Nickelodeon UK Announces Plans To Start To Premiere More Brand New Episodes Of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" In 2013!

The Nickelodeon UK and Ireland Press Office has announced on their official Twitter profile page (@NickelodeonUKPR) that, after Nickelodeon UK takes a short break of premiering brand new episodes of Nick's brand new CGI-animated "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" television series, Nickelodeon UK will continue to premiere and show more brand new episodes of Nickelodeon's new TMNT TV series on Nickelodeon UK and Eire and Nickelodeon HD UK in the New Year (2013; transmission (TX) date and time to be announced by Nick UK)!:

Any idea when we'll see some new TMNT? In its absence I've been acting episodes out in my flat & I keep breaking furniture.

@NickelodeonUKPR: I can tell you that your furniture will be safe in the new year, we won't keep you waiting too long!

The Nickelodeon Writing Program Announces Nickelodeon Developing A Brand New Live-Action Show From Program Alum Gabe Garza And Jonathan Butler!

The Nickelodeon Writing Fellowship Program today (Monday 17th December 2012) announced on their official Facebook profile page, facebook.com/NickWriting, the Nickelodeon News that Nickelodeon is currently developing a, as yet unnamed, brand new live-action series from Program Alum ('09-'10) Gabe Garza ("The Penguins of Madagascar") and Jonathan Butler ("Fanboy & Chum Chum")!:

Guess who has a show in development at Nick...? Program Alum ('09-'10) Gabe Garza & Jonathan Butler!

Congratulations on a successful pitch and the selling of your live action show idea!!!

The Nickelodeon Writing Program was developed by Nickelodeon to help broaden their outreach efforts, and is designed to attract, develop and staff writers with diverse backgrounds and experiences on Nickelodeon Network productions. Operating in a three-phased structure, the Program provides a salaried position for up to one year and offers hands-on experience writing spec scripts and pitching story ideas in both live action and animation television. This three-phased structure allows writers an opportunity to nurture relationships with creators, network executives, line producers, head writers, show runners and story editors. As part of their script writing, each writer is assigned to an Executive in Charge of Production and have an opportunity to write a spec script for an on-air Nickelodeon show. In addition, all writers are integrated into the activities of both the development and production departments. This allows the writers an opportunity to attend storyboard pitches, notes meetings, records, table reads, show pitches and show tapings; all while being exposed to top creators and key production crews.

Nickelodeon And FLuD Team Up To Release Limited-Edition "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles"-Inspired Apparel And Accessories Featuring Designs By Artist Ron English

Nickelodeon and FLuD today (Monday 17th December 2012) announced in the following Press Release, from PRNewswire, the Nickelodeon News that they have created a partnership to create a series of limited-edition t-shirts and watches inspired by Nick's brand new CGI-animated "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" television series! The line features interpretive designs by artists including Ron English, one of New York's most prolific artists. All pieces from this collection are available now via FLuD's online shop and finer boutiques nationwide:

Nickelodeon And FLuD Team Up To Release Limited-Edition Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-Inspired Apparel & Accessories Featuring Designs By Artist Ron English

NEW YORK, Dec. 17, 2012 /Nickelodeon Press Release via PRNewswire/ -- Nickelodeon and FLuD announced today a partnership to create a series of limited-edition t-shirts and watches inspired by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The line features interpretive designs by artists including, Ron English , one of New York's most prolific artists. All pieces from this collection are available now via FLuD's online shop and finer boutiques nationwide.

(Download image - Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121217/NY30737 )
"We are thrilled to partner with FLuD to develop Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles products," said Alix Kram , Vice President, Lifestyle and Retail Marketing, Nickelodeon Consumer Products. "Not only are we combining our two iconic brands, but we have the opportunity to work with amazing and influential artists like Ron English to develop visually stimulating and memorable pieces."

Each watch features an over-sized face with a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles graphic and a graffiti-style logo on the band. The launch is also joined by the release of four graphic Tees carrying a similar motif.

"Ron English is a legend, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles had every kid in the 1980s dreaming of turning into a turtle – and I'm sure they had pet sales for turtles flying through the roof too!," said Doug Cohen , Founder and CEO, FLuD Watches. "Being able to see a legendary artist put his spin on an iconic creation like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is absolutely crazy – and being able to have the canvas he uses for it be a FLuD watch, is just an honor."

Nickelodeon's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles premiered on Sept. 29 to 3.9 million viewers and has since grown in its audience double-digits. The 26-episode, half-hour action-comedy series breathes new life into the wildly popular band of reptile brothers played by Jason Biggs (American Pie) as "Leonardo," Rob Paulsen (Planet Sheen) as "Donatello" (Paulsen also voiced the original "Raphael" from 1987-1996 in the very first TMNT series), Greg Cipes (Teen Titans) as "Michelangelo" and Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings) as "Raphael,". The series airs regularly on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. (ET/PT).

About Ron English

One of the most prolific and recognizable artists alive today, New York-based painter, designer and street artist Ron English has bombed the global landscape with unforgettable images, on the street, in museums, in movies, books, television, and album covers. English coined the term POPaganda to describe his signature mash-up of high and low cultural touchstones, from superhero mythology to totems of art history, to create a hilarious visual language that turns advertising into "subvertizing" and parody into illumination.

About FLuD

FLuD was established in 2007 by a few good men who loved food, fashion and good business. In an effort to bring the watch back to its rightful place as one of the ultimate accessories, the concept for FLuD was born. Our goal is to create unique, fresh watches for the casual and streetwear scene without the pretentiousness or price tag. Fresh style, nice price, it's a simple formula. We could get wordier, but it's not what FLuD is about - it's all about the watches.

About Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon, now in its 33rd 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 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 17 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).

SOURCE Nickelodeon

RELATED LINKS
http://www.nick.com.

Viacom Announces Expiration Of Exchange Offer

Below is a Viacom Inc. Press Release from PRNewswire:

Viacom Announces Expiration of Exchange Offer

NEW YORK, Dec. 17, 2012 /Viacom Inc. Press Release via PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA) today announced the expiration at midnight, New York City time, on December 14, 2012 ("Expiration Date"), of its private exchange offer ("Exchange Offer") to certain eligible holders to exchange any and all of its outstanding 6.875% Senior Debentures due 2036 and any and all of its outstanding 6.750% Senior Debentures due 2037 (the "Old Debentures") listed in the table below for Viacom's newly issued 4.375% Senior Debentures due 2043. The Senior Debentures due 2043 offered in the Exchange Offer are a further issuance of, and are in addition to, the Senior Debentures due 2043 Viacom issued for cash on November 26, 2012 in the aggregate principal amount of $250,000,000.

(Download image - Viacom Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110811/NY51392LOGO )
The complete terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer are set forth in a confidential offering memorandum dated November 16, 2012 and related letter of transmittal.

CUSIP - No. 925524AX8

Title of Series - 6.875% Senior; Debentures due 2036

Principal Amount Outstanding at Commencement of the Exchange Offer - $ 1,750,000,000

Principal Amount Tendered as of the Expiration Date - $670,037,000

CUSIP - 92553PAC6

Title of Series - 6.750% Senior; Debentures due 2037

Principal Amount Outstanding at Commencement of the Exchange Offer - $ 250,000,000

Principal Amount Tendered as of the Expiration Date - $173,915,000

As of the Expiration Date, according to Global Bondholder Services Corporation, the exchange agent for the Exchange Offer, the aggregate principal amount of the 6.875% Senior Debentures due 2036 validly tendered and not withdrawn after 5:00 p.m., New York City time on November 30, 2012 ("Early Participation Date"), but at or prior to the Expiration Date was $170,000, and the aggregate principal amount of the 6.750% Senior Debentures due 2037 validly tendered and not withdrawn after the Early Participation Date, but at or prior to the Expiration date was $1,180,000. Viacom has accepted all such Old Debentures for exchange and expects to pay the applicable exchange price with respect to such Old Debentures on December 17, 2012 ("Final Settlement Date").

Holders of Old Debentures who tendered for exchange after the Early Participation Date, but at or prior to the Expiration Date, will also receive a net interest cash payment (as calculated in accordance with the confidential offering memorandum) for each $1,000 principal amount of Old Debentures exchanged, which amount represents interest payable on such Old Debentures up to, but not including the Final Settlement Date, less interest accrued on the Senior Debentures due 2043 issued in exchange therefor up to, but not including, the Final Settlement Date.

The Exchange Offer was only made to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and to non-U.S. persons outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act, subject to market and other conditions. The Senior Debentures due 2043 offered in the Exchange Offer have not been registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or pursuant to an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security, nor shall it constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful. This press release is being issued pursuant to Rule 135c under the Securities Act.

About Viacom

Viacom is home to the world's premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms in over 160 countries and territories. With media networks reaching approximately 700 million global subscribers, Viacom's leading brands include MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, BET, CENTRIC, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., TeenNick, Nicktoons, Nick at Nite, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV Land, SPIKE, Tr3s, Paramount Channel and VIVA. Paramount Pictures, celebrating its 100th year in 2012 and creator of many of the most beloved motion pictures, continues today as a major global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment. Viacom operates a large portfolio of branded digital media experiences, including many of the world's most popular properties for entertainment, community and casual online gaming.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains both historical and forward-looking statements. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current expectations concerning future results, objectives, plans and goals, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others: the public acceptance of the Company's programs, motion pictures and other entertainment content on the various platforms on which they are distributed; technological developments and their effect in the Company's markets and on consumer behavior; competition for audiences and distribution; the impact of piracy; economic conditions generally, and in advertising and retail markets in particular; fluctuations in the Company's results due to the timing, mix and availability of the Company's motion pictures; changes in the Federal communications laws and regulations; other domestic and global economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory factors affecting the Company's businesses generally; and other factors described in the Company's news releases and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K and reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made only as of the date of this document, and the Company does not have any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
SOURCE Viacom Inc.

RELATED LINKS
http://www.viacom.com.

Nickelodeon USA Announces Plans To Premiere New Preschool Series "Wallykazam" On Nick Jr. In 2014; To Debut New Mobile Educational Apps Based On New Show In 2013

According to the following article from the New York Times, Nickelodeon has announced the Nickelodeon News that Nick USA's preschool channel/network, Nick Jr. USA (formally Noggin), will start to premiere and show the brand new preschool series "Wallykazam", which is about a little boy, his miniature pet dragon and a magic stick, in 2014, and to lead-up, celebrate and promote Nick Junior's brand new series, Nickelodeon are planning to start to release Educational apps (applications) based on the series for mobile devices in 2013:

Apps Give Preschoolers a First Look at TV Shows

[...]

In 2014, the preschool cable network Nick Jr. plans to introduce a television show featuring a little boy, his miniature pet dragon and a magic stick.

But the show, “Wallykazam,” will not be new to users of smartphones and tablets. Educational applications built around it will start appearing in app stores late next year, making “Wallykazam” Nickelodeon’s first major show to be introduced as a mobile product first, said Steve Youngwood, Nickelodeon’s executive vice president and general manager for digital media.

Driving the change, at Nickelodeon and other preschool television brands, are parents who are increasingly putting mobile devices into preschoolers’ hands and laps.

According to new research commissioned by Sesame Workshop, producer of PBS’s “Sesame Street,” mobile device ownership is booming as TV set ownership declines. Eighty-eight percent of the parents surveyed said they owned a television, down from 95 percent in 2010.

Twenty-one percent said their children first interacted with “Sesame Street” someplace other than television, with YouTube and PBS.org the top alternative sources. (PBS said separately that its free PBS Kids Video app, which has been downloaded 2.4 million times, reached 120 million streams of PBS Kids shows in November, surpassing 100 million for the first time.)

“On-air does still drive digital,” said Diana Polvere, Sesame Workshop’s vice president for market research, citing the 79 percent of viewers who still come to television first. But given the rapid changes, she said, Sesame’s research will now be conducted every six months instead of every two years.

Nickelodeon’s research, done in April and updated in October, shows striking growth in educational app use. In October, 27 percent of United States households with children ages 3 to 5 had an iPad, up from 22 percent in April. In those households, 40 percent of preschoolers used the iPad for educational apps, up from 27 percent in April.

The study also found that Apple device users were willing to pay 15 to 23 percent more for educational apps than for general apps.

“Parents want to feel good about what they are purchasing and downloading for their kids,” said Scott Chambers, Sesame Workshop’s senior vice president for digital worldwide distribution. Adding an educational element to an entertaining app, he said, “makes everybody feel better.”

Parents’ feelings aside, apps are strong educational tools, said Lesli Rotenberg, who oversees PBS’s children’s programming, including its more than two dozen apps.

While television “is somewhat of a passive experience” for children, she said, interactive apps give them immediate feedback and tailored experiences that become more difficult as they gain skills.

Though numerous producers are entering the app business, three of the top 10 paid educational apps in the iTunes store last week were Nickelodeon’s. They included the $1.99 Bubble Guppies: Animal School Day, already profitable six weeks after its introduction, Nickelodeon said. A Team Umizoomi math app was still in the top 10 after a year on the market.

Originally scheduled for August release, the Bubble Guppies app, filled with the same silly jokes as the show, was revised after focus group testing with preschoolers showed, among other things, that their small fingers had a hard time maneuvering a virtual latch and that the children wanted more control over their exploration.

“We were hearing kids say in testing: ‘I want to play with the dolphin. I want to play with the penguin,’ ” said Jordana Drell, Nickelodeon’s senior director of preschool games.

Nickelodeon’s educational apps normally take six to eight months to create and, even with lush graphics like the shimmery underwater background in Bubble Guppies, cost about half as much as a single episode of one of the company’s preschool shows, officials said.

The Bubble Guppies creators, Jonny Belt and Robert Scull, said they approached the app as they would a television episode, reading the 90-page game document aloud, technical material and all. “That really brings it to life, and you know what you’re getting,” Mr. Scull said.

A Nickelodeon rival, Disney Junior, has taken a less integrated approach to apps, developing television shows first and apps later to expand on the content, said Albert Cheng, executive vice president for digital media at the Disney/ABC Television Group.

The free Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Road Rally Appisode, released in May, is a repurposed version of an episode of the “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” television program, reconfigured to be highly interactive.

It proved so popular that “we definitely feel there’s something here we want to invest in,” Mr. Cheng said.

Although the app had educational elements, it was not intended as such. The sprawling Walt Disney Company has published educational apps through other units, however.

Since releasing its first app three years ago, Sesame Workshop has added more than three dozen, including Elmo Loves 123s, which was introduced Dec. 10 and draws on new research for developers and parents that Sesame plans to release this week. App users, Mr. Chambers said, tend to come back regularly, a loyalty that executives have noted as they consider future expansion in the category.

The rush to apps is changing the development process for PBS, which will no longer develop television-only shows, Ms. Rotenberg said. PBS's newest property, “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” came out as an app — already the company’s third best-selling — the day of the television premiere in September.

Ms. Rotenberg said her team had “sent away” a number of producers who came to PBS with ideas for television shows with no thought-out mobile component, telling them, “ ‘Come back when you have a plan.’ ”

A version of this article appeared in print on December 17, 2012, on page B1 of the New York edition with the headline: Apps Give Preschoolers A First Look At TV Shows.

Also, from WorldTVOnTV:

Educational Apps To Precede TV Show Launch In 2013

Preschool television is going to change dramatically in the coming year, as Nickelodeon and PBS look to introduce new programming to preschoolers via educational apps. Starting in 2013 cable network Nick Jr. will introduce an education based application that will be used to build around a show that will not air until 2014.

This marks the first time that a major cable network show is being introduced in this manner and is essentially a new program launch in reverse order. The show, called “Wallykazam,” is the driving force behind this change and other networks, specifically PBS are paying attention. PBS has seen an alarming trend in that mobile device ownership is on the rise, while TV ownership has been declining in their surveys.

More importantly is the fact that twenty-one percent of people in a recent poll said that their children’s first interaction with the popular show “Sesame Street” was through a platform other than the television set. YouTube and PBS own website were the two top alternative sources to watch the popular children’s show.

“On-air does still drive digital,” said Diana Polvere, Sesame Workshop’s VP of market research, continuing to say that internally research is now being conducted every six months instead of every two years due to the rapid changes with internet viewership. Nickelodeon has also updated its research practices and have found that there is amazing growth in educational app use. There most recent study found that iOS users were willing to pay a premium, up to 15 to 23 percent more, for educational based apps.

Apps based around Wallykazam should be released sometime in 2013, with the television show following up in 2014. The launch is being planned meticulously and it could completely change the way television shows are launched going forward.