Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Nickelodeon Australia and KFC Big Bash League Renew Partnership for Fourth Season

Nickelodeon and KFC Big Bash League set to launch into fourth consecutive season


Nickelodeon will be synonymous with the KFC Big Bash League (BBL) once again in 2019-20, with Cricket Australia announcing the renewal of the partnership between the global kids’ entertainment brand and the league!

With families making up 36% of total ticket sales over the season, the renewed deal will see Nickelodeon continue to strengthen the BBL’s position as one of the top family-friendly entertainment options of the Australian summer.

The celebrate the fourth year of the partnership, players from all eight KFC BBL clubs joined a range of characters from Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants, club mascots and Woolworths Cricket Blast Kids at Sea World on the Gold Coast.

The 2019-20 partnership will see Nickelodeon ‘NICKify’ eight BBL matches throughout the season, beginning Friday, December 27 on the Gold Coast, when the Melbourne Stars take on the Adelaide Strikers at Metricon Stadium, all the way through to the BBL Final on Saturday, February 8.

Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants will headline this season’s activities, with the iconic TV character celebrating his 20th Anniversary with the best summer ever! The friendly sponge will invite a select few fans on the field-of-play during innings breaks to take part in the ultimate Bikini Bottom challenge in hopes of winning a family holiday to Nickelodeon Land at Sea World on the Gold Coast, including accommodation at Sea World Resort & Water Park. Then, come the KFC BBL Final, one lucky family will win an exclusive trip to Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana in the Caribbean.

Off the field, the ‘Nick Squad’ will be entertaining kids, and big kids at heart, with a range of fun activities including ‘Nicket’ - Nickelodeon’s take on cricket, a pineapple glasses hut with a bedazzle station, and new water play activities, featuring pineapple water bombs to keep kids cool throughout the day.

Cricket Australia Head of Big Bash Leagues, Alistair Dobson said: “We’re really excited to partner with Nickelodeon for the ninth season of the KFC BBL.”

“We believe this will be one of the most exciting BBL seasons to-date, and we look forward to working with Nickelodeon once again to deliver more fun and enjoyment to our fans across the country.”

General Manager (GM) and Vice President (VP) of Nickelodeon Australia and New Zealand Ben Cox said: “Our partnership with BBL over the past three seasons has gone from strength to strength, and we are looking forward to making our fourth season the best yet with the inclusion of everyone’s favourite sponge, SpongeBob SquarePants!”

“At Nickelodeon, we put kids first with everything we do, and our partnership with BBL allows us to add an extra layer of fun for kids to enjoy during a day at the cricket.”

General Admission prices for the upcoming BBL season are on sale now, with adult tickets starting from $20, kids tickets from $5, and family tickets from $42.50*.

BBL|09 will feature 56 home and away matches across 42 days from December to February in what is expected to be one of the biggest seasons to date. To view the full fixture for the upcoming BBL|09 season, visit www.bigbash.com.au/fixtures.

To purchase tickets or for more information about BBL|09, visit www.bigbash.com.au/tickets.

The nominated matches with Nickelodeon attendance are:

DATE - MATCH - STADIUM

Friday, 27 December, 2019 - Melbourne Stars v Adelaide Strikers - Metricon Staidum, Gold Coast

Tuesday, 31 December, 2019 - Adelaide Strikers v Sydney Thunder - Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Friday, 3 January, 2020 - Hobart Hurricanes v Brisbane Heat - Blundstone Arena, Hobart

Tuesday, 7 January, 2020 - Melbourne Renegades v Perth Scorchers - GMHBA Stadium, Geelong

Sunday, 12 January, 2020 - Melbourne Stars v Sydney Sixers - MCG, Melbourne

Wednesday, 15 January, 2020 - Perth Scorchers v Melbourne Stars - Optus Stadium, Perth

Saturday, 25 January, 2020 - Sydney Sixers v Melbourne Renegades - SCG, Sydney

Sunday, 26 January, 2020 - Sydney Thunder v Perth Scorchers - Sydney Showground Stadium, Sydney

Saturday, 8 Frbruary, 2020 - BBL Final - TBC


* Prices based on cash purchase at the venue, subject to availability. A one off agency fee from $6.95 per transaction applies, payable at checkout on the ticket agent website. Tickets for matches at Optus Stadium are subject to a $5 public transport levy for all purchasers. Tickets for matches at the Gabba and Metricon Stadium are subject to a $2 public transport levy for all purchasers. The levies will be added on top of the ticket price of all tickets. Excluding Hobart Hurricanes matches. For more information about ticket options in your state, see www.bigbash.com.au/tickets




More Nick: The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run | Official Teaser Trailer | Paramount Pictures Australia!

Originally published: Thursday, November 28, 2019.

Additional sources: Mirage News, Cricket World.
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Nickelodeon Australia and New Zealand to Premiere 'The SpongeBob Musical: Live On Stage!' on Saturday 28th December 2019

NICKELODEON AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND TO DEBUT ORIGINAL TELEVISION MUSICAL EVENT
THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL: LIVE ON STAGE!
ON SATURDAY, DEC. 28

SpongeBob SquarePants Voice Actor Tom Kenny Appears in Special as “Patchy the Pirate”

Follow SPONGEBOB: @TheSpongeBobMusical @SpongeBob @NickelodeonAustralia


(l-r) Danny Skinner (Patrick Star), Ethan Slater (SpongeBob SquarePants), Christina Sajous (Sandy Cheeks) in “The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!”. Photo credit © Alex Bailey/Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon Australia and New Zealand will The SpongeBob Musical: Live On Stage!, which, following a critically lauded run on Broadway, reunites members of the original award-winning Broadway company, on Saturday 28th December 2019 at 6:30pm (AEDT)! Joining the cast is veteran SpongeBob SquarePants voice actor Tom Kenny as “Patchy the Pirate,” performing the original Sara Bareilles song “Poor Pirates.” The SpongeBob Musical: Live On Stage! was filmed for television in front of a live theater audience, capturing all-new depths of theatrical innovation, where the power of optimism really can save the world.

“I’ve had a blast portraying live-action suburban buccaneer and President of the SpongeBob SquarePants Fan Club, ‘Patchy the Pirate,’ since the character’s first appearance in season two of SpongeBob SquarePants way back in 2000,” said Kenny. “I loved The SpongeBob Musical, and I was thrilled to be included in it both in pre-recorded (‘French Narrator’) and songwriter (‘Best Day Ever’) forms! But to now have the opportunity to actually step onstage and perform alongside members of the original Broadway production is truly a unique honor. It’s ‘meta times ten,’ and I think Nickelodeon’s audience will really get a kick out of it!”

Nickelodeon has revealed a first look of the special, where the stakes are higher than ever, as SpongeBob and all of Bikini Bottom face the potential of total annihilation of their undersea world. Chaos erupts. Lives hang in the balance. And just when all hope seems lost, a most unexpected hero rises and takes center stage.


The SpongeBob Musical: Live On Stage! cast will include Ethan Slater as SpongeBob SquarePants, Gavin Lee as Squidward Q. Tentacles, Danny Skinner as Patrick Star, Brian Ray Norris as Eugene Krabs, Wesley Taylor as Sheldon Plankton, Christina Sajous as Sandy Cheeks and Tom Kenny as ‘Patchy the Pirate’. The ensemble will include Kyle Hamilton, Katie Lee Hill, Curtis Holbrook, Jesse JP Johnson, L’ogan J’ones, Jai’len Josey, Kelvin Moon Loh, Lauralyn McClelland, Vasthy Mompoint, Bryonha Marie Parham, Oneika Phillips, Jon Rua, JC Schuster, Abby C. Smith, Robert Taylor Jr., and Allan Washington.

Adapted from the beloved Nickelodeon series, the Broadway musical was hailed by The New York Times as “brilliant,” and “effervescent candy-for-the-spirit” by New York Magazine. This new musical earned its place on 2017’s “Best of Broadway” lists, including Broadway.com, BuzzFeed, Chicago Tribune, The Daily Beast, Deadline, ET Online, Forbes, Time Out New York and Variety.

Named Best Musical by the Drama Desk Awards and Outer Critics Circle, and earned 12 Tony Award nominations – the most nominated musical of the 2017-2018 theatre season – winning for Best Scenic Design of a Musical (David Zinn).


Acclaimed Steppenwolf director Tina Landau and the groundbreaking designers behind Fun Home, Hedwig, and Spring Awakening have brilliantly reimagined Bikini Bottom for the Broadway stage, on tour, and now for television, bringing the spirit of SpongeBob to life with humanity, heart, and pure theatricality. With an original score from some of the biggest names in pop and rock, The SpongeBob Musical: Live On Stage! explodes with energy.

The SpongeBob Musical: Live On Stage! is a musical production conceived and directed for the stage by Tina Landau, book by Kyle Jarrow, orchestrations, arrangements & music supervision by Tom Kitt, with choreography by Christopher Gattelli, produced for television by Austin Shaw, and directed by Glenn Weiss. Nickelodeon’s Vice Presidents Paul J Medford and Susan Vargo serve as executive producers, alongside Senior Vice President of Music & Talent Doug Cohn and is executive produced and overseen by Executive Vice President of Unscripted and Live Events Rob Bagshaw.

This one-of-a-kind television musical event features original songs by Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady Antebellum, Cyndi Lauper, Rob Hyman, John Legend, Panic! At The Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants, and T.I. (Clifford Harris, Jr.), Domani Harris, and Darwin Quinn, and additional songs by David Bowie, and by Tom Kenny and Andy Paley. Additional lyrics by Jonathan Coulton. Additional music by Tom Kitt. Along with “The SpongeBob Theme Song” by Derek Drymon, Mark Harrison, Stephen Hillenburg, and Blaise Smith.

The design team includes scenic and costume design by David Zinn, lighting design by Kevin Adams, projection design by Peter Nigrini, sound design by Walter Trarbach, hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe and casting by Telsey + Company/Patrick Goodwin, CSA.

The Original Cast Recording is available now from Masterworks Broadway wherever music is sold and streamed.

The SpongeBob Musical: Live On Stage! made its debut on Nickelodeon USA on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, where it was a ratings hit. The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage! Sing-A-Long premieres Sat., January 4, 2020 at 7 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nick USA.

The SpongeBob Musical is now on tour across North America.

In additional news, to celebrate the festive season, Nickelodeon Australia and New Zealand are currently hosting Naughty or Nick, a brand-new stunt hosted by social media stars Lily Grace and Damon Koles, in which viewers can win amazing prizes!:



(l-r) Danny Skinner, Gavin Lee, Ethan Slater. Photo credit © Alex Bailey/Nickelodeon


Tom Kenny as “Patchy the Pirate” with cast members of “The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!”. Photo credit © Alex Bailey/Nickelodeon


Ethan Slater and the cast of “The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!”. Photo credit © Alex Bailey/Nickelodeon


Katie Lee Hill, Ethan Slater, Tom Kenny, Brian Ray Norris. Photo credit © Alex Bailey/Nickelodeon


Ethan Slater and the cast of “The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!”. Photo credit © Alex Bailey/Nickelodeon

Since its launch July 17, 1999, SpongeBob SquarePants has reigned as the number-one kids’ animated series on TV for the last 17 years, while generating a universe of beloved characters, pop culture catchphrases and memes, theatrical releases, consumer products, a Tony award-winning Broadway musical and a global fan base. SpongeBob SquarePants is the most widely distributed property in Viacom International Media Networks history, seen in more than 170 countries, translated in 30+ languages, and averaging more than 140 million total viewers every quarter. SpongeBob SquarePants is created by Stephen Hillenburg and produced by Nickelodeon in Burbank, Calif. The character-driven cartoon chronicles the nautical and sometimes nonsensical adventures of SpongeBob, an incurably optimist and earnest sea sponge, and his undersea friends.

About Nickelodeon International:

Nickelodeon, now in its 23rd year in Australia and 40th globally, 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, digital, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon is one of the most globally recognized and widely distributed multimedia entertainment brands for kids and family, with 1.2 billion cumulative subscriptions in more than 500 million households across 170+ countries and territories, via more than 100+ locally programmed channels and branded blocks. Outside of the United States, Nickelodeon is part of Viacom International Media Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc.


More Nick: Nickelodeon Australia and KFC Big Bash League Renew Partnership for Fourth Season!

Schedule source: Digiguide; Facebook /@‎Matthew Redshaw‎ and @Phillip David Evans.
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What Did You Think of 'America's Most Musical Family' Episode 7: Semifinals, Part 1? | Nickelodeon Fan Poll

What did you think of the seventh episode of Nickelodeon's brand new music competition series America's Most Musical Family? Vote in the poll and sound off in the comments below!

ViacomCBS Networks International and The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi Extend Partnership with VidCon Abu Dhabi for 5 Years

VIACOMCBS NETWORKS INTERNATIONAL AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE AND TOURISM – ABU DHABI EXTEND PARTNERSHIP WITH VIDCON ABU DHABI FOR 5 YEARS

The partnership will bring the conference for the creator and online video community to Abu Dhabi for the next 5 years

The first edition of VidCon Abu Dhabi will be held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from March 25-28, 2020.

Tickets available for purchase now at www.ticketmaster.ae


Wednesday, December 18th 2019: ViacomCBS Networks International and The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) partner to bring VidCon, the world’s largest celebration of online video, to the UAE for the first time. The inaugural edition of VidCon Abu Dhabi will be held at ADNEC from March 25 – 28, 2020.

VidCon is the world’s largest immersive experience for fans, content creators, executives and brands who build, celebrate and belong to online communities. The event is an essential meeting point for brands and executives who are passionate about digital creators, online video and social-first content. VidCon offers an opportunity for fans and industry leaders to meet the most influential local and international content creators while experiencing the future of video consumption and online storytelling.

HE Saif Saeed Ghobash, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi “After the outstanding success of the recent Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, which formed part of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Family Week, we are delighted to be building upon our relationship with ViacomCBS with VidCon. Bringing such a globally significant event to Abu Dhabi reinforces our commitment to providing the very best and most innovative events for both residents and visitors in the emirate. Such an event represents the cutting edge of modern culture, and Abu Dhabi prides itself on providing leadership in the technological and cultural sectors.”

Raffaele Annecchino, President, ViacomCBS Networks Southern and Western Europe, Middle East and Africa “We are excited to take VidCon to Abu Dhabi, expanding our collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, with whom we recently held the first-ever Kids’ Choice Awards Abu Dhabi. Bringing VidCon to Abu Dhabi is a further testament to our continued commitment to investing in this key market, creating unforgettable experiences for our audience, fans and partners. The Middle East is a vibrant hub for content creators, with millions of young people turning to online video to connect with others, creating compelling content, building audiences and finding entertainment. The Middle East is the second biggest region for online video after the US, so we are excited for VidCon to highlight the impact of creators, the digital community and the industry.


Jim Louderback, General Manager, VidCon “As we continue to develop our international presence and celebrate the universality of the online video experience, we are excited to bring our event to Abu Dhabi in 2020. There are millions of young people in the Middle East who turn to online video to connect with others and find entertainment, comfort, and acceptance in social content and community-first content creators. At VidCon Abu Dhabi, we want to bridge their online and offline worlds to create an unforgettable experience for fans and spotlight and celebrate the talented creators throughout the Middle East.”

Tickets for the inaugural VidCon Abu Dhabi are now available at www.ticketmaster.ae: early bird tickets are available until January 15th 2020.

For more information and all updates about VidCon Abu Dhabi, please visit the official website: https://vidconabudhabi.com/. Stay up on all things related to VidCon Abu Dhabi by following it on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, on VidCon Abu Dhabi YouTube channel and on Snapchat @vidconabudhabi.

About Vidcon

VidCon is the world’s largest event for fans, creators, executives and brands who are passionate about online video and building diverse communities. Their flagship show, VidCon US, recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, welcoming 75,000 attendees and over 120 brand exhibitors. VidCon continued its global expansion this year, announcing the first-ever VidCon Asia Summit, which is set for December 2019, and VidCon Mexico, coming in 2020, adding to its roster of international events in Australia and London. VidCon was founded by veteran YouTube creators John and Hank Green (Vlogbrothers) and was acquired by Viacom in 2018.

ViacomCBS Networks International


ViacomCBS Networks International, a unit of ViacomCBS Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAC), is comprised of many of the world’s most iconic consumer brands. Its portfolio includes Network 10, Channel 5, Telefe, Viacom 18, ViacomCBS International Studios, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount Network and Pluto TV among others. In addition to offering innovative streaming services and digital video products, ViacomCBS Networks International provides powerful capabilities in production, distribution and advertising solutions for partners on five continents and across more than 180 countries.

About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi

The Department of Culture and Tourism conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world- Globally, sustainable destination of distinction, which enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike. The organization manages the emirate’s tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment. Its policies, plans and programs relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including Zayed National Museum, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi. DCT – Abu Dhabi supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate’s heritage. A key role is to create synergy in the destination’s development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base.

More Nick: Nickelodeon Announces Kids’ Choice Awards Abu Dhabi 2019 Winners!

Additional source: Business Wire.
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December 2019 on Nickelodeon Italy: ALVINNN | SpongeBob | Henry Danger | Christmas + More

Below is a round-up of Nickelodeon Italy's (Italia) programming highlights for December (Dicembre) 2019!


Nickelodeon Italia: (canali 605 e 606 di Sky)

Danger Time
New Stunt
Airs: Weekday evenings at 20:20 from Monday 2nd December 2019

Beginning Monday 2nd December 2019, fans can tune in every weekday evening for two hours of great laughter with Kid Danger (Jace Norman) and Captain Man (Cooper Barnes) in a variety of different Henry Danger specials! It kicks off with some of the most recent episodes, including "Danger Things" and "Back to the Danger", and includes the recent "Henry Danger The Musical" and the Henry Danger x The Thundermans crossover, "Danger & Thunder"!

Danger Time
Dal 2 dicembre, Dal lunedì al venerdì alle 20.20

Kid Danger e Capitan Man sbarcano in prima serata con una programmazione esclusiva: ogni sera uno speciale diverso, per due ore di grandi risate. Si parte con gli episodi più recenti, come Danger Things e Viaggio nel tempo, passando dal doppio episodio in versione musical fino alle avventure più amate delle passate stagioni come il mitico duetto con I Thunderman in Danger & Thunder.

Un Natale da scartare
Christmas Stunt
Airs: Weekdays at 2:00pm from Monday 2nd December 2019

Tune into Christmas specials of all your favourite Nickelodeon shows, including Henry Danger, The Thundermans, The Loud House, Game Shakers, SpongeBob SquarePants and more!

Un Natale da scartare
Dal 2 dicembre, dal lunedì al venerdì alle 14

Nickelodeon celebra il Natale con ben quattro settimane di programmazione speciale. Una fascia dedicata alle feste dal lunedì al venerdì con gli speciali natalizi più belli delle serie più amate dai bambini, come Henry Danger, I Thunderman, A casa dei Loud, Game Shakers, Spongebob e tanti altri. Senza dimenticare i film natalizi con le star americane di Nickelodeon.

Christmas with SpongeBob
Christmas Marathon
Airs: Wednesday 25th December 2019 (Christmas Day)

Spend Christmas day with a special marathon of back-to-back episodes of SpongeBob, which is currently celebrating it's 20th anniversary! Featuring the most Christmassy episodes of the hit Nickelodeon series!

Natale con Spongebob
Mercoledì 25 dicembre, maratona natalizia

Lo spirito natalizio non può mancare nei fondali di Bikini Bottom con la programmazione speciale dedicata a SpongeBob, la spugna marina che quest’anno festeggia il suo ventesimo anniversario. In onda gli episodi più natalizi del cartoon cult.

Nick Jr. Italia (canali 603 e 604 di Sky)

ALVINNN!!! and The Chipmunks Season 4
New Episodes
Premiering: Weekdays at 20:00 from Monday 2nd December 2019

Alvinnn!!! & the Chipmunks
Nuovi episodi
Dal 2 dicembre, dal lunedì al venerdì alle 20

Su Nick Jr arriva uno stunt di programmazione con sette episodi inediti della quarta stagione, con protagonisti Alvin e i suoi fratelli. Tante divertenti avventure e nuovi pasticci per lo scoiattolino rockstar e i suoi fratelli combinaguai: Simon e Theodore. Come sempre all’appello non possono mancare le loro amichette Chipettes.

Hooray Santa Claus
Christmas Stunt
Airs: Weekdays at 13:30 from Monday 16th December 2019

Featuring Christmas specials of fan-favourite Nick Jr. shows, including PAW Patrol, Blaze and the Monster Machines, Team Jay, 44 Cats, and Shimmer and Shine!

Evviva Babbo Natale
Dal 16 dicembre, dal lunedì al venerdì alle 13.30

Arrivano gli episodi natalizi più belli delle serie animate più amate dal pubblico prescolare, come Paw Patrol, Blaze, Team Jay, 44 gatti, Shimmer and Shine. E non poteva mancare un episodio inedito di Top Wing, A Top Wing Christmas, dove gli eroici cadetti con le ali affronteranno una nuova missione speciale.

TeenNick Italia: (canale 620 di Sky)

Christmas with TeenNick
Christmas Stunt
Airs: Everyday at 20:00 between Monday 23rd - Sunday 29th December 2019

Catch Christmas-themed episodes of all your favourite TeenNick shows, including iCarly!

Natale con Teen Nick
Dal 23 al 29 dicembre, alle 20

Nella settimana natalizia Teen Nick propone gli episodi tematici delle sue migliori serie, tra cui il telefilm ormai cult iCarly. Nell’episodio natalizio L’albero magnetico, Spencer trasforma l'albero tradizionale di Natale in un albero magnetico fatto con materiali che ha trovato in discarica. Durante la notte però la creazione prende fuoco. Per questo Carly esprime il desiderio che suo fratello rinasca ‘intelligente’. La ragazza va a dormire e al suo risveglio troverà una grande sorpresa…

Official ViacomCBS Networks Italia press release: