Canada's Family Channel To Premiere Season Three of Zoey 101 In March

From Cynthia Turner's Cynopsis:

The third season of the live-action comedy Zoey 101 will premiere on Canada's Family Channel on Friday, March 16 at 6p, the series' regular time period. The network will offer a broadband preview of the first the episode of the new season of Zoey 101, which is comprised of 13x30' new episodes, on www.family.ca where it will be streamed from Friday, March 9 at 4p through Wednesday, March 14 at 9p. Created and executive produced by Dan Schneider, Zoey 101 is produced by Nickelodeon, Schneider's Bakery and ApolloProScreen.

Ofcom Confirms Television Junk Food Ban

From Digital Spy:

Junk food ban confirmed

Ofcom has confirmed it is to go-ahead with plans to ban junk food advertising to children under 16.

The regulator today released a final statement on the restrictions which were announced in November last year.

The ban includes all television advertising of food and drink products high in fat, salt and sugar on programmes and channels which hold a particular appeal to children under 16, regardless of what time they air.

November's announcement surprised the industry, with many expecting the restrictions to apply only to programmes which appeal to children under 10 at certain times of the day.

Broadcasters showing programming for the under 16s will be given until January 2008 before the restrictions come into force. Existing ad campaigns or those in the final stages of creative execution can be broadcast until the end of June 2007, though from July 1 2007 all advertising campaigns must comply with the new content rules.

Children's channels will be allowed a graduated phase-in period with full implementation required by the end of December 2008.

Ofcom has said it will review the effectiveness and scope of the new restrictions in autumn 2008, one year after the full implementation of the restrictions.

Also, from C21 Media:

Ofcom sticks by under-16s ad ban

UK regulator Ofcom has published its final statement about the television advertising of food and drink aimed at children, and is standing by its decision to extend restrictions to all kids under 16.

From April 1, 2007, high fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) food ads will not be permitted in or around programmes made for children under 10. From January 1, 2008, HFSS ads will not be permitted in programming targeted at under-16s.

As stated in November, specialised children's channels will be allowed a graduated phase-in period, with full implementation required by the end of December, 2008.

Last November Ofcom left the TV and ad industries reeling when it said that in addition to a total ban on junk food ads around all children's programming and on all children's channels the restrictions would be extended to all shows that have a "particular appeal" to under-16s, regardless of when they air. This means programmes such as The Simpsons, Hollyoaks and The X Factor could be affected.

Ofcom has also brought forward its review of the future of children's programming, in which it will investigate the extent to which the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, S4C, Five and Teletext are fulfilling their public service responsibilities. It is expected to take into account the impact of the recent junk food ad ban. The findings of its research will be published this summer.

Jules Grant
22 Feb 2007
© C21 Media 2007

C21 Media also reports that Viacom Networks UK, who run Nickelodeon UK, has reacted to media regulator Ofcom's latest statement on 'junk' food advertising, claiming the response is "disproportionate" and based on "insufficient and inconclusive research."

Nickelodeon gives kids run of the schedule with ME:TV

From C21 Media:

Nickelodeon gives kids run of the schedule

Kids television network Nickelodeon has launched a TV programming block featuring user-generated content provided by US viewers, scheduled to air live on weekdays.

Nickelodeon's ME:TV, airing nightly from 17.00 to 18.00, will integrate Nick.com and the network's broadband player TurboNick, allowing American kids to programme the TV block with their own original content uploaded online.

The interactive online show will be broadcast in front of a live New York studio audience and hosted by comic actors and presenters Alexandra Gizela and Jordan Carlos, featuring live footage of kids via web cam, online voting, gaming, giveaways and celebrity guests.

Nickelodeon said the new show follows in the vein of U-Pick Live and Slimetime Live, offering kids a chance to participate in-studio or by phone, as well as via on-screen message boards and voting on Nick.com.

Tom Ascheim, executive VP and general manager at Nickelodeon Television, said ME:TV "empowers kids" by letting them programme the network for two hours every day.

"Nickelodeon's ME:TV is you TV," he said. "It gives us the opportunity to showcase the talents of our audience and give life to the content that they are creating. It is the next step in convergent entertainment for this multiplatform generation of kids."

To facilitate the new online venture, Nickelodeon is launching an ME:TV website to allow kids to submit their own original content and then watch, rate or share it on broadband player TurboNick, before featuring the best of the UGC work on-air.

The first week of ME:TV will feature appearances from musician Paula DeAnda and Bill Faggerbakke, the voice of Patrick Starfish on SpongeBob SquarePants.

Antony Reeve-Crook
20 Feb 2007
© C21 Media 2007

Viacom To Be Key Content Partner With Joost

From Viacom.com:

Viacom To Be Key Content Partner With Joost™, The World’s First Online Global TV Distribution Platform

Popular Programming From MTV Networks, BET Networks And Paramount Pictures Will Be Available For Joost’s Launch

NEW YORK, Feb. 20, 2007 – Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), a leading global entertainment company, and Joost™ (www.joost.com), the world’s first broadcast-quality Internet television service, announced today that Viacom will be a key content partner and will offer a full range of brands and programming for free to consumers on the innovative Joost distribution platform. Under the agreement, Viacom’s divisions – MTV Networks, BET Networks and Paramount Pictures – will provide television and theatrical programming on the Joost platform. Founded by Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis, Joost is powered by a secure, efficient, piracy-proof Internet platform that enables premium interactive video experiences while guaranteeing copyright protection for content owners and creators. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Joost will allow users to have free access to thousands of programs and channels not readily available on the Web. Through Joost, viewers can watch programming from many of Viacom’s brands on their computers through a customizable platform with advanced television viewing features such as links that lead to more information or related websites based on the content; and a variety of plug-in applications, such as instant messaging, message boards, and news tickers.

Currently available in limited beta, Joost combines the best of TV and the best of the Internet by offering viewers a unique, TV-like experience enhanced with the choice, control and flexibility of Web 2.0. Joost is the first online, global TV distribution platform, bringing together advertisers, content owners and viewers in an interactive, community-driven environment. Joost can be accessed with a broadband Internet connection and offers broadcast-quality content to viewers for free.

“We’re extremely pleased to be working with Joost, and couldn’t be prouder to be a key partner in the launch of the next generation in broadband video technology,” said Philippe Dauman, Viacom President and Chief Executive Officer. “We have the number one portfolio of entertainment sites in the world and unrivaled distribution on mobile devices, but we’re determined to keep pushing and growing our digital presence and bring our programming to audiences on every platform and device that they want. In addition to strong partnerships we have with traditional distributors, we will continue to seek out partners like Joost, which has created an exciting breakthrough platform that represents not only a fantastic user experience, but one that is built on a compelling and sustainable business model that respects both content creators and consumers.”

Janus Friis, founder of Joost said, “We built this platform from the ground up, with companies like Viacom in mind. Our platform provides scalable distribution, in a completely safe environment that protects the interest of content owners and advertisers, while delighting viewers. We’re extremely excited about this partnership and look forward to enabling Viacom to reach new audiences for its new and classic programming.”

Yvette Alberdingkthijm, executive vice president, content strategy and acquisition for Joost said, “Viacom’s properties are perfectly suited to Joost. We’re thrilled to be a part of Viacom’s digital strategy.”

MTV Networks will provide premier content from several of its brands for launch. MTV will offer popular shows, both past and present, including Laguna Beach, Beavis & Butthead, Real World, Punk’d and My Super Sweet Sixteen, while COMEDY CENTRAL will feature episodes from Stella, CCP’s and Freak Show. Nickelodeon, CMT: Country Music Television, MTV2, Logo, Spike TV, mtvU, and Gametrailers.com will also provide content. VH1's offerings will include episodes of Flavor of Love, Surreal Life, and I Love New York. BET’s Networks’ offerings will include some of its biggest shows, including Beef, DMX: Soul of a Man, Comic View and recent smash hit American Gangster. Also, Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage and Paramount Classics will be providing full-length feature films from their catalog of classics and recent releases.

About Viacom

Viacom is a leading global entertainment content company, with prominent and respected brands in focused demographics. Engaging its audiences through television, motion pictures and digital platforms, Viacom reaches its audiences wherever they consume content. Viacom’s leading brands include the multiplatform properties of MTV Networks, including MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, COMEDY CENTRAL, CMT: Country Music Television, Spike TV, TV Land, Logo and more than 130 networks around the world, as well as digital assets such as Neopets, Xfire, IFILM and Atom Entertainment; BET Networks; Paramount Pictures; Paramount Home Entertainment; DreamWorks; and Famous Music. More information about Viacom and its businesses is available at www.viacom.com.

About Joost™

Joost™ provides a new way of watching TV that combines the best of full-screen television entertainment with online interactive and community benefits to bring an unprecedented selection of video content to viewers anytime, anywhere. Joost is based on a state-of-the-art, secure, peer-to-peer streaming technology.

To learn more about Joost or to become a beta-tester, visit www.joost.com.

Nickelodeon UK Orders Series 2 Of Genie in the House

According to C21 Media, Nickelodeon UK has commissioned brand new episodes of it's popular live-action comedy series Genie in the House.

Nickelodeon, Canal J uncork Genie again

NEWS BRIEF: Nickelodeon UK and French broadcaster Canal J have jointly commissioned a second series of live-action comedy series Genie in the House, bringing the total number of episodes to 52.

The Moi J'aime la Télévision/Helion Pictures series has been a major success for both channels since it launched last year. It was Nickelodeon's number one live-action series at launch and continually wins its time slot for Canal J.

16 Feb 2007
© C21 Media 2007

Nickelodeon Spain (Nickelodeon España) and Nickelodeon Italy (Nickelodeon Italia) have also started to show Genie in the House. According to Nickelodeon España's Genie in the House website, the Spanish name for Genie in the House is 'Un genio en casa', and according to Nickelodeon Italia's Genie in the House website, the Italian name for Genie in the House is 'Un Genio Sul Divano'.

Avatar: The Last Airbender and The X's Win Annie Awards

From AWN Headline News:

Cars Takes Feature Cup While Fosters & DreamWorks Take Home Most Annie Gold

Disney/Pixar's CARS took Best Animated Feature prize while the rest of The Annie Awards were more spread out amongst the contenders as the Cartoon Network series, FOSTER'S HOME FOR IMAGINARY won the top TV category, Best Animated Television Production at 34th Annual Annie Awards held Feb. 11, 2007, at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, California. FOSTER'S won three awards and DreamWorks projects took home the lion’s share of awards, winning in nine categories at ASIFA-Hollywood’s black-tie ceremony attended by more than 1,300 industry insiders and the public.

CARS, which had led the nominations, ended up with two awards, while fellow feature films OVER THE HEDGE won three and FLUSHED AWAY had six, including Directing in an Animated Feature Production.

Disney and Cartoon Network ended up with four awards each while Nickelodeon garnered three.

This year's presenters included many on-camera actors, voices for recent and upcoming projects and a humorous break with George W. Bush impersonator Steve Bridges. Changes in script and flow were also made when two presenters, veteran voice-actor Rob Paulsen and well-known actor/activist Edward James Olmos, were called away to family emergencies after they had already arrived at the Alex Theatre. SpongeBob voice Tom Kenny again hosted his third consecutive ceremony with his topical, political and comical comments and adlibs to keep the program running.

Kenny quipped, “Pixar did what GM and Ford couldn’t do, which was make money off of cars,” he joked, referring to John Lasseter's nominated film CARS and said he did not see Lasseter in attendance. He added, “John Lasseter’s wallet is so fat it now weighs three times Nicole Richie!”

Lasseter was present to accept the Music in an Animated Feature Production for Randy Newman, and, at the end of the ceremony, the Best Feature award. Lasseter said Newman was, “the greatest collaborator I’ve ever worked with.”

Kenny came back to lament he’d probably blown his chances to ever voice a character for Lasseter.

During Lasseter’s feature film acceptance, he said,” What a year we’ve had in animation,” calling 2006 a banner year for animated films that were entertaining and good.

When Mike Kunkel accepted his Character Design in an Animated Television Production award for THE LIFE & TIMES OF JUNIPER LEE "Party Monsters,” he came without prepared remarks, but looked about the room and said, “Seeing all of you reminds us of how many talented people we get to work with.”

Roughly midway through the evening the on screen projection broke down due to an extension cord backstage that had caught on fire. With the dark screen behind him where the nominees had been projected, as well as the onstage business, presenter Dave Thomas said,” Is there anyone here who can draw?” He then quipped that the fire had been caused due to an AQUA TEEN HUNGER FORCE gizmo box exploding in the back, “Jim Sample’s parting gift to the industry.”

A few other comments were made about the longtime Cartoon Network exec's resignation following the hysteria in Boston over the Cartoon Network marketing stunt for the upcoming AQUA TEEN movie. Later, Craig McCracken, during his acceptance for Directing in an Animated Television Production on FOSTER’S, said, amongst his thank yous, Samples was instrumental in the launch of the series.

The Bush impersonator was happy to point out the commonality between himself and animators. “We have one thing in common -- we both send a lot of people overseas!” he also offered various mispronunciations of ASIFA president Antran Manoogian's name, such as Amtrak McNuclear or Anthrax Smithsonian.

Attendees mingled at a two-hour pre-reception in the courtyard and lobby areas of the Alex Theatre, while ticket holders and guests were treated to a post-show celebration dinner on the grounds behind Alex Theatre.

Animation professionals and fans comprise the voting membership of ASIFA-Hollywood that doles out the awards. For the first time in Annie history, all voting was cast online rather than by mail. For more information visit www.asifa-hollywood.org.

Following is the list of final winners:

PRODUCTION CATEGORIES

Best Animated Feature
* CARS -- Pixar Animation Studios

Best Home Entertainment Production
* BAMBI II -- DisneyToon Studios

Best Animated Short Subject
* NO TIME FOR NUTS -- Blue Sky Studios

Best Animated Television Commercial
* United Airlines "Dragon" -- DUCK Studios

Best Animated Television Production
* FOSTER'S HOME FOR IMAGINARY FRIENDS -- Cartoon Network Studios

Best Animated Videogame
* FLUSHED AWAY THE GAME -- D3 Publisher of America, Inc.

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT CATEGORIES

Animated Effects
* Scott Cegielski -- FLUSHED AWAY -- DreamWorks Animation & Aardman Features

Character Animation in a Feature Production
* Gabe Hordos -- FLUSHED AWAY -- DreamWorks Animation & Aardman Features

Character Animation in a Television Production
* Yu Jae Myung -- AVATAR "The Blind Bandit" -- Nickelodeon

Character Design in an Animated Feature Production
* Nicolas Marlet -- OVER THE HEDGE -- DreamWorks Animation

Character Design in an Animated Television Production
* Mike Kunkel -- THE LIFE & TIMES OF JUNIPER LEE "Party Monsters" -- Cartoon Network Studios

Directing in an Animated Feature Production
* Tim Johnson & Karey Kirkpatrick -- OVER THE HEDGE -- DreamWorks Animation

Directing in an Animated Television Production
* Giancarlo Volpe -- AVATAR "The Drill" -- Nickelodeon

Music in an Animated Feature Production
* Randy Newman -- CARS -- Pixar Animation Studios

Music in an Animated Television Production
* James L. Venable & Jennifer Kes Remington -- FOSTER'S HOME FOR IMAGINARY FRIENDS "One False Movie" -- Cartoon Networks Studios

Production Design in an Animated Feature Production
* Pierre-Olivier Vincent -- FLUSHED AWAY -- DreamWorks Animation & Aardman Features

Production Design in an Animated Television Production
* Martin Ansolabehere -- FOSTER'S HOME FOR IMAGINARY FRIENDS "Good Wilt Hunting" -- Cartoon Network Studios

Storyboarding in an Animated Feature Production
* Gary Graham -- OVER THE HEDGE -- DreamWorks Animation

Storyboarding in an Animated Television Production

* Troy Adomitis - AMERICAN DRAGON: JAKE LONG "Breakout" -- Walt Disney Television Animation
* Li Hong -- THE X'S "You Only Sneeze Twice" -- Nickelodeon

Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production
* Ian McKellan -- Voice of the Toad -- FLUSHED AWAY -- DreamWorks Animation & Aardman Features

Voice Acting in an Animated Television Production
* Eartha Kitt -- Voice of Yzma -- THE EMPEROR'S NEW SCHOOL "Kuzclone" -- Walt Disney Television Animation

Writing in an Animated Feature Production
* Dick Clement & Ian La Frenais and Chris Lloyd & Joe Keenan and Will Davies -- FLUSHED AWAY -- DreamWorks Animation & Aardman Features

Writing in an Animated Television Production
* Ian Maxtone-Graham -- THE SIMPSONS "The Seemingly Neverending Story" -- Gracie Films

JURIED AWARDS

June Foray Award - Significant and benevolent or charitable impact on the art and industry of animation.

Stephen Worth

Winsor McCay Award - Recognition of lifetime or career contributions to the art of animation.

Bill Plympton
Genndy Tartakovski
Andreas Deja

Certificate of Merit

Bill Matthews
Michael Phallic
Mark Deckter
Eric Graff

SpongeBob Candidates Put Their Best Claw Forward in Presidential Race

From AWN Headline News:

SpongeBob Candidates Put Their Best Claw Forward in Presidential Race

Nickelodeon is encourage kids to cast their vote for president of Bikini Bottom in an online promotion with supporters to receive three all-new episodes of SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS on Feb. 19, 2007, President's Day in the U.S. Top candidates are Patrick Starfish and Larry the Lobster. The “Patrick for President” programming event kicks off Monday at 5:00 p.m. with an interactive, two-hour marathon during which votes are tallied as they come in, and followed by three all-new back-to-back Patrick themed episodes (7:00–8:30 pm). An announcement of the new president-elect will cap off the premieres.

“SPONGEBOB has been the number-one animated kids’ show on television for over five years and running. And who would’ve thought that after all this time Patrick would actually run for President?” said Tom Ascheim, evp/gm, Nickelodeon Television. “It’s creative new programming events like ‘Patrick for President’ that keep it fresh and funny, with viewers coming back for more.”

Kids may pledge their allegiance and support to Patrick’s candidacy on nick.com/prezday. They can log on to read up on the latest election updates, vote for Patrick or Larry the Lobster, create their own video campaign posters and share them with friends, voice their opinion on why Patrick is a good President by submitting video testimonials, and create their own mash-ups using clips from the new Patrick themed episodes that will air on Presidents’ Day. In addition, kids will be able to sneak peek the three all-new episodes on TurboNick.com.

The marathon begins the countdown to the closest presidential race to hit Bikini Bottom. The race really heats up when Larry the Lobster leaves no shell, or starfish unturned and responds to Patrick’s promise to voters with a kelp-slinging smear campaign. Between episodes, votes are counted and the winners of various states are marked off as they are claimed by either Larry the Lobster’s Crustacean Party (in red) or the Patrick’s Invertebrate Party (in pink).

Following are details on the three all-new episodes:

7-7:30 pm -- In “Driven to Tears,” SpongeBob has failed his driving test–again. Patrick is so outraged by the injustice of it all that he storms into the testing facility and takes the test to prove that it is unfair and impossible to pass. Only Patrick does pass and earn his license. In fact, as the one-millionth customer at the DMV, Patrick is awarded a brand new car! SpongeBob tries to be happy for his pal, but watching Patrick abuse his driving privilege and disobey common driving rules is more then he can bear. Then, in “Rule of Dumb,” an oversight in a Royal genealogy document reveals that Patrick is the next in line to receive a kingly title. It’s not long before the power of the crown goes straight to the starfish’s head.

7:30-8:00 pm -- In “The Pink Purloiner,” SpongeBob’s favorite jelly fishing net is missing. Worst of all, Patrick may have been the one who stole it. But SpongeBob can’t accuse his friend of anything until he can find some hard evidence that he does indeed have the net. Then in “The Gift of Gum,” it’s Best Friends Day and SpongeBob and Patrick trade presents. SpongeBob presents Patrick with a fancy robot, and Patrick gives SpongeBob his most prized possession: an enormous ball of used chewing gum. SpongeBob is touched. He thinks this gift is the coolest thing in the world. However, once he finally fits the giant wad of gum into his house, it slowly starts to creep him out.

8:00-8:30 pm -- In “Rise and Shine/Waiting,” a glimpse into the interior of Patrick Star’s rock/home proves that his morning routine is anything but ordinary. Then, SpongeBob discovers that his breakfast cereal has an offer for a free toy. Once he responds to the offer, he must wait patiently for the toy to arrive. So SpongeBob sets up camp right next to his mailbox, determined to be present when the mailman shows up with his treasure. And, in “Sing a Song of Patrick” SpongeBob helps Patrick promote a song he wrote by securing some airtime at the local radio station.

Launched in July 1999, SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS has since emerged as a pop culture phenomenon and one of the most popular series in kids’ television history. The Saturday morning play of the series currently ranks as the number-one rated program among kids 2-11. Nearly 67.2 million viewers tune into the show each month, including 24 million kids 2-11, 14.5 million tweens 9-14 and 32.9 million adults 18+. (Source: Nielsen Cume Data –November 2006). Adult viewers also continue to tune in and have increased by 106% since the premiere of the show.

The most widely distributed property in MTV Networks history, SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS is syndicated in 171 markets in 25 languages and consistently rates in the top three series among kids in every major market it currently airs in across Europe, Asia, Australia, Latin America and the U.S.

Nickelodeon, in its 27th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. The company includes television programming and production in the U.S. and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon’s U.S. television network is seen in almost 92 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for nearly 12 consecutive years.

Nick at Nite starts showing films

From Digital Spy:

Nick at Nite starts showing films

Nick at Nite, the night-time programming block on Nickelodeon generally known for airing sticom and comedy repeats, is moving into feature film territory.

Crocodile Dundee and Planes, Trains and Automobiles will join the schedule on February 20 and 27 respectively.

Nick at Nite, which is treated as a separate network by ratings measurement body Nielsen Media Research, is one of America's top-rated networks. It recently added the family comedy series Growing Pains to its lineup and will add Home Improvement in September.

Winning bedtime stories get TV debut

From Digital Spy:

Winning bedtime stories get TV debut

After five months of stories around dragons, fairies and David Beckham, Bertie the Pink Car has been voted the best modern day bedtime story by pre-school TV channel, Nick Jr.

Launched last September, over 8,000 entries were received, with judges including actress and mum Donna Air, children’s writer Michael Rosen and founder of NetMums, Siobhan Freegard.

Written by 3-year-old Jo Sealey and her mum Heather, and inspired by a lone pink car parked on their street, the story shows how Bertie discovers it is better to be different rather than the same as everyone else.

The winning story, along with the two runners up, William & The Wish Biscuits and Bud & The Cakes, will be turned into a short animations which will be shown on Nick Jr from Monday at 6.30pm.

They will also be aired on Nick Jr’s online broadband video player Nick Jr Video, at www.nickjr.co.uk/video.

Andy Goodhand, Nick Jr's vice president, planning & presentation director, said: “Nick Jr’s Once Upon A Bedtime competition gave everyone the chance to join in with their little ones, dig deep into their imagination and come up with their very own bedtime story. Who knows, we may even have discovered the next J K Rowling!”

The winners, Jo Sealey and her mum, also receive a special animation cell of their story, a creative writing weekend break worth £750 and £250 of book vouchers.

US: Nickelodeon owner Viacom demands YouTube remove clips

From AsiaMedia:

US: MTV owner demands YouTube remove clips
Video-sharing forum comes under scrutiny as more companies bring on suit over copyright violation

South China Morning Post
Sunday, February 4, 2007

Media company Viacom, which owns the cable networks MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon and the Paramount Pictures movie studio, asked internet site YouTube to remove more than 100,000 unauthorised clips from its hugely popular video-sharing site.

Viacom said that after several months of talks with YouTube and its corporate parent, the online search leader Google, "it has become clear that YouTube is unwilling to come to a fair market agreement that would make Viacom content available to YouTube users". Viacom said that YouTube and Google had failed to deliver on several "filtering tools" to control unauthorised video from appearing.

YouTube is generally immune from liability as long as it responds to takedown requests such as these, which YouTube often does. Less clear legally is what happens when another user posts the same video, something commonly done on the free video-sharing site.

YouTube said it would comply with the request from Viacom and said that it co-operates "with all copyright holders to identify and promptly remove infringing content as soon as we are officially notified".

The company also said it was "unfortunate that Viacom will no longer be able to benefit from YouTube's passionate audience which has helped to promote many of Viacom's shows".

In November, YouTube agreed to delete nearly 30,000 files after the Japan Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers complained of copyright infringement.

Some media companies, such as CBS and General Electric's NBC Universal have made deals to allow YouTube to use video clips from their programming.

Universal Music Group, a division of French telecommunications giant Vivendi, had threatened to sue YouTube for copyright infringement, saying it was a hub for pirated music videos, but later reached a licensing deal with it last year.

Viacom's recent decision also affects Classic Nickelodeon video clips on YouTube, as well as the Purple & Brown videos Nickelodeon UK put on YouTube.

Nickelodeon USA To Premiere El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera In March

From Cynthia Turner's Cynopsis:

Nickelodeon will launch the new flash animated series El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera with back-to-back episodes on Saturday, March 3 at 10-11a. T he series follows 13-year-old Manny, basically an average kid who lives with his father and grandfather, except for the part where they live in a city inhabited by colorful heroes and the worst villains, and Manny has the ability to turn into El Tigre, a warrior who has a little bit of both good guy and bad guy in him. Created by husband-wife team Jorge R. Gutierrez and Sandra Equihua, El Tigre is a comedy featuring telenovela storylines that will air regularly on Saturdays at 10:30a.

Nickelodeon USA Announces Patrick for President Campaign

From Cynthia Turner's Cynopsis:

The race for President is on; President of Bikini Bottom that is, and the front-runners are Patrick and Larry the Lobster. Viewers will get their chance to vote on Nickelodeon during Patrick for President, a two-hour SpongeBob SquarePants marathon on; you guessed it, Presidents' Day, Monday, February 19, 2007 from 5p. The marathon will be followed by the premiere of three new episodes of SpongeBob, 7-8:30p. Leading up to the event, kids can pledge support for Patrick on nick.com/prezday, where they can also get campaign updates, place their votes, create video campaign posters and share them, create mash-up with new episode. Additionally, sneak peeks of the three new episodes will be available on TurboNick.com.

Nickelodeon Latin America Buys Rights To Captain Flamingo and Jimmy Two Shoes

From Cynthia Turner's Cynopsis:

Nickelodeon Latin America has the TV rights to Breakthrough Entertainment's Captain Flamingo for a Spring 2007 premiere and Jimmy Two Shoes for a Fall 2007 debut. The deal covers 65 half hour episodes and two 30m multipurpose short clips for Captain Flamingo and 52 half-hour episodes for Jimmy Two Shoes. Captain Flamingo features Milo Powell armed with his backpack of joke store novelty items saving the day with sidekick Lizbeth. Jimmy Two Shoes follows Jimmy, the closest thing Earth has to a living angel - until a technical mix-up at the "pearly gates" gives him a one-way ticket to a wacky alternative underworld run by Lucy, the CEO of Misery Incorporated.

KISS Meets SpongeBob SquarePants on Dry Land

From AWN Headline News:

KISS Meets SpongeBob SquarePants on Dry Land

Gene Simmons and Shannon Tweed dropped by the Nicktoons Studios in Burbank, California this week to voice act on an upcoming episode of Nickelodeon's SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS called "20,000 Patties Under the Sea." In the episode, Simmons will voice the role of the menacing Sea Monster who is fed Krabby Patties by SpongeBob and Patrick in attempts to keep his anger at bay. Tweed plays the Sea Monster's mother who comes to her son's defense after being insulted by Plankton.

While developing the episode, exec producer and KISS fan Paul Tibbitt felt Simmons' voice would be perfect for the role. Simmons agreed and brought Tweed on the project.

"I was born for this part. I've been waiting all my life to be a Sea Monster. It's in my blood. It's what I do. It's my job. SpongeBob is jealous, as well he should be. I was brilliant," said Simmons.

"20,000 Patties Under the Sea" will air on Nickelodeon in 2008.

The GENE SIMMONS FAMILY JEWELS (A&E) TV crew also filmed the record for posterity, when the 2nd season debuts with 20 all-new episodes in the spring.

Nickelodeon To Open "Nickland" In Germany

From AWN Headline News:

Nickelodeon To Open "Nickland" In Germany

Nickelodeon and Movie Park Germany, a premiere film and entertainment theme park, have signed a multi-year strategic partnership to bring Nickelodeon's children's animated television programs to life in a 15,000 square-meter interactive adventure zone called Nickland. Scheduled to open in April 2007 at Movie Park Germany in Bottrop-Kirchellen, Nickland will feature seven all-new immersive attractions and will be the first Nick-themed adventure site in Europe.

Also inclusive within the new partnership, Nickelodeon and Movie Park Germany will create co-branded promotions and marketing campaigns, develop licensing and merchandising programs within the park and increase advertising on Nickelodeon's popular kids channel, Nick in Germany. This agreement grants Movie Park Germany theme park rights to use Nickelodeon's characters and intellectual properties, including SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS, JIMMY NEUTRON, DORA THE EXPLORER, MY LIFE AS A TEENAGE ROBOT, DANNY PHANTOM and THE BACKYARDIGANS, at its theme park. Nickelodeon costume characters such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Starfish, Dora the Explorer and Jimmy Neutron, will be on-site at the park for meet-and-greets with kids and their families.

"Nick and Movie Parks Germany epitomise kids, families and fun, and together we are exceptionally well positioned to create an innovative, bespoke destination for German kids," commented Markus Andorfer, vp, Nick and Comedy Central, Germany. "Nick has the highest brand affinity among kids in Germany and Nickland at Movie Parks will serve the same objectives, where kids come first and have fun."

Bill Muirhead, ceo Starparks Europe, added, "We are extremely excited to be partnering with Nick and bringing their incredibly popular characters to life in our amusement park. This coming season, only at Movie Park Germany, guests will have the chance to meet their favorite characters such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer and Jimmy Neutron in an eye-catching environment that brings a whole new dimension to their visit and experience."

"This is a significant step in Nickelodeon's rapid growth within the German market," said Howard Smith, svp, Nickelodeon Recreation. "Kids and their families now have a new home base at Movie Park where they can experience Nickelodeon first-hand and meet their favorite characters."

The first attractions to premiere will be Jimmy Neutron's 'Atomic Flyer' and 'Splash Bash,' a romp through the undersea world of SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS.

Situated among five hectares of world-class movie studios in Bottrop-Kirchhellen, Movie Park Germany offers visitors a day behind the scenes. Stunt, musical and animation shows, attractions and high-speed roller coasters and water rides are staged among five movie-themed areas. Movie Park Germany works in close partnership with film studios such as Metro Goldwyn Mayer and 20th Century Fox, as well as with Internet companies, television and radio stations.

Nickelodeon, French producers circle 'Oasis'

From Variety.com:

Nick, French producers circle 'Oasis'
Duo team with TeamTo on animation series

Nickelodeon, French channel TF1 and French animation studio TeamTo have signed on as co-producers of the Korean 3-D animated TV series "Oasis."

A recipient of production finance from the Korea Content & Culture Agency, "Oasis" was developed by Seoul-based Tuba Entertainment and is being repped internationally by independent distributor Synergy Media.

The deal with Nickelodeon was sealed at the KidScreen Summit in New York, which opened Feb. 8. Roughly 70% of the series' $10.8 million budget is expected to be financed by Nickelodeon and the French co-producers.

"Oasis" centers on a vulture scared of flying, who sets off on a road trip with his son and daughter to a legendary place where fears can be overcome. The series will be made up of 52 episodes of 11 minutes each.

"Nickelodeon told us they had been looking for a cartoony, slapstick-style CGI comedy for a long time," said Youngmee Kim of Synergy Media.

Production on seven 90-second pilots will kick off in a few weeks.

Nickelodeon International Says “Action!” to Ricky Sprocket – Showbiz Boy

From AWN Headline News:

Nick Says “Action!” to Ricky Sprocket – Showbiz Boy

Bejuba! Ent. Inc., Snowden Fine Prods. and Studio B Prods. Inc. have announced that RICKY SPROCKET – SHOWBIZ BOY will air on Nickelodeon channels in the U.K., Australia, Latin America, Germany, Italy, France, Spain and Scandinavia in the fall of 2007 and Nicktoons Network in the U.S. The series, created by Alison Snowden and David Fine, the Oscar-winning team behind BOB AND MARGARET, will be co-produced with Vancouver’s Studio B Prods. Inc. and distributed by Bejuba! Ent. Inc. Canadian broadcast partner TELETOON was involved in the early production of the property and is preparing to launch the series in the fall of 2007.

RICKY SPROCKET – SHOWBIZ BOY is a 26x22 (52x11) animated comedy series aimed at kids 6-12. The series follows mega superstar child actor Ricky Sprocket, a regular kid with an annoying sister, too much homework, childhood issues and a crazy showbiz life. Ricky is not only funny and quirky, but a real character with his own emotions and life concerns. Ricky’s fans adore him, but even though he’s the world’s biggest star, he still has to take out the garbage.

“Nickelodeon channels around the world and Nicktoons Network in the U.S. have embraced Ricky Sprocket from the moment they saw it,” says Tatiana Kober of Bejuba! Ent. “The series will strike a chord in children around the world as Ricky is a real kid living every child’s dream.”

“We are delighted to be working with Nickelodeon on this exciting new comedy. I think kids will really relate to the humor and pace of this cartoon,” said Studio B Prods. partner Blair Peters.

“We feel RICKY SPROCKET’s humor and strong character is a perfect fit with Nickelodeon and Nicktoons Networks we are thrilled that they feel the same way,” said David Fine of Snowden Fine. “It’s great that the show has found a home with such prestigious broadcasters.

Debbie Macdonald, vp, programming director, Nickelodeon U.K., said, “RICKY SPROCKET is a real gem of a series. The high standards of animation, brilliant humor and quirky characters will resonate with Nick audiences all over the world.”

Alison Snowden and David Fine recently moved to Vancouver after living in London, England for the previous fifteen years. In the U.K., they produced short films and numerous ads as well their award winning series, BOB AND MARGARET (produced with Nelvana Ltd), which was a primetime hit on Global TV in Canada and Comedy Central in the U.S. The series was Comedy Central’s highest rated series after SOUTH PARK. Snowden and Fine have won numerous awards for their work, including two Oscar nominations, finally bagging the trophy the third time for their short film, BOB’S BIRTHDAY, which was the precursor for BOB AND MARGARET. Visit www.snowdenfine.com for more information.

Bejuba! Ent. is an executive production/distribution company working with producers to bring quality children’s and family productions to the marketplace. The company, established in 2003 by Tatiana Kober, focuses on bringing production partners together, on closing gap financing and on distribution. Bejuba! is working with a number of companies on several different projects, including THE AMAZING ADRENALINI BROTHERS!, MONSTER WARRIORS, Tandem Films’ short films and ZDFE’s children’s programming.

An award-winning Vancouver-based animation studio founded in 1988, Studio B Prods. produces such original series as BEING IAN, CLASS OF THE TITANS, D’MYNA LEAGUES, WHAT ABOUT MIMI? and YVON OF THE YUKON. Studio B also provides service work for some of the most well-known companies in the world, including Jetix Europe (Pucca). For more information, visit www.studiobproductions.com.

Nicktoons Network, the 24-hour animation network owned by Nickelodeon, features a wide variety of programming that have defined kids’ and animation lovers’ television for more than 10 years. Targeting kids 6-14, Nicktoons Network features programming that is 75% exclusive to the channel. Nicktoons Network currently reaches 37 million homes via cable, digital cable and satellite, and can be seen on Cablevision, Charter Communications, Comcast Cable, Cox Communications, DirecTV, DISH Network and Time Warner Cable.

Nickelodeon, the world’s most widely distributed kids’ network in the world, reaches a total of 200 million households in 169 territories worldwide via 29 channels, 27 websites, three mobile services and five broadband. Programming is also aired via 21 branded program blocks and syndicated on third party broadcasters.

DreamWorks’ Panda & Madagascar Spinning TV Series on Nickelodeon

From AWN Headline News:

DreamWorks’ Panda & Madagascar Spinning TV Series on Nick

Nickelodeon and DreamWorks Animation are teaming on possible weekly series based on DreamWorks animated features, KUNG FU PANDA and MADAGASCAR, confirms Nickelodeon. First reported in VARIETY, the MADAGASCAR spinoff will chronicle the adventures of its penguin characters — Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private.

Nick will handle the day-to-day development of the series, but plans to outsource the actual CG production.

DreamWorks Animation ceo Jeffrey Katzenberg told VARIETY, "We've given them all the elements that exist in the movies and then, really... we're pretty deferential on this. They spent a lot of time with the creators, directors, producers and talent involved in the two movies, but it was more to pick their brains and then take the properties and make them their own."

Tom Martin (THE SIMPSONS) has been hired to write the pilot for PANDA while Paul Rugg (FREAKAZOID!) will write the MADAGASCAR-inspired show.

Since Paramount's acquisition of DreamWorks in December, Katzenberg said, "From the outset, one of the highest priorities for us was to share with Nickelodeon our movie properties. One of the greatest opportunities in making the deal with Viacom was [Nick’s] interest and enthusiasm for repurposing or adapting our properties into their world and their TV networks.”

Cyma Zarghami, president of Nickelodeon and MTV Networks Kids & Family Group, added, "We know what's in our own pipeline, and so we look for things that would be additive. We thought the characters in KUNG FU PANDA were very funny and could live beyond the movie universe. And everyone loves those penguins."

W!LDBRAIN Gets First Series with Nick Jr.'s Yo Gabba Gabba!

From AWN Headline News:

W!LDBRAIN Gets First Series with Nick Jr.'s Yo Gabba Gabba!

Nick Jr. has announced it has picked up a new original half-hour preschool series, YO GABBA GABBA! The 20-episode live-action magazine-style series will use music and song to highlight simple life lessons and universal experiences in the lives of preschoolers. Produced by The Magic Store and W!LDBRAIN, YO GABBA GABBA! will commence production in April in Orange County, California, and the series is scheduled to premiere on Nick Jr. in fall 2007.

YO GABBA GABBA! stars host DJ Lance Rock (Lance Robertson) who brings to life five friendly toy characters in a colorful land full of song and dance. The magazine-style format is infused with a retro style and beat driven music. YO GABBA GABBA! will feature animated segments, real kids and special guests, in addition to a world of puppet characters. Muno the red Cyclops, Foofa the pink flower bubble, Brobee the green little one, Toodee the blue cat-dragon and Plex the robot will star.

"YO GABBA GABBA! puts the funk in preschool!," said Brown Johnson, evp/exec creative director, Nickelodeon Preschool. "The Magic Store and W!LDBRAIN have created a hip, inventive and one-of-a-kind music series, which furthers Nick's commitment to be the place for top quality preschool music entertainment."

"Shows like this come along once in a lifetime. YO GABBA GABBA! is both fresh, fun, unique and truly original," added Charles Rivkin, president/ceo of W!LDBRAIN. "We are proud to work with Nick Jr. and the brilliant minds at The Magic Store to redefine preschool entertainment for generations to come."

The Magic Store was founded in 2005 by "Gen X" dads Christian Jacobs, Justin Lyon and Scott Schultz. The studio's first project, YO GABBA GABBA!, was produced independently in two half-hour episodes. After creating an online viral frenzy with the trailer, the show ultimately found a home on Nick Jr.

Founded in 1994, W!LDBRAIN (www.wildbrain.com) is an award-winning entertainment company that develops and produces content across the media spectrum.

Nickelodeon Movies, Paramount Buzzing About Mayfly

From AWN Headline News:

Paramount, Nick Buzzing About Mayfly

Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies have optioned the CG family pitch MAYFLY from writing team Leo Benvenuti and Steve Rudnick (THE SANTA CLAUSE, SPACE JAM), reports VARIETY.

With mayflies sometimes only living a matter of days, a young bug accidentally oversleeps and must live for the moment with the help of his tortoise friend, who could live to be 100 years old.

Nick Movies exec Julia Pistor will produce.

Nickelodeon Gives SNL's Poehler Animated Series

From AWN Headline News:

Nickelodeon Gives SNL's Poehler Animated Series

Nickelodeon has greenlit an animated series, MIGHTY B, created by and featuring the voice of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE star Amy Poehler, which will be driving a 2007/2008 animation slate on Nick of 125 new episodes overall. SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS and all his pals will be back for a sixth new season, surpassing the 100-episode mark, and that additional episodes have been ordered of two new Nicktoons -- EL TIGRE: THE ADVENTURES OF MANNY RIVERA and TAK AND THE POWER OF JUJU.

"MIGHTY B is a quintessential Nicktoon," said Tom Ascheim, evp/gm, Nickelodeon Television. "It comes from the incredible comedic minds of Amy Poehler, Cynthia True and Erik Wiese, and is a fresh, creator-driven series about a hilarious character Amy created that we think kids are going to really love and connect with. And we are equally thrilled to be making another season of SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS -- a series we hope to never stop making -- as well as adding additional episodes of our upcoming series EL TIGRE and TAK."

Picked up for 20 episodes, MIGHTY B stars Poehler as the voice of Bessie Higgenbottom, the world's most ambitious and lovably unhinged 10-year-old "Honeybee" scout. As a member of the Honeybees, Bessie wears her uniform every single day, leads her troop with zeal and has earned more Bee Badges than any Honeybee in history. With a bunch of badges still eluding her, Bessie's not stopping until she has every last one. The series is co-created by inventive sketch comedian Poehler; True, a recent staff writer for Nickelodeon's THE FAIRLY ODDPARENTS and Wiese, the Emmy and Annie-nominated storyboard artist and writer who has worked on SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS. MIGHTY B premieres in 2008.

Describing her new series, Poehler said, "Bessie represents the ever-optimistic spaz, who believes she can grow up to be a rock star, actress, politician and brain surgeon all at the same time. And as a person who knows absolutely nothing about animation, I am thrilled to be in such great hands over at Nickelodeon. I can't wait to find out how they make those cool little people move around."

Renewed for a sixth season of 13 new episodes, SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS launched in July 1999 and has since emerged as a pop culture phenomenon and one of the most popular series in kids' television history.

EL TIGRE: THE ADVENTURES OF MANNY RIVERA has been picked up for seven more episodes, bringing the order to 20. It is a Mexican folk art-inspired animated comedy with a spaghetti western twist, created by husband/wife team Jorge Gutierrez and Sandra Equihua (EL MACHO). EL TIGRE centers on a teenage boy, Manny Rivera (El Tigre, voiced by Alanna Ubach), who must choose to become a great superhero, like his father, Rodolpho, or a feared super-villain like his grandfather (Granpapi, voiced by Carlos Alazraqui). Manny struggles with the daily choice of which super-power he will master because being good is good... but being bad is fun. EL TIGRE will premiere March 2, 2007.

TAK AND THE POWER OF JUJU has been picked up for five episodes, bringing the order to 20. It stars Hal Sparks (CELEBRITY DUETS, TALK SOUP) as the voice of Tak and Patrick Warburton (SEINFELD, THE X'S) as Lok. The visually dynamic CGI animated series will follow Tak as he uses his Juju staff to perform magic and summon the outrageous and colorful Jujus, who always further complicate his plight and turn his world upside down. TAK AND THE POWER OF JUJU will premiere in September 2007.

MIGHTY B, SPOGEBOB SQUAREPANTS, EL TIGRE and TAK AND THE POWER OF JUJU are Nicktoons productions and are produced at the Nicktoons Studios in Burbank, California.

Nickelodeon (www.nick.com), in its 27th 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 U.S. and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in almost 92 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for more than 11 consecutive years.

SpongeBob Creative Director Diggs Nickelodeon Deal

From AWN Headline News:

SpongeBob Creative Director Diggs Nick Deal

Former SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS creative director Derek Drymon has inked a series pilot deal with Nickelodeon for the toon, DIGGS TAILWAGGER, reports VARIETY. The outer-space idea centers on a low-ranking pooch trying to raise the ranks aboard the Galactic Rover.

Marjorie Cohn, evp of development and original programming, said, “Diggs is this irresistible Chris Farley-like character — clumsy but well-meaning — that gets into these hysterical predicaments."

Nickelodeon Sets Development Slate & Creates Inkubators Animation Lab

From AWN Headline News:

Nick Sets Development Slate & Creates Inkubators Animation Lab

At its 2006-07 upfront presentation, Nickelodeon announced a slate that will include content developed from such platforms as feature films, videogames, broadband and international production, as well as a multi-million dollar development slate for non-linear productions. New projects have been commissioned from Steve Oedekerk, The Wayans Brothers, Alison Taylor, Jorge Gutierrez and Sandra Equihua Nick will also premiere 254 new episodes during the 2006-07 season, as well as new platforms for content including video podcasts.

Cyma Zarghami, president of Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family Group, said Nickelodeon is committing to a multi-million dollar development slate to introduce new original content specifically for non-linear platforms, including launching an animation laboratory called "Inkubators," based at Nickelodeon's animation studio in Burbank, California. The Inkubators Lab will be dedicated to the development of original animated content made specifically for a diverse range of platforms, including broadband; wireless; portable video devices; online and gaming. Additionally, Nickelodeon will be committing development resources to the creation of long and short form content developed from creators in international markets.

"The first Nickelodeon generation of kids grew up in a video democracy where the words broadcast and cable meant nothing, and great characters and stories meant everything," said Zarghami. "This next generation of kids is platform agnostic. We already are programming to kids on 15 different platforms and we're excited to be expanding our tradition of strong content development to reach across broadband, digital and wireless screens that have become a daily part of their lives. Kids are the first adapters of the digital age and we are going to fully integrate our brand into that space with great character and story-driven content that will be developed specifically for the products they are accessing."

During the 2006-07 season Nickelodeon will introduce the following series that were developed from non-traditional platforms:

TAK AND THE POWER OF JUJU (15 episodes — premieres in 2007 on Nickelodeon)
Developed from the successful videogame series, Tak and the Power of Juju is a CGI animated adventure comedy series created in conjunction with THQ, Nickelodeon and game developer Avalanche Software that follows the slightly skewed comic adventures of fun-loving, mischievous 14-year old Tak, who has gained access to the magical, mythical realm of the always colorful and powerful Jujus. Set in an out-of-this world jungle paradise, Tak and his partners in adventure, Keeko and Jeera constantly find themselves in over their heads, but somehow always find a way out by relying on their native wits. Hal Sparks stars as the voice of Tak, with Tommy Davidson as Keeko and Colleen O'Shaughnessey as Jeera.

MR. MEATY (13 episodes — premieres in 2007 on Nickelodeon)
Developed from Nickelodeon's TurboNick broadband platform where it appeared as a series of shorts, Mr. Meaty is an animated comedy set in the flashy facade of a fastfood franchise and focuses on the working life of two teenage slackers, Josh and Parker, the unofficial, unaware champions of the underdog in a world that relies on the cookie-cutter mentality and the veneer of a perfect customer service experience. Full of teenaged self-importance and slouching indifference, the boys are willing to endure one of the most soulless jobs on earth in order to save enough money to produce their dream project — an awesome horror movie called "Ninja Zombies." From their six-by-six foot square food-court bunker, they plan to improve their lives and their ultimate escape from the monotony of minimum wage.

DOWNWARD DOGHOUSE (working title) (20 episodes — premieres March 2007 on Nick Jr.)
Developed and produced through a partnership between Nickelodeon and Wang Films, Downward Doghouse is a new, original animated series that introduces preschoolers to the many aspects of Chinese culture and language through a five-year-old Chinese-American girl named Kai-lan. Following in the tradition of DORA THE EXPLORER and GO, DIEGO, GO!, this new play-along series features an intergenerational Chinese-American family and teaches the Mandarin language to preschoolers at home — a first for preschool television. Each half-hour centers on Kai-lan and her relationships with her grandfather, her animal friends and the natural world. Kai-lan is an emotionally gifted child who is driven to understand the world and how things are linked together both physically and emotionally. Every episode follows the adventures of Kai-lan and her friends as they learn to identify their emotions and stop to consider the feelings of others. The series explores the colorful aspects of Kai-lan's upbringing and background including family, food, and language while encouraging preschoolers to care for others and their environment.
DOWNWARD DOGHOUSE is created by Karen Chau and Executive Produced by Mary Harrington. The animation production will be done in conjunction with Wang Films, with animation taking place in both Shanghai and Taiwan. In addition to the animation work, key episode designs will be created and produced at the Wang studio in China.

NICKTOONS NETWORK ANIMATION FESTIVAL (premieres August 2006 on Nicktoons Network)
After two successful festivals and entries received from around the world, Nicktoons Network, the 24-hour animation network owned by Nickelodeon, will partner for the first time with KIDSCREEN MAGAZINE and again with Frederator Studios, for this year's Nicktoons Network Animation Festival. Animators from around the globe can submit their original short films created in any style of animation and a grand jury will select a $10,000 grand prize winner from the top ten films chosen by the pre-selection jury. The festival will debut on Nicktoons Network's air on August 26 and will run for six nights. For the first time, the animation festival will also be available to view online at www.nicktoonsnetwork.com and will kick off with a two-day, live screening event at the Nicktoons Studios in Burbank on Aug. 12 and Aug. 13.

BARNYARD (13 episodes — premieres in 2007 on Nickelodeon)
Developed from the upcoming feature film of the same title and created by Steve Oedekerk (JIMMY NEUTRON: BOY GENIUS, THE NUTTY PROFESSOR, ACE VENTURA: WHEN NATURE CALLS), BARNYARD is a CGI animated comedy series that takes a hilarious look at what really happens in a barnyard when the farmer's back is turned. The series centers on Otis, a former carefree party cow who recently took over as the patriarch of the farm. Otis is advised (and sometimes ill-advised) on how best to govern the barnyard by his best friends: Pip, an outspoken mouse; and Freddie, a neurotic ferret and Peck, a level-headed rooster. Constantly faced with protecting the barnyard animals from all that lurks just beyond the fence, Otis must balance his desire to be the irresponsible cow of his youth with his new, grownup responsibilities.

WOW! WOW! WUBBZY! (26 episodes — premieres 2007 on Nick Jr.)
The series was first introduced as THE WUBBCAST, the world's first-ever video podcast of preschooler programming. THE WUBBCAST features musical animation (5-7 minute episodes) for distribution on portable video devices, including iPod and Sony PlayStation Portable [PSP] and mobile telephones. This original animated preschool series celebrates the spirit of teamwork and cooperation through a curious little creature named Wubbzy and his two pals Widget and Walden. The offbeat, loveable friends live in a whimsical and imaginative world and when Wubbzy runs into everyday kid problems, he calls on his friends for help and advice. Each half-hour episode of WOW! WOW! WUBBZY! will feature two, 10-minute adventures with the themes of the day reinforced through an original music video, followed by a direct-to-camera segment where the three friends address the preschoolers at home. The series is a Bolder Media for Boys and Girls Production in association with IDT/Film Roman. Bob Boyle (THE FAIRLY ODDPARENTS and DANNY PHANTOM) is the creator and exec producer of the series. Susan Miller of Bolder Media Inc. and Mixed Media Group and Fred Seibert of Bolder Media Inc. and Frederator Studios, are also exec producers on Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!.

Nickelodeon Television will also launch the following new series in 2006-07:

EL TIGRE (13 episodes— premieres in 2007 on Nickelodeon) is a Mexican folk art-inspired animated comedy with a spaghetti western twist, created by husband-wife team Jorge Gutierrez and Sandra Equihua (El Macho). EL TIGRE centers on a teenage boy, Manny Rivera (El Tigre), who must choose to become a great superhero, like his father, Rodolpho, or a feared super-villain like his grandfather. Manny struggles with the daily choice of which super-power he will master because being good is good... but being bad is fun.

THUGABOO (3 specials – the first one premieres in August 2006 on Nickelodeon, then Nicktoons Network) is a series of animated specials themed around important times in kids' lives, such as holidays and the first day of school. It takes a humorous look at the trials and tribulations of nine very different kids growing up in the inner city. Through their series of misadventures, the kids learn valuable lessons about everything from the importance of friendship to never giving up on a dream. Each special ends with a special musical number played out in music video format. Shawn, Marlon and Kenan Ivory Wayans produce, write and lend their voices to Thugaboo, their first animation project. Also featured in the specials are celebrity appearances by Michael Rapaport, Tracy Morgan, David Alan Grier and Kim Wayans.

THE LIL' JJ SHOW (working title) (13 episodes — premieres in 2007 on Nickelodeon) is a live-action multi-generational comedy starring teenage actor/comedian Lil' JJ, which chronicles the adventures of ninth grader Jordan Lewis who has been waiting tables and stocking shelves at his family's legendary Grants Eat-n-Greet Diner since he was tall enough to reach the counter. Each week Jordan and his neighborhood pals navigate their way through some of the great teenage injustices on the ever-changing front lines of adolescence. Alison Taylor (CLARISSA EXPLAINS IT ALL, LIZZIE MCGUIRE, CHEETA GIRLS) is creator and executive producer, with Ken Bright consulting. Nick Movies is also in development on a feature project for the teenage actor/comedian to star. The untitled film is based on the real-life rags-to-riches story he shares with his teacher-turned-manager, Ken Bright.

Nickelodeon will also continue to introduce content on new, innovative platforms including games on www.nick.com and video podcasts.

Video Podcasts
Nickelodeon just launched on a new platform with its content — video podcasts. Video podcasts will be available on Nick.com and iTunes for various TEENick shows such as ZOEY 101, NICKELODEON'S KIDS' CHOICE AWARDS and various Nick Movies. The network will introduce several podcasts over the course of 2006-07.

Nick.com New Games of the Week
Over the course of 2006-07, Nick.com will introduce more than 100 "New Game of the Week" titles on Nick.com, featuring new and original games based on various Nick properties. Since the New Game of the Week's initial launch on Nick.com, eight new games have been featured and have generated almost 50 million game plays. Nick.com totals 152 million gameplays (which includes all its game offerings) for 2006, with 18 million game plays in March alone.

For the 2006-07 season, 18 current Nick and Nick Jr. series will premiere new episodes, totaling over 127 hours of original programming. Pickups on returning hit series include: ZOEY 101 (26 episodes), UNFABULOUS (13 episodes), NED'S DECLASSIFIED SCHOOL SURVIVAL Guide (15 episodes) and DRAKE & JOSH (13 episodes); SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS (20 episodes); LAZYTOWN (18 episodes); THE BACKYARDIGANS (20 episodes) and GO, DIEGO, GO! (20 episodes).

Nickelodeon (www.nick.com), in its 26th 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 U.S. and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in 89 million households and has been the top-rated basic cable network for more than 10 consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

Nick Jr. Orders More Max & Ruby For Spring 2007

From Animation World Network's Headline News:

Nick Jr. Orders More Max & Ruby

Nickelodeon Preschool Television has announced that they have picked up a 14-episode season of the 2D-animated preschool series MAX & RUBY. In addition, a new MAX & RUBY Easter special will premiere on Nick Jr. and NOGGIN in Spring 2007 to kick off the new season.

Based on the classic children’s book series by author and illustrator Rosemary Wells, MAX & RUBY follows the adventures of two bunny siblings. The show, a co-production from Nelvana/Corus Ent. in association with Chorion Silver Lining, airs weekdays on NOGGIN at 10:30 am (ET).

“We’re thrilled to bring more MAX & RUBY episodes to Nick Jr. and Noggin,” said Brown Johnson, exec creative director, Nickelodeon Preschool Television. “Preschoolers clearly delight in Max’s antics and Ruby’s creative persistence. They are a dynamic brother-sister duo.”

“We believe passionately in MAX & RUBY. The books and the TV series speak directly to young children across cultures and the series is a firm favorite with broadcasters, parents and youngsters alike. We are delighted that Nelvana has produced 14 more half-hour episodes and that Nick Jr. has picked these up. We know that Max and Ruby’s large family of devoted fans can’t wait to get to see these new shows,” said Nicholas James, ceo of Chorion.

Each half-hour episode of MAX & RUBY consists of three seven-and-a-half-minute stories that celebrate the universal nature of sibling relationships. The series follows Max, an enthusiastic and determined preschool bunny, and his big sister Ruby, a very smart and goal-oriented seven-year-old, through their everyday lives in the village of East Bunnyhop. Even though Max and Ruby have conflicting agendas, they enjoy working and playing together.

Chorion owns and manages classic and contemporary literary-based brands that have worldwide appeal. Its owned properties include NODDY, MR. MEN and the works of Agatha Christie and Raymond Chandler. Its managed properties include the non-publishing rights to MAX & RUBY, OLIVIA and Eric Carle. Chorion has offices in London, New York, Tokyo and Sydney. In the U.S., all its children’s properties are managed by Chorion Silver Lining, a wholly owned subsidiary. Chorion specializes in developing and producing new television content for its properties, directly or with third parties, and then building those properties into worldwide brands. For more information, visit www.chorion.co.uk.

Nelvana is one of the world's leading international producers and distributors of children's animated content. Nelvana is owned by Corus Ent. Inc., a Canadian-based media and entertainment company. Corus is a market leader in specialty television and radio with additional assets in pay television, advertising and digital audio services, television broadcasting, children’s book publishing and children’s animation. The company’s multimedia entertainment brands include YTV, Treehouse, W Network, Movie Central, Nelvana, Kids Can Press and radio stations, including CKNW, CKOI and Q107. Corus creates engaging branded entertainment experiences for its audiences across multiple platforms. A publicly traded company, Corus is listed on the Toronto and New York exchanges.

Nick Jr. is a specially designed programming block airing on Nickelodeon weekdays from 9:00 am – 12:30 pm (ET/PT). Completely dedicated to preschoolers ages 2-5, Nick Jr.’s Emmy, Peabody and Parents’ Choice Award-winning programs are curriculum based, fun and commercial free.

NOGGIN, the commercial-free, educational preschool network from Nickelodeon, reaches 52 million households via cable, digital cable and satellite TV. NOGGIN, which airs from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm (ET), is like preschool on TV, with educational programming both on-air and online at www.noggin.com.

Nick Jr. Greenlights Second Season Of The Wonder Pets!

From Animation World Network's Headline News:

Nick Jr. Greenlights Second Season Of The Wonder Pets!

Nick Jr. has greenlit a second season of the hit animated series, THE WONDER PETS! The groundbreaking series, which premiered March 3, 2006, has consistently ranked among the top three preschool programs on all of commercial television.

Created and exec produced by Josh Selig of Little Airplane Prods. Inc., THE WONDER PETS! stars three courageous classroom pets who sing opera and travel the world as they take preschoolers on musical world adventures. THE WONDER PETS! airs regularly on Nick Jr. weekdays at 11:00 am.

“A singing guinea pig, turtle and duck, tales of teamwork and far away places, combined with a fresh photoreal animated style make THE WONDER PETS! practically irresistible for kids and parents,” said Brown Johnson, exec creative director, Nickelodeon Preschool Television.

The series has been sold to 67 countries around the globe, including 49 countries in South America and the Caribbean, three countries in Europe and 15 countries in Asia and Asia Pacific.

THE WONDER PETS! chronicles the adventures of three funny, singing classroom pets: Linny the Guinea Pig, Ming-Ming Duckling and Turtle Tuck, who travel the world and use teamwork to save baby animals in distress.

Every episode of THE WONDER PETS! is an original mini-operetta filled with world music influences suited to the locale of the day’s adventure. The music is written and developed by top Tony and Grammy Award-winning talent, including Jeffrey Lesser, a producer and recording engineer for artists including Barbra Streisand, Sting and Linda Ronstadt. Award-winning composers and orchestrators from Broadway’s AVENUE Q, MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT and FIDDLER ON THE ROOF have also worked on the series. The music on THE WONDER PETS! is recorded with a live orchestra; and much of the dialogue is sung in operetta style.

At the end of each school day when the teachers and students have all gone home, the fearless trio become THE WONDER PETS! In every story, The Wonder Pets! receive a call on a tin-can phone in their classroom from a baby animal who needs their help. The trio quickly assembles their Flyboat, made from a collection of classroom toys and travel together across oceans, into space, and even back in time to save animals in distress. While they don’t have any actual superpowers, but they work together as a team to overcome adversity.

THE WONDER PETS! is done in a new, original style of animation, called photo-puppetry animation, in which the animators manipulate photographs of real animals, creating a comical, realistic look that is unique to Nick Jr.

Little Airplane Prods. (www.littleairplane.com) specializes in film & television programming for young children. Founded by Josh Selig in 1999, Little Airplane Prods. created and produced Piper O'Possum for Nick Jr. and Oobi for NOGGIN (winner of a 2001 Gold Parents’ Choice Award). Little Airplane also created and produced GO, BABY! for Playhouse Disney. Additionally, Selig was the head writer for LITTLE BILL on Nick Jr.

Nick Jr. is a specially designed programming block airing on Nickelodeon weekdays from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm and weekends on CBS (check local listings). Completely dedicated to preschoolers, 2-5, Nick Jr.’s Emmy, Peabody and Parents’ Choice Award-winning programs are curriculum based, fun and commercial free. At Nick Jr., kids play to learn with innovative, original shows created just for them.

Nickelodeon (www.nick.com), in its 27th 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 U.S. and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in 90 million households and has been the top-rated basic cable network for more than 10 consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

Nicktoons To Get Brand New On-Air Design

According to the Sky Ventures website, Nickelodeon UK's Nicktoons channel will be getting a brand new on-air design on Monday 12th February 2007.

Tune in to the brand new look Nicktoons channel in February

Nickelodeon UK's, Nicktoons, Nick Jr. Channel's and Nick Jr. 2's February 2007 Highlights

According to the Sky Ventures website, here are Nickelodeon UK's, Nicktoons, Nick Jr. Channel's and Nick Jr. 2's February 2007 highlights:

NICKELODEON

Highlights on Nickelodeon

BRAND NEW ME:TV!
me.tv launched in 2006, becoming the UK's number 1 rating show during the half-term holiday for kids, find out why every day from 10am!
Do you fancy being a presenter on top kids' channel Nickelodeon from the comfort of your own home? If you have a webcam, a computer and a desire for nationwide fame, tune into Nickelodeon's brand new interactive show "me:tv", every weekday morning from 10am and it could be you!
me:tv is presented by Ugly Mark form Nickelodeon's game show Nick Heads along with Vicky and Katie - the stars of the hit comedy series "Genie In the House". Each day 4 viewers compete against each other via webcams live on air - taking part in exciting and hilarious challenges to win top prizes. Kids compete to win the votes of the viewers in order to go through to the Friday final.
Watch all new me:tv weekdays from 10am from Monday 12 February

DRAKE & JOSH
Starring two very different guys with very different personalities, there's buttoned-up, play-by-the-rules Josh and too-school-for-school, party-dude Drake. Going to the same school and their love for rock music was all that they had in common, before everything changed! See, Josh & Drake became stepbrothers-and roommates. Drake and Josh is the hilarious happenings of day to day life with two boys and their adventures growing up.
Not only a cult hit series with Nickelodeon viewers around the world, Drake and Josh also star in their own movie DRAKE AND JOSH GO TO HOLLYWOOD - THE MOVIE where Drake, Josh and their little sister Megan accidentally get on a plane to L.A. to play their biggest gig yet. But the people that gave Drake the gig are up to something illegal and it's up to Drake and Josh to stop them. Will Drake and Josh stop them or will they let it go so Drake can keep his music gig?
Weekdays from Monday 12 February @ 5pm
Watch their movie - Drake & Josh go to Hollywood
Friday 16 February @ 12 noon

You can also join in at www.nick.co.uk

NICKTOONS

SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS
Tune in to the brand new look Nicktoons channel in February and celebrate the best half-term ever with daily 6 hour extravaganzas from Bikini Bottom with the UK's number 1 rating animation series SpongeBob SquarePants.
Deep down in the Pacific Ocean in the city of Bikini Bottom lives a square yellow sea sponge named SpongeBob SquarePants. SpongeBob lives in a pineapple with his pet snail, Gary, loves his job as a fry cook at the Krusty Krab and has a knack of getting into trouble without realy trying.
When he's not getting on his cranky neighbor Squidward's nerves, SpongeBob's usually smack in the middle of a strange situation with his best starfish buddy, Patrick, or his thrill seeking squirrel pal, Sandy Cheeks.
Weekdays from Monday 12 February @ 10am - 4pm

AVATAR: THE LEGEND OF AANG
Tune in for brand new episodes of Avatar: The Legend of Aang this February, exclusively on the brand new look Nicktoons channel.
Water. Earth. Fire. Air. Only the Avatar was the master of all four elements. Only he could stop the ruthless Fire Nation from conquering the world. But when the world needed him most, he disappeared.
Until now .... On the South Pole, a lone Water Tribe village struggles to survive. It's here that a young Waterbender named Katara and her warrior brother Sokka rescue a strange boy named Aang from a cavernous iceberg.
Not only is Aang an Airbender - a race of people no one has seen in a century - but they soon discover that Aang is also the long lost Avatar. Now it's up to Katara and Sokka to make sure Aang faces his destiny to save the tribe - and himself. Did we mention he's only 12?
Weekdays from Monday 12 February @ 4pm and 7pm

You can also check out www.nicktoons.co.uk

NICK JR

Highlights on Nick Jr.

BUBBLE AND SQUEAK Bubble and Squeak is a brand new original UK show from Nick Jr. It introduces Bubble the wizard and Squeak the frog in a magical pre-school cookery series!
Bubble and Squeak live inside a giant carrot rocket with their friends Matilda the magical book and Muffet the spider. Every day they make "foody magic" by whisking up delicious treats.
Whenever there is a problem - perhaps Squeak has the hiccups, Bubble's afraid of the dark or the carrot rocket's sprung a leak - Bubble tries to help with one of his "trusty" magic spells. He swishes his magic whisk and says the magic words, but they always end up going wrong!
Instead, it's down to Matilda, a wise and wonderful talking book, to tell a fantastic story to inspire our friends to find a solution to the dilemma of the day. Bubble stirs up his magic cauldron to produce a recipe featuring today's magic ingredient - which could be anything from rice to strawberries, butter or onions - and Squeak takes us to visit some children and find out some magical "foody facts" about the ingredient of the day.
After singing their favourite sing-along song "The Magic of Food" Bubble and Squeak head back to the carrot rocket to cook. The ingredients go into the cauldron, which bubbles and boils and reveals the recipe. Once it's finished. it's time to clean up and tuck in.
Join in the foody fun and magical special effects with Nick Jr's Bubble and Squeak, the brand new show that makes food interesting for curious little minds.
Every day @ 12.30pm and 3pm

WOW! WOW! WUBBZY!
Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! is an animated series starring a curious little crooked-tailed creature named Wubbzy, who lives in the mythical city of Wuzzleburg. This little guy lives with his two pals, Widget and Walden, in a whimsical place where everything is just a little bit different from our world.
Wubbzy likes to have fun and spend his time chasing flutterflies, eating ice cream and playing hippity-hopscotch. Like any youngster, he sometimes runs into problems and when he does he calls on his best friends for help and advice.
Pink-skinned Widget is a mechanical whiz who owns a fix-it shop and is always ready to lend a hand. Her solution to any problem is to build something big and complicated, but her inventions don't walways work!
Bespectacled Walden is a quirky scientist who finds great wisdom in everything from ancient philosophy to tarot card reading. He has a unique way of looking at the world, but his brainy approach doesn't always produce practical results.
However, together this colourful trio can face any challenge with the best resource they've got: friendship! Wow!
Every day @ 8am and 4.30pm

You can also join in at www.nickjr.co.uk

Additional highlights include brand new episodes of Drake and Josh on Nickelodeon UK and brand new episodes of LazyTown on the Nick Jr. Channel during the February half-term.

Nickelodeon Announces Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards UK

According to Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards 2007 Press Website, Nickelodeon UK will be hosting a localised UK version of the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards' for the first time later this year.

Nickelodeon's 7th Annual Kids' Choice Awards was the first to air internationally in 1994 on Nickelodeon's channel in the UK and now, more than a decade later, the US show is seen in more than 205 million households across Nickelodeon's 34 channels in the UK, Europe, Russia, Israel, Asia, Australia, Latin America and Brazil. Since premiering the first KCAs in the US in 1987, Nickelodeon has launched eight fully localized versions around the globe starting with Meus Premios Brasil in 2000 and Mis Premios Nick Mexico in 2003. Annual events now also take place in Sweden, Holland, Italy, China and Australia.

The franchise's 20th year will see the debut of two new Kids' Choice Awards in the biggest television markets in Europe. For the first time ever, Nickelodeon UK is bringing the Kids' Choice Awards to the UK later this year. The UK event will be produced by Nickelodeon UK, together with the team behind MTV's European Music Awards. The UK event date and all-star lineup will be announced this spring. Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards Germany will take place in fall 2007.

Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2007 Host/Nominees Press Release

From www.NickKCApress.com:

Justin Timberlake to Host Nickelodeon's Milestone 20th Anniversary Kids' Choice Awards Breaking the Slime Barrier Live from Los Angeles on Saturday, March 31

Will Smith, Johnny Depp, Beyonce, Jack Black, Halle Berry, Julia Roberts, Emma Roberts, Drake Bell, Bruce Willis, Queen Latifah, Miley Cyrus, Dakota Fanning and Many More Grab Nominations

Los Angeles, Calif. - February 5, 2007 - Singer/actor/two-time Best Burp Award winner and 2007 Nickelodeon's Kids Choice Awards nominee Justin Timberlake will host Nickelodeon's 20th Annual Kids' Choice Awards, Saturday, March 31 (8-9:30 p.m. ET/PT), when kids honor their favorites from the worlds of film, music, sports and television in a star-studded live, milestone telecast (tape delayed for West Coast) from UCLA's Pauley Pavilion. Nickelodeon's no-holds-barred kudos/mess-fest will mark two decades monumentally by breaking the slime barrier. True to tradition, kids will rule and stars will rejoice with them.

"We're celebrating Kids' Choice's 20th anniversary in record-breaking Nickelodeon style, which means this will be the biggest, loudest, messiest spectacle in the show's history, and Justin Timberlake is just the superstar to lead the fun," said Marjorie Cohn, Executive Vice President, Development and Original Programming, Nickelodeon and an Executive Producer for the award show. "Justin is a big kid at heart, and kids love that about him. He's a Kids' Choice Award winner, presenter, performer and slime recipient. Best of all, he's a great sport who's always game for anything."

"I'm revving up to have an even bigger blast than usual at Nickelodeon's 20th Kids' Choice Awards, and I'm thrilled and proud to be hosting the 20th anniversary show," said Timberlake, who has won three Kids' Choice Blimp Awards: Favorite Musical Group ('N Sync - 1999) and Best Burp - 2003 & 2006. "There's nothing like Kids' Choice for 'un-adult-erated' fun. While honoring kids' opinions, it taps into the kid in all of us."

This year's list abounds with dual nods. Treasured noms went to Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest for Favorite Movie and its star, Johnny Depp for Favorite Male Movie Star. Ice Age: The Meltdown got a solid pair for Favorite Animated Movie and Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie (Queen Latifah as Ellie the Wooly Mammoth), as did animated flick Over the Hedge and Bruce Willis (voice of RJ the Raccoon). Drake & Josh and The Suite Life of Zack and Cody and their respective stars Drake Bell and Cole Sprouse made the list for Favorite TV Show and Favorite Male TV Star.

Beyonce picked up two nominations for Favorite Female Singer and Favorite Song (Irreplaceable). SpongeBob SquarePants absorbed two for Favorite Cartoon and Favorite Video Game (SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab). This year's and last year's Kids' Choice hosts with the most, Justin Timberlake and Jack Black, nabbed nominations respectively for Favorite Singer and Favorite Movie Actor. Charlotte's Web wove a nomination for Dakota Fanning as Favorite Female Movie Star, and Julia Roberts got one for Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie (The Ant Bully).

The nominees for Nickelodeon's 20th Annual Kids' Choice Awards are:

MOVIES:

Favorite Movie
Big Momma's House 2
Click
The Night at the Museum
The Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

Favorite Male Movie Star
Jack Black
Johnny Depp
Adam Sandler
Will Smith

Favorite Animated Movie
Cars
Happy Feet
Ice Age: The Meltdown
Over the Hedge

Favorite Female Movie Star
Halle Berry
Dakota Fanning
Keira Knightly
Sarah Jessica Parker

Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie
Ashton Kutcher/Open Season
Queen Latifah/Ice Age: The Meltdown
Julia Roberts/The Ant Bully
Bruce Willis/Over the Hedge

MUSIC:

Favorite Song
Bad Day (Daniel Powter)
Crazy (Gnarls Barkley)
Hips Don't Lie (Shakira, feat. Wyclef Jean)
Irreplaceable (Beyonce)

Favorite Male Singer
Chris Brown
Jesse McCartney
Sean Paul
Justin Timberlake

Favorite Music Group
Black Eyed Peas
Fall Out Boy
Nickelback
Red Hot Chili Peppers

Favorite Female Singer
Christina Aguilera
Beyonce
Ciara
Jessica Simpson

TELEVISION:

Favorite TV Show
American Idol
Drake & Josh
Fear Factor
The Suite Life of Zack and Cody

Favorite Television Actress
Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana
Emma Roberts/Unfabulous
Jamie Lynn Spears/Zoey 101
Raven-Symone/That's So Raven

Favorite Television Actor
Drake Bell/Drake & Josh
Jason Lee/My Name is Earl
Charlie Sheen/Two and a Half Men
Cole Sprouse/The Suite Life of Zack and Cody

Favorite Cartoon
The Fairly OddParents
Jimmy Neutron
The Simpsons
SpongeBob SquarePants

SPORTS:

Favorite Athlete
LeBron James
Shaquille O'Neal
Alex Rodriguez
Tiger Woods

OTHER CATEGORIES:

Favorite Video Game
Madden NFL 07
Mario Kart
New Super Mario Bros.
SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab

Favorite Book
Harry Potter (series)
How to Eat Fried Worms
Island of the Blue Dolphins
A Series of Unfortunate Events (series)

Kids will be able to vote in advance in a total of 16 categories. Surprise awards also will be announced during the show. Voting begins online March 5 on Nick.com. Kids also will be able to vote via their cell phones. Beginning Sunday, March 11 in TEENick with the Kids' Choice Awards nominee a different category will be featured on-air each week, and kids can then cast their vote online at Nick.com.

Leading up to the award show, TurboNick, Nickelodeon's broadband video service on Nick.com, will feature a Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards playlist, along with various clips from past awards shows and current promotions for the 20th Annual Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards. Mini-site features of the KCA 2007 area in TurboNick will include KCA clips, quizzes, games, mash-ups and more. On the night of the live show, TurboNick will serve as the interactive broadband home base for all things Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards and will give kids an insider's look at the entire live event: on the orange carpet, backstage and at the after party. Exclusive backstage webcams will give kids control of what they want to see. Free promotional Podcasts will be available on Nick.com for various media players. These Podcasts also will be available on the iTunes Music Store (www.itunes.com) as free downloads to iPods.

In addition to the ever-popular Kids' Choice Awards nominee special, Nickelodeon will be celebrating the 20th year of the Awards with a special retrospective called "Deep inside the KCAs" in TEENick on Sunday, March 18, hosted by Emma Roberts (Unfabulous). Both specials will be a part of Comcast's expanded VOD package for March. Nickelodeon also will join forces with Comcast's broadband platform Comcast.net to feature the Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards nominee special running on the FanTM (Comcast's multimedia broadband player on its consumer portal, Comcast.net).

Nickelodeon's 7th Annual Kids' Choice Awards was the first to air internationally in 1994 on Nickelodeon's channel in the UK and now, more than a decade later, the US show is seen in more than 205 million households across Nickelodeon's 34 channels in the UK, Europe, Russia, Israel, Asia, Australia, Latin America and Brazil. Since premiering the first KCAs in the US in 1987, Nickelodeon has launched eight fully localized versions around the globe starting with Meus Premios Brasil in 2000 and Mis Premios Nick Mexico in 2003. Annual events now also take place in Sweden, Holland, Italy, China and Australia.

The franchise's 20th year will see the debut of two new Kids' Choice Awards in the biggest television markets in Europe. For the first time ever, Nickelodeon UK is bringing the Kids' Choice Awards to the UK later this year. The UK event will be produced by Nickelodeon UK, together with the team behind MTV's European Music Awards. The UK event date and all-star lineup will be announced this spring. Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards Germany will take place in fall 2007.

The official Kids' Choice Awards - Volume 3 CD will be released on March 1 and will be available exclusively at Walmart locations. The CD is a compilation of recent hit songs selected by kids from a who's who of popular artists.

Nickelodeon's 20th Annual Kids' Choice Awards is being produced by Nickelodeon Productions in association with Bob Bain Productions. Bob Bain, Mike Burg and Marjorie Cohn are executive producers. Paula Kaplan is co-executive producer. Media outlets can reference the most up-to-date information on Nickelodeon's 20th Annual Kids' Choice Awards by logging onto www.NickKCApress.com.

Multi-platinum recording artist and two-time Grammy Award winner Timberlake (2004 Best Pop Vocal Album, Justified; 2004 Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, Cry Me a River) came to fame and teen idol status as the frontman of pop band 'N Sync (1995-2002). Proving its immense popularity with even younger fans, the phenomenal band clinched a Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Award as Favorite Musical Group in 1999.

The following year, its No Strings Attached album became the fastest-selling of all time. In 2002, Timberlake launched a solo career and debuted with the hit song Like I Love You before releasing his solo album Justified, which sold over seven million copies worldwide. As a solo artist, he collaborated with the Black Eyed Peas on Where Is the Love? which received a Grammy nomination. His second solo album, FutureSex/LoveSounds, released last year, debuted at number-one on the Billboard chart with the hit singles SexyBack featuring Timbaland — which has sold over 4 million copies worldwide — and My Love featuring T.I. Timberlake's acting career has blossomed of late as well. He stars in the current release Alpha Dog, will appear in the upcoming release Black Snake Moan and Southland Tales and voices a young King Arthur in the upcoming Shrek the Third.

About Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon, in its 27th 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, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in almost 92 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for almost 12 consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B).

NickToons leads as top cartoon channel

According to Digital Spy, ratings figures released by BARB show that NickToons has taken the lead as the UK's number one cartoon channel.

NickToons leads as top cartoon channel

Figures released by BARB show that NickToons has taken the lead as the UK's number one cartoon channel over the last five months, beating its rivals.

At the end of January 2007, NickToons was 35% ahead of its nearest competitor, showing a massive leap in viewers since the previous year, when it was 34% behind.

Launched in July 2002, the Nickelodeon-owned channel shows only animation, including Fairly Odd Parents and Avatar, and is home to SpongeBob Square Pants, which reached 9 million people in 2006.

NickToons' December ratings were boosted in part by a games promotion called "Turkey Revolt”, organised by London-based Mainframe productions, which appeared between shows throughout Christmas. It featured animated turkeys who believed that NickToons characters like SpongeBob and the Fairly Odd family were their leaders. Kids could play along with the turkeys online and win prizes.

The channel saw ratings rise to 67% more than its next competitor during the Christmas 2006 school holiday, and reached 1.6 million people.

Earlier this week, NickToons confirmed it has commissioned 52 episodes of an animated series Viva Piñata which is inspired by the XBox 360 game. The series is about a group of piñatas - the traditionally Mexican sweet-filled paper mache animals that are hit with a stick at parties by blindfolded players - who live on an island.

Nickelodeon Networks, which includes Nickelodeon and Nick Jr, remains the top commercial kids' television network in the UK, outperforming its nearest rival by 25%.