Nick Jr. Channel USA Welcomes CGI Animated Series "Mike the Knight"

From Animation Insider:

Nickelodeon Welcomes CG Series 'Mike the Knight'

'Mike the Knight' Animation in the U.S.

UK-based HIT Entertainment's producers were perhaps preoccupied this past week due to the organization's long-pending acquisition by U.S. toy outfit Mattel, Inc.; however, the kid's media group had assuredly looked forward to this today's premiere of Mike the Knight on Nick Jr. A co-production of HIT Entertainment and Nelvana Studios, Mike the Knight is a CG preschool program about a medieval knight-in-training (Mike) and his journeys throughout the land. Mike is a novice, but he has plenty of determination to carry him through the most difficult of challenges.

Mike the Knight launched last autumn, airing across the UK [CBeebies], Canada [Treehouse], and France [TF1]. Now the series comes to the United States, to Nickelodeon, where its first full week of new episodes is scheduled to begin Monday, February 6, 2012 (12:00n). Mike is the son of the King and Queen of Glendragon. The boy aspires to be a great knight, traveling the world and helping people in need (much like his father). However, a knight requires many things: a good horse, close friends, and plenty of training. Mike is working hard at each of these with the belief that a hearty adventure could be right around the corner.

"Mike the Knight will take preschoolers on a journey of discovery through a medieval world filled with dynamic characters and imaginative stories," Teri Weiss, Senior Vice President, Nickelodeon Preschool, stated. "The series will inspire and empower preschoolers to always try their best, continuously grow, and work hard to accomplish their goals."

The CG series' previously published curriculum goals included self-discovery, personal responsibility, being a good citizen, and everything else that falls under little Mike's personal credo: "Be a knight, do it right."

The animation currently has thirty licenses under its belt, including recently inked contracts with Egmont Publishing and Publications International for annuals and sound books, respectively, retailing to the UK and central Europe by autumn 2012. Specific to the UK, Grosvenor (toiletries, dental items) has slated its products for December 2012, while Finsbury Foods has agreed to supply locals with branded cakes by early next year.

In Mike the Knight, the boy will do his best to tackle all the challenges normally associated with a kid knight in training: teaching his trusted steed, Galahad, how to take strides with pride; make friends with dragons and trolls of all sorts; learning how to be patient and careful when following a map; and of course, knowing how to rescue a princess.

Episode summaries for the premiere week of Mike the Knight on Nick Jr. as are as follows:

Monday, February 6th

"Mike the Knight in the Mission Mess"/ "Mike the Knight and the Trollee in Trouble"

Mike's hasty horse riding results in the Throne Room being filled with magical earth, and he tries to hurry to clean it all up. But when that leaves Evie in trouble, Mike learns that slow and careful does the trick. / Mike thinks only knights should rescue stuck Trolls even though Evie was asked first. But when he get stuck himself, he realizes that actually helping whoever's in trouble is more important than who's doing it.

Tuesday, February 7th

"Mike the Knight and the Buried Treasure"/ "Mike the Knight and the Tale of Sir Trollee"

Mike hears about buried treasure at the end of the rainbow from Trollee and abandons his promise to help with his dragon buddy Squirt's rainbow party. But when the treasure turns out to be a turnip, he has to do it right to save Squirt's day. / Mike wants to win a tournament but he needs another knight to beat so he elects Trollee. Trollee doesn't know how to be a knight and gets upset. Mike soon learns that playing fair is more important than winning.

Wednesday, February 8th

"Mike the Knight and the Smiley Treasure"/ "Mike the Knight and Evie's Birthday Present"

Mike thinks he'll be better at guarding a bunch of bananas without his dragons' help. When the bananas go missing one by one, Mike learns that everything is easier when you accept a little help from your friends.

Elsewhere, Mike thinks the perfect birthday surprise for Evie is a knightly cake – but, trying to keep the surprise isn't as easy as he thought.

Thursday, February 9th

"Mike the Knight and the Fluttering Favor"/ "Mike the Knight and the Tricky Trail"

Mike and Evie compete to win the Queen's favor. They try to outdo each other with doing good deeds for the Blacksmith, but end up just ruining things for him. It turns out that working together is a much better way to win. / Mike is so keen to show off his tracking skills that he rushes ahead impetuously and, scoffing at the trail his dragon friend Sparkie thinks he's found, gets everyone lost. Mike has to learn that a big part of tracking is being slow and careful.