Nickelodeon UK Announces Plans To Start To Premiere More Brand New Episodes Of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" In 2013!

The Nickelodeon UK and Ireland Press Office has announced on their official Twitter profile page (@NickelodeonUKPR) that, after Nickelodeon UK takes a short break of premiering brand new episodes of Nick's brand new CGI-animated "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" television series, Nickelodeon UK will continue to premiere and show more brand new episodes of Nickelodeon's new TMNT TV series on Nickelodeon UK and Eire and Nickelodeon HD UK in the New Year (2013; transmission (TX) date and time to be announced by Nick UK)!:

Any idea when we'll see some new TMNT? In its absence I've been acting episodes out in my flat & I keep breaking furniture.

@NickelodeonUKPR: I can tell you that your furniture will be safe in the new year, we won't keep you waiting too long!

The Nickelodeon Writing Program Announces Nickelodeon Developing A Brand New Live-Action Show From Program Alum Gabe Garza And Jonathan Butler!

The Nickelodeon Writing Fellowship Program today (Monday 17th December 2012) announced on their official Facebook profile page, facebook.com/NickWriting, the Nickelodeon News that Nickelodeon is currently developing a, as yet unnamed, brand new live-action series from Program Alum ('09-'10) Gabe Garza ("The Penguins of Madagascar") and Jonathan Butler ("Fanboy & Chum Chum")!:

Guess who has a show in development at Nick...? Program Alum ('09-'10) Gabe Garza & Jonathan Butler!

Congratulations on a successful pitch and the selling of your live action show idea!!!

The Nickelodeon Writing Program was developed by Nickelodeon to help broaden their outreach efforts, and is designed to attract, develop and staff writers with diverse backgrounds and experiences on Nickelodeon Network productions. Operating in a three-phased structure, the Program provides a salaried position for up to one year and offers hands-on experience writing spec scripts and pitching story ideas in both live action and animation television. This three-phased structure allows writers an opportunity to nurture relationships with creators, network executives, line producers, head writers, show runners and story editors. As part of their script writing, each writer is assigned to an Executive in Charge of Production and have an opportunity to write a spec script for an on-air Nickelodeon show. In addition, all writers are integrated into the activities of both the development and production departments. This allows the writers an opportunity to attend storyboard pitches, notes meetings, records, table reads, show pitches and show tapings; all while being exposed to top creators and key production crews.

Nickelodeon And FLuD Team Up To Release Limited-Edition "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles"-Inspired Apparel And Accessories Featuring Designs By Artist Ron English

Nickelodeon and FLuD today (Monday 17th December 2012) announced in the following Press Release, from PRNewswire, the Nickelodeon News that they have created a partnership to create a series of limited-edition t-shirts and watches inspired by Nick's brand new CGI-animated "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" television series! The line features interpretive designs by artists including Ron English, one of New York's most prolific artists. All pieces from this collection are available now via FLuD's online shop and finer boutiques nationwide:

Nickelodeon And FLuD Team Up To Release Limited-Edition Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-Inspired Apparel & Accessories Featuring Designs By Artist Ron English

NEW YORK, Dec. 17, 2012 /Nickelodeon Press Release via PRNewswire/ -- Nickelodeon and FLuD announced today a partnership to create a series of limited-edition t-shirts and watches inspired by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The line features interpretive designs by artists including, Ron English , one of New York's most prolific artists. All pieces from this collection are available now via FLuD's online shop and finer boutiques nationwide.

(Download image - Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121217/NY30737 )
"We are thrilled to partner with FLuD to develop Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles products," said Alix Kram , Vice President, Lifestyle and Retail Marketing, Nickelodeon Consumer Products. "Not only are we combining our two iconic brands, but we have the opportunity to work with amazing and influential artists like Ron English to develop visually stimulating and memorable pieces."

Each watch features an over-sized face with a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles graphic and a graffiti-style logo on the band. The launch is also joined by the release of four graphic Tees carrying a similar motif.

"Ron English is a legend, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles had every kid in the 1980s dreaming of turning into a turtle – and I'm sure they had pet sales for turtles flying through the roof too!," said Doug Cohen , Founder and CEO, FLuD Watches. "Being able to see a legendary artist put his spin on an iconic creation like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is absolutely crazy – and being able to have the canvas he uses for it be a FLuD watch, is just an honor."

Nickelodeon's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles premiered on Sept. 29 to 3.9 million viewers and has since grown in its audience double-digits. The 26-episode, half-hour action-comedy series breathes new life into the wildly popular band of reptile brothers played by Jason Biggs (American Pie) as "Leonardo," Rob Paulsen (Planet Sheen) as "Donatello" (Paulsen also voiced the original "Raphael" from 1987-1996 in the very first TMNT series), Greg Cipes (Teen Titans) as "Michelangelo" and Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings) as "Raphael,". The series airs regularly on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. (ET/PT).

About Ron English

One of the most prolific and recognizable artists alive today, New York-based painter, designer and street artist Ron English has bombed the global landscape with unforgettable images, on the street, in museums, in movies, books, television, and album covers. English coined the term POPaganda to describe his signature mash-up of high and low cultural touchstones, from superhero mythology to totems of art history, to create a hilarious visual language that turns advertising into "subvertizing" and parody into illumination.

About FLuD

FLuD was established in 2007 by a few good men who loved food, fashion and good business. In an effort to bring the watch back to its rightful place as one of the ultimate accessories, the concept for FLuD was born. Our goal is to create unique, fresh watches for the casual and streetwear scene without the pretentiousness or price tag. Fresh style, nice price, it's a simple formula. We could get wordier, but it's not what FLuD is about - it's all about the watches.

About Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon, now in its 33rd 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 and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 17 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B).

SOURCE Nickelodeon

RELATED LINKS
http://www.nick.com.

Viacom Announces Expiration Of Exchange Offer

Below is a Viacom Inc. Press Release from PRNewswire:

Viacom Announces Expiration of Exchange Offer

NEW YORK, Dec. 17, 2012 /Viacom Inc. Press Release via PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA) today announced the expiration at midnight, New York City time, on December 14, 2012 ("Expiration Date"), of its private exchange offer ("Exchange Offer") to certain eligible holders to exchange any and all of its outstanding 6.875% Senior Debentures due 2036 and any and all of its outstanding 6.750% Senior Debentures due 2037 (the "Old Debentures") listed in the table below for Viacom's newly issued 4.375% Senior Debentures due 2043. The Senior Debentures due 2043 offered in the Exchange Offer are a further issuance of, and are in addition to, the Senior Debentures due 2043 Viacom issued for cash on November 26, 2012 in the aggregate principal amount of $250,000,000.

(Download image - Viacom Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110811/NY51392LOGO )
The complete terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer are set forth in a confidential offering memorandum dated November 16, 2012 and related letter of transmittal.

CUSIP - No. 925524AX8

Title of Series - 6.875% Senior; Debentures due 2036

Principal Amount Outstanding at Commencement of the Exchange Offer - $ 1,750,000,000

Principal Amount Tendered as of the Expiration Date - $670,037,000

CUSIP - 92553PAC6

Title of Series - 6.750% Senior; Debentures due 2037

Principal Amount Outstanding at Commencement of the Exchange Offer - $ 250,000,000

Principal Amount Tendered as of the Expiration Date - $173,915,000

As of the Expiration Date, according to Global Bondholder Services Corporation, the exchange agent for the Exchange Offer, the aggregate principal amount of the 6.875% Senior Debentures due 2036 validly tendered and not withdrawn after 5:00 p.m., New York City time on November 30, 2012 ("Early Participation Date"), but at or prior to the Expiration Date was $170,000, and the aggregate principal amount of the 6.750% Senior Debentures due 2037 validly tendered and not withdrawn after the Early Participation Date, but at or prior to the Expiration date was $1,180,000. Viacom has accepted all such Old Debentures for exchange and expects to pay the applicable exchange price with respect to such Old Debentures on December 17, 2012 ("Final Settlement Date").

Holders of Old Debentures who tendered for exchange after the Early Participation Date, but at or prior to the Expiration Date, will also receive a net interest cash payment (as calculated in accordance with the confidential offering memorandum) for each $1,000 principal amount of Old Debentures exchanged, which amount represents interest payable on such Old Debentures up to, but not including the Final Settlement Date, less interest accrued on the Senior Debentures due 2043 issued in exchange therefor up to, but not including, the Final Settlement Date.

The Exchange Offer was only made to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and to non-U.S. persons outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act, subject to market and other conditions. The Senior Debentures due 2043 offered in the Exchange Offer have not been registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or pursuant to an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security, nor shall it constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful. This press release is being issued pursuant to Rule 135c under the Securities Act.

About Viacom

Viacom is home to the world's premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms in over 160 countries and territories. With media networks reaching approximately 700 million global subscribers, Viacom's leading brands include MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, BET, CENTRIC, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., TeenNick, Nicktoons, Nick at Nite, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV Land, SPIKE, Tr3s, Paramount Channel and VIVA. Paramount Pictures, celebrating its 100th year in 2012 and creator of many of the most beloved motion pictures, continues today as a major global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment. Viacom operates a large portfolio of branded digital media experiences, including many of the world's most popular properties for entertainment, community and casual online gaming.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains both historical and forward-looking statements. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current expectations concerning future results, objectives, plans and goals, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others: the public acceptance of the Company's programs, motion pictures and other entertainment content on the various platforms on which they are distributed; technological developments and their effect in the Company's markets and on consumer behavior; competition for audiences and distribution; the impact of piracy; economic conditions generally, and in advertising and retail markets in particular; fluctuations in the Company's results due to the timing, mix and availability of the Company's motion pictures; changes in the Federal communications laws and regulations; other domestic and global economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory factors affecting the Company's businesses generally; and other factors described in the Company's news releases and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K and reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made only as of the date of this document, and the Company does not have any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
SOURCE Viacom Inc.

RELATED LINKS
http://www.viacom.com.

Nickelodeon USA Announces Plans To Premiere New Preschool Series "Wallykazam" On Nick Jr. In 2014; To Debut New Mobile Educational Apps Based On New Show In 2013

According to the following article from the New York Times, Nickelodeon has announced the Nickelodeon News that Nick USA's preschool channel/network, Nick Jr. USA (formally Noggin), will start to premiere and show the brand new preschool series "Wallykazam", which is about a little boy, his miniature pet dragon and a magic stick, in 2014, and to lead-up, celebrate and promote Nick Junior's brand new series, Nickelodeon are planning to start to release Educational apps (applications) based on the series for mobile devices in 2013:

Apps Give Preschoolers a First Look at TV Shows

[...]

In 2014, the preschool cable network Nick Jr. plans to introduce a television show featuring a little boy, his miniature pet dragon and a magic stick.

But the show, “Wallykazam,” will not be new to users of smartphones and tablets. Educational applications built around it will start appearing in app stores late next year, making “Wallykazam” Nickelodeon’s first major show to be introduced as a mobile product first, said Steve Youngwood, Nickelodeon’s executive vice president and general manager for digital media.

Driving the change, at Nickelodeon and other preschool television brands, are parents who are increasingly putting mobile devices into preschoolers’ hands and laps.

According to new research commissioned by Sesame Workshop, producer of PBS’s “Sesame Street,” mobile device ownership is booming as TV set ownership declines. Eighty-eight percent of the parents surveyed said they owned a television, down from 95 percent in 2010.

Twenty-one percent said their children first interacted with “Sesame Street” someplace other than television, with YouTube and PBS.org the top alternative sources. (PBS said separately that its free PBS Kids Video app, which has been downloaded 2.4 million times, reached 120 million streams of PBS Kids shows in November, surpassing 100 million for the first time.)

“On-air does still drive digital,” said Diana Polvere, Sesame Workshop’s vice president for market research, citing the 79 percent of viewers who still come to television first. But given the rapid changes, she said, Sesame’s research will now be conducted every six months instead of every two years.

Nickelodeon’s research, done in April and updated in October, shows striking growth in educational app use. In October, 27 percent of United States households with children ages 3 to 5 had an iPad, up from 22 percent in April. In those households, 40 percent of preschoolers used the iPad for educational apps, up from 27 percent in April.

The study also found that Apple device users were willing to pay 15 to 23 percent more for educational apps than for general apps.

“Parents want to feel good about what they are purchasing and downloading for their kids,” said Scott Chambers, Sesame Workshop’s senior vice president for digital worldwide distribution. Adding an educational element to an entertaining app, he said, “makes everybody feel better.”

Parents’ feelings aside, apps are strong educational tools, said Lesli Rotenberg, who oversees PBS’s children’s programming, including its more than two dozen apps.

While television “is somewhat of a passive experience” for children, she said, interactive apps give them immediate feedback and tailored experiences that become more difficult as they gain skills.

Though numerous producers are entering the app business, three of the top 10 paid educational apps in the iTunes store last week were Nickelodeon’s. They included the $1.99 Bubble Guppies: Animal School Day, already profitable six weeks after its introduction, Nickelodeon said. A Team Umizoomi math app was still in the top 10 after a year on the market.

Originally scheduled for August release, the Bubble Guppies app, filled with the same silly jokes as the show, was revised after focus group testing with preschoolers showed, among other things, that their small fingers had a hard time maneuvering a virtual latch and that the children wanted more control over their exploration.

“We were hearing kids say in testing: ‘I want to play with the dolphin. I want to play with the penguin,’ ” said Jordana Drell, Nickelodeon’s senior director of preschool games.

Nickelodeon’s educational apps normally take six to eight months to create and, even with lush graphics like the shimmery underwater background in Bubble Guppies, cost about half as much as a single episode of one of the company’s preschool shows, officials said.

The Bubble Guppies creators, Jonny Belt and Robert Scull, said they approached the app as they would a television episode, reading the 90-page game document aloud, technical material and all. “That really brings it to life, and you know what you’re getting,” Mr. Scull said.

A Nickelodeon rival, Disney Junior, has taken a less integrated approach to apps, developing television shows first and apps later to expand on the content, said Albert Cheng, executive vice president for digital media at the Disney/ABC Television Group.

The free Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Road Rally Appisode, released in May, is a repurposed version of an episode of the “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” television program, reconfigured to be highly interactive.

It proved so popular that “we definitely feel there’s something here we want to invest in,” Mr. Cheng said.

Although the app had educational elements, it was not intended as such. The sprawling Walt Disney Company has published educational apps through other units, however.

Since releasing its first app three years ago, Sesame Workshop has added more than three dozen, including Elmo Loves 123s, which was introduced Dec. 10 and draws on new research for developers and parents that Sesame plans to release this week. App users, Mr. Chambers said, tend to come back regularly, a loyalty that executives have noted as they consider future expansion in the category.

The rush to apps is changing the development process for PBS, which will no longer develop television-only shows, Ms. Rotenberg said. PBS's newest property, “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” came out as an app — already the company’s third best-selling — the day of the television premiere in September.

Ms. Rotenberg said her team had “sent away” a number of producers who came to PBS with ideas for television shows with no thought-out mobile component, telling them, “ ‘Come back when you have a plan.’ ”

A version of this article appeared in print on December 17, 2012, on page B1 of the New York edition with the headline: Apps Give Preschoolers A First Look At TV Shows.

Also, from WorldTVOnTV:

Educational Apps To Precede TV Show Launch In 2013

Preschool television is going to change dramatically in the coming year, as Nickelodeon and PBS look to introduce new programming to preschoolers via educational apps. Starting in 2013 cable network Nick Jr. will introduce an education based application that will be used to build around a show that will not air until 2014.

This marks the first time that a major cable network show is being introduced in this manner and is essentially a new program launch in reverse order. The show, called “Wallykazam,” is the driving force behind this change and other networks, specifically PBS are paying attention. PBS has seen an alarming trend in that mobile device ownership is on the rise, while TV ownership has been declining in their surveys.

More importantly is the fact that twenty-one percent of people in a recent poll said that their children’s first interaction with the popular show “Sesame Street” was through a platform other than the television set. YouTube and PBS own website were the two top alternative sources to watch the popular children’s show.

“On-air does still drive digital,” said Diana Polvere, Sesame Workshop’s VP of market research, continuing to say that internally research is now being conducted every six months instead of every two years due to the rapid changes with internet viewership. Nickelodeon has also updated its research practices and have found that there is amazing growth in educational app use. There most recent study found that iOS users were willing to pay a premium, up to 15 to 23 percent more, for educational based apps.

Apps based around Wallykazam should be released sometime in 2013, with the television show following up in 2014. The launch is being planned meticulously and it could completely change the way television shows are launched going forward.

Nickelodeon UK and Nick Germany Acquire Broadcast Rights For New "Beyblade" Animated Series "Beyblade: Shogun Steel"

According to the following article from Anime News Network (ANN), the Canadian entertainment company Nelvana Limited has announced Nickelodeon News in their MIPCOM 2012 report that Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon Germany (also known as Nickelodeon Deutschland) have picked up the television broadcast rights to the brand new animated show "Beyblade: Shogun Steel", which is known in Japan as "Metal Fight Beyblade Zero-G" and is a sequel to the Japanese anime [Japanese animation] television series "Beyblade: Metal Fusion". Nickelodeon UK is expected to start to premiere and show "Beyblade: Shogun Steel" on their action channel Nicktoons UK and Ireland in 2013 as part of "2013 on NickToons UK":

Nelvana to Release Beyblade Zero-G as Beyblade: Shogun Steel

2nd season of Beywheelz also scheduled

Nelvana released details for its upcoming North American release of the Metal Fight Beyblade Zero-G spinning top anime in its MIPCOM 2012 report. (Note: The link is a direct download link to Nelvana's PDF report.) In the report, Nelvana confirmed that it will release Metal Fight Beyblade Zero-G under the title Beyblade: Shogun Steel in 26 half-hour episodes. The Metal Fight Beyblade Zero-G television anime series premiered in Japan in April, and the 36th episode in the series aired on December 9. Each episode is approximately 15 minutes in length.

The report also noted that the new series will air in Canada on YTV, in the United States on Cartoon Network, in the United Kingdom and Germany on Nickelodeon, and in France on Gulli.

Nelvana describes the story as follows:

The WBBA has worked tirelessly over the last 7 years to rebuild the Beyblade world by introducing a new Bey system and train the next generation of Bladers. Our new hero, Zyro Kurogane, aspires to be just like Gingka and become the World's Best Blader; with the help of his new friends, he trains hard, gains strength, and learns groundbreaking new battle techniques along the way. Unknowingly, there are mysterious and sinister powers at work with plots to take over the WBBA! Friends will battle each other and dark forces come out of the shadows in an unprecedented event where strategic new combinations create EVEN MORE powerful NEW Beys!

The report also confirms a 13-episode second season of the Beywheelz spin-off series. Beywheelz is a separate storyline set "in the futuristic city of Destection where our hero, Sho, is champion of the Beywheelz World Tournament! This peaceful city is home to exciting and challenging battles between friends and allies until suddenly the city is attacked by an evil Beywheelz army called the Dominators." The spin-off was created exclusively for the North American version of Beyblade.

Nelvana adapted the Metal Fight Beyblade anime as Beyblade: Metal Fusion in North America in 2010, and then released the second Metal Fight Beyblade anime under the name Beyblade: Metal Masters. Metal Fight Beyblade 4D, the sixth Beyblade anime series, has been airing in Japan since April, and Nelvana has been offering it overseas under the title Beyblade: Metal Fury.

The report also mentions that the status of its localization of the Paboo & Mojies preschool anime series is currently "in development."

[Via I Miss Bionix]

Also, from

The Northampton Chronicle And Echo Interviews Nickelodeon UK Presenter Anna Williamson

Below is a interview with Nickelodeon UK and Ireland presenter Anna Williamson (Nickelodeon UK's "Camp Orange", "Jamie's & Anna's Big Weekend", "UPick Summer") from the Northampton Chronicle & Echo:

Star Interview: Anna Williamson

Vivacious television presenter Anna Williamson has amassed many strings to her bow over her many years in front of the camera. She is recognisable from her roles on GMTV's Toonattik and Action Stations!, Milkshake! on Channel Five, and roles on Nickelodeon and as an entertainment reporter for GMTV. But lesser known facts about Anna include that she gives up her spare time to man the phone lines at Childline and is a panto veteran, with this year marking a decade since her panto debut. “Panto is such a fantastic experience, because it is quite often the first piece of theatre that children will see and I am a huge advocator of panto as an art form,” says Anna, who is set to take to the stage as Cinderella in this year's pantomime at Milton Keynes Theatre. “It’s my tenth one and genuinely I am so pleased that it is Cinderella. “Playing Cinderella I think is every little girl's dream and that's why I like playing her, because it makes it all worth while when you see a little girl in the audience and they are just completely sold with the story, and that’s why I love live theatre.” And working with kids is something Anna rates with great importance. “I love working with kids and I feel very privileged to have been a children’s presenter for over 10 years now, having worked on most of the children’s networks and continuing to do so. “Children’s audiences are so important and for any television audience it starts with the kids. They are our next generation of adults so I think to be able to inspire and entertain and educate youngsters is a real privilege.” But working on children’s television was not the first entertainment career Anna embarked on. “I actually started out in an all-girl band when I was 16 and through that I had a few opportunities, as you do in bands, to do some TV appearances and children’s TV was a really good vehicle for that to promote bands. “So I went on quite a lot of them and just really enjoyed the whole fun aspect of children’s television. “So when an opportunity came up to do some children’s television presenting I grabbed it with both hands. “I’m really lucky because I have had lots of career highs. I mean breaking entertainment stories as an entertainment journalist, I remember breaking that story that Cheryl Cole had been fired from the X-Factor in America. That was quite exciting because we were the first network to vocalise it on screen. “Another one was last year I was in pantomime in Wimbledon, with the very great Dame Edna Everage, and working and living practically along with Barry/ Dame Edna for a couple of months was terrific. “He’s a complete industry legend and I learned a lot from him, I was completely in awe of the man and I am pleased to say he is a bit like a surrogate granddad.” But when Anna is not entertaining, she still dedicates her time to the younger generation. “My other passion is I am a ChildLine Counsellor. Every week I take to the phones and I try and listen to the young people. “I wanted to join, I am a trained counsellor anyway, but I knew Esther Rantzen very well and I wanted to join her campaign to promote ChildLine, and to be able to get under the skin of ChildLine, and to talk about it knowledgeably, I had to actually be one of their volunteer counsellors. “So I made the decision to do the 12 week training, and six months ago I qualified as a counsellor, and I now counsel over the phone.” Anna will be in Cinderella at Milton Keynes Theatre until Sunday, January 6 for tickets visit: www.atgtickets.com.

Also, from Leighton Buzzard Today:

REVIEW: Kev Orkian talks Cinderella at MK Theatre

Cinderella at Milton Keynes Theatre: From the left; Deniece Pearson, Louis Spence, Anna Williamson and Kev Orkian Just when you thought panto couldn’t get any camper, Louie Spence twirled onto the stage and with a shimmy here, there and everywhere he certainly brought the traditional Cinderella into the 21st century this Christmas, writes Amanda Devlin. The big star not only had my belly aching from laughter, but he brought a tear to my eye with his suggestiveness that somehow managed to drift over all the young minds in the audience, who stared wide-eyed at his hilarious portrayal of wedding planner Dandini. Buttons, who was superbly played by comedian Kev Orkian, spoke to me after the show about his love for Milton Keynes theatre and his fellow cast members. Kev said: “It is amazing to come to Milton Keynes and get that kind of reaction. There was quite a pressure on press night and to make the children laugh and have a good time, but it was a really good feeling. “I am really excited about it, it is great to be in MK, it is one of the most brilliant pantos in the country. It is Christmas time, so it’s great to have that energy from the audience. “I have never worked on a production where every individual is incredible. I am so lucky to be a part of it.” Alongside Kev and Louis, Fairy Godmother Deniece Pearson stood out from the crowd as she delivered an incredible performance throughout. She really was a cut above the rest when it came to belting out the high notes and blowing everyone away with her love for singing. So with all these big stars it was inevitable that this year’s MK panto would be a magical evening for all of the family. But what was it like working with self-confessed diva Louis Spence? Kev said: “He is just an energy entity. He is like a firework that has been let off. The energy he brings to the stage is fantastic.” However, quite clearly Kev’s leading lady remains to be Anna Williamson, a former nickelodeon and CITV presenter who looked at home on stage alongside the handsome Prince Charming, Andrew Derbyshire. Kev added: “To top it all off I have my Cinderella, with who I have developed a kind of brother sister relationship with since we met doing panto before. We have been in contact ever since and meet up with our other halves for dinner. “So when reviewers have said that we have that kind of family relationship on stage, they are spot on. We have got that chemistry, so I’m really pleased to be back with her.” Make sure you don’t miss out on taking the whole family to experience a night of glitter and sparkle with a gangnam style introduction and seriously impressive high-kicks from Louis. Cinderella is running at Milton Keynes Theatre until January 6. For booking details, call the box office on 0844 871 7677 (group bookings on 01908 547609) or log onto http://www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes.

Nick Jr. UK Acquires Broadcast Rights For Bejuba! Entertainment's "Big Block SingSong"

According to the follow Nickelodeon UK News article from Kidscreen, Nickelodeon UK's preschool channel, Nick Jr. UK and Ireland, has picked up the television broadcast rights to Canadian boutique distributor Bejuba! Entertainment's 49 x two-minute animated preschool series "Big Block SingSong", and will air the shorts as musical interstitials inbetween programmes:

Disney Junior snaps up Big Block SingSong

Canadian boutique distributor Bejuba! Entertainment has sold 49 x two-minute preschool series Big Block SingSong to Disney Junior for the US, Australia, Japan and Spain.

The series, which stars block-like characters that sing topical, humorous songs, targets kids ages three and up and was also picked up by Nickelodeon UK. Nick Jr. UK will broadcast the shorts as musical interstitials.

Created and produced by Toronto-based Goddard/Brown, the short-form series is set to make its US debut on Disney Junior on Monday, January 21. Canadian pubcaster CBC first broadcast the series in that country in late August 2012.

The new deals come after Bejuba! secured a broadcasting deal with Disney Junior US in September to air preschool series The Hive from October 2012.

Tags: Bejuba! Entertainment, Big Block SingSong, Disney Junior, Goddard/Brown, Nick Jr.