Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Pluto TV Refreshes Branding and Preps Super Bowl Promo Spot During CBS Telecast As Free Streaming Pioneer Nears Its 10th Anniversary

Paramount Global‘s free streaming outlet Pluto TV has just completed a refresh of its brand and will be taking its first bow during the company’s Super Bowl broadcast on CBS, Nickelodeon and Paramount+.

Pluto TV Refreshes Branding and Preps Super Bowl Promo Spot During CBS Telecast As Free Streaming Pioneer Nears Its 10th Anniversary

The impetus for the move, insiders tell Deadline, is to position Pluto as the progenitor of free, ad-supported streaming television, or FAST. It also coincides with the 10th anniversary of Pluto’s debut as a beta website in March 2014. (Streaming, as we know it today, would come a bit later.)

The FAST category has mushroomed from humble beginnings into a multi-billion-dollar revenue generator, with an estimated 1,500 total channels jockeying for attention across the sector. Given Pluto’s foundational role in launching FAST, Paramount is looking to give it a boost with an ad slot during the Big Game broadcast on February 11.

Internally, Pluto is being described as moving into its third act, with the first two being its emergence as a startup and its 2019 acquisition by Viacom. Operating in more than 35 global markets, the service passed the $1 billion annual revenue mark in 2021 and has been a linchpin in Paramount’s overall streaming strategy.

The brand refresh supervised by the design firm Gretel includes a new logo, font, and motion graphics, all aimed at presenting a “bold and simple” look with cleaner visuals and a brighter palette. In one detail of interest to streaming industry and classic-Hollywood obsessives, the new font is tilted at a 22-degree angle. The number 22 is significant for Paramount, as its film studio’s longtime mountain logo features 22 stars, representing the number of actors the 112-year-old studio once had under contract.

Content discovery — a pain point with consumers and a buzz phrase in the world of streaming product design — is also an element of the new branding for Pluto. The proposition of the new image is to help viewers “find their orbit” on Pluto, which relies on familiar, lean-back features like an on-screen programming guide and a reliance on live, linear channels as opposed to on-demand fare. (Fox Corp.’s rival, Tubi is weighted toward AVOD as opposed to FAST.)

“We know from our research that more often than not, audiences come to Pluto because they want to feel a certain way. It provides a sense of ease and comfort among an overwhelming number of streaming and content choices,” said Valerie Kaplan, Global SVP, Head of Consumer Marketing, Pluto TV. “Our refreshed brand identity and design system brings to life that promise to our consumers that Pluto provides a world of premium entertainment that orbits around you. And it does so in a bold, modern way that is unique, recognizable, and memorable… something that can stand out from the crowd in an increasingly competitive category.”

Stream a Mountain of Entertainment, including your Nickelodeon favorites on Paramount+! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com!


H/T: Special thanks to @916786wc for the news!

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Paramount Sees Sell-Out for Nickelodeon Super Bowl Commercials

It wasn’t child’s play, but Paramount Global has sold out all commercial inventory tied to a coming simulcast of Super Bowl LVIII set to air on Nickelodeon.

Super Bowl LVIII on Nickelodeon

The big NFL extravaganza will largely be seen via its February 11 broadcast on CBS, but Paramount is testing whether it can expand the event’s audience by running a kids-and-family focused version of the Big Game on Nickelodeon. Most of the commercials set to air will be the same across CBS, Nickelodeon and Paramount+, all part of packages valued at between $6.5 million and $7 million. In some cases, however, the product being advertised in the Super Bowl — a bottle of beer, for example, or sports betting or an R-rated movie — won’t be appropriate for the younger children watching on the home of beloved characters like SpongeBob SquarePants and Chase and Rocky from PAW Patrol.

Paramount had offered advertisers the chance to run different commercials on Nickelodeon, and was prepared to sell a handful of units that would appear only in the kids-cable feed. Now, according to a person familiar with the matter, the company expects 15 “Nick-only” spots to run, many of them from toy marketers, retailers, restaurant chains and manufacturers of consumer packaged goods. Paramount has been seeking between $200,000 and $300,000 for a stand-alone 30-second Super Bowl spot on Nickelodeon, according to media buyers and other executives familiar with the pace of negotiations.

“We have had a number of clients buy the Nickelodeon package, but not be in the linear package on CBS,” one media-buying executive with knowledge of recent talks told Variety.

The Paramount ad-sales team wasn’t able to sell its Nickelodeon inventory at the same time it was haggling for sales of the CBS Super Bowl telecast, according to the person familiar with the matter. Because the bulk of Super Bowl sponsors bought a multi-media package that included both CBS and Nickelodeon as well as Paramount+, ad-sales executives were forced to wait until they understood who was in the CBS line-up. Then they had to determine which commercials wouldn’t be appropriate for the Nickelodeon audience and figure out how individual advertisers might want to handle the situation. That also gave them an indication if they had some empty slots the original advertiser might not want.

CBS announced its Super Bowl inventory was nearly sold out in November (not all of it was locked up, however; Toyota, which previously announced it would not advertise in Super Bowl LVIII, turned things around last week and said it was driving into the game, a sure sign CBS found itself with inventory still on its hands). Once the network had gotten its arms around ad demand for the game, sales teams could then focus on Nickelodeon, this person said. In all, the Nickelodeon Super Bowl inventory took about six weeks to sell.

Paramount had a clear pitch to sell the Nickelodeon spots. Potential advertisers were told that taking up Nickelodeon inventory would help them expand the audience they might reach and extend more deeply into a group of kids and adults watching together. Some marketers were even offered the chance to tap into working with influencers familiar to the Nickelodeon audience and to weave their messages into Nickelodeon-themed sports content and surrounding programming.

Chances are some Super Bowl marketers were happy to have Nickelodeon as part of the mix. The 2024 Super Bowl ad roster includes commercials from Nerds Gummy Clusters from Ferrara Candy Company and Reese’s from Hershey’s.

In the ultimate sports and pop culture crossover event, Nickelodeon and CBS Sports will be bringing Super Bowl LVIII to Bikini Bottom, the iconic undersea home to SpongeBob SquarePants, for a kids and family-centric, surprise-filled special presentation of the game.

In the first-ever Super Bowl alternate telecast, SpongeBob SquarePants (voiced by Tom Kenny) and Patrick Star (voiced by Bill Fagerbakke), the newest additions to the Nickelodeon booth, will join CBS Sports analyst Nate Burleson and play-by-play announcer Noah Eagle to call the game. Sandy Cheeks (voiced by Carolyn Lawrence) will make her sideline reporting debut, while Larry the Lobster (voiced by Mr. Lawrence) provides live commentary, and Dora the Explorer (voiced by Diana ZermeƱo) and Boots (voiced by Asher Colton Spence) help explain penalty calls during the game. NFL Slimetime's Young Dylan and Dylan Schefter will also report live from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev. Additional details on the Nickelodeon Super Bowl telecast including programming and production will be revealed later.

The Nickelodeon Super Bowl telecast is produced by CBS Sports in association with Nickelodeon Productions. Sean McManus and Harold Bryant serve as executive producers of THE NFL ON CBS, and CBS Sports' Shawn Robbins is coordinating producer of the games. Production for Nickelodeon is overseen by Ashley Kaplan, executive vice president, Nickelodeon & Awesomeness Unscripted & Digital Franchise Studio; Paul J Medford, vice president of unscripted current series; Luke Wahl, vice president of unscripted creative; and Jennifer Bryson, vice president of production, tentpoles, events & music & specials.

Stream a Mountain of Entertainment, including your Nickelodeon favorites on Paramount+! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com!


Additional source: Entertainment Tonight.

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Paramount+'s 'The Lodge' Returns to The Slopes With New 2024 Dates and Stops

PARAMOUNT+'S 'THE LODGE' RETURNS TO THE SLOPES WITH NEW 2024 DATES AND STOPS

Bringing the Magic of the Paramount Mountain to Life, Paramount+ to Offer a One-of-a-Kind Experience with Interactive Elements from the Service’s Unmatched Content Library to Fans Across the Country

Paramount+’s The Lodge



JANUARY 29, 2024 — On the heels of a successful debut tour in 2023, Paramount+’s The Lodge will return this year with double the stops to immerse fans in their favorite movies and shows, in collaboration with Alterra Mountain Company. Activations will spotlight new and highly-anticipated  titles such as KNUCKLES, HALO, FRASIER, LAWMEN: BASS REEVES, DORA, MEAN GIRLS (2024) and BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE, while celebrating fan-favorite franchises like SURVIVOR, SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS and STAR TREK: DISCOVERY.

Since Paramount+ is the streaming home of Nickelodeon, Paramount+’s The Lodge will feature an oversized Frosty Nick zone where the most beloved kids titles will come to life with interactive touchpoints, merchandise giveaways, fun photo opportunities and much more. Guests will also be able to hang out in the Ninja Turtles mud room, snap a selfie with Dora and even take a seat in the life-sized Krusty Krab boat before venturing through the slime portal nestled within the winterized fort. 

Next door, visitors will be invited to step into the Paramount Presents theater, a portal to the golden era of cinema created as an homage to the art of filmmaking and a tribute to Paramount Pictures' enduring legacy. The theater will also showcase iconic props and a film reel. 

In addition to the Nickelodeon and Paramount Presents activations, each rendition of The Lodge will offer a varying display of experiential title elements to bring the Paramount Mountain to life. Attendees will be able to take a seat in the iconic Captain’s Chair from STAR TREK: DISCOVERY, play a game of bowling within the KNUCKLES universe and saddle up to see if they have what it takes to join LAWMEN: BASS REEVES and earn a Paramount+ marshal badge during a timed lasso roping game.

Additionally, guests will be invited into Paramount+’s The Lodge Confessional, an interactive booth where they’ll share their thoughts, strategies and personal experiences just like the cast of SURVIVOR - with a shot at making it onto the show's official social media channels. Just over the stone threshold at the Woodstone Bed & Breakfast, guests will enter the home of the CBS Original GHOSTS and become a part of a photo and video opportunity alongside a few unexpected “visitors.”

HALO fans will encounter the mystical Covenant artifact, the relic of an alien civilization. Each Spartan will have the chance to touch the artifact to activate its power and see if they are the chosen one. Upon leaving the artifact’s sanctum, fans will have the opportunity to explore costumes and props from the set and snag exclusive HALO-branded goggle covers before heading back out to the snow.

Lastly, guests of Paramount+’s The Lodge in Stratton, Vermont, will be transported into the world of the new Paramount+ Original FRASIER, seemingly stepping inside Mahoney’s Taproom. However, they’ll soon realize they’ve gone one step further into the mind of beloved Frasier Crane, where they’ll explore easter eggs from the series, relax and enjoy a book, and play a game of chess.

In addition to exploring the most celebrated titles on Paramount+, attendees will be dropped into the world of CBS Sports at The Paramount+ Pub. Here, they will play various games such as the hook and ring toss and UEFA Champions League themed soccer ball kicking challenge, all while sipping on sports-inspired cocktails. The sports-themed bar will also showcase locker displays with fan-favorite jerseys, cleats, balls and team paraphernalia. 

Paramount+’s The Lodge will stop in several states across the country this year, including pop ups at SXSW in Austin, TX and San Diego Comic-Con. The full tour schedule is as follows:

  • February 2 – 4: Winter Park Resort, CO
  • February 16 – 19: Stratton, VT
  • March 8 – 11: SXSW – Austin, TX
  • March 22 – 24: Steamboat, CO
  • March 29 – 31: Palisades Tahoe, CA (Lake Tahoe)
  • July 25 – 28: SDCC – San Diego, CA

About Paramount+’s The Lodge

Paramount+ is a total household offering that features iconic franchises and beloved characters. The magic of the Mountain of Entertainment™ campaign is that the service’s unmatched content offering is showcased in an authentic and interesting way that draws in consumers. Paramount+’s The Lodge is the next iteration of the campaign, offering a unique and immersive experience that brings the Paramount Mountain to life. 

About Paramount+

Paramount+, a direct-to-consumer digital subscription video on-demand and live streaming service, combines live sports, breaking news and A Mountain of Entertainment™. The streaming service features an expansive library of original series, hit shows and popular movies across every genre from world-renowned brands and production studios, including BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and the Smithsonian Channel. Paramount+ with SHOWTIME®, the service's cornerstone plan, is also home to SHOWTIME® content, including scripted hits and critically acclaimed nonfiction projects and films. This premium plan includes unmatched events and sports programming through the local live CBS stream, including golf, basketball and more. All Paramount+ subscribers have streaming access to CBS News Network for 24/7 news and CBS Sports HQ for sports news and analysis.

For more information about Paramount+, please visit www.paramountplus.com, and follow @ParamountPlus on social media.

About Alterra Mountain Company

Alterra Mountain Company is a family of 17 iconic year-round resorts, the world’s largest heli-skiing operation, and Ikon Pass - the premier ski and snowboard season pass offering access to more than 50 iconic mountain destinations around the world. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado and born out of a shared love of the mountains and adventure, the company has brought together some of the world’s most aspirational brands, including: Steamboat and Winter Park in Colorado; Palisades Tahoe, Mammoth Mountain, June Mountain, Big Bear Mountain Resort and Snow Valley in California; Stratton Mountain and Sugarbush Resort in Vermont; Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia; Tremblant in Quebec and Blue Mountain in Ontario, Canada; Crystal Mountain in Washington; Schweitzer in Idaho; Deer Valley Resort and Solitude Mountain Resort in Utah; and CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures in British Columbia. Also included in the portfolio is Alpine Aerotech, a worldwide helicopter support and maintenance service center in British Columbia, Canada, Aspenware, the ski industry leader in technology services and e-commerce, and Ski Butlers, the global leader in ski and snowboard rental delivery. For more information, please visit www.alterramtnco.com.

***

Stream a Mountain of Entertainment, including your Nickelodeon favorites on Paramount+! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com!


Originally published: January 30, 2024.

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Visit Nickelodeon at the Super Bowl Experience

To celebrate Nickelodeon airing the first-ever alternate broadcast of Super Bowl, Nickelodeon will be taking over the Super Bowl Experience in Las Vegas! Between February 7th-11th, fans are invited to stop by the Super Bowl Experience to play games, grab some spongey swag, pose for their NVP photo-op, and help Nickelodeon celebrate the collab of a life-slime! Then make sure to watch Super Bowl LVIII featuring the Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers LIVE from Bikini Bottom on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT!

Super Bowl LVIII on Nickelodeon

The real-life Super Bowl is coming to Bikini Bottom - and football will never be the same again! Catch Super Bowl LVIII on Nickelodeon, airing on Nickelodeon, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. (ET)!


In the ultimate sports and pop culture crossover event, Nickelodeon and CBS Sports will be bringing  to Bikini Bottom, the iconic undersea home to SpongeBob SquarePants, for a kids and family-centric, surprise-filled special presentation of the game on Sunday, February 11th at 6:30pm ET!

In the first-ever Super Bowl alternate telecast, SpongeBob SquarePants (voiced by Tom Kenny) and Patrick Star (voiced by Bill Fagerbakke), the newest additions to the Nickelodeon booth, will join CBS Sports analyst Nate Burleson and play-by-play announcer Noah Eagle to call the game. Sandy Cheeks (voiced by Carolyn Lawrence) will make her sideline reporting debut, while Larry the Lobster (voiced by Mr. Lawrence) provides live commentary, and Dora the Explorer (voiced by Diana ZermeƱo) and Boots (voiced by Asher Colton Spence) help explain penalty calls during the game. NFL Slimetime's Young Dylan and Dylan Schefter will also report live from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev. Additional details on the Nickelodeon Super Bowl telecast including programming and production will be revealed later.

The Nickelodeon Super Bowl telecast is produced by CBS Sports in association with Nickelodeon Productions. Sean McManus and Harold Bryant serve as executive producers of THE NFL ON CBS, and CBS Sports' Shawn Robbins is coordinating producer of the games. Production for Nickelodeon is overseen by Ashley Kaplan, executive vice president, Nickelodeon & Awesomeness Unscripted & Digital Franchise Studio; Paul J Medford, vice president of unscripted current series; Luke Wahl, vice president of unscripted creative; and Jennifer Bryson, vice president of production, tentpoles, events & music & specials.

Stream a Mountain of Entertainment, including your Nickelodeon favorites on Paramount+! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com!


Originally published: January 30, 2024.

Original source: UML Fan Chris Romero.

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Big Time Rush Announces UK & Europe Tour 2024

You asked, they answered! Big Time Rush have announced their UK & Europe Tour 2024, visiting Poland, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Italy, Spain, and the U.K.! Tickets go on sale Friday, February 2, with VIP upgrades available! For more information, visit https://www.bigtimerushofficial.com/tour

Big Time Rush UK & Europe Tour 2024

Big Time Rush UK & Europe Tour 2024 dates and venues:

Friday, June 7 at 7:00pm
Progresja
Warsaw, Poland

Sunday, June 9 at 7:00pm
Verti Music Hall
Berlin, Germany

Monday, June 10 at 7:00pm
Poppodium 013
Tilburg, Netherlands

Tuesday, June 11 at 7:00pm
Salle Pleyel
Paris, France

Thursday, June 13 at 7:00pm
Fabrique
Milan, Italy

Saturday, June 15 at 7:00pm
Sala Riviera
Madrid, Spain

Tuesday, June 18 at 7:00pm
O2 Apollo Manchester
Manchester, United Kingdom

Wednesday, June 19 at 7:00pm
O2 Academy Birmingham
Birmingham, United Kingdom

Friday, June 21 at 7:00pm
Eventim Apollo
London, United Kingdom

Big Time Rush UK & Europe Tour 2024


BTR heads to EUROPE and UK !! | Big Time Rush


ABOUT BIG TIME RUSH:

Big Time Rush became an overnight sensation in November 2009 when the scripted TV show of the same name launched on Nickelodeon. The show focused on the Hollywood adventures of four hockey players from Minnesota after they were selected to form a boy band. The show became a huge success and later, Carlos, Kendall, James, and Logan came to life as a band off the screen releasing three full length albums and performing across the globe. As the show concluded in July 2013 and after four years of recording music and touring as a band, they went their separate ways but remained close friends through the years. 
  
After 7 years, in an effort to bring joy to their fans during quarantine around the world, the members of Big Time Rush decided to appear together as a group to send a message of love and togetherness. This was soon followed by a socially distant performance of an acoustic version of their smash hit, “Worldwide”. These appearances resulted in hysteria amongst their fans and in the media, followed by BTR receiving 10+ million streams in 2020 alone. Four seasons of the TV show were added to Netflix in March 2021 and have appeared in the Netflix “Top 10” trending titles, making the band go viral once again, increasing fan demand for an official reunion. Soon after, the band announced they would come together for two special live shows in New York and Chicago, both of which sold-out in a matter of minutes, blowing expectations out of the water and proving the power of the band’s devoted fandom.



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