Nickelodeon issued the following:
NICKELODEON UNVEILS CONTENT PIPELINE OF MORE THAN 800
NEW EPISODES, DETAILS EXPANSION INTO LOCATION-BASED
AND VR EXPERIENCES
Nickelodeon’s Upfront Presentation from Stage of SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical Highlights New Shows, including Blue’s Clues Remake; Original Short-Form; New Location-Based and Virtual Experiences
Presentation Punctuated by Special Appearances by WWE Superstar and 2018 Kids’ Choice Awards Host John Cena; Lip Sync Battle Shorties’ Nick Cannon and JoJo Siwa; Cast Members of Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Cast Members, Kat Graham, Brandon Mychal Smith and Josh Brenner; and Performances by the Cast of SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical
NEW YORK–March 6, 2018– Nickelodeon, the number-one kids’ network, detailed its plans for serving the new and next generation of kids on new and next-generation platforms as it heads into the 2018-2019 season. With content plans spanning its ecosystem, Nickelodeon announced: its largest content pipeline ever–more than 800 brand-new episodes of new and returning series–a 20% increase over last year; opportunities in social through original short-form content; a reboot of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and a remake of the preschool entertainment landmark, Blue’s Clues; moves into areas of emerging tech, with original VR and AR experiences; and location-based experiences, like this summer’s family musical festival, Nickelodeon SlimeFest. Details were unveiled during the network’s annual upfront presentation, held today at New York City’s Palace Theatre, home of the critically acclaimed SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical.
“With our share growing and content pipeline in overdrive, we are reinventing ourselves to best serve the new and next generation of audiences on new and next-generation platforms,” said Cyma Zarghami, President, Nickelodeon Group. “Kids are both our anchor and North Star, and that bond with the audience allows us to connect to them everywhere.”
During the presentation, Zarghami previewed the network’s upcoming content slate which includes: a development deal for Los Casagrandes, a brand-new companion series for animated hit The Loud House; Pony, a new animated comedy series developed by Nickelodeon International in the UK; a new game show, Keep It Spotless, executive produced by WWE Superstar John Cena; a second season of Lip Sync Battle Shorties, starring Nick Cannon and JoJo Siwa; the reimagined Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; a remake of the groundbreaking series Blue’s Clues; and Musical Dares, a new short-form series created and executive produced by Nick Cannon, and the first project by Viacom Digital Studios for Nickelodeon’s YouTube channel.
Nickelodeon also reviewed plans to continue expanding its footprint through innovative new partnerships and technologies. Today, Nick announced a new partnership with IMAX to bring to SlimeZone–its first multi-player, social VR experience–to select IMAX VR Centres globally this month. Plus, Nick is unveiling a brand-new AR mode for its number-one Sky Whalemobile gaming app, which averages two million active monthly users and has garnered nearly 30 million downloads.
The network is also expanding its location-based offerings with Nickelodeon SlimeFest, produced in partnership with Live Nation, the multi-day music festival for kids and families will take place in Chicago, IL, June 9-10 and feature performances by Grammy-winning DJ and producer Zedd, Liam Payne, multi-platinum artist Flo Rida, and Lip Sync Battle Shorties and social media star JoJo Siwa.
Nickelodeon also has created and launched a new brand campaign, called “That’s Me,” that showcases kids’ drive to be honest and authentic individuals who celebrate differences and diversity. Beginning this week, Nick will launch the first round of spots, which celebrates history-making women and highlights the brand’s longstanding legacy of strong female characters, to inspire and empower a new generation of girls.
With more than 800 episodes of new and returning series in its pipeline this season, Nickelodeon has content in every genre:
Preschool:
Nickelodeon is the number-one network for preschooler’s year to date, a leading position it has held for the past four years. Nick currently owns eight of the top 10 shows for Kids 2-5 this year, led by number-one-ranked PAW Patrol.
This season, the network will premiere more than 300 new episodes of returning hit shows, including PAW Patrol, Blaze and the Monster Machines, Shimmer and Shine, and Nella the Princess Knight. Nickelodeon has also greenlit the following new series:
Animation:
Nickelodeon is the number-one network for Kids 2-11 and Kids 6-11 year to date, with its February performance marking 18 straight months at number one with Kids 6-11. Besides being home to TV’s top two animated kids’ shows, The Loud House and SpongeBob SquarePants, Nick currently owns eight of the top 10 shows with Kids 2-11 and Kids 6-11.
The network will air more than 200 episodes of returning animated hits like SpongeBob SquarePants and The Loud House this season, and has announced the following new shows:
Live Action:
Nickelodeon is the number-one network for Kids 2-11 and Kids 6-11 year to date, with its February performance marking 18 straight months at number one with Kids 6-11. Nick currently owns eight of the top 10 shows with Kids 2-11 and Kids 6-11, led by shows like top-ranked The Loud House, The Thundermans, and Henry Danger.
In live action, the network will roll out over 300 brand-new episodes of hit series including Henry Danger, The Thundermans, and Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn, and the following new and returning shows:
Short Form:
Musical Dares (10 episodes) – This brand-new, short-form series is a new twist on the classic concept of musical chairs. Created and executive produced by Nick Cannon, the live-action game show will combine real kids, physical competition and a full-blown dance party. Musical Dares is the first project by Viacom Digital Studios for Nickelodeon’s YouTube channel.
Additionally, Nickelodeon’s pipeline is rounded out with TV Movies and tentpoles including, Rocko’s Modern Life: Static Cling and Invader Zim specials. The brand will also feature three major TV events this year: 2018 Kids’ Choice Awards on March 24, with returning host and WWE Superstar John Cena; Kids’ Choice Sports in July; and HALO Awards in November.
*Ratings Source: Nielsen Media Research (1/1/2018-2/25/2018), Live+7 blended, 3 t/c min
Nickelodeon, now in its 38th 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, digital, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon’s U.S. television network is seen in more than 90 million households and has been the number-one-rated kids’ basic cable network for 22 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, VIAB).
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