Nickelodeon USA Tops Basic Cable With Kids And Total Viewers For First Quarter Of 2014

Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids and families, has announced in the following press release, from TVByTheNumbers.com, the exciting Nickelodeon News that, armed with a new slate of hits across every genre, Nick USA finished the first quarter of 2014 as the number-one network in total day with kids 2-11 and total viewers -- marking its second straight quarter at the top! Nickelodeon scored the top five animated shows for kids with "SpongeBob SquarePants" at number-one and live-action hit "Sam & Cat" was kids' top show on all TV for the quarter.

Host Mark Wahlberg gets slimed at Nickelodeon's 27th Annual Kids' Choice Awards, March 29, 2014, at USC's Galen Center. Photo credit: Kevin Winter

For the quarter, Nickelodeon USA averaged a 3.0/963K with K2-11 (+3% over year ago); a 4.1/505K with K2-5 (+8%) and 1.8M total viewers. Additionally, the close of March 2014 marks the networks fifth consecutive quarter of ratings growth.

"SpongeBob SquarePants" is TV's top animated series among K2-11 (5.0/1.6M) and K6-11 (4.7/924K) for the quarter. "Sanjay & Craig" came in second with K2-11 (4.6/1.5M), followed by "Breadwinners" in third (4.5/1.4M), "Rabbids Invasion" ranked fourth (4.3/1.4) and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" (4.2/1.3M) rounded out the top five.

"Sam & Cat", which debuted Summer 2013, is a bona fide hit, taking the top spot with K2-11 (6.3/2.0M) and K6-11 (8.6/1.6M) across all TV for the quarter. The series is also basic cable's top kids' show with total viewers (3.7M). Additionally, Nick's super hero comedy, "The Thundermans" ranks as the quarter's number two live-action series with Kids 2-11 (4.6/1.5M) and Kids 6-11 (6.1/1.2M), followed by "The Haunted Hathaways", which ranked third with Kids 2-11 (4.5/1.4M).

Nickelodeon USA closed the quarter strong with its "27th Annual Kids' Choice Awards", which was a slime-filled extravaganza watched by more than 11.4 million total viewers over the weekend. Hosted by Mark Wahlberg, Saturday night's live premiere (29th March 2014, 8-9:30 p.m.; all times ET/PT) drew 5.0M total viewers and ranks as the top telecast of the week (3/24-3/30) with kids and tweens across all TV, averaging a 7.0/2.2 million K2-11, 8.9/1.7 million K6-11 and 8.0/1.6 million T9-14. Internationally, the 2014 Kids' Choice Awards also delivered strong preliminary ratings. The show scored record ratings in the Netherlands, Poland and Northern Belgium and was rated number-one in its timeslot among kids' channels in key markets including the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Poland, and Northern Belgium.

Nickelodeon's quarterly win with kids 2-5 was fueled by surging ratings from its hit preschool programming block (M-F 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.), which averaged a 4.9/612K K2-5 (+11% versus year ago). The latest addition to Nick's preschool lineup "Wallykazam!" is the net's highest-rated preschool offering for the quarter, averaging a 6.7/830K with K2-5 (+46%), followed by "PAW Patrol" 6.6/822K with K2-5 (+40%).

Original Nickelodeon Press Release:

NICK TOPS BASIC CABLE WITH KIDS AND TOTAL VIEWERS FOR FIRST QUARTER

Net Owns Top Animation and Live-Action Series with Kids for 1Q14

Nickelodeon's 27th Annual Kids' Choice Awards Reaches More Than 11.4 Million Viewers

NEW YORK — April 1, 2014 – Armed with a new slate of hits across every genre, Nickelodeon finished first quarter 2014 as the number-one network in total day with kids 2-11 and total viewers--marking its second straight quarter at the top. Nickelodeon scored the top five animated shows for kids with SpongeBob SquarePants at number-one and live-action hit Sam & Cat was kids’ top show on all TV for the quarter.

For the quarter, Nick averaged a 3.0/963K with K2-11 (+3% over year ago); a 4.1/505K with K2-5 (+8%) and 1.8M total viewers. Additionally, the close of March marks the net’s fifth consecutive quarter of ratings growth.

SpongeBob SquarePants is TV’s top animated series among K2-11 (5.0/1.6M) and K6-11 (4.7/924K) for the quarter. Sanjay & Craig came in second with K2-11 (4.6/1.5M), followed by Breadwinners in third (4.5/1.4M), Rabbids Invasion ranked fourth (4.3/1.4) and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (4.2/1.3M) rounded out the top five.

Sam & Cat, which debuted last summer, is a bona fide hit, taking the top spot with K2-11 (6.3/2.0M) and K6-11 (8.6/1.6M) across all TV for the quarter. The series is also basic cable’s top kids’ show with total viewers (3.7M). Additionally, Nick’s super hero comedy, The Thundermans ranks as the quarter’s number two live-action series with Kids 2-11 (4.6/1.5M) and Kids 6-11 (6.1/1.2M), followed by The Haunted Hathaways, which ranked third with Kids 2-11 (4.5/1.4M).

Nickelodeon closed the quarter strong with its 27th Annual Kids’ Choice Awards, which was a slime-filled extravaganza watched by more than 11.4 million total viewers over the weekend. Hosted by Mark Wahlberg, Saturday night’s live premiere (March 29, 8-9:30 p.m.; all times ET/PT) drew 5.0M total viewers and ranks as the top telecast of the week (3/24-3/30) with kids and tweens across all TV, averaging a 7.0/2.2 million K2-11, 8.9/1.7 million K6-11 and 8.0/1.6 million T9-14. Internationally, the 2014 Kids’ Choice Awards also delivered strong preliminary ratings. The show scored record ratings in the Netherlands, Poland and Northern Belgium and was rated number-one in its timeslot among kids’ channels in key markets including the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Poland, and Northern Belgium.

Nickelodeon’s quarterly win with kids 2-5 was fueled by surging ratings from its hit preschool programming block (M-F 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.), which averaged a 4.9/612K K2-5 (+11% versus year ago). The latest addition to Nick’s preschool lineup Wallykazam! is the net’s highest-rated preschool offering for the quarter, averaging a 6.7/830K with K2-5 (+46%), followed by PAW Patrol 6.6/822K with K2-5 (+40%).

Nickelodeon, now in its 35th 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 almost 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 19 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. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B).

Tags: Kids Choice Awards Ratings, Nickelodeon Ratings

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Nickelodeon UK Announces The Launch of Nick Snr.

Nickelodeon UK, the number one commercial kids TV network in the UK, has today, Tuesday 1st April 2014, announced on Twitter the launch of a brand-new Nickelodeon channel called Nick Snr.!

Nick Snr., scheduled to launch on Monday 7th April 2014, will feature a wide range of programming featuring an emphasis on the issues which are important to the older generation.

Nick Snr. will channel share with Nick Jr. 2 and will broadcast between the hours of 5:00pm and 10:00pm everyday.

Nick Snr. will also be the home of Nickelodeon's brand-new original animated series "Ol'Bob SquarePants" and "Even More All Grown Up!". A spin-off from megahit "SpongeBob SquarePants", "Ol'Bob OldPants" will feature the popular residents of Bikini Bottom in their senior years. In "Even More All Grown Up!", a spin-off from "Rugrats" and "All Grown Up!", Tommy, Chuckie, Angelica and the Rugrats gang are back in all new misadventures!

In the debut episode of "Ol'Bob SquarePants", 'Retirement Sponge', it's the eve of SpongeBob's long overdue retirement from the Krusty Krab, but Mr. Krabs doesn't want to pay SpongeBob a pension, so thinks of plans to keep SpongeBob working at the diner. Then, SpongeBob and Patrick try to fix Squidward's chairlift with disastrious results in 'Rocket Squid', and in 'Tired Squid', Squidward's plans to relax at Shady Shoals are threatened when SpongeBob & Patrick turn up and nearly get him kicked out!

To compliment the schedule, Nickelodeon UK has also acquired the rights to the hit BBC sitcom "Last of the Summer Wine" for broadcast later this year.

You can find full information and a video preview of Nickelodeon UK's brand-new channel here on Nick Snr.'s official website on Nick.co.uk!

"Sam & Cat" To Go Into Production Hiatus Next Week; Decision On Season Two Still To Be Made

UPDATE (4/3): Unfortunately, "Sam & Cat" has now been put on a "Permanent Hiatus", with everyone on the crew let go, except for those working in post-production (the staff who edit each episode together to be broadcast on-air). Full info.

The entertainment news website Deadline.com is reporting the news in the following article that future of Nickelodeon's hit original comedy series "Sam & Cat" is currently unknown amidst behind-the-scenes drama at the show.

Nickelodeon's comedy "Sam & Cat" has been a runaway success by any measure. The series, from proven hitmaker Dan Schneider, brought together two popular characters from two of Dan's popular Nick series – Sam Puckett from "iCarly" and Cat Valentine from "Victorious" — played by two of Nickelodeon's best-known stars and best friends, Jennette McCurdy and Ariana Grande, respectively. "Sam & Cat" has been a ratings hit for Nickelodeon, quickly becoming Nickelodeon's highest-rated series. In July 2013, only a month into "Sam & Cat"'s run, Nick doubled its freshman order from 20 to 40 episodes. The shows hour-long special on Saturday 18th January 2014, "#TheKillerTunaJump: #Freddie #Jade #Robbie", in which Jennette and Ariana reunited their former "iCarly" and "Victorious" co-stars Nathan Kress, Matt Bennett and Elizabeth Gillies, who reprised their characters from "iCarly" and "VICTORiOUS" - Freddie Benson, Robbie Shapiro and Jade West, respectively - drew 4.8 million total viewers and ranked as Nick USA's highest-rated telecast with kids 6-11 in two years.

But as "Sam & Cat" is wrapping production on its 40-episode first season, there is currently no confirmation on the reported Season 2 - which is a very unusual development for such a successful series. There has also been talk about discord on the set.

Deadline is reporting that things came to a head last week when the show came close to a shutdown. Then this past weekend, McCurdy publicly accused Nickelodeon of "unfair treatment". She also fueled speculation about a rift with longtime best friend Grande by un-following Grande on social media and not joining her co-star at Nickelodeon's 27th Annual Kids Choice Awards, where both were nominated for favorite TV actress. However, Deadline is reporting that sources close to the situation note that McCurdy and Grande are still getting along 'Just Fine'.

"Sam & Cat" was a big winner, winning Favorite TV Show, Aussies' Fave Nick Show, Favorite TV actress (Grande) and Schneider receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award. McCurdy took to Twitter to explain her absence from the awards show, which she had been scheduled to attend.

The behind-the-scenes issues have complicated Nickelodeon's decision how to proceed with the series. Deadline reports there is a Season 2 production start date penciled in for later this year (2014), but a renewal decision still needs to be made by Nickelodeon executives. "We are wrapping up what was an unusually long production cycle of "Sam & Cat", and everyone is understandably tired," Nickelodeon said in a statement. "We are going into our production hiatus next week which will give everyone on the show a much needed rest." While Nick bosses and fans still hope for another season of "Sam & Cat", they also have lined up potential reinforcements, green-lighting three new live-action comedies earlier this month, including the 20-episode "Henry Danger" from Schneider:

Future Of Nickelodeon Series ‘Sam & Cat’ In Limbo Amidst Behind-The-Scenes Drama

Nickelodeon‘s comedy Sam & Cat has been a runaway success by any measure. The series, from proven hitmaker Dan Schneider, brought together two popular characters from two popular Nick series – iCarly’s Sam Puckett and Victorious‘ Cat Valentine — played by two of the network’s best-known stars and best friends, Jennette McCurdy and Ariana Grande, respectively. The series has been a ratings hit, quickly becoming Nickelodeon’s highest-rated series. In July, only a month into Sam & Cat’s run, Nick doubled its freshman order from 20 to 40 episodes. Its hourlong January 18 episode drew 4.8 million total viewers and ranked as Nick’s highest-rated telecast with kids 6-11 in two years.

But as Sam & Cat is wrapping production on its 40-episode first season, there is no word on Season 2 — a very unusual development for such a successful series. There has been talk about discord on the set, with emotions running high and McCurdy and Grande sometimes showing up late. The grueling, 40-episode shoot has been taxing on everyone. Additionally, McCurdy had been going through a difficult time in her personal life for the past six months and recently had to deal with the leak of racy photos, while Grande’s music career has taken off a big time. Both have been at Nickelodeon for a long time, McCurdy for more than seven years and Grande for more than four. Both are entering adulthood, and word is both feel constrained at kids-focused Nickelodeon and are ready to move on.

I hear things came to a head last week when the show came close to a shutdown. Then this past weekend, McCurdy publicly accused Nickelodeon of unfair treatment. She also fueled speculation about a rift with longtime best friend Grande by un-following Grande on social media and not joining her co-star at Nickelodeon’s Kids Choice Awards, where both were nominated for favorite TV actress. (Sources close to the situation note that McCurdy and Grande are still getting along fine.) Sam & Cat was a big winner, taking Favorite TV Show, Favorite TV actress (Grande) and Schneider receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award. McCurdy took to Twitter to explain her absence from the awards show, which she had been scheduled to attend. “I was put in an uncomfortable, compromising, unfair situation (many of you have guessed what it is) and I had to look out for me,” she wrote. “I chose to not go because sticking up for what is right and what is fair is what my mom taught me is ALWAYS the most important thing. I want to thank those of you who have reached out with kind words of support, McCurdians and Arianators alike. No matter who or what you support, I believe in supporting fairness first.” She later clarified her decision to boycott the awards had nothing to do with the release of the photos. “It has to do with how Nickelodeon treated me,” she said. “That’s all.”

The behind-the-scenes issues have complicated Nickelodeon’s decision how to proceed with the series. I hear there is a Season 2 production start date penciled in for later this year, but a renewal decision still appears to be a toss-up. “We are wrapping up what was an unusually long production cycle of Sam & Cat, and everyone is understandably tired,” the network said in a statement. “We are going into our production hiatus next week which will give everyone on the show a much needed rest.” While Nick brass still hope for another season of Sam & Cat, they also have lined up potential reinforcements, greenlighting three new live-action comedies earlier this month, including the 20-episode Henry Danger from Schneider.

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