Nickelodeon UK Opens Its Doors To First Ever Digital Series "Welcome to the Wayne"

Nickelodeon UK, the number one commercial kids TV network in the UK, has announced the exciting news in the following press release, from VIMN's official Nickelodeon UK & Ireland Press Centre, that Nickelodeon UK will launch "Welcome to the Wayne", Nickelodeon's first-ever animated series developed and produced exclusively for digital platforms, on the Nick App, nick.co.uk and nicktoons.co.uk on Monday 22nd December 2014! Following the shows debut, Nick UK will continue to premiere new episodes exclusively on the networks digital platforms weekly.

"Welcome to the Wayne" follows the secret adventures of two 10-year-old boys, Olly Timbers and Ansi Molina, as they battle through out-of-the-ordinary adventures and close encounters with the Spy from apartment 8-I whilst discovering their way around their curiously quirky apartment building. Each episode sees Olly and Ansi's budding friendship develop, all the while they discover the bizarre world of The Wayne and it's rather unique tenants.

From left to right: Ansi Molina, Olly Timbers, Saraline Timbers, Leif Bornewell III in Nickelodeon's Welcome to the Wayne on the Nick.co.uk, NickToons.co.uk and the Nick App.

The new short-form series is comprised of six 5-to-7 minute episodes created by Emmy Award-winning writer and composer Billy Lopez ("Phineas and Ferb").

Since its launch the Nick App has been downloaded over 220,000 times in the UK. The free app gives Nickheads the chance to explore Nickelodeon shows, view exclusive content, photos and play brand-new games. The Nick App has no in-app purchases and is available on iOS and android.

Original Nickelodeon UK Press Release:

NICKELODEON OPENS ITS DOORS TO FIRST EVER DIGITAL SERIES: WELCOME TO THE WAYNE

Expect quirky, crazy and hilarious adventures at the tip of your finger with Welcome to the Wayne available on the Nick App, nick.co.uk and nicktoons.co.uk from Monday 22nd December 2014

London, Friday 12th November 2014 – Nickelodeon UK is to launch its first animated series developed and produced exclusively for digital platforms. Welcome to the Wayne will be available on the Nick App, nick.co.uk and nicktoons.co.uk from Monday 22nd December 2014. The show follows the secret adventures of two 10-year-old boys, Olly Timbers and Ansi Molina, as they discover their way around their curiously quirky apartment building.

Welcome to the Wayne sees Olly and Ansi’s budding friendship develop, all the while they discover the bizarre world of The Wayne and it’s rather unique tenants. The series follows the boys as they battle through out-of-the-ordinary adventures and close encounters with the Spy from apartment 8-I.

The new short-form series is comprised of six 5-to-7 minute episodes created by Emmy Award-winning writer and composer Billy Lopez (Phineas and Ferb). Each week a new episode will premiere exclusively on nick.co.uk, nicktoons.co.uk and the Nick App.

Since its launch the Nick App has been downloaded over 220,000 times in the UK. The free app gives Nick fans the chance to explore Nickelodeon shows, view exclusive content, photos and play brand new games. The Nick App has no in-app purchases and is available on iOS and android.

Nickelodeon Network

The Nickelodeon UK Network is available in 14 million cable and satellite homes and now reaches more than 10 million viewers a month. Launched in 1993, the top-performing Nickelodeon network comprises seven dedicated entertainment channels for kids aged 4-15 and their families: Nickelodeon, Nickelodeon HD, Nickelodeon +1, Nicktoons, Nick Jr., Nick Jr. +1 and Nick Jr. Too. The entertainment company has built a diverse multi-platform business by putting kids first in everything it does – Kids Rule! Content is at the core of the business with critically-acclaimed and hugely-popular television programming from the UK and around the world merging with bespoke content online and a dedicated Nick app, as well as consumer product and recreation opportunities such as the UK’s first-ever Nick theme park, Nickelodeon Land.

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Nickelodeon USA Launches Nick Jr. App Featuring Hit Preschool Content, Interactive Educational Activities, and TV Everywhere

Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids and families, has announced the exciting news in the following press release, from Business Wire, that, following the tremendous success of the Emmy Award-winning Nick App, which launched in 2013 and has already had 11 million downloads globally, Nickelodeon USA today, Thursday 11th December 2014, launched the Nick Jr. App, a new branded platform that allows kids to interact with and learn from their favorite Nickelodeon preschool characters anytime and anywhere. The app is initially available for the Apple iPad starting today.

Original Nickelodeon Press Release:

Nickelodeon Launches Nick Jr. App Featuring Hit Preschool Content, Interactive Educational Activities, and TV Everywhere

New Preschool App Follows Net's Successful Launches of Top-Ranking, Curriculum-Driven Titles including PAW Patrol Rescue Run and Wallykazam! Letter and Word Magic

December 11, 2014 11:41 AM Eastern Standard Time

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Following the tremendous success of the Emmy Award-winning Nick App, which launched in 2013 and has already had 11 million downloads globally, Nickelodeon today announced the launch of the Nick Jr. App, a new branded platform that allows kids to interact with and learn from their favorite Nickelodeon preschool characters anytime and anywhere. The app is initially available for iPad starting today.

Nick Jr. App home screen (Graphic: Business Wire)

Designed specifically with preschoolers in mind, the Nick Jr. App features a grid-style interface and moveable tile layout that allows for easy exploration and fun discovery. The app offers a variety of educational activities, alphabet buttons that trigger pop-up surprises, live simulcast streaming of the Nick Jr. channel and on-demand episodes via TV Everywhere authentication through participating TV providers, plus over 100 pieces of short-form content including curriculum moments, music videos, funny mashups, and exclusive first looks. Throughout the app experience, kids will engage with characters from the net's top-rated preschool series such as PAW Patrol, Dora and Friends: Into the City! and Wallykazam!, while boosting their STEM, reading, motor and problem-solving skills.

Watch your favorite shows

"The Nick Jr. App deepens the connection preschoolers have with their favorite shows and characters through a highly engaging and interactive play-and-learn experience," said Matthew Evans, Senior Vice President, Digital, Nickelodeon. "The app demonstrates Nickelodeon's ongoing innovation in the digital space and commitment to super-serving our audience with the content they crave, wherever they go and at any time they want it."

Easy for kids to use

The Nick Jr. App is the net's latest offering of successful curriculum-driven preschool apps. To date, Nick has launched more than 20 preschool apps including top-performing titles like PAW Patrol Rescue Run (problem-solving and social skills), Wallykazam! Letter and Word Magic (literacy), Bubble Guppies Animal School Day (science), and the award-winning Nick Jr. Draw and Play (creativity and imagination).

Ad free

Nickelodeon's hit preschool series currently featured on the Nick Jr. App include: PAW Patrol, Dora and Friends: Into the City!, Dora the Explorer, Blaze and the Monster Machines, Wallykazam!, Bubble Guppies, Team Umizoomi, Peppa Pig, Peter Rabbit, Max & Ruby, Blue's Clues, The Backyardigans, Go, Diego, Go!, The Fresh Beat Band, Yo Gabba Gabba!, The Wonder Pets!, OLIVIA, Ni Hao, Kai-lan, Lalaloopsy, Julius Jr., Zack & Quack, Tickety Toc, Dino Dan, Mia and Me, Mike the Knight, Franklin & Friends and Little Bear.

Smart and funny surprises

Full-length on-demand episodes and the live linear feed of the Nick Jr. channel can be accessed by households that subscribe to a TV service package with Nick Jr. and that authenticate through participating TV providers. This new TV everywhere offering currently reaches over 50 million homes.

All your Nick Jr. friends

Nickelodeon is TV's top destination for preschoolers and their parents, with a current portfolio of smart and fun hits including PAW Patrol, Dora and Friends: Into the City! Wallykazam! and Blaze and the Monster Machines. Through the years, Nickelodeon Preschool has consistently created highly engaging, age-appropriate, educational and innovative shows like Blue's Clues, Dora the Explorer and Team Umizoomi. Educational consultants are used to develop a deep, unique curriculum for each show and every episode is tested with kids to ensure quality. The content is available on TV, online, mobile, and tablets, allowing kids to interact with and learn from their favorite characters across multiple platforms.

The Nick Jr. App is available for free on the App Store for iPad or at www.AppStore.com. Visit www.nickjr.com/app to learn more.

About Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon, now in its 35th 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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Nickelodeon Names David Katz Senior Vice President, Content Relations

Original Nickelodeon Press Release via NickPress.com:

NICKELODEON NAMES DAVID KATZ SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, CONTENT RELATIONS

NEW YORK – Dec. 8, 2014 – Nickelodeon has named David Katz Senior Vice President of Content Relations for Nickelodeon Group. The announcement was made today by Russell Hicks, President of Content, to whom Katz will report.

From the network's Animation Studio in Burbank, Calif., Katz will spearhead a wide range of key initiatives and strategic priorities that will help drive Nickelodeon's creative excellence initiatives, as well as serve as a critical player on special projects. He will also provide strategic oversight of the Talent Outreach team of leaders responsible for retaining, attracting and developing Nickelodeon's creative talent.

"For almost nine years, David has demonstrated a tremendous ability for conceptualizing and executing against Viacom's strategic initiatives," said Hicks. "In that time, he has managed critical internal and external relationships with key stakeholders and developed programs that speak to the heart of our company's objectives."

Katz previously served as Vice President of Global Corporate Responsibility at Viacom where he led Viacommunity, the company's umbrella of key philanthropic investments, strategic partnerships and corporate responsibility efforts, while also serving as liaison to the Board of Directors, special projects and other corporate initiatives. In that capacity, he influenced several large-scale projects, including a multi-year partnership with The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to launch the "Get Schooled" Foundation; the "Dream Concert" at Radio City Music Hall to benefit the MLK Memorial Foundation; Viacom's "9/11 I Will" tribute campaign and the recent partnership with Mariska Hargitay to support the NO MORE movement against domestic violence and sexual assault, among others. Katz also launched Viacommunity Brand Solutions, which serves as an impact accelerator for brand partners and organizations.

Katz began his career at Viacom as a Nickelodeon summer associate in the Talent & Casting group, followed by several roles in talent management, including Blue's Clues at Nick Jr. and later in the MTV On-Air Talent Group. Prior to his time at Viacom, he worked at Clear Channel Entertainment in Creative Development and as Chief of Staff for Barry Diller, Chairman at IAC/InterActiveCorp.

Katz is a graduate of New York University and Emerson College where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media Management and Communications.

Nickelodeon, now in its 35th 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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Nickelodeon Africa Launches "Slime A Celeb" Charity Initiative

Nickelodeon Africa has launched a brand-new charity initiative called "Slime A Celeb", in which, for the first time, Nickelodeon is planning to slime some of South Africa's favourite celebrities at the Eastgate Shopping Centre, all in the name of charity!

Slime may not traditionally be associated with Christmas, but it does have a long association with Nickelodeon; the tradition of sliming celebrities first started at the first-ever Nickelodeon "Kids' Choice Awards" in 1988, and since then, celebrities from all walks of life have enjoyed the honour of being slimed - Will Smith, Halle Berry, Katy Perry, Tom Cruise, Justin Timberlake, P!nk, Jack Black and many others are among the many good sports who have featured in the slime "hall of fame"!

As part of "Slime A Celeb", members of the public are encouraged to visit Eastgate Shopping Centre located at Strelitzia Court during December 2014 to make their donations, and for every thousand rand raised, popular celebrities, including Arye Kellman, will be given the ultimate Nickelodeon honour of being slimed by being dunked in a big vat of sticky green slime! Each sliming will be filmed, and the clips placed on social media. Once a celebrity has been SLIMED, they will be able to nominate three other celebs to come down to Eastgate Shopping Centre to be slimed!

The challenge is an integral part of a charity fund-raising drive for Child Welfare, a non-profit organization providing homes for abandoned, abused and vulnerable children in South Africa, including those who are HIV positive.

The slimings will take place as part of Nickelodeon's Nickmas activity's at Eastgate Mall between Thursday 11th and Monday 15th December 2014, and Nickelodeon are hoping to attract large crowds to generate a meaningful sum of money for Child Welfare projects. You can find full information about "Slime A Celeb" here on Nick Africa's official website, nickelodeonafrica.com, plus follow the latest news on social media by using the hashtag #SlimeChallenge!

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Nickelodeon USA To Premiere "ReactToThat" On Monday 15th December 2014

The TV news website Zap2it.com is reporting the exciting Nickelodeon News in their TV listings area that Nickelodeon USA will start to premiere and show the brand-new series "ReactToThat" on Monday 15th December 2014 at 7:30pm (ET/PT)! Following the series premiere, Nick USA will continue to debut all-new episodes of "ReactToThat" Monday to Friday at 6:00pm (ET/PT) through New Years Day, Thursday 1st January 2015!

Update (12/11): Updated TX time; added Nickelodeon's official press release announcing the news, below.

The premiere episode will feature YouTube stars Bethany Mota, Lia Marie Johnson (of "AwesomenessTV") and Paris Smith ("Every Which Way"), plus the stars of Nickelodeon's "Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn", Mace Coronel and Aidan Gallagher.

"ReactToThat" is a brand-new half-hour comedy series based on the the the hit web-based series "React" by brotherly YouTube duo Benny and Rafi Fine, a.k.a. The Fine Bros. Each episode will feature celebrities and kids reacting to web videos and also participating in showdowns where they take on a challenge based on a video they just watched (like making a basketball trick shot or trying to set the world record for fastest clapping).

Below is a list of currently announced episodes and their premiere dates:

Monday 15th December 2014: Season 1, Episode 1: Pizza Slap and Nugget in a Biscuit
Tuesday 16th December 2014: Season 1, Episode 2: T-Shirt War and Girl Burps the Alphabet
Wednesday 17th December 2014: Season 1, Episode 3: Snail Attack and Hallway Swimming
Thursday 18th December 2014: Season 1, Episode 4: Skydive Out Front Door and Guitar Impossible

The Fine Bros., who are affiliated with YouTube multichannel network Fullscreen, run one the biggest channels on the video sharing website, with 8.1 million subscribers and 1.58 billion video views to date.

"ReactToThat" is executive produced by Nick Cannon, Michael Goldman, Benny and Rafi Fine, and Max Benator, who is the Fine Bros.'s manager, through Nick Cannon's Ncredible Entertainment production company. The Fine Bros. are repped by WME.

Nickelodeon ordered 13 episodes of "ReactToThat" from The Fine Bros. in April 2014 following a successful pilot episode in February 2014.

Sources: ToonZone Forums member rockorockorocko, Variety.

Original Nickelodeon Press Release via NickPress.com:

NICKELODEON TO LAUNCH BRAND-NEW SERIES REACTTOTHAT ON MONDAY, DEC. 15 AT 6 P.M. (ET/PT)

YouTube Sensation Bethany Mota and Stars of Nickelodeon's Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn Featured in Series Premiere

SANTA MONICA, CA - Dec. 11, 2014 – Nickelodeon will debut ReactToThat, a brand-new half-hour series from popular YouTube personalities The Fine Bros., on Monday, Dec. 15, at 6:00 p.m. (ET/PT). In partnership with Nick Cannon and his production shop NCredible Entertainment, Benny and Rafi Fine have taken their hit online show React to the next level with a new TV series featuring celebrities and kids reacting to the web's best viral videos. The premiere episode features YouTube sensations Bethany Mota, Lia Marie Johnson (Awesomeness TV) and Paris Smith (Every Which Way), plus the stars of Nickelodeon's Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn--Mace Coronel and Aidan Gallagher. ReactToThat will regularly air Monday through Friday at 6:00 p.m. (ET/PT) through Jan. 1, 2015 on Nickelodeon.

In the new series, the kids and celebrity reactors not only watch and respond to viral videos, but participate in epic showdowns where they take on a challenge based on a video they just watched. Whether it's a basketball trick shot or the world record for fastest clapping, the challenges bring a physical element to the show that's never been seen in the online version.

In its three years since launching online, the React franchise has garnered over 1 billion video views and over 10 million subscribers. The success of Kids React has yielded spinoffs Teens React, Elders React and YouTubers React.

ReactToThat is executive produced by Nick Cannon, Michael Goldman, Benny Fine, Rafi Fine, Scott Tomlinson, and Max Benator.

Nickelodeon, now in its 35th 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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