Hardrict is an actress who has been in the public eye for over 17 years, gaining initial fame starring as Tia Landry in the Classic Nickelodeon UK comedy "Sister, Sister" opposite her twin sister, Tamera Mowry-Housley, from Paramount Television. On "Sister Sister"'s successful six-year run, Tia won two NAACP Image Awards and three Kids' Choice Awards for Favorite Television Actress. After graduating from Pepperdine University, she made appearances in various projects, including starring with her sister once again in The Disney Channel's original movie "Twitches" in 2005 and again in "Twitches Too", two years later. In 2006, Tia landed the role of "Melanie Barnett," medical student turned wife of pro-football player on The Game, which landed her two more NAACP Image Award nominations. Tia Mowry-Hardrict can currently be seen in the hit Nick at Nite/NickMom comedy series

Mowry-Hardrict also starred in with her sister Tamera and executive produced the hit STYLE network series "Tia & Tamera", which set a record as the most watched series launch in the network's history. She recently released her debut book "Oh Baby!: Pregnancy Tales and Advice from One Hot Mama to Another", and filmed and released a fitness DVD. With her sister, she developed and launched their first product line entitled need and their first product called MILKY! hit Destination Maternity stores nationwide this spring. Mowry-Hardrict also appeared in the Fox Searchlight Pictures film "Baggage Claim", and can currently be seen in Nickelodeon's hit Nick at Nite/NickMom comedy series "Instant Mom", which she also produces.

Lea Michele, Kaley Cuoco Sweeting, Jim Parsons, Andy Samberg, Michael Strahan and Tia Mowry-Hardrict will be joined by previously announced Nickelodeon's 2014 Kids' Choice Awards presenters Kristen Bell, Ian Somerhalder and Will Arnett and host Mark Wahlberg at Nickelodeon's annual slime-fest, airing live on Nick USA on Saturday 29th March 2014 at 8:00pm (ET/PT) and internationally within hours of the live US telecast!

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Nickelodeon Reconfirms Commitment To Final Chapters Of "The Legend of Korra"; Renews "Sam & Cat"

Adweek, a leading source of news for marketing, media and advertising professionals, is reporting the very exciting Nickelodeon News in the following article that Russell Hicks, Nickelodeon's President of Content Development and Production, has announced and confirmed that Nickelodeon is still planning to make and broadcast the remaining two books (seasons) of Nickelodeon's hit original animated series (Nicktoon) "The Legend of Korra", including "Book 3: Change", which is speculated to premiere on Nick USA during Fall/Winter 2014, and that the network has greenlit more brand-new episodes of their live-action original buddy comedy series "Sam & Cat"! It is currently unknown whether the all-new episodes of "Sam & Cat" will be part of a second season (season two), or will be part of a extension to the number of episodes which make up season one.

The article, from AdWeek.com, also talks about Nickelodeon's 2014-2015 programming slate and how Nickelodeon is seeking ad partners with a greater emphasis on categories not necessarily associated with children:

Nickelodeon's Jim Perry Is Courting More Adult Advertisers Upfront slate features studio partnerships By Sam Thielman

Nickelodeon's Bad Seeds

Nickelodeon revealed its slate to advertisers yesterday, and while it's all squeaky-clean kids' fare (well, relatively speaking: "As you can see from the reel, bathroom humor still works," observed Nickelodeon president Cyma Zarghami during the presentation), the network is seeking ad partners with a greater emphasis on categories you wouldn't necessarily associate with children.

"Kindle is sponsoring the Kids' Choice Awards," said Jim Perry, head of sales for the Nickelodeon group (which includes Nick proper, Nick Jr. and Nick at Nite), "and we now have over 15 retailers on our air—everything from Target and old Navy to Stride Rite and the Burlington Coat Factory."

Obviously, that's not because kids are stealing the car and driving to Target. For many years, the rule that advertisers direct their ads at parents and not children was regarded as pro forma by clients. But in recent years, heightening standards (and parental activism) around unhealthy foods, coupled with the decline of the traditional toy market, have meant that advertisers really do have to use Nick—which controls the vast majority of saleable GRPs in the kids' market—to talk to parents themselves.

Perry is way ahead of them. "You can really build a great financial literacy campaign around saving and learning the value of a dollar whether or not you're showing a credit card ad," he said. Placements and integrations like Toyota's SpongeBob ... uh, mobile showcase grown-up brands in a way that doesn't bore kids.

And for next year, Nick has a very interesting slate of shows—new cartoons Bad Seeds and Pig Goat Banana Cricket, as well as Henry Danger from Sam & Cat creator Dan Schneider and sundry others. (And yes, worried fans who were asking on Twitter, Legend of Korra is coming back for the last two books and Sam & Cat has been renewed, per programming president Russell Hicks).

For the most part, the presentation (featuring a performance by Sara Barielles) radiated relief at the company's recovery from its ratings lag of a few years ago. "I can barely remember 2011 and 2012!" said Zarghami. "Or I choose not to."

Nickelodeon Previews New Content Pipeline for 2014-2015 Season at Annual Upfront Presentation

Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids and families, previewed the networks upcoming brand-new content pipeline for the 2014-2015 season, Nick's biggest content pipeline ever, which features content spanning every genre, on every platform, at Nickelodeon's annual upfront presentation, which Nickelodeon held on Thursday 13th March 2014 at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City! You can find full details of Nickelodeon Upfront 2014 in Nickelodeon's official Upfront Press Release below, from Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance! Don't forget to let NickALive! know what your most looking forward to on Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, on Instagram, and/or Facebook!

Original Nickelodeon Press Release:

Nickelodeon Previews New Content Pipeline for 2014-2015 Season at Annual Upfront Presentation

Nick to Add 10 New Series to Schedule, with Content Spanning Every Genre, Every Platform

Network Unveils Plans for Brand-New, Live Tent-Pole Event, Kids' Choice Sports 2014; Host/Executive Producer Michael Strahan Details Show Slated for 3Q 2014

Upfront Presentation Capped by Special Musical Performance from Five-Time Grammy Nominee Sara Bareilles

NEW YORK --(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Nickelodeon held its annual upfront presentation today at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City, where Nickelodeon Group President Cyma Zarghami detailed the network's biggest content pipeline ever: 10 new series across every genre, and for every platform—all tailor-made for the tastes of today's post-millennial generation of kids. Zarghami also announced plans for the forthcoming Nick Jr. App, featuring TV Everywhere capability, and the brand-new, live tent-pole event, Kids' Choice Sports — the first-ever expansion of the highly successful Kids' Choice Awards franchise. Nickelodeon's presentation was also punctuated by remarks from Viacom Chairman Philippe Dauman; an appearance by Kids' Choice Sports 2014 host and executive producer Michael Strahan; and a closing musical performance from five-time Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles.

"Our mission has been to create and deliver funny content that will resonate with today's kids, and we are well-positioned to do that through our schedule of fresh hits, a deep pipeline of new series, tent-pole events, ratings momentum and innovation on all platforms," said Zarghami. "Nickelodeon is a magnet for creative people and projects, and we're incredibly excited about the new pool of talent we're bringing to our audience in front of and behind the camera."

Nickelodeon has posted 13 straight months of year-over-year growth and reclaimed the top spot with kids in 4Q13. The network is home to top-rated animated series like SpongeBob SquarePants, Sanjay and Craig, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the newly launched Breadwinners; live-action hits Sam & Cat, The Thundermans and The Haunted Hathaways, among others; and TV's top-rated preschool series PAW Patrol, Dora the Explorer and the just-launched Wallykazam!

The network's creative energy has been buoyed by its relevance to today's new generation of kids and its ongoing research into the audience's tastes and perspectives. Kids today are markedly different from other generations in that they are extremely close to their parents, with 80% wanting even more time spent with them and 93% citing their moms as the people they trust most. Nine in 10 kids say they are happy, and 96% believe they can accomplish anything if they work hard enough. They believe that being different is more important than fitting in, and most (80%) would choose being really smart over being really good looking. They also highly value being funny, ranking laughter as more important than vacation, family meals and holidays.

"Comedy is what today's kids want above all else, and it's what they expect from Nickelodeon," added Russell Hicks, President, Content Development and Production, Nickelodeon. "We have had a clear goal to let their tastes and preferences inform our creative choices, and we've tailored our new content to make the most relevant and funny content just for them."

Across every genre—animation, live action, preschool and events—and for every platform, Nickelodeon's pipeline of new content includes:

ANIMATION:

* Bad Seeds (26 episodes) – Harvey, a sweet and well-meaning bird, makes two new best friends, Fee and Foo, the wildest imps in the forest. Although their friendship seems unlikely, their connection only grows as they push each other out of their comfort zones and into endless adventures. Created, written and directed by C.H. Greenblatt (SpongeBob SquarePants, Chowder).

Picture from Cartoon Brew via Adam Lore

* Pig Goat Banana Cricket (26 episodes) – This show features a series of absurd interwoven stories about four friends and roommates, Pig (the fool), Goat (the artist), Banana (the wise-guy) and Cricket (the brain). The series is created by Dave Cooper and J. Ryan, and executive produced by David Sacks (The Simpsons, Regular Show) who co-writes with J. Ryan. Cooper also art directs the series and the pilot was directed by independent animator Nick Cross.

* Welcome to the Wayne (6 episodes) – Launching on the Emmy Award-winning Nick App, Welcome to the Wayne, is a comedy following the adventures of two 10-year-old boys Olly Timbers and Ansi Molina as they explore their crazy apartment building, the Wayne. The series was created and written by Billy Lopez (The Wonder Pets!).

* The network will also roll out new episodes of returning hit animated series, including, SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Sanjay and Craig, Breadwinners, Rabbids and The Fairly OddParents for the 2014-15 season.

LIVE ACTION:

* Henry Danger (20 episodes) – Created and written by hitmaker Dan Schneider (iCarly, Sam & Cat) and Dana Olsen (George of the Jungle, Inspector Gadget), this brand-new crime-fighting comedy features 13-year-old Henry (Jace Norman) who lands a part-time job as Danger Boy, a sidekick-in-training to super crime fighter Captain Man (Cooper Barnes, The Perfect Host). Their colorful adventures throw Henry's otherwise ordinary life absurdly out of balance, yet he must keep his new job a secret from his best friends Charlotte (Riele Downs, The Best Man Holiday) and Jasper (Sean Ryan Fox).

* Bella and the Bullfrogs (12 episodes) – This new live-action comedy follows a perky head cheerleader named Bella (Brec Bassinger, The Haunted Hathaways) whose life in Texas takes an unexpected twist when she becomes the new quarterback for her school's team the Bullfrogs. Bella is joined by "The Troy" (Coy Stewart, Are We There Yet?), the Bullfrogs' dethroned quarterback along with his pint-sized sidekick, Newt (Buddy Handleson, Wendell & Vinnie). Rounding out the cast are Lilimar Hernandez as Bella's cheerleader best friend, Sophie, and Jackie Radinsky as true southern cowboy, Sawyer. The series is written by Gabriel Garza and Jonathan Butler (The Haunted Hathaways, Fanboy & Chum Chum), who were discovered through Nickelodeon's Writing Program. Jeff Bushell will serve as Executive Producer.

* Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn (13 episodes) - Created by Matt Fleckenstein (iCarly, Victorious, Drake & Josh) and executive produced by Fleckenstein and Michael Feldman (See Dad Run), this new half-hour comedy is the story of a 10-year-old girl Dawn Haley (Lizzy Greene) whose sibling rivalry with her three brothers is heightened by the fact that they are quadruplets. Aidan Gallagher (Modern Family) plays the germaphobic Nicky, joined by Casey Simpson (The Goldbergs) as the overachieving, Ricky; and Mace Coronel (Bold and the Beautiful) as the pint-sized ladies' man, Dicky. Brian Stepanek (Two and a Half Men) and Allison Munn (What I Like About You) star as the Haley parents.

* Nickelodeon will also premiere new episodes of its hit live-action lineup, including Sam & Cat, The Haunted Hathaways and The Thundermans.

* Moving to Thursday nights this quarter, to provide a family hour of viewing, are the network's two original sitcoms: Instant Mom and See Dad Run. These two popular shows are among a hit lineup of modern family sitcoms like Yes, Dear, My Wife and Kids, The Nanny and George Lopez.

* Instant Mom stars Tia Mowry-Hardrict (Tia & Tamera) as Stephanie, a party girl who trades in Cosmos for carpools when she marries Charlie (Michael Boatman, Spin City), who already has three kids. Sheryl Lee Ralph (Moesha) stars as Stephanie's mother Maggie. Instant Mom is executive-produced by Howard Michael Gould and Aaron Kaplan.

* See Dad Run is executive produced by and stars Scott Baio who plays David Hobbs, an actor who becomes a stay-at-home father while his soap star wife (Alanna Ubach, Legally Blonde) makes her return to the limelight. Mark Curry (Hangin' with Mr. Cooper) also stars. The series, shot on the former Happy Days stage in Los Angeles, is created/executive produced by Tina Albanese and Patrick Labyorteaux, with executive producers Nat Bernstein and Mitchel Katlin serving as showrunners. Eric Bischoff and Jason Hervey also serve as executive producers through their production company Bischoff Hervey Entertainment (BHE).

PRESCHOOL:

* Dora and Friends: Into the City! (20 episodes) – Dora and Friends: Into the City! is a brand-new animated preschool series featuring the iconic character Dora in new adventures, with new friends and a new interactive curriculum. The series is set in a fictional, pan-Latino city, where Dora is 10 years old, in school and at the center of a peer group that works together to give back to the community—having both real-life and magical adventures along the way. As always, Dora is an adventurer, a good friend and problem-solver. Dora and Friends helps teach Spanish and introduces new educational areas to the curriculum, including social-emotional skills like community service and peer relationships. Dora and Friends is created by Chris Gifford and Valerie Walsh Valdes (Dora the Explorer), and will launch late-summer on Nickelodeon.

* Blaze and the Monster Machines (20 episodes) – This original CG-animated series, debuting this fall, introduces preschoolers to the areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). This is the first preschool show that features a curriculum dedicated to all areas of STEM. Viewers will join an eight-year-old boy named AJ and his incredible monster truck Blaze on super-sized adventures. AJ and the viewer help Blaze as they explore the physics of how things move, master mathematics and discover how everyday technologies work. Blaze and the Monster Machines is created by Jeff Borkin (Team Umizoomi, Blue's Clues) and Ellen Martin (Bubble Guppies, The Backyardigans).

* Shimmer & Shine (20 episodes) – This brand-new animated series follows the magical adventures of fraternal twin genies, Shimmer and Shine, who unintentionally create chaos while attempting to grant wishes for their human best friend, Leah. The new series features an emotional-intelligence curriculum that highlights mistakes as an important avenue to learning and doing better next time. Shimmer & Shine, set to premiere in 2015, is created by Farnaz Esnaashari-Charmatz and produced at Nickelodeon Animation Studios.

* Fresh Beat Band of Spies (20 episodes) – In this brand-new animated series based on the hit live-action show, The Fresh Beat Band, the four best friends -- Kiki, Marina, Twist and Shout – are also a group of undercover spies. The pop band uses their individual talents and the coolest transforming spy gadgets to outwit a goofy cast of bad guys and solve an endless series of wild and wacky mysteries. The series, which teaches problem-solving to preschoolers, is created by Nadine van der Velde and Scott Kraft, the same duo behind The Fresh Beat Band. Fresh Beat Band of Spies is currently in production and will premiere on Nickelodeon in 2015.

* Nickelodeon will also air new episodes of its top-rated, returning series, including Dora the Explorer, Wallykazam!, Bubble Guppies, PAW Patrol, Team Umizoomi and Peter Rabbit.

MULTIPLATFORM:

* Nickelodeon actively programs all of its screens together, and two new multiplatform initiatives include the Nick Jr. App and the My Nick Jr. interactive channel:

* Launching next month, the Nick Jr. App follows the highly successful 2013 introduction of the Emmy Award-winning Nick App — which has received more than eight million downloads since its debut last year and will feature among its exclusive content the brand-new, digital series Welcome to the Wayne. The Nick Jr. App is an experience designed for preschoolers and incorporates signature Nick Jr. interactivity, discovery, and surprises. The app will feature high-level interactivity and educational entertainment activities; offer short-form video and curriculum-based content, and with authentication, access to full-length on-demand episodes and live-streaming of Nick Jr., the 24-hour network from Nickelodeon dedicated to preschoolers and moms.

* My Nick Jr., which is rolling out this spring in the U.S., is an authenticated, multi-screen experience that lets parents customize a playlist for their kids on television, desktops and tablets. The new offering allows parents to create a channel by age, gender and educational themes, featuring all the smart and fun preschool content from Nickelodeon like Dora the Explorer, Team Umizoomi, and Bubble Guppies. Parents can also choose the duration of each viewing, pause content on one device and resume playing it on another.

EVENTS: KIDS' CHOICE SPORTS 2014:

* The creation of Kids' Choice Sports 2014 adds to Nick's schedule a fourth live tent pole that presently includes TeenNick HALO Awards, Worldwide Day of Play and Kids' Choice Awards, which is now in its 27th year. Live from LA this July, Kids' Choice Sports 2014 is the first-ever expansion of its iconic Kids' Choice Awards franchise and will be one big, slimy sports celebration from a kid's point of view. Onstage at the upfront presentation, Legendary Super Bowl Champion and host of top-rated Emmy-winning morning talk show LIVE with Kelly and Michael, Michael Strahan highlighted his role as the show's host and executive producer, and detailed that this new addition will honor kids' favorite athletes, teams and sports moments. In true Nickelodeon spirit, Kids' Choice Sports (KCS) will also feature a daring, slime-filled sports stunt performed on a star athlete's home turf, a special halftime live musical performance and top athletes competing outside their sports realm for a KCS trophy.

Nickelodeon's 2014 upfront presentation was capped with an exclusive performance from five-time Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles, who performed her hits, "Brave" and "Love Song," and her newest single "I Choose You."

Nickelodeon, now in its 34th 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 company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in almost 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 19 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ:VIA, VIAB).

*For downloadable photos and additional information, visit: www.nickpress.com

Contact:

Nickelodeon
Thamar Romero, 212-846-7491
[...]
or
Maggie Wang, 212-846-6381
[...]

--Ends-

Additionally, iKids is reporting that, on the Nickelodeon Shorts front, Nick picked 10 domestic and seven international projects from the more than 1,000 pitches submitted to its third-annual global Animated Shorts Program to be developed into animated shorts that will air across Nickelodeon, www.nick.com and on the Nick App in 2014.

Six new domestic projects, "The Loud House" by Chris Savino, "Bear Wrestler" by Deanna Rooney, "By Request Pizza" by Arica Tuesday and Mick Ignis, "Hole" by Sam Spina, "Matt and Gus" by Matt Braunger, and "Charlie and Mr. Two" by Travis Braun, will join four previously announced domestic projects, "Bug Salad" by Carl Faruolo, "Earmouse and Bottle" by Brian Morante, "Woodstump" by Zach Smith, and "Broats" by Jack Cusumano.

Representing international projects to be developed are "Badly Drawn Animals" from Hamish Steele (UK), "Louis and Georges" by Renaud Martin and Raphaël Chabassol (France), "Monster Pack" from Pedro Eboli and Graham Peterson (Brazil and Canada), "Moosebox" by Mike Scott (South Africa), "Scoop" from The Brothers McLeod (UK), "Tech Oddity" by Marco Ibarra and Stefie Zöhrer (Mexico), and "Tonk’s Island" from creator Mel Roach (Australia).

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Nickelodeon Introduces "Kids' Choice Sports 2014", Brand-New Awards Show Hosted by Legendary NFL Star Michael Strahan

For over 26 years, Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards has been the bellwether event touting kids' favorites in the world of entertainment, and it has grown to one of the most anticipated annual shows in Hollywood. Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids and families, today announced in the following press release, from Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance, that in July 2014, Nickelodeon, along with Host/Executive Producer Michael Strahan ("LIVE with Kelly and Michael", "Fox NFL Sunday"), will bring all the fun, excitement and slime of the Kids' Choice Awards to the world of sports and allow kids around the country to pick their favorites in a new, live awards show "Kids' Choice Sports 2014"!

Set to take place Thursday 17th July 2014 at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, "Kids' Choice Sports 2014" will follow Nickelodeon's "Kids' Choice Awards" legacy to honor kids' favorite athletes, teams and sports moments from the year in one big, slimy sports celebration. In true Nickelodeon spirit, the event will also feature a daring, slime-filled sports stunt performed on a star athlete's home turf, a special halftime live musical performance and top athletes competing outside their sports realm for a KCS trophy.

A "Kids' Choice Sports" council consisting of influencers in the sporting world will lend their expertise and experience to help inform the awards show, consult on the nominee process and give feedback on categories. Members of the committee include: Baron Davis (former New York Knicks and two-time NBA All-Star); Ken Griffey Jr. (former baseball outfielder and 13-time All-Star); Lisa Leslie (former WNBA MVP and four-time Olympic gold medal winner); Cal Ripken Jr. (former shortstop and third baseman for the Baltimore Orioles and 19-time All-Star); Deion Sanders (NFL Pro Football Hall of Famer); Misty May-Treanor (three-time Olympic beach volleyball gold medalist); Andy Elkin (Agent, Creative Artists Agency); Tracy Perlman (VP Entertainment Marketing and Promotions, NFL); Jeff Schwartz (President and Founder, Excel Sports Management); Jill Smoller (SVP, William Morris Endeavor); Leah Wilcox (VP, Talent Relations, NBA); Alan Zucker (SVP, IMG Clients Group); Michael Phelps (most decorated Olympian of all time); Tony Hawk (professional skateboarder) and Zane Stoddard (VP, Entertainment Marketing and Content Development, NASCAR).

Legendary NFL star and Fox NFL Sunday analyst Michael Strahan is the co-host of the top-rated morning talk show "LIVE with Kelly and Michael". Prior to joining the ranks of the top sports broadcasters in the country, Strahan helped lead the New York Giants to their third Super Bowl championship in 2007 with a dramatic win over the New England Patriots. A seven-time Pro-Bowler and one of only four players ever to lead the NFL in sacks for two seasons during his 15-year NFL career, Strahan was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2001 when he broke the 18-year-old NFL single season sack record with 22.5 sacks, a record that still stands today.

Now a partner in SMAC Entertainment, Strahan brings his skills, determination, leadership, experience and humor to the multi-dimensional entertainment management, branding, and production company. In October 2013, they announced the start of production on an untitled biopic of boxer Arturo Gotti, alongside executive producer Mark Wahlberg. Constance Schwartz of SMAC Entertainment is an executive producer.

Ian Stewart and Hamish Hamilton of Done and Dusted (London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony, "2013 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show", "iHeartRadio Music Awards 2014") are onboard as executive producers of "Kids' Choice Sports 2014", with Hamilton also serving as director of the show. Constance Schwartz of SMAC Entertainment is also an executive producer.

As president of Done and Dusted, Stewart devises, stages and films some of the biggest events across the planet. The prolific production company has garnered awards from the Grammys to a Peabody, Emmys and BAFTAs, Rose d'Ors and countless others. Recent highlights include: NBC's "New Year's Eve with Carson Daly" 2012-2013; NBC's "Hurricane Sandy Coming Together" benefit; "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute 2012"; and "Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2013".

Hamilton's credits as director and producer include the Super Bowl Halftime Show 2014, the "2014 Academy Awards", "2014 MTV Movie Awards"; all four ceremonies for the London 2012 Olympic Games, and The Rolling Stones at Glastonbury. This year he received two BAFTAs and an Emmy nomination. Hamilton began his directing career in Scotland working for the BBC and has since travelled far and wide shooting documentaries, concert films and awards shows on every continent.

Original Nickelodeon Press Release:

NICKELODEON INTRODUCES KIDS' CHOICE SPORTS 2014, BRAND-NEW AWARDS SHOW HOSTED BY LEGENDARY NFL STAR MICHAEL STRAHAN

Event Celebrating Kids' Favorites in the World of Sports Set for Thursday, July 17, at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles

Network Institutes Kids' Choice Sports Council of Influencers, Including Cal Ripken Jr., Misty May-Treanor and Deion Sanders, Among Many Others

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

For over 26 years, Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards has been the bellwether event touting kids' favorites in the world of entertainment, and it has grown to one of the most anticipated annual shows in Hollywood. In July 2014, Nickelodeon, along with Host/Executive Producer Michael Strahan (LIVE with Kelly and Michael, Fox NFL Sunday), will bring all the fun, excitement and slime of the Kids' Choice Awards to the world of sports and allow kids around the country to pick their favorites in a new, live awards show--Kids' Choice Sports 2014.

Set to take place Thursday, July 17, at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, Kids' Choice Sports 2014 will follow Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards legacy to honor kids' favorite athletes, teams and sports moments from the year in one big, slimy sports celebration. In true Nickelodeon spirit, the event will also feature a daring, slime-filled sports stunt performed on a star athlete's home turf, a special halftime live musical performance and top athletes competing outside their sports realm for a KCS trophy.

"It is a real honor to be the inaugural host of the Kids' Choice Sports awards," said Strahan. "As an athlete and as a father to four kids who grew up with Nickelodeon, I know firsthand what an important role sports play in kids' lives. This is going to be a kids' Super Bowl-sized event that will have the best athletes, the best entertainment, the most fun, and of course the best slimings the world of sports has ever seen for the whole family to watch together."

"Giving kids a voice and a chance to celebrate their favorites with big events has been part of the Nickelodeon DNA since we launched the first Kids' Choice Awards over 26 years ago, and we are thrilled to have Michael Strahan as our host and executive producer of our first Kids' Choice Sports awards," said Cyma Zarghami, President of Nickelodeon. "Sports are a huge part of kids' lives and in the spirit of Kids' Choice, we are going to celebrate it in the biggest, loudest, slimiest way possible this summer!"

A Kids' Choice Sports council consisting of influencers in the sporting world will lend their expertise and experience to help inform the awards show, consult on the nominee process and give feedback on categories. Members of the committee include: Baron Davis (former New York Knicks and two-time NBA All-Star); Ken Griffey Jr. (former baseball outfielder and 13-time All-Star); Lisa Leslie (former WNBA MVP and four-time Olympic gold medal winner); Cal Ripken Jr. (former shortstop and third baseman for the Baltimore Orioles and 19-time All-Star); Deion Sanders (NFL Pro Football Hall of Famer); Misty May-Treanor (three-time Olympic beach volleyball gold medalist); Andy Elkin (Agent, Creative Artists Agency); Tracy Perlman (VP Entertainment Marketing and Promotions, NFL); Jeff Schwartz (President and Founder, Excel Sports Management); Jill Smoller (SVP, William Morris Endeavor); Leah Wilcox (VP, Talent Relations, NBA); Alan Zucker (SVP, IMG Clients Group); Michael Phelps (most decorated Olympian of all time); Tony Hawk (professional skateboarder) and Zane Stoddard (VP, Entertainment Marketing and Content Development, NASCAR).

Legendary NFL star and Fox NFL Sunday analyst Michael Strahan is the co-host of the top-rated morning talk show LIVE with Kelly and Michael. Prior to joining the ranks of the top sports broadcasters in the country, Strahan helped lead the New York Giants to their third Super Bowl championship in 2007 with a dramatic win over the New England Patriots. A seven-time Pro-Bowler and one of only four players ever to lead the NFL in sacks for two seasons during his 15-year NFL career, Strahan was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2001 when he broke the 18-year-old NFL single season sack record with 22.5 sacks, a record that still stands today.

Now a partner in SMAC Entertainment, Strahan brings his skills, determination, leadership, experience and humor to the multi-dimensional entertainment management, branding, and production company. In October 2013, they announced the start of production on an untitled biopic of boxer Arturo Gotti, alongside executive producer Mark Wahlberg. Constance Schwartz of SMAC Entertainment is an executive producer.

Ian Stewart and Hamish Hamilton of Done and Dusted (London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony, 2013 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, iHeartRadio Music Awards 2014) are onboard as executive producers of Kids' Choice Sports 2014, with Hamilton also serving as director of the show. Constance Schwartz of SMAC Entertainment is also an executive producer.

As president of Done and Dusted, Stewart devises, stages and films some of the biggest events across the planet. The prolific production company has garnered awards from the Grammys to a Peabody, Emmys and BAFTAs, Rose d'Ors and countless others. Recent highlights include: NBC's New Year's Eve with Carson Daly 2012-2013; NBC's Hurricane Sandy Coming Together benefit; CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute 2012; and Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2013.

Hamilton's credits as director and producer include the Super Bowl Halftime Show 2014, the 2014 Academy Awards, 2014 MTV Movie Awards; all four ceremonies for the London 2012 Olympic Games, and The Rolling Stones at Glastonbury. This year he received two BAFTAs and an Emmy nomination. Hamilton began his directing career in Scotland working for the BBC and has since travelled far and wide shooting documentaries, concert films and awards shows on every continent.

Nickelodeon, now in its 34th 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 company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in almost 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 19 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B).


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Contact:
Nickelodeon
Lilah Kojoori, 310-752-8206
[...]
or
Ariana Urbont, 310-752-8079
[...]

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Nickelodeon to Debut Nick Jr. App with TV Everywhere, Featuring Characters, Educational Content from Top-Rated Preschool Shows

Drawing from its success with the Emmy Award-winning Nick App, Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids and families, announced today, Thursday 13th March 2014, in the following press release, from Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance, that it will launch this Spring, the Nick Jr. App – a new branded platform for preschoolers populated by characters from its top-rated shows on TV: "Dora the Explorer"; "Bubble Guppies"; "PAW Patrol"; and more! Available for iPad devices, the Nick Jr. App is an experience designed for preschoolers that incorporates signature Nick Jr. interactivity, discovery and surprises. The application will feature high-level interactivity and educational entertainment activities; offer short-form video and curriculum-based content; and with authentication, access to full-length on-demand episodes and live-streaming of Nick Jr., the 24-hour network from Nickelodeon dedicated to preschoolers and moms!

Nick Jr. App Pictured: Nick Jr. App set to launch for iPad this spring. Photo Credit: Nickelodeon. (C)2014 Viacom International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Original Nickelodeon Press Release:

Nickelodeon to Debut Nick Jr. App with TV Everywhere, Featuring Characters, Educational Content from Top-Rated Preschool Shows

Preschool-Focused App Distinguished by Live Streaming of Nick Jr.'s Preschool Schedule and Curriculum-Based Interactivity

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Drawing from its success with the Emmy Award-winning Nick App, Nickelodeon announced today it will launch this spring, the Nick Jr. App – a new branded platform for preschoolers populated by characters from its top-rated shows on TV: Dora the Explorer; Bubble Guppies; PAW Patrol; and more. Available for iPad devices, the Nick Jr. App is an experience designed for preschoolers that incorporates signature Nick Jr. interactivity, discovery and surprises. The app will feature high-level interactivity and educational entertainment activities; offer short-form video and curriculum-based content; and with authentication, access to full-length on-demand episodes and live-streaming of Nick Jr., the 24-hour network from Nickelodeon dedicated to preschoolers and moms.

"Like the Nick App, our Nick Jr. App creates an entirely new platform for our preschool content and is literally designed to put characters like Dora and Peter Rabbit at preschoolers' fingertips," said Cyma Zarghami, President, Nickelodeon Group. "The Nick Jr. App offers a broader content experience unlike anywhere else, along with deep interactivity and educational elements to keep preschoolers engaged and learning."

A unique feature of the app, which has been designed specifically for preschoolers, is the high-level interactivity with characters like Dora the Explorer, Molly and Gil from Bubble Guppies and Twist from The Fresh Beat Band, who speak directly to the user upon entering each new content area. The characters are fully animated and respond to users through tap interactions, guiding preschoolers through the experience and encouraging them to try new areas while helping to boost problem-solving skills.

The Nick Jr. App immerses users into the world of each featured character through content areas containing 3D elements and illustrations that give realistic depth, like trees moving in the wind, shimmering water and butterflies and birds flapping their wings. The series included in the app include Dora the Explorer; Team Umizoomi; Bubble Guppies; PAW Patrol; Peter Rabbit; Wallykazam!; Go, Diego, Go!; Max & Ruby; The Fresh Beat Band; The Backyardigans; and Blues Clues.

Content highlights of the Nick Jr. App include:

* An endless carousel menu featuring the preschool characters kids know and love to help start their journey through the app;

* Educational and entertaining interstitials and Nick Jr.-themed music videos;

* Curriculum content included in the app;

* Linear feed of Nick Jr. channel;

* Nick Jr. programming schedule.

The app will be available free for iPad devices via the App Store, and will roll out on additional platforms in the coming months.

Full-length on-demand episodes and the linear feed in the Nick Jr. App can be accessed by households that subscribe to a TV service package with Nickelodeon from any one of 18 distributors, including Armstrong, Astound, AT&T U-verse, Atlantic Broadband, Bright House Networks, Click! Cable TV, DIRECTV, EPB Fiber Optics, Hawaiian Telcom, Massillon Cable TV, Optimum/Cablevision, RCN, Service Electric Cablevision, Suddenlink, Time Warner Cable, Verizon FiOS, Wave Broadband and WOW!, which collectively reach more than 50 million homes.

The Nick Jr. App will be ad-supported with a commercial load similar to Nickelodeon's preschool television block, with ads playing before episodes begin and never within them.

The Nick Jr. App is developed by the same Nickelodeon digital team that created the Emmy Award-winning Nick App. Launched February 2013, the Nick App has surpassed more than eight million downloads globally. The app serves as a creative sandbox for Nickelodeon, incubating new animated and live-action content with the potential to spinoff new series for television. It features made-for-digital short-form videos; full-length on-demand episodes of Nick's hit series; behind-the-scenes video and photos of kids' favorite Nick stars; and HTML5 games. The Nick App is available on iOS and Android devices, Xbox, Kindle, and Windows 8.

Nickelodeon is TV's top destination for preschoolers and their parents, with a current portfolio of smart and fun hits like Dora the Explorer, PAW Patrol, Bubble Guppies, Peter Rabbit and Team Umizoomi--which will all have new episodes premiering in the upcoming 2014-2015 season. The network owns four of the top five preschool shows on all television, including the two top-rated shows: PAW Patrol; and Wallykazam!, which teaches literacy and represents Nick's highest-rated preschool series premiere in almost 10 years.

The Nick Jr. App is part of Nickelodeon's biggest content pipeline it has ever had, with new series and innovations on new platforms in every genre — animation, live action, preschool and live events. For preschool alone, the network is adding more than 100 hours of new preschool content this season to its already robust, top-rated schedule of hits.

For the 2014-15 season, Nickelodeon will launch four more preschool series, including: Dora and Friends, which features the iconic character in new animated adventures, with new friends and a new interactive curriculum; Blaze and the Monster Machines, a CG-animated series featuring a STEM curriculum and telling the story of eight-year-old AJ and his incredible monster truck Blaze; Shimmer & Shine, an animated series following twin genies who accidentally create havoc wherever they go, teaching the value of learning from mistakes along the way; and, with a curriculum teaching problem-solving, Fresh Beat Band of Spies, an animated spin-off of Nick's live-action preschool hit, The Fresh Beat Band.

About Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon, now in its 34th 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 company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 19 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B).

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Contact:
Nickelodeon
Tori Fernandes
[...]

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