Nickelodeon UK To Show The Brand New "Big Time Rush" Episode "Big Time Superheroes" On 12th May 2012

According to Nickelodeon UK's "What's On" schedule section on the official Nickelodeon UK and Ireland website, Nick.co.uk, the second brand new episode of the hit Nickelodeon live action series "Big Time Rush" that Nick UK will premiere on Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK in May 2012 will be the brand new BTR episode "Big Time Superheroes" on Saturday 12th May 2012 at 5:30pm (repeated at 6.30pm on Nickelodeon UK's plus one (+1) timeshift channel Nick Replay UK):

5:30pm Big Time Rush Big Time Superheroes: Hawk has returned and has a new evil plan to take down Big Time Rush. He plans on stealing BTR's new tracks for their second album and releasing them himself.

Guest Stars: Forrest Burnham as Zwagger, Cedric Yarbrough as Chief Lieutenant Officer, Phil LaMarr as Hawk, Daran Norris as Buddha Bob, Challen Cates as Mrs. Jennifer Knight, and David Anthony Higgins as Mr. Bitters.

Song featured: "Blow Your Speakers", "Paralyzed" (mentioned and covered by Zwagger), "Superstar" (mentioned and covered by Zwagger).

Below is a streaming video and transcript of Nickelodeon UK's brand new 'It's Big Time Rush versus Hawk in the brand new Big Time Rush episode "Big Time Superheroes"' promo/trailer, which Nickelodeon UK is currently broadcasting on-air to advertise and promote Nickelodeon UK premiering the brand new episode of the popular Nickelodeon series "Big Time Rush" on Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon UK HD on Saturday 12th May 2012 at 5:30pm:

In a brand new Big Time Rush, the second album is finished,...

[...]

...and they're set to take over the musical world!

[Gustavo Rocque [Stephen Kramer Glickman]: Nobody can stop us!]

Or can they?

Can the boys pull together to save their album?

[James Diamond, also known as 'Bandana Man' (James Maslow): Super Tastic Super Six, to the skies!

Kelly Wainwright (Tanya Chisholm): You CAN'T fly!]

It's Big Time Rush versus Hawk in Big Time Superheroes, this Saturday at 5.30, only on Nickelodeon!

Also available on Nickelodeon HD

Nick.co.uk/BigTimeRush.

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

#UKRUSHERS! Whos excited for Big Time Superheroes on Saturday 5.30? Hawk has returned and has a new evil plan to take down @BigTimeRush EEK!

And:

Its Big Time Superhero DAY! Coming atcha 5.30pm! Can u remember the first episode Hawk appeared in? Heres a photo clue http://ow.ly/i/CmAN.

MTV UK To Launch VoD Portals For Key Shows, Including For The Popular Animated Original Nickelodeon Series "SpongeBob SquarePants"

From Broadcast:

MTV to launch VoD portals for key shows

MTV is to create subscription video-on-demand portals dedicated to key shows such as Spongebob Squarepants as its MTV OD portal moves into a full launch.

The broadcaster will follow this week's launch of a South Park on-demand subscription service with further dedicated portals, with kids' TV earmarked as one area in which developments are likely.

Viacom International senior vice president of digital Philip O'Ferrall said launching subscription VoD offerings alongside existing download-to-own opportunities via stores such as iTunes had not cannibalised sales or had a negative impact on linear viewing.

“It makes sense for our iconic brands to have standalone VoD services. We have shows with more than 10 million fans across social media and we should be providing them with a dedicated experience,” he said.

O’Ferrall added that the international rollout of Nickelodeon's Spongebob Squarepants multiplayer game demonstrated the broadcaster's appetite for bespoke products around the brand.

Viacom will also extend the reach of its VoD portals onto tablets this year. “The success of the MTV News app has clearly shown people want to watch video on tablet devices,” he said.

Connected-TV developments are also on the roadmap.

The move comes as the MTV OD portal, which soft-launched 15 months ago, goes into full launch.

It offers visitors streamed access to MTV's catch-up service and archive of shows for £2 a day, or £3 a week, and recorded 250,000 paid-for views in its first six months.

It will now be heavily promoted on air for the first time and integrated more closely with the MTV website, search and social media presence.

Viacom Continuing To Expand To New Markets While Continuing To Strengthen Their Presence In Existing Ones; Nickelodeon Channels Worldwide Report Ratings Gains During Q2 2012

According to Seeking Alpha, Philippe P. Dauman, who is the President and CEO of Viacom, announced during Viacom's Fiscal Year Second Quarter 2012 Earnings Release Teleconference on Thursday 3rd May 2012 that Nickelodeon channels around the world (Nickelodeon International), including Nickelodeon UK, saw a rise in ratings during the second quarter of 2012's fiscal year, which were driven by the popular Nickelodeon shows "iCarly" and "Victorious", and that Nickelodeon UK has "a strong pipeline in the current quarter" as well:

Even as we expand to new markets, we're strengthening our presence in existing ones. We had a very strong quarter in the U.K., one of our most important markets. Ratings were up 21% at MTV U.K., thanks to Jersey Shore, which just concluded its second season as the highest-rated series ever for the channel. Comedy Central ratings are up 67%, thanks to strong U.S.-based acquired programming and our local original comedy, Threesome. Finally, Nickelodeon U.K., as well as the Nick brand in many markets around the world, saw ratings gains, driven by iCarly and Victorious, with a strong pipeline in the current quarter as well.

[...]

The second quarter also saw the return of the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards which, in its 25th year, reached 15 million total viewers [on Nickelodeon USA] and generated a record 223 million votes online, hosted by Will Smith and featuring performances by Katy Perry and One Direction, the KCA's made the leap into a truly global juggernaut this year, earning its highest ratings ever by a wide margin in key markets, including the U.K., Germany and Australia.

Nickelodeon Movies Upcoming Brand New "SpongeBob SquarePants" Movie Sequel To Be Animated Using CGI

According to Seeking Alpha, Thomas E. Dooley, who is the chief operating officer of Viacom, announced during Viacom's Fiscal Year Second Quarter 2012 Earnings Release Teleconference on Thursday 3rd May 2012 that Nickelodeon Movies and Paramount Pictures' upcoming brand new "SpongeBob SquarePants" movie, which is expected to be released in movie theater's in the USA in late (Fall (Autumn)/Winter) 2014, will be made using CGI-animation (animated using computer-generated imagery):

[...] Paramount is developing a Nickelodeon branded live-action movie based on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, which is scheduled to hit theaters in December of 2013 in conjunction with the significant consumer product initiative. In addition, the studio is working on a CGI-animated SpongeBob movie [...]

Viacom's CEO Discusses Q2 2012 Results

From Seeking Alpha:

Viacom's CEO Discusses Q2 2012 Results - Earnings Call Transcript

Presentation

Viacom (VIAB) Q2 2012 Earnings Call May 3, 2012 8:30 AM ET

Operator

Good day, everyone, and welcome to the Viacom Fiscal Year Second Quarter 2012 Earnings Release Teleconference. Today's call is being recorded. At this time, I'd like to turn the call over to the Senior Vice President of Investor Relations, Mr. Jim Bombassei. Please go ahead, sir.

James Bombassei

Good morning, everyone, and thank you for taking the time to join us for our March quarter earnings call. Joining me for today's discussion are Sumner Redstone, our Chairman; Philippe Dauman, our President and CEO; Tom Dooley, our Chief Operating Officer; and Jimmy Barge, our Chief Financial Officer.

Please note that in addition to our press release, we have slides and trending schedules containing supplemental information available on our website. I want to refer you to Page #2 in the Web presentation and remind you that certain statements made on this call are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.

These risks and uncertainties are discussed in more detail in our filings with the SEC. Reconciliations for non-GAAP financial information discussed on this call can be found in our earnings release or on our website.

Now I'll turn the call over to Sumner.

Sumner M. Redstone

Thank you, Jim. Good morning, everyone. I'm very pleased to join Philippe, Tom, Jimmy to discuss Viacom's second quarter results. Viacom turned in another strong performance continuing to drive superior profitability despite the uneven overall economy. Underlying our success is the continual outstanding, strategic and operational oversight of our management team, as well as our singular focus on using all of our creative resources to enhance our audience relationships and to deliver greater value to our stockholders.

Our Media Networks are constantly reinventing and reengaging cementing their status as destinations of choice for all audiences all over the world and platforms of preference for a growing number of marketing partners. Paramount Pictures also continues to hone its skills in not only building powerful new global film franchises, but also creating targeted motion picture experiences for our passionate fans. This, along with the disciplined operational approach has put Paramount at the top of the industry. Paramount is the #1 studio in this time of year.

We are well positioned halfway through the fiscal year, and the long-term forecast is bright. All thanks again to the extraordinary strong management team at Viacom, led, of course by my friend Philippe.

Now I'd like to turn the call over to Philippe, a man who is probably the wisest man I have ever met, for an in-depth look at our performance.

Philippe P. Dauman

Thank you very much, Sumner, and good morning, everyone. Thank you for joining us today.

Viacom delivered yet another strong performance in the second quarter of our fiscal year. Across our divisions, we sharpened our focus on execution and efficiency, while continuing to invest in content that connects with audiences worldwide.

A few opening points. Consistent investment and content keeps our brands creatively vibrant and culturally relevant. This fiscal year, our Media Networks are launching and developing more original programming than ever across multiple formats, from reality to scripted, live action to animation. Our programming pipeline has never been more diverse or more tailored to the taste of our audiences. Our affiliate revenue is strong and growing, thanks to brands that remain must carry content for existing and emerging distributors alike.

We are seeing encouraging signs of a strengthening ad market as we enter the upfront season. Overseas, we continue to make great progress in pursuit of our ambitious targets for expansion and operating income growth, particularly as we increase our offerings for adult audiences with Comedy Central and with the new Paramount Channels, while continuing to expand the Nickelodeon brand. Paramount Pictures is cementing its reputation as one of the best run studios in Hollywood, capturing efficiencies even as it unlocks value from innovative and highly profitable releases, including the double insight of the second quarter.

Finally, by monetizing our content and our brands and tightly managing costs, we continue to maintain one of the best balance sheets in the business. Our consistent ability to generate substantial free cash flow reinforces our commitment to return capital to our shareholders.

This morning, I will give an overview of our financial results for the second quarter and review highlights from our divisions. Tom and Jimmy will provide additional detail, and then we'll open it up to questions.

First, the numbers. Viacom's consolidated revenues grew 2% to $3.33 billion in the second quarter, driven by growth in our Media Networks segment. Operating income increased 23% to $932 million. Our Media Networks delivered 5% growth in revenues and an 11% increase in adjusted operating income on strong increases in affiliate revenues.

Filmed Entertainment revenue decreased 5%, reflecting lower theatrical revenue due to a less widely distributed mix of releases in the same period last year, which featured significant hits, Rango, No Strings Attached and Justin Bieber: Never Say Never. Adjusted operating income in Filmed Entertainment increased 195%, driven by lower distribution costs, which more than offset lower revenue. Our adjusted earnings from continuing operations increased 24% to $535 million in the March quarter, and adjusted earnings per share increased to $0.98, up 36% over the second quarter of fiscal 2011.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2012, we repurchased $700 million in stock under our share repurchase program. We expect to buy back $700 million in stock again this quarter and are on track to purchase $2.8 billion in stock for the full fiscal year.

Our Media Networks remains strong and creatively vibrant, with our nearly $3 billion fiscal year investment in content, yielding a greater output of new, original, wholly-owned content than at any time in Viacom's history. In this age of time-shifting and on-demand viewing across platforms, the value of fresh and compelling original content is greater than ever.

All of our networks are tapping rich development pipelines set by strong brand filters and deep consumer insights. As we pop out more content, we continue to innovate how we market, distribute and build experiences around programming across platforms. Our brands are well out in front in experimentation and advances in social networking applied to television content.

In ad sales, we began to see signs of recovery in marketplace. We were able to capitalize on this improvement and return to growth domestically. For the quarter, our domestic advertising revenues increased 1%. Worldwide advertising revenues were flat at $1.07 billion for the quarter. We remain encouraged by what we're seeing and we expect to capture new opportunities in the market as we head into the upfront season.

I want to point out that for our fiscal third quarter, there are 2 event timing issues that will reduce year-on-year domestic ad sales quarterly comps by a total of about 3 to 4 percentage points. This year, the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards took place in the second quarter and the BET Awards will air early in the fiscal fourth quarter, both aired in the third quarter last year.

Distribution continue to be a strong and steady driver of revenue for Viacom. Worldwide affiliate revenues increased 17%, driven by higher revenues from digital distribution agreements, as well as rate increases. During the quarter, we successfully closed a number of digital distribution deals, including an agreement to provide library content to Amazon for its Prime Instant Video service. We also increased distribution with our existing affiliates, with a particular focus on gaining distribution for our HD simulcast. In particular, we made significant gains in carriage of TV Land HD. For our 2012 fiscal year, we expect to grow affiliate revenue by 10%.

Our Media Networks remain first choice partners for distributors as they test in market new products and technologies. We continue to build on our strong VOD offering by striking agreements to provide additional library content, as well as current episodes from some of our most popular brands and franchises. We remain committed to supporting our distribution partners multi-platform efforts, with authenticated sites offering on-demand content for MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, VH1 and SPIKE. A BET-authenticated site will launch soon.

We're also exploring opportunities to connect with consumers through tablet devices. A recent study by our strategic insights and research group uncovered that tablets have surpassed laptops as the second screen of choice among consumers. Currently, we partner with Cablevision to make linear feeds of our networks available through its in-home streaming tablet app. As we strengthen our existing partnerships, we are aggressively pursuing new distributors for both our long- and short-form content.

Internationally, we're moving ahead decisively in our drive to expand our reach in revenue around the globe. Viacom international media networks turned in another strong performance, powered by affiliate revenue growth in both organic and visual distribution and excellent cost management. We set ambitious goals for our international operations. As I've said on prior occasions, we're aiming for margins exceeding 20% in the next fiscal year and OI growth at a 30% compounded rate over the next 5 years. I'm pleased to report that we're very much on track to achieve these goals and we expect to exceed that OI growth rate this year.

Our growing adult-focused business will be a key driver of this growth. We made great progress in the second quarter. Ratings of our international Comedy Central channels were up 35%. In the last 6 months, we've launched 5 new comedy channels, most recently in Russia, which now puts the network in 5 continents and more than 40 countries.

We debuted our first-ever Paramount Channel in Spain at the end of the second quarter, opening a new chapter in our international expansion strategy. Based on audience share during its first month, the Paramount Channel is the most successful digital terrestrial television channel launched in Spain in the past 12 months and the country's second most successful DTT launch of all time. The channel premiere on March 30 with titles including The Godfather trilogy, Breakfast at Tiffany's and American Beauty. We're on target to sign 80 advertisers for the free-to-air channel in each of its first 2 months of operation. With one successful launch under our belt, we're looking to move quickly on future launches in additional markets.

Even as we expand to new markets, we're strengthening our presence in existing ones. We had a very strong quarter in the U.K., one of our most important markets. Ratings were up 21% at MTV U.K., thanks to Jersey Shore, which just concluded its second season as the highest-rated series ever for the channel. Comedy Central ratings are up 67%, thanks to strong U.S.-based acquired programming and our local original comedy, Threesome. Finally, Nickelodeon U.K., as well as the Nick brand in many markets around the world, saw ratings gains, driven by iCarly and Victorious, with a strong pipeline in the current quarter as well.

[...]

In late night, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report achieved the distinction of being the only late-night talk shows to notch year-over-year growth with adults 18-49. The Daily Show is the #1 late-night talk show in the demo, beating all broadcast and cable competition.

Nickelodeon retained its top spot in the second quarter as the #1 cable network in total day. SpongeBob was the #1 animated program on all of television with kids 2-11, while iCarly was the #1 kid's program among total viewers. The second quarter also saw the return of the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards which, in its 25th year, reached 15 million total viewers and generated a record 223 million votes online, hosted by Will Smith and featuring performances by Katy Perry and One Direction, the KCA's made the leap into a truly global juggernaut this year, earning its highest ratings ever by a wide margin in key markets, including the U.K., Germany and Australia.

The upcoming launch of the reinvented Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise in the fall is just one element of Nickelodeon's largest slate of original content ever. More than 650 episodes of returning hits and new series overall in 2012, 2013 season.

In the second quarter, Nick introduced How to Rock, starring Cymphonique Miller, which debuted as the #1 new show of 2012 with tweens 9-14. FRED: THE SHOW, which successfully expanded the Fred Figglehorn franchise as the #1 new live-action show with kids 2-11, and Big Time Movie starring Big Time Rush, which attracted 26 million total viewers over its telecast.

In the current quarter, Nickelodeon debuted animated series The Legend of Korra to 4.5 million total viewers successfully channeling the cult following of Avatar: the Last Airbender to create a breakout hit.

Korra is Nickelodeon's most-watched animated series premiere in 3 years. Also coming this quarter are new episodes of iCarly, Victorious, SpongeBob and the new original TV movie Rags starring Keke Palmer, and we will continue to pilot on. Nickelodeon is poised to become bigger and better than ever and continues to be an important locomotive of our international and consumer products expansion.

[...]

Thomas E. Dooley

Looking further out, Paramount is developing a Nickelodeon branded live-action movie based on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, which is scheduled to hit theaters in December of 2013 in conjunction with the significant consumer product initiative. In addition, the studio is working on a CGI-animated SpongeBob movie, and they recently announced the sequel to Anchorman, where they will reunite the original cast of Will Ferrell, Steve Carell and Paul Rudd.

You can read the full Viacom Earnings Call Transcript here on Seeking Alpha.

Power Rangers Has More Influence Than Ever 20 Years On

From Metro:

Power Rangers has more influence than ever 20 years on

For almost two decades, Power Rangers has been a mainstay of the children’s entertainment and toy markets. More recently, an athlete credited it with launching him on the path to the Olympics. Metro look at how the show has maintained its appeal...

The Power Rangers are so powerful that, as well as the day job, they have also found time to help launch the career of a British Olympian and resist the threat of global economic turmoil

Power Rangers is now in its 20th year on television and there is no sign of its impact dwindling, with millions around the world continuing to tune in and buy the action figures.

The show first aired in the US in 1993, charting the adventures of a team of Spandex-clad heroes fighting to ward off evil forces.

The show was different to other TV entertainment aimed at children because, rather than cartoons, episodes were in a live action form.

The concept was inspired by Super Sentai, a series which started in Japan in 1975 and provided much of the footage for the first Power Rangers season.

Since its debut, there has only been one year – 2010 – without a new series.

Darrell Jones, marketing director at toy company Bandai, believes that the show’s enduring appeal owes much to its ability to change each year.

‘It’s been around for 20 years and each year it reinvents itself with a new theme. It’s a phenomenon,’ he said. Power Rangers could even play a role in boosting Great Britain’s medal haul at the Olympics this summer.

4.2m viewers have tuned into Power Rangers Samurai – the latest series – since it was launched in May 2011.

Taekwondo athlete Aaron Cook has revealed that watching the show as a child sparked his career in martial arts.

As a five-year-old he would copy some of his heroes’ kicks, prompting his parents to sign him up for taekwondo classes.

‘Sometimes I visualise my opponents as if they’re trying to destroy the world and I have to save the day, that helps me get through some of the matches,’ the 21-year-old told the BBC.

Power Rangers was launched by media mogul Haim Saban before it was sold to Disney in 2001 as part of a £5.2billion deal. But in 2010, his company Saban Brands bought back the show.

Kirk Bloomgarden, senior vice president of international licensing at Saban Brands, said the group immediately went into production on a new series.

‘It became the No.1 kids action series and was available in 150 markets around the world,’ he said. On why Power Rangers has been so resilient over two decades, he said: ‘I think it all boils down to great story-telling.

‘And the core values have always remained and are relived year in, year out: teamwork, friendship, confidence-building. They are as relevant today and will be as relevant next year as they were back in 1993.’

The show also helps promote healthy eating and physical activity, he said.

‘The Rangers are always active, they have battle sequences.

‘Kids will react to that in a positive way and it encourages them to be physical.’

Last year, the emPower initiative was launched to help promote teamwork, confidence, health and physical activity among children and their families with more than 5,000 schools programmes.

Mr Bloomgarden claimed aspects of the campaign could be brought to Britain.

He believes Power Rangers is an example of what he calls an ‘evergreen brand’ which continues to thrive even in tough economic times. ‘In a recessionary environment these tried and tested brands – that have been around for a long time – people gravitate towards them because they trust them.

‘They know what they deliver. Clearly, that is important when people are feeling uncertain about things. That is something that most brands can’t say.’

And will Power Rangers still be luring viewers in another 20 years? ‘I see no reason why not,’ said Mr Bloomgarden.

Nickelodeon has been broadcasting Power Rangers since May last year and will show two new episodes this weekend.

Alison Bakunowich, the station’s vice president of marketing, said the show had proved to be a ‘fantastic acquisition’.

‘It is one of those brands that has really stood the test of time. When it launched it was our No.1 show for boys,’ she said.

As well as enjoying a successful run on TV, Power Rangers has also spawned a lucrative range of toys and action figures made by Bandai.

Mr Jones said: ‘Power Rangers has always been very responsive to toy products. We’ve been selling Power Rangers toys in the UK every year since 1994.

‘It has generally been in the top five boys’ toys in the UK since it was launched – and six or seven years where it was the best-selling.

‘We’re seeing sales of the latest batch increase every month. It is not yet back in the top five but we are targeting that by the end of year.’

Samantha Loveday, editor of ToyNews, believes the toy industry as a whole is, to a degree, immune to financial circumstances.

She said: ‘Is the toy industry recession proof is a question I get asked quite a bit, and to a certain extent it is.

‘Parents will always spend money on their children but the industry also works hard to ensure it’s delivering quality, innovative products which are value for money.’

The two new episodes of Power Rangers Samurai will show on Nickelodeon [UK and Ireland only] on Monday at 9am and 4pm.

Also, Tweeted (posted) by Nickelodeon UK and Ireland's Press Office on their official Twitter profile page (@NickelodeonUKPR):

amazing article on #powerrangers in the Metro today! Don't miss the 2 new eps of Power Rangers Samurai on Monday!! http://www.metro.co.uk/news/newsfocus/898164-power-rangers-has-more-influence-than-ever-20-years-on