Nickelodeon Italy To Premiere "Sam & Cat" In November 2013

To celebrate filming and production of Nick's new original buddy comedy series "Sam & Cat" resuming after a short summer break, Nickelodeon Italy (also known as Nickelodeon Italia) has announced in a post on their official Nickelodeon Magazine (Nick Magazine) blog the exciting Nickelodeon Europe news that Nick Italy is planning to start to premiere and show the all-new Nick original sitcom "Sam & Cat" from November 2013!:

Si torna al lavoro sul set di Sam & Cat! Ieri Jennette McCurdy e Ariana Grande hanno cominciato le prove per i nuovi episodi di Sam & Cat, la nuova serie spin-off di iCarly e Victorious che potrai vedere su Nickelodeon a partire da novembre.

Back to work on the set of Sam & Cat! Yesterday, Jennette McCurdy and Ariana Grande have begun rehearsals for the new episodes of Sam & Cat , the new spin-off series iCarly and Victorious that you will see on Nickelodeon from November.

[Italian to English translation provided by Google Translate]

To celebrate Nick Italia starting to debut "Sam & Cat" from November 2013, the official website of Nickelodeon Italy, NickTV.it, has unveiled the channels official "Sam & Cat" show website, which features a 'Meet the Characters' ('Personaggi') section featuring bios for characters in "Sam & Cat" and a 'Show Info' page featuring information about Nick's brand new live-action comedy show, "Sam and Cat".

Plus, to celebrate work resuming on brand new episodes of "Sam & Cat", Nickelodeon TV show creator Dan Schneider has unveiled a series of exclusive photographs of the Nickelodeon Stars and cast of "Sam & Cat" - Jennette McCurdy (Sam Puckett), Ariana Grande (Cat Valentine), Cameron Ocasio (Dice), Maree Cheatham (Nona) and Zoran Korach (Goomer/Gieux Merr) - on the set and behind-the-scenes rehearsing their lines for the all-new episodes, which you can view here on NickTV.it!

Nick Jr. UK Acquires Rights To New Irish Animated Series "Puffin Rock"; Show Narrated By Chris O'Dowd

Cartoon Saloon, an Academy Award nominated Irish Animation Studio based in Kilkenny, has announced the exciting Nick Jr. UK news on their official website, cartoonsaloon.ie, that Nickelodeon UK's preschool channel, Nick Jr. UK, has picked up the broadcast rights to "Puffin Rock", a brand new animated children's TV series narrated by Irish actor Chris O'Dowd ("Bridesmaids", "The IT Crowd", "Moone Boy", Nickelodeon and DreamWorks Animation's "Monsters Vs. Aliens" TV series)!

Co-produced by Oscar nominated Irish animation studio, Cartoon Saloon, global publisher Penguin, and Northern Irish children's media company, Dog Ears, "Puffin Rock" will be broadcast by Nick Jr. in the UK and RTÉjr in Ireland. Production will commence in September 2013 and delivery will begin in October 2014.

"Puffin Rock" is a multi-platform brand that follows the adventures of a family of puffins living on a wild and beautiful Irish island. Pip, an adventure-loving young Puffling, and the hero of the show, explores the island with her little brother Baba – making friends, hunting for food and trying to stay off the dinner menu. The TV series will feature 39 seven-minute episodes (39 x 7') and Penguin will produce digital and physical format books, and products, to accompany the series.

As narrator, Chris O’Dowd mixes amusing observations with interesting facts about the wildlife on the island. O’Dowd is excited about his first foray into children's TV: "I love the whole idea behind Puffin Rock and the style of the artwork. I can't wait to be involved in it, but then I do love anything with Puffins."

Original Press Release:

Chris O'Dowd, Nick Jr. UK and RTÉjr set sail for Puffin Rock

Broadcasters Nick Jr. UK and RTÉjr have signed-up Puffin Rock, a new animated children’s TV series, featuring narration by Irish actor Chris O'Dowd.

The co-producers of Puffin Rock – Oscar nominated Irish animation studio, Cartoon Saloon, global publisher Penguin, and Northern Irish children's media company, Dog Ears – are delighted to announce that the series will be broadcast by Nick Jr. in the UK and RTÉjr in Ireland, and narrated by Chris O'Dowd. Production will commence in September 2013 and delivery will begin in October 2014. Puffin Rock is a multi-platform brand that follows the adventures of a family of puffins living on a wild and beautiful Irish island. Pip, an adventure-loving young Puffling, and the hero of the show, explores the island with her little brother Baba – making friends, hunting for food and trying to stay off the dinner menu. The TV series will feature 39 seven-minute episodes and Penguin will produce digital and physical format books, and products, to accompany it.

As narrator, Chris O'Dowd (of Bridesmaids, Moone Boy and The IT Crowd fame) mixes amusing observations with interesting facts about the wildlife on the island. O’Dowd is excited about his first foray into children's TV: "I love the whole idea behind Puffin Rock and the style of the artwork. I can't wait to be involved in it, but then I do love anything with Puffins."

Tim Patterson, VP, Director of Programming – Nickelodeon UK, said:

"Puffin Rock with its beautiful art style and charming storytelling is a perfect complement to the Nick Jr. schedule. It is a rich, gorgeous show and I am sure kids and their parents will be drawn into the programme’s beguiling world, but then I do love anything with rocks."

Pauline Macnamara, Executive Producer, Animation & Independent Commissioning RTÉ Young Peoples Programmes said: "Puffin Rock is a perfect fit for our new pre-school channel RTÉjr. We're delighted to be bringing stories of Irish coastal wildlife and environment to young Irish children through the world of Pip, Baba and friends. We’re also excited about the creative talents Dog Ears and Cartoon Saloon have drawn together for this project. It bodes well for a very magical series which will capture the imaginations of children everywhere.'

Francesca Dow, Managing Director, Penguin Children's Division said: "Penguin Children’s are excited to be bringing our experience of developing classic brands to creating and investing in brand new IP. At Penguin we are experts at storytelling and we love the story and the look and the feel of the characters in Puffin Rock. Of course, the fact that the show is all about baby Puffins also made this an even more appealing project for us. We are thrilled to be working with Chris O'Dowd and to have Nick Jr. UK and RTÉ jr on board as broadcasters."

Paul Young said: 'RTÉjr and Nick Jr. are the perfect broadcasting partners for Puffin Rock, so we are delighted to add Pauline Macnamara, Tim Patterson and their teams to our production. Cartoon Saloon has worked with Chris O'Dowd on his show Moone Boy, so we’re very excited to be able to bring his unique sense of humour and charming voice to Puffin Rock.'

--Ends--

Also, from Kidscreen:

Chris O’Dowd-narrated Puffin Rock gets Nick Jr. UK deal

Broadcasters Nick Jr. UK and RTEjr have purchased Puffin Rock, an animated children’s TV series narrated by Irish actor Chris O’Dowd, of Bridesmaids fame.

Puffin Rock is a co-pro between Ireland-based Cartoon Saloon, global publisher Penguin, and Northern Irish children’s media company Dog Ears. The series, first announced last November, will be broadcast by Nick Jr. in the UK and RTEjr in Ireland. Production will commences this month and delivery will begin next October.

The 39 x seven-minute series follows the adventures of a family of puffins living on a wild and beautiful Irish island. Penguin will produce digital and physical format books, and products, to accompany it.

As narrator, Chris O’Dowd will mix observations with interesting facts about the wildlife on the island

Tags: Cartoon Saloon, Dog Ears, Nick Jr. UK, Penguin, Puffin Rock, RTEjr

Also, from Broadcast:

Commissioning

Nick Jr orders Chris O'Dowd-voiced Puffin Rock

Nick Jr has commissioned animated kids series Puffin Rock voiced by Bridesmaids and Moone Boy star Chris O’Dowd.

The Viacom-owned broadcaster has ordered the series, in association with Irish network RTÉjr, from Irish animation studio Cartoon Saloon and Northern Irish indie Dog Ears as well as publisher Penguin.

Production on the 39 x 7-minute series will start this month and it will be delivered in October 2014.

The series follows a family of puffins living on a wild and beautiful Irish island and stars Pip, an adventure-loving young puffling.

It marks O’Dowd’s first move into kids TV. “I love the whole idea behind Puffin Rock and the style of the artwork. I can’t wait to be involved in it, but then I do love anything with Puffins,” he said.

Tim Patterson, VP, director of programming – Nickelodeon UK, added: “Puffin Rock with its beautiful art style and charming storytelling is a perfect complement to the Nick Jr. schedule. It is a rich, gorgeous show and I am sure kids and their parents will be drawn into the programme’s beguiling world, but then I do love anything with rocks.”

Also, from The Bookseller:

Penguin-produced cartoon coming to TV

A cartoon co-produced by Penguin has been signed up by satellite TV channel Nick Jr. UK and Irish TV channel RTÉjr.

Puffin Rock, which has been created in collaboration with Penguin, Irish animation studio Cartoon Saloon, and Northern Irish children's media company Dog Ears, will be narrated by actor Chris O'Dowd. Production will begin this month and the show will be delivered in October 2014.

The series will follow a family of puffins living on an Irish island, focusing on young puffling Pip and her little brother Baba. The TV series will be made up of 39 seven-minute episodes, and Penguin will produce physical and digital books to accompany it.

Francesca Dow, m.d. Penguin Children's Divison, said: "Penguin Children’s are excited to be bringing our experience of developing classic brands to creating and investing in brand new IP. At Penguin we are experts at storytelling and we love the story and the look and the feel of the characters in Puffin Rock. Of course, the fact that the show is all about baby Puffins also made this an even more appealing project for us."

Tim Patterson, vice president and director of programming at Nickelodeon UK, said: “Puffin Rock with its beautiful art style and charming storytelling is a perfect complement to the Nick Jr. schedule. It is a rich, gorgeous show and I am sure kids and their parents will be drawn into the programme’s beguiling world."


[...] Penguin Puffin Rock TV

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Nickelodeon USA Announces Networks Programming Highlights For Saturday 21st And Sunday 22nd September 2013

Nickelodeon has announced in the following press release, from TVbytheNumbers, a few of Nick USA's exciting programming highlights for the weekend of Saturday 21st September 2013 and Sunday 22nd September 2013, which features a brand new episode of Nick's new original buddy comedy series "Sam & Cat" called "#RevengeoftheBritBrats", which will feature the return of British sensations Sofia Grace and Rosie as the British con artist duo Gwen and Ruby, a all-new episode of Nick's new supernatural comedy series "The Haunted Hathaways" titled "Haunted Doll" and a brand new concert special called "Worldwide Day of Play: Play Out Loud!" which will feature highlights from Nickelodeon's Worldwide Day of Play 2013 event along with performances by Nickelodeon Stars Big Time Rush and Ariana Grande!

Original Nickelodeon Press Release:

Join Nickelodeon on Saturday, Sept. 21, for brand-new episodes of the hit series Sam & Cat and The Haunted Hathaways!

British sensations Sofia Grace and Rosie are back in an all-new episode of Sam & Cat "#RevengeoftheBritBrats," at 8:00p.m. (ET/PT). British con artists Gwen and Ruby return and, while pretending to be friendly, drive a wedge between Sam and Cat. When Sam and Cat catch on to this, they turn the tables on Gwen and Ruby.

It’s time to declutter in a new episode of The Haunted Hathaways "Haunted Doll" premiering at 8:30p.m. (ET/PT). The first Hathaway/Preston Yard Sale is smooth sailing until Louie fumbles his attempt to possess a stuffed animal, landing himself in Taylor's favorite nurse doll. The kids must all work together to get him back home safely.

The fun spills over into Sunday, Sept. 22 when Nickelodeon presents Worldwide Day of Play: Play Out Loud! This half-hour concert special features highlights from Nickelodeon's Worldwide Day of Play event along with performances by Big Time Rush and Ariana Grande. The fun, music and exclusive highlights kick off at 7:30p.m. (ET/PT).

Tags: Sam & Cat Ratings, The Haunted Hathaways Ratings

Kiaran Saunders, VP Commercial Director At Nickelodeon UK, To Be Presenter In EuroSummit '13's "TV Everywhere Update: What's Trending In Europe" Panel

Parks Associates, an internationally recognized market research and consulting company specializing in emerging consumer technology products and services, has announced in the following press release, from MarketWatch, that Kiaran Saunders, who is the Vice President (VP) Commercial Director at Nickelodeon UK Ltd, will be a presenter in the "TV Everywhere Update: What's Trending in Europe" panel of the upcoming EuroSummit '13, a conference which focuses on Social TV, the Connected TV, competitive branding and customer care strategies, On Demand advertising, and a host of other key topics, technologies, product trends, and best practices in cable marketing, which offers a unique gathering that includes keynotes, panels, engaging sessions, networking events, and creative awards. EuroSummit '13's "TV Everywhere Update: What's Trending in Europe" panel will look at recent research that has found that the majority of European pay-TV subscribers can now access content across multiple connected devices - and in some cases, for no additional cost. But after wooing customers with extra benefits for nearly a year or more, have cable operators profited? The panel, which will consist of dynamic global experts, will take an in-depth look at TV Everywhere and its impact on cord cutting or shaving, á la carte premium services, subscription rates and customer satisfaction. The panel will also discuss the most successful strategies for boosting revenue, what new challenges and opportunities lie ahead for Europe, plus much more! The panel will take place on Friday 20th September 2013 between 10:30-11:30 A.M. in the Main Conference Room at Hotel Rey Juan Carlos I in Barcelona, Spain.

Original Parks Associates Press Release:

Parks Associates: Over 70% of Pay-TV Subscribers in Western Europe Can Get TV Everywhere

Parks Associates President to Moderate Panel and Present TV Everywhere Data at CTAM EuroSummit '13

DALLAS, TX, Sep 18, 2013 (Marketwired via COMTEX) -- Stuart Sikes, President, Parks Associates, is moderating the session, "TV Everywhere Update: What's Trending in Europe" on September 20, 10:30-11:30, at CTAM EuroSummit '13 in Barcelona.

According to Parks Associates research, over 70% of pay-TV subscribers in Western Europe are able to receive a TV Everywhere service from their current pay-TV provider. The firm estimates that by 2017, over 55% of broadband households in Western Europe will have a smart TV, creating even greater demand for online video services.

EuroSummit '13 is a unique gathering that includes keynotes, panels, engaging sessions, networking events, and creative awards. The conference focuses on Social TV, the Connected TV, competitive branding and customer care strategies, On Demand advertising, and a host of other key topics, technologies, product trends, and best practices in cable marketing.

What: "TV Everywhere Update: What's Trending in Europe"

After offering TV Everywhere for close to a year or more, what has been the impact on cord cutting, cord shaving, a-la-carte premium services, subscription rates, and customer satisfaction?

MODERATOR: Stuart Sikes, President, Parks Associates

PRESENTERS:

Cornel Ciocirlan - CTO EMEA, Arris Jon Sichel - MD UK & EMEA, Scripps Networks Kiaran Saunders - VP Commercial Director, Nickelodeon UK Ltd. Nick Thexton - VP and CTO, Service Provider Video Technology Group, Cisco Simon McGrath - General Manager, Europe, thePlatform

When: September 20, 2013 10:30-11:30 A.M.

Where: [Main Conference Room] Hotel Rey Juan Carlos I Av. Diagonal 661 - 671 08028 - Barcelona, Spain

Press Registration/Information: Please contact Krisztina Homolay to request a press pass for this event or register here.

Interview: To request an interview with Parks Associates or additional information, contact Holly Sprague at hsprague@gmail.com or +1.720.987.6614.

Parks Associates will host CONNECTIONS(TM) Europe: Monetization Strategies for the Connected Home on November 12-13 at the Moevenpick Hotel, Amsterdam. Visit http://www.connectionseurope.com for more information.

About Parks Associates Parks Associates is an internationally recognized market research and consulting company specializing in emerging consumer technology products and services. Founded in 1986, Parks Associates creates research capital for companies ranging from Fortune 500 to small start-ups through market reports, primary studies, consumer research, custom research, workshops, executive conferences, and annual service subscriptions.

[...]

SOURCE: Parks Associates

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Nickelodeon Star Brad Kavanagh Reveals He Would Love To Appear On "Sam & Cat"

Nickelodeon Star Brad Kavanagh, who plays the character Fabian Rutter in Nickelodeon's hit mystery drama series "House of Anubis", has revealed in a Tweet during a special Questions-and-Answers (Q&A) session he held on Wednesday 18th September 2013 to celebrate his official Twitter profile page reaching 75,000 followers that, if he had the chance to act in any show, he would love to do a cameo on the hit Nickelodeon original comedy series "Sam & Cat"!:‏

@andwheeaah_: @BradKavanagh if you could get the chance to act in any show you want, what would it be? #askbradkavanaghanything - 18/9/2013.

@andwheeaah_ i'd love to do a cameo on sam & cat, i wonder what that would entail? - 18/9/2013.

Would you like to see Brad Kavanagh guest star on Nick's "Sam & Cat"? Which television show would you like to see Brad K guest star on? Let NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, on Instagram, and/or Facebook!

Catch the brand new Nickelodeon sitcom "Sam & Cat", starts Monday 14th October 2013 at 6pm, only on Nickelodeon UK! Are you #TEAMSAMANDCAT?

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