Nickelodeon UK To Premiere Brand New "Big Time Rush" Episode "Big Time Break Up" On 17th December 2011

According to the official Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK websites "What's On" schedule section for Nickelodeon UK's schedule for Saturday 17th December 2011, the third brand new episode of the hit Nickelodeon show "Big Time Rush" that Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon UK HD will be premiering and airing in December 2011 will be the brand new "Big Time Rush" episode "Big Time Break Up", which Nick UK will broadcast on Nick UK and Ireland and Nick HD UK on Saturday 17th December 2011 and Sunday 18th December 2011 at 5.30pm (6.30pm on Nick Replay UK):

5:30pm New Big Time Rush Big Time Break Up: Kendall and Jo confront their relationship when she lands a role in a movie blockbuster. James dates a singer in record time, while Logan tries to get Carlos to give up his helmet.

Below is a streaming video featuring Nickelodeon UK's new "There's nothing like you're first love" BTR trailer/promo to advertise the premiere of the brand new "Big Time Rush" special episode called "Big Time Break Up" on Nick UK and Ireland and Nick HD UK on Saturday 17th December 2011 at 5.30pm (repeated at 6.30pm on Nick Replay UK and on Nick UK on Sunday 18th December 2011 at 5.30pm and on Nick Replay UK at 6.30pm):



Also, posted by Nickelodeon UK and Ireland on their official Twitter profile page (@NickelodeonUK):

#Rushers... who's excited for brand new @BigTimeRush tomorrow?! As if there we need another reason to look forward to no-more-school wkend!!

Victoria Justice, Justin Bieber And Jennifer Hudson Carolling With The Obamas

From SugarScape:

Justin Bieber, Victoria Justice & Jennifer Hudson carolling with the Obamas

We expected some more Rudolph jumpers if we're honest

Justin Bieber, Jennifer Hudson and Victoria Justice were just some of the stars invited to The White House so sing with the Obamas for the annual Christmas In Washington event.

They all glammed up for the festive fun, with Biebs in a JLS-X Factor-esque white suit, Victoria in s sleek red gown and Jennifer in a classy cappuccino coloured frock.

"Nothing is as nerve-wracking as performing for the President," Bieber told The Washington Post at the event.

The show will air on American television [US TV] this Friday. Click [here to view exclusive photographs featuring Nickelodeon and "Victorious" star Victoria Justice at the annual Christmas In Washington event on the official SugarScape website].

Also, from Music News:

Justin Bieber sings for Obama

Justin Bieber says US President Barack Obama is 'one cool Prez'.

The singer performed his festive hit Mistletoe at the 30th annual Christmas in Washington concert on Sunday.

This was the second time Justin has appeared at the event, which is held in front of the entire presidential family including President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and their daughters Sasha and Malia.

The first time was in 2009, when President Obama famously mispronounced the star's name.

However, the 17-year-old had a wonderful time this year and took to his Twitter account to share his excitement.

'Great night!' he wrote. 'President Obama is one cool Prez. He told me he was 'chillin,' (sic).'

Conan O'Brien was on hand to host the event at the National Building Museum.

Justin was joined by acts including Cee Lo Green, Jennifer Hudson, The Band Perry and Nickelodeon star Victoria Justice who took turns singing holiday classics and some new hits.

Cee Lo opened the show with his own renditions of This Christmas and Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

But Jennifer stole the evening with her performance of Do You Hear What I Hear with the help of the American Family Choir. She was thrilled to be singing for the president once again.

"I don't know how many times I've sung for the president, but every time feels like the first time," she told USA Today.

To end the evening, Obama and his family gathered on stage with the artists to sing the carol Hark! the Herald Angels Sing.

The holiday concert special which supports the Children's National Medical Center will air on Friday on TNT.

Also, a bit more from Music News:

Jennifer Hudson 'pumped' over performance

Jennifer Hudson has been spotted 'pumping her fist' in approval while watching one of her own performances.

The American singer took to the stage at the Christmas in Washington show on Sunday. The event is staged annually to celebrate the festive season, with US President Barack Obama and his family in attendance this year.

It was taped to be aired on television later this week and Jennifer got into the spirit of things while watching it back on a recent flight.

'She was sitting with her assistant and watching her own performance [on a laptop],' a source told New York Post. 'They both kept clapping, and Jennifer pumped her fist.'

Jennifer headlined the show, with Justin Bieber also performing.

At the event she admitted she was nervous about singing in front of the president but felt honoured to be asked to take part in Christmas in Washington.

She explained she's 'lost count' of the number of times she's taken to the stage in front of the Obama family. 'But every time feels like the first time, and I get anxious,' she added. 'I always watch this at home on the TV and [I'm] like, 'Why aren't I there?''

This year's show was the 30th anniversary of the event, which sees stars sing for the presidential family. Acts including Cee Lo Green, The Band Perry and Nickelodeon star Victoria Justice also took part, with 17-year-old Justin thrilled to be involved.

'Great night!' he wrote on Twitter afterwards. 'President Obama is one cool Prez. He told me he was 'chillin,' (sic).'

Nick Jr. Australia And New Zealand Buys "Olive The Ostrich"

From MuMbrella:

Nick Jr. buys Olive the Ostrich

Nick Jr. Australia and New Zealand has bought animated preschool series Olive the Ostrich through Distribution360. The series, 52x five minute episodes is produced by UK-based Blue-Zoo production house and is narrated by Rolf Harris.

The announcement:

Distribution360 sells Olive the Ostrich to Nick Jr. in Australia and New Zealand

Toronto, Ontario (December 12, 2011)—Distribution360 has announced the sale of Blue-Zoo’s hit animated preschool series Olive the Ostrich (52 x 5’ episodes) to Nick Jr. in Australia and New Zealand, set to launch in early 2012. The series, narrated by Australian-born entertainer Rolf Harris, has been receiving stellar ratings since its September launch on Nick Jr. in the UK. Olive the Ostrich is owned and produced by Blue-Zoo.

Olive the Ostrich is a CGI animated series for kids about a young ostrich named Olive who goes on fun adventures to all sorts of amazing imaginary places. Animators bring to life real pictures drawn and submitted by children, which are then integrated into the TV show. Inquisitive and enthusiastic, Olive loves to solve problems and help people whenever she can. She’ll try anything once, which can get her into trouble, but always finds fun and inventive ways of getting herself out of it.

“Olive became an instant hit with preschoolers in the UK, and we’re excited to be working with our partners at Blue-Zoo to share this series with markets internationally,” says Stéphanie Röckmann-Portier, Head of Sales, Distribution360. “We’re looking forward to delighting Australian and New Zealand audiences with Olive’s curiosity as she embarks on all sorts of fun adventures.”

“We’re thrilled to add Olive the Ostrich to our Nick Jr. programming line-up for 2012,” says Hugh Baldwin, Director of Television and Digital Content for Nickelodeon Australia and New Zealand. “Rolf Harris is an Aussie icon, and there are parents out there who will have fond memories of his unique artwork and wobble-board music. Lending his distinct voice to narrate Olive adds a special dimension to the storytelling of this engaging series. We’re sure it’s going to be very well-received by both Australian and New Zealand audiences on Nick Jr.”

For more information, please visit:
www.distribution360.com
www.blue-zoo.co.uk
www.nickjr.com.au

Source: Distribution360 press release

Lime Hires For International Growth

From C21Media:

Lime hires for international growth

Lime Pictures, the All3Media prodco behind UK structured reality series The Only Way Is Essex and teen soap Hollyoaks [and hit Nickelodeon mystery drama series "House of Anubis"], has appointed a new CEO.

Lesley Douglas will join Lime from Universal Music UK, where she is currently MD of commercial media partnerships and the label’s Globe TV division.

She takes over from Carolyn Reynolds, who held the CEO position at Lime for six years but will now work on new projects for All3 while retaining a consultancy role at Lime.

Douglas oversaw the growth of Universal’s television output, which included reality series Popstar to Operastar, a coproduction with ITV Studios and Renegade for commercial broadcaster ITV1.

She will continue to work with Universal as part of a coproduction deal that will see Globe partner Lime on all its music-related content.

In turn, Lime will have a first-look deal covering all of Universal’s television productions.

Douglas will start her new job in the new year. She said of the appointment: “I have loved developing music formats with (creative director) Tony Wood and Lime over the past few years. The opportunity of working more closely still across the portfolio, while also ensuring that Universal’s programming is in safe hands, was an opportunity I simply could not turn down.

“To successfully capture the imagination of the youth market is a difficult job but Lime Pictures has the hearts and minds (as well as the remotes and browsers) of the UK’s youth audience.”

Douglas was previously controller of BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music, and was the BBC’s first controller of popular music across all platforms.

However, she resigned from the BBC in 2008 in the wake of the scandal involving comedians Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross, who left offensive messages on the voicemail of actor Andrew Sachs that were then played on Ross’s BBC Radio 2 show.

Other productions from Lime include House of Anubis, the first commission from the UK for Nickelodeon US.


Michael Pickard
12-12-2011
C21Media

Also, from Kidscreen:

Lesley Douglas named Lime Pictures CEO

Youth media exec Lesley Douglas has been named CEO of ALL3MEDIA-owned Lime Pictures, Britain’s largest regional indie TV producer behind such series as Nickelodeon’s House of Anubis.

The former controller of BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music is currently MD of commercial media partnerships and Globe TV at Universal Music UK, where she has overseen the growth of its television output.

Starting in January, Douglas will develop new outlets and commercial deals for programming brands both in the UK and internationally. Lime Pictures currently produces a wide range of young adult, youth and children-oriented drama, comedy, music and reality content.

Her move has also helped usher in a new co-production deal between Lime and Universal Music UK Globe television. The music company is to become Lime’s exclusive co-production partner for all of Lime’s music-related productions. Lime in turn becomes Universal Music’s preferred partner for all its TV activities. Douglas will also continue to consult on Universal Music’s role as official music licensee for the London Olympics.

Carolyn Reynolds, who has been chief executive of Lime Pictures and its predecessor Mersey Television for the past six years, will work on new projects for All3Media and, for a period, will continue in a consultancy role for Lime Pictures.

Also, from Televisual:

Lesley Douglas is appointed chief exec at Lime Pictures

NewsStaff Reporter12 December 2011The indie behind The Only Way is Essex and Hollyoaks, Lime Pictures, has announced the appointment of Lesley Douglas as chief executive.

Douglas is currently managing director of Commercial Media Partnerships and Globe TV at Universal Music UK, where she has overseen the growth of its television output with programmes such as Popstar to Operastar, a co-production with ITV Studios/ Renegade.

Douglas’s role within Lime Pictures, working alongside the Creative Director Tony Wood, will be to build on the success of Lime Pictures’ programming and develop new outlets and commercial deals for their brands both in the UK and internationally.

She will move to Lime in the new year, replacing Carolyn Reynolds, who has been chief executive of the company for six years. She will work on new projects for the All3Media group and for a period will continue in a consultancy role for Lime Pictures.

Universal Music UK will continue to work closely with Douglas via a ground-breaking new co-production deal between Lime and Globe television. The UK’s leading music company is to become Lime’s exclusive co-production partner for all Lime’s music related productions. Lime in turn becomes Universal Music’s preferred partner for all its TV activities. Douglas will also continue to consult on Universal Music’s role as official music licensee for the London Olympics.

Douglas was the youngest controller of BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music, she ran the stations between 2004 and 2008, winning Sony Station of the Year award in 2005. She was also the BBC’s first controller of popular music across all platforms.

Universal Music UK chairman and ceo David Joseph says: “This is an ambitious new partnership for us and I’m delighted that we will continue to benefit from Lesley’s expertise and talent when she takes up her new role.”

Douglas said: “Working under the chairmanship of David Joseph at Universal Music has been an exciting journey which has led to the company building a substantial television and commercial partnerships business. I have loved developing music formats with Tony Wood and Lime over the last few years. The opportunity of working more closely still across the portfolio, while also ensuring that Universal's programming is in safe hands, was an opportunity I simply could not turn down.

“Carolyn Reynolds leaves a vibrant company behind. The talent within Lime is clearly something to be cherished and nurtured – few companies manage to produce high quality programming across such a diverse range of genres and channels. From the immense brand that is Hollyoaks to House of Anubis, and of course The Only Way Is Essex, Lime has shown itself to be fleet of foot and creatively brilliant. To successfully capture the imagination of the youth market is a difficult job but Lime Pictures has the hearts and minds (as well as the remotes and browsers) of the UK’s youth audience.”

Carolyn Reynolds, chief executive Lime Pictures said:
“I am immensely proud of everyone working at Lime Pictures because the success we’ve experienced in different genres is a reflection of their creativity and commitment. I’ll miss working with everyone but feel new energy is now needed to take this Company to greater heights and I know Lesley will be instrumental in making this happen. I’m delighted that my relationship with All3Media is to continue and wish everyone at Lime a successful New Year and beyond.”

Steve Morrison, chief executive of ALL3MEDIA added:
“Lesley’s experience at the helm of the UK’s most popular radio station and her knowledge of youth brands at Universal Music makes her the perfect person to build on Lime Pictures’ formidable successes. Lime Pictures has grown to become one of the UK’s most successful production companies with well-known brands such as Hollyoaks, The Only Way is Essex and House of Anubis [for Nickelodeon in the US]. None of this would have been possible without Carolyn Reynolds’s expert leadership over the past six years. Carolyn, Tony and all her talented team and staff have worked tirelessly to establish Lime Pictures as a world leader in youth programming as is evidenced by their nomination for the Best Independent Production Company 2011.

"I am delighted that Lesley Douglas is on board to contribute to the continued success of Lime Pictures and All3Media.”