The Official Nickelodeon UK Website, Nick.co.uk, To Feature Online Activity To Promote The Upcoming Release Of Sony's Upcoming Brand New Playstation 3 Move Video Game "Sorcery"

From MCV UK:

Sorcery 'will raise the bar for Move'

Sony expects its upcoming Move game Sorcery to be a flagship product for the motion accessory.

The company says it "raises the bar" for Move games, and has kicked off an ad campaign to get it in front of kids this summer.

TV advertising will run around Cartoon Network programmes such as Ben 10 and Transformers, while cinema spots will feature at screenings of Men in Black 3.

There will also be print ads in Future Publishing magazines and online activity on Miniclip, YouTube, Disney and Nickelodeon websites.

Sorcery will be a part of Sony's Summer Move Sampling tour which will cover retail, festivals and other high footfall areas.

“Sorcery raises the bar for PlayStation Move titles, and our retail expectations are reflective of that,” Sony’s UK product manager John Aikins told MCV. “With a comprehensive marketing campaign and great press feedback, Sorcery is the perfect title for all households, and is a great advertisement for the benefits of Move.”

There will be three Sorcery SKUs available on May 25th – a £30.99 standalone game, £70.99 Move bundle and PS3 console pack.

Sporting Chances - C21Media Examines The Impact Sports And Get-Fit Programming Is Having On Kids TV

From C21Media:

Sporting chances

With the London Olympics fast approaching, Jesse Whittock assesses what impact sports and get-fit programming is having on the children's television business.

Sport content and children’s television have long been uneasy bedfellows. The massive annual audiences the Superbowl scores in the US and English Premier League (EPL) football attracts globally has never been replicated in the kids’ sport space. A successful long-running property has yet to emerge (although the niche genre of sports manga has been big in Japan for decades).

The question, according to Stephen Green, co-founder of distributor Corinthian Entertainment, is why producers and broadcasters would want to create shows that are solely about sport in the first place. “If you wanted to watch [straight-laced UK football comic strip] Roy of the Rovers, you’d tune into the Champions League or the World Cup, because the drama there is real.”

“When we started in this space in 2006 it was really tough,” says Philippe Alessandri, president of Zodiak Media-owned Télé Images Productions. “Broadcasters used to tell us kids preferred to watch real sports, that football was interesting to boys but girls hated it, or that because there weren’t any shows in the market it didn’t work.”

Télé Images and Green’s former company Galleon Entertainment are two of the more prolific producers in this space, the former for toons such as French net Gulli’s Street Football and M6′s The Basketeers. Galleon’s efforts include Super Soccer Star, an international reality football format produced with Chelsea FC in which young hopefuls battled for professional contracts; and Sokator-442, an animated online game and broadcast TV show.

“The sport in a cartoon really needs to be more of a theme and the entertainment has to tick all of the boxes. It has to have great characters; it’s probably going to be boy-biased as it’s sport, which is gladiatorial; and it has to have great action and be good-vs-evil,” says Green.

“The thing about creating animated sports series is to not make them 100% about sports,” confirms Alessandri. “You need to tell a true story and have true characters. That’s the difference from Japanese animé, which is all about competition.”

French prodcos are among the most prolific in the animated sport-themed programme space, with Télé Images, Gaumont Alphanim (Galactik Football) and Moonscoop (Wild Grinders) among those active in the market. To a point this is due to the country’s favourable tax credits for animation.

Alessandri says that the challenge for French production companies “is to get the shows away in the US, as other territories receive our animation very well.” But seasoned toon producer Mike Young, CEO of Moonscoop USA, says getting any broadcaster interested is a challenge.

Last year, Moonscoop, Dutch prodco Kids Workout Factory and Ireland’s Telegael launched sports and get-fit live-action/CGI hybrid series Super Sportlets on Nickelodeon Holland, Belgian network VRT and Moonscoop-owned US video-on-demand platform Kabillion.

Despite what Young says were excellent ratings on each platform – for example, growing its US audience 10-fold in four months – “there was a very lukewarm response when we debuted the show to market.

“Children look at content through different eyes and I always say to broadcasters to go back to when they were eight years old when they watch something new and experimental. But we still had great difficulty selling the show,” he adds.

Young says the “overriding” reason for creating Sportlets was to encourage children to play sport – a savvy move, as childhood obesity is considered one of the global social challenges of today. “It is still early days and we hope once the audience data from Europe and the US comes back, other broadcasters will take a chance on it.”

Despite this perceived apprehension about sports and get-fit content, there has been a groundswell of activity in the sector this past year. In September 2011, Turner Broadcasting System Europe announced it had acquired the Icelandic production outfit behind preschool series LazyTown and is preparing a new season for its Cartoonito networks.

Elsewhere, new Portuguese company Sport Stars Media (SSM) has purchased image rights to football manager José Mourinho and is developing toon series Mourinho & the Special Ones around him. In the US, former Nickelodeon chief Kit Laybourne ["Eureeka's Castle", "Gullah Gullah Island"] is fronting upcoming online TV channel The Whistle, dubbed by commentators as ‘ESPN for kids.’

“We strongly believe there is a huge opportunity in this area,” says SSM CEO Ruben Dias. His company floated on London's Alternative Investment Market in February and raised £1.6m (US$2.6m) for Mourinho & the Special Ones, its debut show. Unusually, it plans to produce the series in economically stricken Portugal to tap its skilled but under-used labour pool.

“It is our plan and business proposal to continue exploring sports-based characters and we wouldn’t be surprised if other production companies and platforms join us in this vision in the coming months. There are many sports to be explored,” says Dias.

2012 is, of course, an Olympic year and the London games this summer present a huge opportunity to develop and/or create themed content, he claims. “The Olympics will be an excellent showcase to identify potential projects for us.” Moonscoop’s Young adds: “The Olympics is a stunning opportunity for companies like ours.” He hopes the event will push buyers towards the unusual Sportlets format over the “kill-’em-dead shows and broad comedies” they often go for.

Another facet of the kids’ sports genre – especially with toons – is attaching a well-known name, as is the case with The Basketeers and Mourinho & the Special Ones. Moonscoop USA is also developing Master Blasters, a cricket-based toon featuring popular batsman Sachin Tendulkar that’s set in a future of robot umpires and giant stadiums.

The star vehicle can aid production and create an “extremely lucrative business” if the producer recognises local territories’ tastes, says Moonscoop’s Young. Master Blasters is coproduced with unnamed Indian investors and distributors and aimed at the 14 cricket-playing countries, such as Australia, South Africa and the UK.

“My partners in America think I’ve lost it but what America in general doesn’t realise is you can be super famous and super rich in just one country, as Sachin is in India. If you’ve got 14 cricketing countries and have a successful show in those with ancillary rights, you’ve got a lucrative business.”

Télé Images’ Alessandri notes that having NBA star Tony Parker attached to The Basketeers was “not vital” but adds that as a marketing tool in basketball-loving France and the US, his name was “very useful” in making sales. In other territories, the name was played down.

SSM’s Dias adds that while the Mourinho moniker is important, smart business decisions and monetising are the pressing issues. Along with the basic presales and licensing and merchandising route, he has “other ideas for monetising the project. We will explore distribution vehicles like the internet and we’re looking to the social media sectors. The choices we make in the next few months will be critical.”

Dias claims there is a bright future in sports-themed kids’ content. “In sport, there is action and passion. What better formula for creating highly engaging entertainment?”

Jesse Whittock
08-05-2012
©C21Media

SHOWS: Galactik Football, LazyTown, Master Blasters, Mourinho & the Special Ones, Sokator-442, Street Football, Super Soccer Star, Super Sportlets, The Basketeers, Wild Grinders

PEOPLE: Mike Young, Philippe Alessandri, Ruben Dias, Sachin Tendulkar, Stephen Green

COMPANIES: Cartoonito, Corinthian Entertainment, Galleon Entertainment, Gaumont Alphanim, Gulli, Kabillion, Kids Workout Factory, Moonscoop, Moonscoop USA, Nickelodeon, Sport Stars Media, Tele Images Productions, TeleGaël, Turner Broadcasting System, VRT

SECTIONS: C21 Kids

Video Featuring British Taekwondo Athlete Aaron Cook's Episode Of Nickelodeon UK's New London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games-Themed Short Series "Nickelodeon's Young Hopefuls"

Below is a streaming video (with transcript) featuring an episode from Nickelodeon UK and Ireland's brand new London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games-themed "Nickelodeon Short" series called "Nickelodeon's Young Hopefuls" (formally "Britain's Young Hopefuls"), in which young British athletes who are hoping to earn medals (gold, silver or bronze) for Team GB at the upcoming London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games (Games of the XXX Olympiad) which London, UK will host later this year during summer 2012, tell Nickelodeon viewers about their personnel stories, such as what inspired them to excel in their chosen sports, how tough their training regimes are, and what winning Gold at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The streaming video below, which Nickelodeon UK is currently broadcasting on-air to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, stars British taekwondo athlete Aaron Cook, who talks about how watching the Power Rangers television series when he was five-years-old inspired him to become an taekwondo athlete, how hard and "relentless" training is, how he's defeated reigning world taekwondo champions, that the "pinnacle" of his career will be to claim a gold medal at London 2012, and that how winning being the best feeling in the world, and that nothing else comes close. Aaron Cook also inspires tomorrow's athletes and Olympic Gold champians to "get Up, get out, and get involved":

"Nickelodeon's Young Hopefuls"

Aaron Cook

I first started loving taekwondo what I was five-years-old.

I used to sit at home and watch the Power Rangers in my front room.

Training's tough, it's relentless.

I've defeated reigning world champions, and ranked number one in the world, but
still, not good enough.

The pinnacle will be to claim a gold medal at London 2012.

Winning is the best feeling in the world.

Nothing else comes close.

Get up, get out, and get involved.

You could be a Power Ranger just like me.

You can read a news article about the British taekwondo athlete Aaron Cook filming his episode of "Nickelodeon's Young Hopefuls" here on NickALive!. In addition to Aaron Cook's episode of "Nickelodeon's Young Hopefuls", Nickelodeon UK also filmed "Nickelodeon's Young Hopefuls" an episode starring the British athletics runner and Team GB hopeful Jacqueline Joey Duck, also known as Joey Duck, and an episode starring British Weightlifter and 2010 Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Zoe Smith (also known as Zoe Pablo Smith).

Also, Tweeted (posted) Nickelodeon UK and Ireland on their official Twitter profile page (@NickelodeonUK):

What is nickelodeons young hopefuls ?

@NickelodeonUK: Keep ur eyes peeled, we'll be introducing some of Team GBs young Olympic hopefuls!

Nickelodeon UK Announces Plans To Premiere The Brand New "Big Time Rush" Nickelodeon TV Movie, "Big Time Movie", On Saturday 26th May 2012 At 5.30pm!

According to Nickelodeon UK's new "Big Time Movie, coming soon to Nickelodeon!" teaser trailer/promo (below with transcript), Nickelodeon UK have confirmed the Nickelodeon News that Nickelodeon UK will be holding the UK premiere of the brand new original Nickelodeon TV movie, "Big Time Movie", which is based on the hit Nickelodeon series and Nickelodeon boy band "Big Time Rush", in May 2012, and will premiere the brand new "Big Time Rush" movie, "Big Time Movie", on Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK on Saturday 26th May at 5.30pm (repeated at 6.30pm on Nickelodeon UK's plus one (+1) timeshift channel Nick Replay UK):

This May, the boys will take over the world.

But first, they're going to have to save it!

Big Time Movie, coming soon to Nickelodeon!

26th May 5.30pm

In the brand new "Big Time Rush" movie, "Big Time Movie", the BTR boys (Kendall Schmidt (Kendall Knight), James Maslow (James Diamond), Carlos Pena (Carlos Garcia), and Logan Henderson (Logan Mitchell)) must tap their inner spy as their adventure finds them driving exotic cars and jumping out of helicopters, while trying to make it to their first world tour concert on time. Hot on their trail are evil henchmen named Maxwell, British secret agents and Swedish spies as well as billionaire businessman, Sir Atticus Moon who wants back his precious device code named: "The Beetle," an anti-gravitational device with enormous power. Once they learn they're carrying this precious cargo, the guys get pulled into a madcap mission throughout London, UK, which threatens the onset of their world tour. With the help of teen spy Penny Lane, the guys set out to save Penny's father M16 Agent Simon Lane and stop Sir Atticus Moon's plot to use "The Beetle" to gain world domination.

Also, Tweeted (posted) Nickelodeon UK and Ireland on their official Twitter profile page (@NickelodeonUK):

Just saw the Big Time Movie promo on @NickelodeonUK !! May 26th, like I guessed :)

@NickelodeonUK: Good Spot! Its going to be SO GOOD!

And:

#UKRushers 4 days to go til @BigTimeRush weekend! Who knows which UK band Big Time Movie is based around??

Also:

the beatles!

@NickelodeonUK: Well done to [...]! The answer is the Beatles!

And:

Hey @HeffronDrive [Kendall Schmidt] - #UKRushers are SUPER excited to see Big Time Movie this Saturday with you and the guys!! 3 days to go!...

Also:

Missed Big Time Movie yesterday? DONT WORRY! Catch it again today @ 2 :-) #UKRushers

Also, Tweeted (posted) by Kidzcoolit.com on their official Twitter profile page (@Kidzcoolit), and Nickelodeon UK and Ireland's Press Office's reply Tweet (post) on their official Twitter feed (@NickelodeonUKPR):‏

@Kidzcoolit: Big Time Movie Sountrack. BTR cover the Beatles classics - love re-worked We Can Work it Out!!!!!

@NickelodeonUKPR: glad you liked the soundtrack the movie premieres on 26th May!! We hope you love it!

Below is a streaming video and transcript of Nickelodeon UK's brand new 'Big Time Movie, next Saturday at 5.30pm, only on Nickelodeon!' promo/trailer, which Nickelodeon UK is currently broadcasting on-air to advertise and promote Nickelodeon UK will be holding the movie event of the year by premiering the brand new BTR movie "Big Time Movie" on Saturday 26th May at 5.30pm:

Next Saturday, London is calling!

But before Big Time Rush can tour the world, they're going to have to save it!

[Carlos Garcia: Okay, can we get a cool dramatic entrance?]

[Big Time Rush's Big Time Movie soundtrack song "Help!"]

It's time for the super stars to become super spies!

[Logan Mitchell: I want a cool weapon too.

[Spy lifts up spy gadget pen]

Of course!]

Big Time Movie, next Saturday at 5.30pm, only on Nickelodeon!

Nick Jr. Channel UK To Premier Brand New Episodes Of "Bubble Guppies" From 11th May 2012

According to Nick Jr. UK on their official Twitter page (@NickJrUK), Nick Jr. Channel UK and Ireland will be premiering and showing brand new episodes of the popular animated Nick Jr. preschool show "Bubble Guppies" every weekday at 10am and 5pm from Monday 7th May 2012 until Friday 11th May 2012:

There are brand new episodes of Bubble Guppies on Nick Jr., weekdays at 10am and 5pm!