"Nick News With Linda Ellerbee" To Find Out "What's The Deal With Fracking?", Monday 25th February 2013 At 8pm (ET/PT) On Nickelodeon USA

Nickelodeon has announced in the following press release for Nickelodeon's Kids and Family Press Site, NickPress.com, that Nickelodeon USA will premiere and show the brand new "Nick News with Linda Ellerbee" special episode called "What's the Deal With Fracking?" on Monday 25th February 2013 at 8.00pm (ET/PT).

In the brand new "Nick News" special, kids from both sides of the debate share their thoughts on the issue of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, a process used to get oil and natural gas buried deep underground. A well is drilled first down and then sideways through layers of rock. Water, sand and chemicals are pumped into the rock at high pressure releasing oil and natural gas that has been trapped for millions of years. However, fracking is also transforming the landscape above ground as much as it is underground and changing kids' lives for better or worse. "Those in favor of fracking say it's a safe process that’s bringing jobs and energy independence to America," says Ellerbee. "Those against it say our air and drinking water are getting contaminated and it just isn't worth the risk to the environment.":

NICK NEWS WITH LINDA ELLERBEE GOES UNDERGROUND TO EXAMINE EARTH-SHATTERING NEWS IN “WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH FRACKING?”

PREMIERING MONDAY, FEB. 25, AT 8PM (ET/PT) ON NICKELODEON

(*Artwork available via nickpress.com; screeners available upon request)

NEW YORK, Feb. 21, 2013 – In some communities, hydraulic fracturing, or fracking for short, is transforming the landscape above ground as much as it is underground and changing kids’ lives for better or worse. Kids share their thoughts on this issue in the Nick News with Linda Ellerbee half-hour special, “What’s the Deal With Fracking?” premiering Monday, Feb. 25, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon.

Fracking is a process used to get oil and natural gas buried deep underground. A well is drilled first down and then sideways through layers of rock. Water, sand and chemicals are pumped into the rock at high pressure releasing oil and natural gas that has been trapped for millions of years.

“Those in favor of fracking say it’s a safe process that’s bringing jobs and energy independence to America,” says Ellerbee. “Those against it say our air and drinking water are getting contaminated and it just isn’t worth the risk to the environment.”
“It’s just angering to see how we’re destroying the land,” says 13-year-old Kelsey of Firestone, Colorado.

“I think it’s good for the country,” says 13-year-old Paiton of Fort Lupton, Colorado. “Instead of having to import oil from countries like Iraq, we have it here in America.”

15-year-old Jenny and 17-year-old Grant who live in Pennsylvania, one of the states where fracking has become a booming business, have differing views on it. “It’s been good for our family,” says Jenny. “We just got a new roof and also we’ve paid off debt for our farm.”

“I want to make sure people know that it’s not as safe as the industry puts it out to be,” says Grant. “What good is the money if you can’t breathe your air or drink your water?”

Nick News, produced by Lucky Duck Productions, is now in its 22nd year and is the longest-running kids’ news show in television history. It has built its reputation on the respectful and direct way it speaks to kids about the important issues of the day. Over the years, Nick News has received more than 21 Emmy nominations and recently won its ninth Emmy Award for Under the Influence: Kids of Alcoholics in the category of Outstanding Children’s Nonfiction Program. Additional Emmy wins for outstanding children's programming include: The Face of Courage: Kids Living with Cancer (2010); Coming Home: When Parents Return from War (2009); The Untouchable Kids of India (2008); Private Worlds: Kids and Autism (2007); Never Again: From the Holocaust to the Sudan (2005); Faces of Hope: The Kids of Afghanistan (2002) and What Are You Staring At? (1998). In addition, in 1995, the entire series won the Emmy. In 2009, Nick News was honored with the Edward R. Murrow Award for best Network News Documentary for Coming Home: When Parents Return from War — the first-ever kids’ television program to receive this prestigious award. Nick News has also received three Peabody Awards, including a personal award given to Ellerbee for explaining the impeachment of President Clinton to kids, as well as a Columbia duPont Award and more than a dozen Parents’ Choice Awards.

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 more than 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 18 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).

"Big Time Rush" And "Unfabulous" Actress Malese Jow Cast As 'Julia' In New The CW Pilot, "Oxygen"

The entertainment news website Deadline is reporting the news that the US television network The CW has cast the North American actress Malese Jow, who plays the character 'Lucy Stone', Kendall Knight's ex-girlfriend, in the popular Nickelodeon comedy series "Big Time Rush", in the pilot episode of the channels brand new drama series called "Oxygen". The project, written by Meredith Averill and directed by Gary Fleder, centers on 'Emery' (played by Aimee Teegarden), a teenage girl who falls in love with an alien boy, one of nine of his kind integrated into a suburban high school. Jow, repped by repped by Sweeney Entertainment and Todd Rubenstein, will play 'Julia', a sick girl who loses all hope, but may get a second chance at life thanks to the aliens. "Glee" star Titus Makin Jr., repped by LB Talent Agency, will play Emery's goofy and cute best friend. CBS TV Studios will produce; Averill, Josh Appelbaum, Andre Nemec, Scott Rosenberg, Richard Shepard, Bryan Furst, Sean Furst and Daniel Gutman will executive produce. Prior to "Big Time Rush", Nickelodeon Star Malese Jow also starred as 'Geena Fabiano', a girl interested in fashion and designing her own clothes on the Nickelodeon television teen sitcom "Unfabulous". Malese Jow also appears as 'Anna', a teenage vampire on The CW television teen drama "The Vampire Diaries":

Malese Jow (Big Time Rush) and Titus Makin Jr. are set to co-star opposite Aimee Teegarden in the CW drama pilot Oxygen. The project, written by Meredith Averill and directed by Gary Fleder, centers on Emery (Teegarden), a teen girl who falls in love with an alien boy, one of nine of his kind integrated into a suburban high school. Jow, repped by repped by Sweeney Entertainment and Todd Rubenstein, will play Julia, a sick girl who loses all hope, but may get a second chance at life thanks to the aliens. Makin Jr., repped by LB Talent Agency, will play Emery’s goofy and cute best friend. CBS TV Studios produces; Averill, Josh Appelbaum, Andre Nemec, Scott Rosenberg, Richard Shepard, Bryan Furst, Sean Furst and Daniel Gutman exec produce.

Also, from Digital Spy:

'Glee', 'Vampire Diaries' stars join The CW's 'Oxygen'

Vampire Diaries actress Malese Jow and Glee's Titus Makin Jr have landed roles in The CW's Oxygen.

The new pilot follows a teen girl (Aimee Teegarden) who falls in love with an alien boy who has integrated himself into her high school.


© PA Images / Chris Pizzello/AP; 'Vampire Diaries' actress Malese Jow
Jow - who played Anna in The Vampire Diaries - has been cast as Julia, a young girl with an illness that the aliens may be able to help cure, according to TVLine.

The 22-year-old previously starred in Nickelodeon series Unfabulous and Big Time Rush.

Makin Jr - best known for playing David, one of the Warblers, on Glee - will star in Oxygen as Lukas, the goofy best friend of Teegarden's character Emery.

The actor took to Twitter to announce that he is "so excited" about his role, while Jow also tweeted to say that she was "overjoyed" to be cast.

US TV's most exciting pilots - in pictures

Nickelodeon UK And Sky Partner For New Street Dance-Themed Realty Show "Jordan & Perri's Ultimate Block Party"; To Star Members Of British Dance Troupe Diversity; To Air During Summer 2013

Nickelodeon UK has announced and revealed in the following Nickelodeon UK Press Release, that, hot on the heels of Nick UK's brand new Australian teen-oriented television drama series "Dance Academy", Nickelodeon and Sky have partnered for the first time to jointly commission a brand new street dance-themed entertainment format from Princess Productions called "Jordan & Perri's Ultimate Block Party", which Nickelodeon UK & Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK will premiere and show during Summer 2013, before launching on Sky 1 later in the year! Production on "Jordan & Perri's Ultimate Block Party" is due to start in Spring 2013.

"Jordan & Perri's Ultimate Block Party" is a 8 episode x 30-minute series that will star members of Diversity, the British street dance troupe who won "Britain's Got Talent" in 2009, including Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely, and will follow the group as they travel around the UK surprising groups of friends and hosting parties.

Produced by Shine Group's Princess, the move marks the first time that the pay TV broadcasters have jointly ordered a series. Ultimate Block Party was commissioned by Deborah Sargeant, commissioning editor for entertainment at Sky, and Peter Drake, vice president, creative director at Nickelodeon UK, who will also executive produce.

"Street dance is exactly what kids in the UK are into right now and it’s also great to be working closely with our partner, Sky 1 to commission shows for kids in a new way," said Drake:

JORDAN & PERRI’S ULTIMATE BLOCK PARTY

Nickelodeon UK team up with Sky 1 HD & Princess Productions for a brand new series with Diversity stars

London – 22nd February 2013 – Nickelodeon UK and Sky 1 HD announce a brand new joint commission for 2013, Jordan & Perri's Ultimate Block Party. Princess Productions, the makers of hit Entertainment show ‘Got to Dance’, will produce the 8 x 30 min series. This is the first time Nickelodeon UK has partnered with Sky on a UK show. Filming begins in the Spring, with the premiere airing on Nickelodeon this summer, followed by the Sky 1 HD transmission later in the year.

The series sees Jordan and Perri, from dance group Diversity, driving around the UK looking to surprise groups of friends who need the duo’s help to throw the ultimate block party. With the music pumping, who knows where the party will be held but we do know that the group's parents, teachers and coaches plus some unexpected showbiz VIPs will all be invited.

The chosen groups will not only get to throw a fantastic party for their friends and families but they will also work with Jordan and Perri to be the party’s headline act, creating a street dance performance to impress. What's more, there'll be pranks galore from those mischievous Diversity boys, so watch out!

Peter Drake, VP Creative Director, Nickelodeon UK and Executive Producer for Jordan & Perri’s Ultimate Block Party said, “Jordan and Perri are part of the country’s most successful dance crew. Their energy and talent is entirely infectious both on and off screen. Street dance is exactly what kids in the UK are into right now and it’s also great to be working closely with our partner, Sky 1 HD to commission shows for kids in a new way.”

Deborah Sargeant, Commissioning Editor for Entertainment at Sky added, “With plenty of surprises up their sleeves, we have no doubt that Jordan and Perri will throw some amazing parties coupled with some jaw dropping street dance routines. I am thrilled that by teaming up with Nickelodeon and Princess Productions we all get to share their Ultimate Block Party - a great treat for all the family on Sky 1 HD.”

Duncan Gray, Creative Director at Princess Productions said, “We couldn’t be happier to be making another great dance show with Jordan and Perri for Nickelodeon and Sky.”

About Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon has been bringing audiences in the UK and Ireland hit international and locally-produced kid’s content since 1993. Reaching 14 million homes, Nickelodeon offers a schedule packed with innovative, playful and heartfelt programming featuring top shows such as House of Anubis, SpongeBob SquarePants and iCarly. Viewers can also catch Nickelodeon in high definition through Nickelodeon HD and have the opportunity to catch up with the schedule through Nick +1. Exclusive games, behind the scenes clips, show information and more are available on nick.co.uk Nickelodeon is on Sky 604, Virgin 712, through BT Vision and TalkTalk channel 315.

Nickelodeon UK comprises seven dedicated entertainment channels for kids aged 4-15 and is a joint venture between Viacom International Media and BSkyB Networks. Launched in 1993, the Nickelodeon Network is a top-performing commercial kids TV network in the UK and Ireland with Nickelodeon channels available in over 14 million cable and satellite homes.

About Sky

Sky is the UK and Ireland’s leading home entertainment and communications company. Around 40% of all homes have a direct relationship with Sky through its range of TV, broadband and home telephony services.

Sky is the UK’s biggest investor in television content, investing more than £2.3 billion a year in channels such as Sky 1, Sky Atlantic, Sky Living, Sky Arts, Sky Sports, Sky Movies and Sky News. Around two-thirds of Sky’s content spend is invested in the UK and Sky is the fastest-growing source of investment in original British programmes. More than 30 million people watch Sky content each week.

Alongside its commitment to offering customers a greater choice of high-quality content, Sky is a leading innovator. Customers enjoy total control and flexibility over their favourite TV through Sky+, watch TV on the move through Sky Go, and enjoy the best quality TV experience at home through High Definition and 3D.

Sky distributes its content broadly over several platforms, including satellite, cable, IPTV, mobile and WiFi. NOW TV, Sky’s second consumer brand, builds on the company’s leadership in internet TV. Sky is also the UK's fastest-growing home communications company and favourite ‘triple-play’ provider of TV, broadband and home phone.

Sky believes in making a wider contribution to the communities in which it operates by taking positive action on the environment, supporting grassroots sports and increasing access to, and participation in, the arts. Sky employs 23,000 people, has annual revenues of £6.8 billion and is estimated to support a £5.4 billion contribution to UK GDP. Sky is listed on the London Stock Exchange (BSY). www.sky.com/corporate.

What do you think of Nickelodeon UK's brand new show, "Jordan And Perri's Ultimate Block Party"? Let NickALive! know on Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, and/or Facebook!

Also, from Broadcast:

Nickelodeon and Sky join forces to order dance format

Nickelodeon and Sky have partnered for the first time to jointly commission an entertainment format from Princess Productions.


Jordan & Perri’s Ultimate Block Party is a 8 x 30-minute series, starring members of Got To Dance winners Diversity, that follows the group as they travel around the UK surprising groups of friends and hosting parties.

It will be produced by Shine Group’s Princess and will premiere on Nickelodeon during the summer, before launching on Sky 1 later in the year.

The move marks the first time that the pay TV broadcasters have jointly ordered a series.

Ultimate Block Party was commissioned by Deborah Sargeant, commissioning editor for entertainment at Sky, and Peter Drake, vice president, creative director at Nickelodeon UK, who will also executive produce.

“Street dance is exactly what kids in the UK are into right now and it’s also great to be working closely with our partner, Sky 1 to commission shows for kids in a new way,” said Drake.

For full production credits visit Broadcast Greenlight:

Jordan & Perri's Ultimate Block Party.