Netflix To Allow Viacom Deal To Distribute Nickelodeon, BET And MTV Content To End In May 2013

The entertainment news website C21Media is reporting the Nickelodeon News in the following article that Netflix has announced in a letter to investors on Monday 22nd April 2013 that the on-demand Internet streaming media provider will allow its deal with Viacom expire at the end of May 2013, which will end an agreement that allows the US-based netcaster to distribute shows from Viacom's Nickelodeon, BET and MTV networks. However, talks are underway for Netflix to hang on to select Viacom shows, according to CEO Reed Hastings. "We are in discussions with them about licensing particular shows but have yet to conclude a deal," he wrote. Viacom noted in a separate statement that the company is in talks with "several parties, including Netflix" for distribution of its shows. Netflix also pointed out that they continue to do lots of other business with Viacom around the world, such as their exclusive Pay1 deal for Paramount titles in Canada:

Netflix to allow Viacom deal to end

Netflix will let its deal with Viacom expire at the end of May, ending an agreement that hands the US-based netcaster shows from Nickelodeon, BET and MTV.

Netflix revealed the move in a note to investors on Monday, upon posting improved earnings and subscription numbers for its first quarter.

Talks are underway for Netflix to hang on to some Viacom shows, according to CEO Reed Hastings. “We are in discussions with them about licensing particular shows but have yet to conclude a deal,” he wrote.

Viacom noted in a separate statement it is in talks with “several parties, including Netflix” for distribution of its shows.

Hastings said the subscription VoD service was turning away from the massive, multi-year deals that defined its start-up phase in favour of more selective, exclusive agreements – such as its recent pact with Warner Bros Television for shows including The Following and Revolution.

“Many of our earliest deals were with networks and cable networks and included some shows that have not proven successful,” said Hastings. “By dealing directly with producers of TV shows, we are better positioned to pick just those shows that we believe will work best, and secure rights that may be otherwise blocked by TV carriage and transmission deals.”

Viacom may well be happy to allow the deal to lapse. CEO Philippe Dauman has repeatedly been forced to defend its Netflix pact, which has been blamed for falling ratings at Nickelodeon, though the SpongeBob SquarePants net also has a relatively recent arrangement with Hulu. Hastings said the expiration would not dent the company’s family-friendly package.

“With all the recently added fresh programming from Disney, Cartoon Network, Hasbro’s The Hub and DreamWorks Animation, we have a great kids’ offering,” he wrote.

Netflix on Monday reported a profit of US$3m, compared with a loss of some US$5m for the same period last year. It gained two million subscribers in its home territory – the upswing credited in part to the debut of its exclusive political drama House of Cards in February.

Other originals are being rolled out this spring. The horror series Hemlock Grove debuted on April 19 and will be followed by the return of Arrested Development in May.

Sean Davidson
23-04-2013
©C21Media

TAGS: Financial results, SVoD
SHOWS: Arrested Development, Hemlock Grove, House of Cards
PEOPLE: Reed Hastings
COMPANIES: BET, MTV, Netflix, Nickelodeon, Viacom
COUNTRIES: US

Also, below is a extract from Netflix's note to investors, from The Wall Street Journal's technology news and insights blow, Digits:

As we continue to focus on exclusive and curated content, our willingness to pay for non-exclusive, bulk content deals declines. At the end of May we’ll be allowing our broad Viacom Networks VIAB -1.46% deal for Nickelodeon, BET, and MTV content to expire. We are in discussions with them about licensing particular shows but have yet to conclude a deal. We continue to do lots of other business with Viacom around the world, such as our exclusive Pay1 deal for Paramount titles in Canada.

You can read Netflix's investors note in full here on WSJ's Digits blog.

Nickelodeon Orders Second Season Of Zodiak Kids' "Tickety Toc" For Nick Jr. Channels Worldwide; Expands "Yu-Gi-Oh!" Deal For Nicktoons USA

The children's entertainment and media news website Kidscreen is reporting the very exciting Nickelodeon News that Nickelodeon has today (Tuesday 23rd April 2013) announced that the network has ordered a second of Zodiak Kids' popular preschool series "Tickety Toc" for global broadcast on Nick Jr. and Nickelodeon channels around the world. Nickelodeon has also picked up the rights to three additional 30-minute specials as part of the agreement. Today also marks Tickety Toc's first year anniversary of being on-air on Nick Jr. UK and Ireland! To celebrate, the show hosted a very special anniversary party on their official Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ticketytocuk. The latest 26x11' run takes the number of episodes available to 78.

In addition, Nickelodeon USA has also announced a new deal between their action and animation channel Nicktoons and 4K Media, which manages the Japanese anime series "Yu-Gi-Oh!" franchise in all territories excluding Asia, which includes a pick-up of two seasons of the latest installment, "Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL", along with the entire 11-year-old "Yu-Gi-Oh!" library, which includes "Classic Yu-Gi- Oh!", "Yu-Gi-Oh! GX" and "Yu-Gi-Oh! 5Ds". The franchise is comprised of roughly 600 episodes. "Classic Yu-Gi-Oh!" debuted last month on the network, and the newly produced "Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL" began airing earlier this month. The boy-centric brand is supported by its trading card game, animated series and motion picture (movie) releases:

Nickelodeon adds humor, more Tickety Toc and Yu-Gi-Oh! to US channels


With a keen eye for comedy in tow, Nickelodeon has added the original comedy series Sanjay and Craig to its US channel lineup. The broadcaster is also bringing a second season of Tickety Toc to Nick Jr. and the anime series Yu-Gi-Oh! to Nicktoons stateside.

All-new comedy series Sanjay and Craig will make its debut on Nickelodeon on May 25. The 20-episode series produced by Nickelodeon Animation Studios follows the misadventures of Sanjay, an excitable and irreverent 12-year-old boy (Maulik Pancholy, 30 Rock) and Craig, a smooth-talking snake and master of disguise (Chris Hardwick, Back at the Barnyard).

The series is a collaboration between newcomers Jim Dirschberger, Jay Howell and Andreas Trolf, who have teamed with veteran writers and producers Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi (The Adventures of Pete & Pete, Alvin and the Chipmunks).

Naturally, the series will be accompanied by a dedicated page and a new online game called Rad Awesome Butt Doctors.

For the younger set, Nickelodeon has ordered up a second season of Zodiak Kids’ preschool series Tickety Toc for global broadcast on Nick Jr. Nickelodeon has picked up three additional 30-minute specials as part of the agreement.

Following its UK debut last year, Tickey Toc became the number-one rated show on Nick Jr. in the UK among kids in its launch month, and in the US, Tickety Toc is currently the number-one preschool show in its time period.

Nicktoons US, meanwhile, is tightening its grasp on Japanese anime series Yu-Gi-Oh! A new deal between Nicktoons and 4K Media, which manages the franchise in all territories excluding Asia, includes a pick-up of two seasons of the latest installment, Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL, along with the entire 11-year-old Yu-Gi-Oh! library, which includes Classic Yu-Gi- Oh!, Yu-Gi-Oh! GX and Yu-Gi-Oh! 5Ds. The franchise is comprised of roughly 600 episodes.

Classic Yu-Gi-Oh! debuted last month on the network, and the newly produced Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL began airing earlier this month. The boy-centric brand is supported by its trading card game, animated series and motion picture releases.

Tags: Nickelodeon, NickToons, Sanjay and Craig, Tickety Toc, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Zodiak Kids

Also, from C21Media:

Nick winds up Tickety Toc

Nickelodeon has greenlit a second season of preschool CGI-animated series Tickety Toc from Zodiak Kids.

The show will air on Nickelodeon channels around the world, including Nick Jr in the US and UK.

The latest 26x11’ run takes the number of episodes available to 78. Nickelodeon has also ordered 3x30’ specials as part of the agreement.

The series first appeared on Nick Jr in the UK last April and has consistently been one of the channel’s top rated shows. The programme follows the comedic adventures of twins in a magical world inside a clock.

Zodiak Kids controls the worldwide rights for the series, excluding Japan and Korea. International broadcasters including Channel 5 in the UK, TG4 in Ireland, France 5, Disney Junior in Canada, Network Ten in Australia and YLE in Finland have previously aired the first season.

Tickety Toc was created and is directed by FunnyFlux Entertainment founder and president Gil Hoon Jung. Executive producers are Nigel Pickard and Vanessa Hill for The Foundation, part of Zodiak Kids, and the series producer is Karina Stanford-Smith.

Clive Whittingham
23-04-2013
©C21Media

TAGS: Commissions
GENRES: Animation, Children's
SHOWS: Tickety Toc
PEOPLE: Gil Hoon, Nigel Pickard, Vanessa Hill
COMPANIES: FunnyFlux Entertainment, Nick Jr, Nickelodeon, Zodiak Kids
SECTIONS: C21Kids
COUNTRIES: UK, US

Also, from Broadcast:

Nickelodeon picks up more Tickety Toc

Nickelodeon has picked up another batch of Zodiak Kids’ series Tickety Toc which it will air internationally including via Nick Jr. in the US and UK.

The latest 26 x 11-minute acquisition gives the broadcaster a total of 78 episodes of the CGI animation. Nickelodeon has also ordered 3 x 30-minute specials of the series, which it debuted in April 2012.

The series follows twins Tommy and Tallulah on their adventures set in a world behind the face of a clock.

Nigel Pickard Zodiak chief executive MEAA/UK family and kids said: “The show is unique in both its look and content and the humour contained within the show has already resonated with children around the world - making it a ratings success for the channel.”

Zodiak Kids senior vice president of global sales and co-production Karen Vermeulen, added: “The season two and specials order from Nickelodeon underlines the strong global appeal and success of Tickety Toc to date.”

The show is also broadcast free-to-air on Channel 5’s Milkshake. It was created by and directed by FunnyFlux Entertainment founder and president, Gil Hoon Jung.

Executive producers are Nigel Pickard and Vanessa Hill for The Foundation, part of Zodiak Kids, and the series producer is Karina Stanford-Smith.

Also, from TBI Vision:

News brief: Nick winds up for more Tickety Toc

Nickelodeon has bought the second season of Zodiak Kids’ CG-animated preschool cartoon Tickety Toc.

The 26x11mins season will broadcast on Nick channels around world, including in the UK and the US. Nick also gets three 30-minute specials as part of the agreement.

The show, which comes from Korea’s FunnyFlux Entertainment founder Gil Hoon Jung and Zodiak Kids-owned UK prodco The Foundation, has sold into numerous territories around the world, including Australia, Ireland, France, Scandinavia, Turkey and Central and Eastern Europe.

Also, from Licensing.biz:

Nickelodeon signs new Tickety Toc deal


Channel picks up 26 episodes in season two plus three half-hour specials.

Zodiak Kids has inked a new acquisition deal with Nickelodeon for more episodes of pre-school TV show Tickety Toc.

Nickelodeon will air the second season – 26 11-minute episodes – in countries across the world including Nick Jr in the UK and US.

The channel has also ordered three half-hour specials.

Tickety Toc made its debut on Nickelodeon in the UK in April 2012. It was the number one rated show on Nick Jr in the UK among kids in its launch month, and remains one of the highest rated shows for the UK channel.

Nigel Pickard, CEO of Zodiak MEAA/UK Family and Kids, said: “We are delighted to continue our creative and broadcast partnership with Nickelodeon in producing a second season of Tickety Toc.

"The show is unique in both its look and content, and the humour contained within the show has already resonated with children around the world – making it a ratings success for the channel.”

Karen Vermeulen, SVP Global Sales and Coproduction at Zodiak Kids, added: “The season two and specials order from Nickelodeon underlines the strong global appeal and success of Tickety Toc to date. We look forward to continuing to build upon this with Nickelodeon and our other Tickety Toc international partners.”

New Tickety Toc episodes will also debut on Milkshake in May. Other free-to-air broadcasters who have picked up the 52-episode series include TG4 (Ireland), France 5, Disney Junior (Canada), Network 10 (Australia), NRK Super (Norway), YLE (Finland), PTS (Taiwan), ATV (Turkey), Pixel (Ukraine) and Pop TV (Slovenia).

Tickety Toc follows the comedic adventures of twins Tommy and Tallulah, and teaches kids about friendship, social responsibility, problem solving and teamwork.

It's directed by FunnyFlux Entertainment founder and president Gil Hoon Jung. Executive producers are Nigel Pickard and Vanessa Hill for The Foundation, part of Zodiak Kids, and the Series Producer is Karina Stanford-Smith.

Zodiak Kids controls all worldwide rights for Tickety Toc except in Korea and Japan.

Tags: nickelodeon, tickety toc

Also, from C21Media:

Nick picks up mores Yu-Gi-Oh!

Nickelodeon in the US has picked up more episodes of Japanese anime series Yu-Gi-Oh! for its cable channel Nicktoons.

The deal with distributor 4K Media includes the second season of Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal, along with the entire Yu-Gi-Oh! library of almost 600 episodes, including Yu-Gi-Oh! GX and Yu-Gi-Oh! 5Ds.

Yu-Gi-Oh!, based on the trading card game of the same name, has maintained a presence on US television since 2002. Nicktoons began airing episodes of the classic Yu-Gi-Oh! series in March and the most recent show, Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal, made its debut on Nicktoons this month.

“The Yu-Gi-Oh! brand fits very nicely within the Nicktoons programming profile. Children all across the US will now have a new broadcast platform to catch their favourite episodes and engage with the Yu-Gi-Oh! characters,” said Kristen Gray, senior VP of 4K Media.

4K Media is a wholly owned subsidiary of Konami Digital Entertainment and is responsible for managing the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise in all territories outside of Asia.

It acquired the rights to the franchise from the now defunct 4Kids Entertainment last June for US$15m.

Nico Franks
22-04-2013
©C21Media

GENRES: Animation, Children's
SHOWS: Yu-Gi-Oh!
COMPANIES: 4K Media, Nickelodeon, Nicktoons
SECTIONS: C21Kids
COUNTRIES: US

Nickelodeon UK Presenter Anna Williamson To Star In Churchill Theatre, Bromley's 2013-2014 Pantomime "Cinderella"

The British regional newspaper the News Shopper has announced in a article in their 'Freetime' column the exciting news that Nickelodeon UK presenter Anna Williamson (Nickelodeon UK's "Camp Orange", "Jamie's & Anna's Big Weekend", "UPick Summer", "N-View") will be starring in Churchill Theatre Bromley's 2013 pantomime production of "Cinderella" as the title character, which will run at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley, South East London from Friday 29th November 2013 to Sunday 5th January 2014. Anna Williamson will co-star in Churchill Theatre Bromley's production of "Cinderella" with Scottish actor Andrew Agnew, who played the character PC Plum in CBeebies' popular preschool programme "Balamory", who will play 'Buttons'.

Tickets are available online at atgtickets.com/bromley, by calling 0844 8717620 or by visiting the box office and cost between £15 and £26.50, or £32 for a premium ticket:

Children's TV stars announced for Bromley panto



Anna Williamson will play Cinderella
THE mercury has just started to creep upwards, but already there is a reason to look forward to Christmas.

Familiar faces from kid’s TV have been announced to star in Churchill Theatre Bromley’s end of year pantomime, Cinderella.

Nickelodeon and Daybreak presenter Anna Williamson will take on the title role while Balamory’s PC Plum Andrew Agnew will return to Bromley after a turn in last year’s Peter Pan to play Buttons.

Andrew said: “I am delighted to be spending the Christmas period in Bromley again. I had such a great time in Peter Pan last year that when I was asked to come back and play Buttons I jumped at the chance. I can’t wait to get my jazz hands back onstage in this year’s pantomime Cinderella.”

The panto, by UK Productions, promises glittering sets and costumes, hilarious jokes, a bundle of audience participation and a special appearance from Shetland ponies.

Cinderella will run from November 29 to January 5. Tickets are available online at atgtickets.com/bromley, by calling 0844 8717620 or by visiting the box office and cost between £15 and £26.50, or £32 for a premium ticket.

Activision Releases New "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows" Michelangelo Trailer For Upcoming Nickelodeon Video Game

To celebrate Activision Publishing, Inc. releasing their first "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" video game based on Nick's brand new CGI-animated TMNT series called "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows" during Summer 2013, the entertainment news website Digital Spy has exclusively unveiled the video game publishers latest trailer for their upcoming #NickTurtles video game, which you can watch below!

Activision's brand new "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows" promo shows Michelangelo in action as he takes down henchmen with nunchucks.

The downloadable title, the first of three Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles video games planned under Activision's recent worldwide, multi-year deal to develop and publish video games inspired by the new Nick's brand new CGI-animated "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" series, will be available on PSN (Playstation Network), Xbox Live Arcade (XBLA), and PC download service Steam this summer. The third-person brawler will feature "hyper-realistic 3D-style", "true-to-life" environments and a combo-driven battle system, and a multiplayer game which will allow for four-player online co-op gameplay letting players control Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo and Raphael as they attempt to defeat the Foot Clan in New York City. Scroll down to watch Activision's "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows" reveal trailer! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows will be developed by Red Fly Studio, the team behind "Thor: God of Thunder" and the Wii ports of "Ghostbusters: The Video Game" and "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2":

Exclusive: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows Michelangelo trailer Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows has been given a new trailer. The video shows one of the four turtles, Michelangelo, in action as he takes down henchmen with nunchucks. Inspired by the Nickelodeon animated series, the third-person brawler features a "hyper-realistic 3D-style", "true-to-life" environments and a combo-driven battle system. Four-player online co-op sees players control Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo and Raphael as they attempt to defeat the Foot Clan in New York City. © Activision Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows will be released on Xbox Live, PSN and PC this summer.Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows will be developed by Red Fly Studio, the team behind Thor: God of Thunder and the Wii ports of Ghostbusters: The Video Game and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2. It will be available on Xbox Live Arcade, PSN and PC download service Steam this summer. Michael Bay is producing a new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film, which was recently pushed back to June 2014. Watch the announcement trailer for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows below:

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Nickelodeon UK To Show 5 Brand New Episodes Of "Victorious" In Special Premiere Week; To Celebrate May Day Bank Holiday With Special "Victorious" Marathon

Nick UK has announced the Nickelodeon UK News in their brand new 'Victorious Premiere Week on Nickelodeon' that Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK will premiere and show 5 brand new episodes of the popular Nickelodeon original comedy series "Victorious" daily over 5 epic weekdays at 5.30pm (repeated at 6.30pm on Nick UK's plus-one (+1) timeshift channel, Nick+1), which will feature the biggest "Victorious" moment ever, as part of a special "Victorious Premiere Week" programming stunt!

Although not confirmed, Nick UK is expected to host their all-new "'Victorious Premiere Week" from Monday 6th May 2013, as Nickelodeon UK also announces in the same promo that to celebrate the 2013 May Day Bank Holiday, also known as Early May Bank Holiday 2013, on Monday 6th May 2013, Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK will be hosting a special "Victorious" May Day Marathon which will be feature all of your favourite episodes of "Victorious" all day back-to-back!


Click the play button below to watch a high quality (HQ) online streaming video clip (with transcript) of Nickelodeon UK's brand new "Victorious Premiere Week on Nickelodeon" teaser trailer which was written, edited and produced by London-based Nickelodeon Promo creative producer, writer and editor Allan Blatch, voiced by Lewis McLeod, and mixed by Gez Lloyd at The Jungle Group, with motion graphics by Pixel-DNA:

Victorious Premiere Week on Nickelodeon, Allan Blatch from Allan Blatch on Vimeo.

60" Victorious promo for back-to-back Victorious marathon as well as 5 brand new episodes over 5 days. Written, edited and produced by Allan Blatch for Nickelodeon UK. Voiced by Lewis McLeod, mixed by Gez Lloyd at The Jungle Group, motion graphics by Pixel-DNA.

Nickelodeon's marking May with monumental mayhem!

The madness kicks off with your favourite Victorious episodes in a back-to-back May Day marathon.

Then, could it be the VicTORIous even you've been waiting for?

It's 5 brand new Victorious episodes over 5 epic days!

Get ready for the biggest Victorious moments ever!

Don't miss VICTORiOUS Premiere Week, all this week at 5.30pm, only on Nickelodeon!

nick.co.uk/victorious.