Nickelodeon UK Unveils Exclusive Video Featuring The Boy Band 'One Direction' With An Exclusive "Nickelodeon 2012 Kids' Choice Awards" Message

UPDATE - Nickelodeon UK have posted a second 'One Direction Shoutout' video clip, click here for more information!

To celebrate the UK-Irish boy band 'One Direction' performing at Nickelodeon's 25th Annual Kids' Choice Awards and Nickelodeon UK premiering the Nickelodeon 2012 Kids' Choice Awards on Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK on Sunday 1st April 2012 at 5.30pm (repeated at 6.30pm on Nick Replay UK), the official Nickelodeon UK and Ireland websites official Nickelodeon Clips webpage, Nick.co.uk/Clips, has unveiled a exclusive online streaming video which features an exclusive Kids' Choice Awards message especially for Nickelodeon UK and Ireland viewers starring the UK-Irish boy band 'One Direction' (Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson), which you can view here on the official Nickelodeon UK and Ireland website. Below is a transcript of One Direction's exclusive KCA 2012 message for viewers of Nick UK:

Niall Horan: Hey Nickelodeon fans!

Make sure you have YOUR spot on the sofa, Sunday 1st April, 5.30pm, for the biggest, slimiest, Kids' Choice Awards ever!

We can't wait!

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

The countdown is on...its nearly #KCAUK day-Sun 1st April 5.30pm! Heres a message especially for YOU from @onedirection http://ow.ly/9OceW

One Direction's Louis Tomlinson Also Confirms No Current Plans For A 'One Direction Nickelodeon TV Show'

From Digital Spy:

One Direction's Louis Tomlinson: 'We're not doing Nickelodeon TV show'

One Direction have denied any involvement in an upcoming TV show on Nickelodeon.

Singer Louis Tomlinson told US radio station In Demand that he is not "personally" keen on a television career alongside his music commitments.

Responding to the rumours, he said: "I think there must have been some misunderstanding.

"We are doing the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards, but as far as a TV show goes we haven't sat down and had that conversation."

Nickelodeon posted on Twitter earlier this month that the Up All Night group are involved in a "development project".

Tomlinson later admitted: "To be honest, if it was up to me personally; I just want to focus on the music for now."

However, bandmate Niall Horan was quick to add: "Nickelodeon have been amazing to us. They have helped us out so much while we've been here."

The 'What Makes You Beautiful' boyband are to guest star in Miranda Cosgrove's iCarly on the network.

Watch One Direction's 'Gotta Be You' music video [here on the official Digital Spy website, DigitalSpy.co.uk]

Also, from Contactmusic.com:

One Direction For 'The Monkees' Style Nickelodeon Show?

One Direction have played down talk they are set to star in their own television show on Nickelodeon. The British boy-band, who became the first UK group to top the Billboard Albums Chart with a debut release, have been rumored to continue their rise to fame with a weekly show on the kids channel.

Of course, such a project would echo the famous show featuring The Monkees in the 1960's and 1970's, and both groups were in effect manufactured by label bosses. Simon Cowell personally handpicked the One Direction boys after they auditioned separately on his X Factor show. However, speaking on In Demand radio in the U.S, singer Louis Tomlinson cleared up where the rumors may have originated, saying, "I think there must have been some misunderstanding. We are doing the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards, but as far as a TV show goes we haven't sat down and had that conversation". The debut album Up All Night sold 179,000 copies during its first week of release in the United States to topple Bruce Springsteen at the top of the chart. When pushed on whether he and the boys would be interested in a television show, Louis said, "To be honest, if it was up to me personally; I just want to focus on the music for now".

Fresh from their chart success, One Direction have announced their first major tour in the U.S and will call at venues in Chicago, Las Vegas and New York.

Also, from Irish Central:

One Direction’s Niall Horan has a proud father cheering him on from Mullingar

One Direction finds huge success in the US

Bobby Horan, father of the Mullingar native and One Direction heartthrob Niall Horan, is nothing but proud of his son and his bandmates’ recent unprecedented success in the US. Bobby does, however, worry of the “bubble bursting” on the lads’ quick rise to fame.

Speaking with the Irish Sun, Bobby Horan said "The only thing I am worried about is hopefully there will be a long period at the top. The comedown from that I am a little bit worried about. It's always in the back of your mind — you are up there on a high and it's a big drop after that."

Just last week, One Direction made music history by becoming the first ever UK group to debut at number one on the US music charts. They beat out the likes of The Beatles and The Spice Girls by claiming the prized recognition.

Bobby Horan went on to say that his son Niall is handling the newfound fame rather well. "Niall seems to be coping very well with everything, better than I would be anyway!,” said Bobby to radio host Ryan Tubridy. "He is absolutely buzzing. He is on a real high now.”

Bobby went on to note how Niall is mindful of keeping his friends close to him, despite rising so quickly to international fame. "He keeps his friends close to him and he rings them and he brings them over to England when he's there. That's very important to me. I'm delighted he is keeping his friends close to him."

Though proud of his son, Bobby Horan not surprisingly misses having Niall around at home in Mullingar. "He came home at Christmas for six days and on and off you might get him. He's happy with what he's doing and we are happy that he's happy."

Speaking with American radio host Ryan Seacrest, Niall Horan noted one moment when he was overwhelmed by fans’ reactions. "The craziest thing that's happened was when we arrived in France. There was loads of thousands of people waiting for us at the train station, and we weren't expecting it. It was mad!"

Along with landing at the top spot on the US music charts last week, One Direction became hotly embroiled with rumors that Nickelodeon had the signed the group on for a new television show.

However, Niall’s bandmate Liam Payne insisted there is no deal: "Funnily enough I think there must have been some misunderstanding. We are doing the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, but as far as a TV show goes we haven't sat down and had that conversation.”

Much to the relief of many ‘Directioners,’ the intense fan base of One Direction, who had quickly taken to Twitter in the wake of the announcement to express their dissatisfaction with the boys heading to Nickelodeon.

Niall added that "It's nothing that I know about. There's no sign of a TV show in the pipeline. Nickelodeon have been amazing to us. They have helped us out so much while we've been here, and we're performing on the Kids' Choice Awards with Katy Perry."

Also, from The Hot Hits:

Ed Sheeran Gives Harry Styles A Tattoo?

Ed Sheeran and Harry Styles have taken their bromance to another level, after Ed gave Harry a tattoo!

OK so we don't know if Ed actually left any kind of permanent mark on Harry's skin. But the pair visited top UK tattoo artist Kevin Paul Tattoo so that Harry could get some new ink on his collarbone.

Which member of One Direction would win The Hunger Games?

Kevin tweeted, "@Harry_Styles just got inked"

We don't know what he actually got, but apparently he is aiming for a half sleeve. Which doesn't really fit with the Nickelodeon image One Direction's management has been aiming for.

"His new tattoos top secret at the moment but we're going to be doing a half sleeve in the next couple weeks," Kevin tweeted.

And then Kevin posted a picture on Instagram of Ed apparently giving Harry a tattoo. Hope it's some kind of secret friendship sign!

Kevin wrote, "Then Ed tattooed Harry".

What do you think the new tattoo is of?

Click here to view photographs of Ed Sheeran giving Harry Styles a tattoo.

Nickelodeon Pan-Africa Picks Up The Rights To The Canadian Tween Sitcom "Life With Boys"

From Kidscreen:

Classic Media signs TV deals in Middle East and Africa

London, UK-based Classic Media has inked multiple broadcasting deals throughout the Middle East and Africa for more than 225 hours of kids programming including series Tinga Tinga Tales, Life with Boys, Guess with Jess and Postman Pat.

SABC (South Africa), Citizen TV (Kenya) and Multimesh (Ghana) have snapped up preschool series Tinga Tinga Tales, Nickelodeon (Pan-Africa), and Noga (Israel) have acquired tween-targeting Life with Boys, and sales of preschool series Guess with Jess have been made to ATV's kids' channel Minika (Turkey), and Kazakhstan TV's children's channel Balapan.

Integral (Middle East) has acquired VOD rights for Guess with Jess and has also picked up Postman Pat (series three to eight) and faith-based series 3-2-1 Penguins.

The deals follow on the heels of recent sales by Classic Media to European broadcasters for Tinga Tinga Tales, Guess with Jess, and Postman Pat.

Also, from C21Media:

EMEA networks land Classic content

Channels in Africa, Israel, Turkey and Kazakhstan have acquired more than 225 hours of content from New York-based kids’ firm Classic Media.

African-themed preschool series Tinga Tinga Tales will be shown on Channel SABC (South Africa), Multimesh (Ghana) and Citizen TV (Kenya). The toon is produced in the latter by Tiger Aspect and Nairobi-based indie Homeboyz.

Meanwhile, Nickelodeon Africa has secured the tween-skewing Life With Boys (26x30′), having previously shown the toon on its channels in Europe, US and Canada. Noga in Israel has also signed up for the show, which follows the tribulations of a girl who lives with her single dad and three brothers.

Preschool Postman Pat spin-off series Guess with Jess will go to Turkey’s ATV-owned children’s channel Minika and Kazakhstan TV’s kids-skewing Balapan.

The deals come as Classic Media continues to expand its library of toons. This week Classic secured the rights to preschool brand Olivia from Chorion, having also purchased Noddy from it earlier this month.

Nico Franks
22-03-2012
©C21Media

"Power Rangers Samurai" Achieving High TV Ratings For Nickelodeon UK

From Kidscreen:

Lionsgate acquires distribution rights to Power Rangers Samurai

Indie film entertainment studio Lionsgate has secured a multi-year licensing deal with Saban Brands for the North American home entertainment distribution rights to hit kids action series Power Rangers Samurai.

Under the deal, Lionsgate obtains all DVD, Blu-ray, and multiple digital rights for Saban’s TV series' Power Rangers Samurai and Power Rangers Super Samurai, as well as distribution rights to two Power Rangers Christmas and Halloween specials, and a Power Rangers movie special.

The deal will also see the DVD and digital download premieres of Power Rangers Samurai: The Team Unites and Power Rangers Samurai: A New Enemy on June 19 this year, further expanding Lionsgate's DVD library which includes HIT's Thomas & Friends, and MGA's Lalaloopsy.

Power Rangers Samurai debuted on Nickelodeon US in February, 2011, has achieved high ratings in both UK and Mexican markets, and Saban Brands has more than 100 licensees tied to its growing consumer products program.

Former Olympian Denise Lewis OBE To Co-Present Nickelodeon UK's "Camp Orange 2012"; To Be Shown On Nickelodeon UK During August 2012

According to this Nickelodeon UK news article on Digital Spy UK, the former Olympian Denise Lewis OBE will also be returning alongside Nickelodeon UK presenters Anna Williamson and Jamie Rickers to co-present the brand new second series of Nickelodeon UK's adventure reality television show for best friends, "Camp Orange", possibly to be the role of "Camp Mentor" for the "Camp Orange" teams. The Nickelodeon UK news article also reveals that Nickelodeon UK will be premiering and showing "Camp Orange 2012" during August 2012 as part "Summer on Nickelodeon 2012":

Nickelodeon 'Camp Orange' holds auditions for second series

The UK version of hit Australian children's show Camp Orange has been given a new series on Nickelodeon and is looking for new contestants.

The show features pairs of friends going head to head in a variety of gunge-based challenges, recorded in a secret location in the UK. The series is hosted by former Toonattik presenters Anna Williamson and Jamie Rickers, accompanied by former Olympian Denise Lewis.

After five weeks of competing in "the slimiest, grubbiest and smelliest series of challenges", one team will be crowned "Champ Orange" in a public vote.

Last year's winners received a luxury trip on the Norwegian Epic Nickelodeon Cruise around the Mediterranean alongside a lineup of Nickelodeon stars.

"Inviting British kids to be involved in a Nickelodeon series is always fantastic but Camp Orange is such a celebration of friendship, achievement and enjoying the outdoors, that it feels extra special to be giving our audience the chance to be a part of it," said Nickelodeon UK managing director Tina McCann.

"Along with being physically and mentally tested, the teams that are selected for Camp Orange are set to have a lot of fun with the new challenges and fantastic prizes that are part of the second season."

Children aged 11-14 should visit the Nickelodeon website for entry details and to submit their audition videos.

The show is into its seventh series in Australia and will return in the UK in August.

Angry Birds Soar To Nickelodeon UK In An Exclusive Short Film, "Angry Birds in Space," Premiering Friday 23rd March 2012 At 6pm

Below is a Nickelodeon UK and Ireland press release announcing the Nickelodeon UK news that Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK will be premiering and showing the latest brand new animated "Angry Birds" short movie called "Angry Birds in Space" on Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK on Friday 23rd March 2012 at 6:00pm (repeated at 7.00pm on Nickelodeon UK's plus one (+1) timeshift channel Nick Replay UK) from GamesPress via Gamasutra:

ANGRY BIRDS SOAR TO NICKELODEON IN AN EXCLUSIVE SHORT FILM, "ANGRY BIRDS SPACE," PREMIERING FRIDAY 23RD MARCH AT 6 P.M.

[This unedited Nickelodeon UK press release is made available courtesy of Gamasutra and its partnership with notable game PR-related resource GamesPress.]

London, 22nd March, 2012 - An all-new exclusive Angry Birds short film, “Angry Birds Space” lands on Nickelodeon on Friday 23 rd March at 6 p.m.

"Angry Birds Space" is a global exclusive to Nickelodeon and will also reveal six brand-new birds.

This animated short tells the story of how the Angry Birds end up in space. It begins on a day much like any other, but suddenly a cosmic vortex appears and brings visitors from another galaxy with some unfriendly intentions. This means the heroic birds have to slingshot themselves into a new adventure - space.

Angry Birds are the most downloaded games ever, with over 700M downloads in the two years since they launched. The Angry Birds Space game will be available worldwide on from today.

About Nickelodeon UK

Nickelodeon is the top performing commercial kids TV network in the UK. Launched in 1993, it comprises seven dedicated award-winning entertainment channels for kids aged 2-12: Nickelodeon, Nickelodeon HD, Nick Replay, Nicktoons, Nicktoons Replay, Nick Jr., and Nick Jr. 2.

The Nickelodeon network now reaches more than 10 million viewers a month and is available in 12.7 million cable and satellite homes.

The company has built a diverse multi-platform business by putting kids first in everything it does and includes critically acclaimed and hugely popular television programming and production in the United Kingdom and around the world, plus consumer products, online, events, recreation and feature films.

Nickelodeon is available on Sky 604, Virgin 712 and TalkTalk 315 nick.co.uk

Also, from Digital Spy:

'Angry Birds Space' cartoon to air on Nickelodeon

A new short film of Angry Birds Space is to air on Nickelodeon tomorrow, as Rovio launches its biggest ever integrated campaign for the blockbuster game.

Angry Birds Space today became available to download for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Android devices, as well as Mac and PC. A retail copy of the game for PC will follow shortly.

The game marks the first integrated entertainment launch for Finnish firm Rovio, including accompanying Angry Birds Space merchandise, animation and books.

This also includes an Angry Birds Space cartoon airing exclusively on Nickelodeon on March 23 at 6pm, revealing six brand new birds in the series.

The animated short tells the story of how the Angry Birds ended up in space, after a cosmic vortex appears and sucks them into another galaxy. The feathered heroes then have to "slingshot themselves into a new adventure - space".

Since Angry Birds debuted on Apple's iOS devices in December 2009, it has become the most popular mobile game ever, racking up 700m downloads in its first two years alone.

The game is available to play for free supported by adverts, but around 25% of downloads are understood to be for the paid, advert-free versions on smartphones and tablets. Angry Birds remains one of the most popular paid apps in the iTunes App Store.

The success of Angry Birds has transformed Rovio Entertainment into a powerhouse in mobile gaming, helping the firm raise $42m in venture capital funding last March from Accel Partners, Atomico and Felicis Ventures.

Rovio has also been successful in developing Angry Birds into a successful brand, tapping into the lucrative markets for merchandising and licensing, including cuddly toys, branded goods and entertainment spinoffs.

The company announced yesterday that various Angry Birds-themed parks will be built around the world over the next year.

Rovio has teamed up with playground equipment maker Lappset Group to create the activity parks, which will feature interactive content and "exclusive" downloads.

The first Angry Birds park will be constructed in Finland this summer, with UK sites to follow.