Nickelodeon USA To Add NASCAR's "Hammer Down" And "Nickelodeon Sports Theater With Shaquille O'Neal" To NickSports From 11/5

Nickelodeon USA will be adding two new shows, "Hammer Down" and "Nickelodeon's Sports Theater With Shaquille O'Neal", to their Nicktoons USA's recently launched NickSports programming block from Wednesday 5th November 2014!

Nick USA has announced in a Tweet (post) on their official Twitter profile page, @NickelodeonTV, that NickSports will start to premiere and show NASCAR's brand-new series "Hammer Down" from Wednesday 5th November 2014:

.@NASCAR's new show, Hammer Down, is heading to the #Nicktoons #NickSports block this Wednesday!

Each episode of "NASCAR Hammer Down" profiles the next generation of National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) drivers.

Additionally, NickSports will also be adding the Classic 1990's Nickelodeon show "Nickelodeon Sports Theater With Shaquille O'Neal" on Wednesday 5th November 2014 at 9:00pm (ET/PT), starting with the episode "Give and Go".

NickSports will also be hosting the world TV premiere of "Little Ballers", a brand-new sports documentary that centers on a group of 11-year-old basketball players in New York City's Amateur Athletic Union, an inner-city springboard for potential NBA talent, on Wednesday 26th November 2014 at 9:00pm.

From NASCAR.com's Off-Track blog:

NASCAR GOES 'HAMMER DOWN' ON NICKSPORTS

[Sneak peek - http://bcove.me/edhgiri3]

Drivers Blaney, Larson, Ruston, Wallace Jr. join kid-friendly series

Nickelodeon, the leader in entertainment for kids, and NASCAR have teamed up to take viewers into the world of four rising stars in an all-new docu-series title "Hammer Down." The first two episodes debut Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET during the NickSports programming block on Nicktoons.
The first two episodes feature NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship challengers Darrell Wallace Jr. (age 21) and Ryan Blaney (20) respectively. In "A Picture of Speed," Wallace shares his love of photography and talks about how practical jokes with Blaney bond them as friends. In "The Family Business," third-generation racer Blaney talks about his racing roots and how he's made his own mark on the sport.

Darrell Wallace Jr. shares his hobbies with young fans and lets them inside his world on "Hammer Down."

The final two episodes, scheduled to air later this month, feature NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year leader Kyle Larson (22) and NASCAR K&N Pro Series East driver Kenzie Ruston (23).

Larson is the first NASCAR Drive for Diversity graduate to win a national series race in March 2013 in the Camping World Truck Series, a feat that Wallace accomplished later that season. On the verge of getting his first Sprint Cup Series win, Larson has six top-10 finishes in the last eight races in NASCAR's premier series. Ruston earned the highest finish for a female driver in a K&N Pro Series race with a runner-up result in August at Iowa Speedway.

Produced by Emmy Award-winning NASCAR Productions, the eight- to 12-minute episodes provide an all-access pass to the lives of these young athletes who aspire to become elite NASCAR drivers while coming of age as young adults.

"'Hammer Down' gives young sports fans an inside look into the world of NASCAR through relatable personalities," Zane Stoddard, NASCAR vice president of entertainment marketing and content development, said. "Nickelodeon is the leader in the kids' entertainment space and we're thrilled about the opportunity to align with such an influential brand to reach the next generation of NASCAR fans."

In addition to "Hammer Down," NASCAR Productions will create four 60- to 90-second vignettes that will air during the NickSports block. The features will focus on key strategic NASCAR initiatives that reflect principles of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), the athleticism of drivers and the sanctioning body's efforts in the green space, among other topics.

"Partnering with NASCAR offers our audience new, original content that showcases the excitement that NASCAR brings," Keith Dawkins, senior vice president and general manager, Nicktoons, TeenNick and Nick Jr., said "The launch of "Hammer Down" in the NickSports block connects kids and their families with NASCAR's rising stars, allowing them to follow these young drivers as they pursue their dreams."

Danica Patrick wins the Kids' Choice Award for favorite female athlete for the third time.

The docu-series continues NASCAR's relationship with Nickelodeon. In 2012 and 2013, Sprint Cup Series driver Danica Patrick was a back-to-back winner of Kids' Choice Awards for Favorite Female Athlete. Stoddard serves on the "Kids' Choice Sports" council, consisting of influencers in the sporting world who lend their expertise to help inform the awards show.

Four-time Sprint Cup Series champion, Jeff Gordon, participated in "Team Umizoomi" in 2012, and his Hendrick Motorsports teammate and six-time champion Jimmie Johnson will star in an upcoming "Bubble Guppies" episode, premiering in 2015. Gordon and fellow Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup competitor Ryan Newman have driven "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" vehicles.

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Nickelodeon Promotes Cathy Galeota To Senior Vice President Of Preschool Current Series

The entertainment industry news magazine The Wrap is reporting that Nickelodeon has today, Monday 3rd November 2014, promoted Cathy Galeota to the position of Senior Vice President (SVP) of Preschool Current Series.

The veteran television executive will now oversee the production of all current Nickelodeon preschool series, including original shows and co-productions. She'll continue reporting to Teri Weiss, the network's Executive Vice President (EVP) of Preschool Original Programming.

Galeota, who has worked at Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids and families, for 18 years, remains executive in charge of the networks newly launched animated series "Dora and Friends: Into the City!", as well as "Dora the Explorer", "PAW Patrol" and the upcoming "Shimmer and Shine".

She began her career with the network in 1997 as part of Nickelodeon's production management group. She went on to become a producer on "Dora the Explorer" and "Go, Diego, Go!".

Prior to joining Nickelodeon, Galeota worked for two other youth-skewing networks — The Disney Channel and the WB. The University of Colorado-Boulder graduate was a production manager and worked in on-air creative branding for the networks:

Nickelodeon Promotes Cathy Galeota to SVP of Preschool Current Series

Cathy Galeota

Veteran executive has spent 18 years at youth-skewing network

Nickelodeon promoted Cathy Galeota to senior vice president of Preschool Current Series on Monday.

The veteran television executive will now oversee the production of all current Nickelodeon preschool series, including original shows and co-productions. She'll continue reporting to Teri Weiss, the network's executive vice president of Preschool Original Programming.

"Cathy is an incredible champion of creativity, with a great ability to effectively lead large teams," Weiss said in a statement obtained by TheWrap. "Her production expertise and collaborative spirit have fueled the incredible success of some of the network's recent preschool hits and I look forward to her continued leadership and vision."

Galeota, who has worked at Nickelodeon for 18 years, remains executive in charge of the newly launched “Dora and Friends: Into the City!,” as well as “Dora the Explorer,” “PAW Patrol” and the upcoming “Shimmer and Shine.”

Also read: Nickelodeon Canceling ‘Sam & Cat’ Amid Production Drama

She began her career with the network in 1997 as part of Nickelodeon's production management group. She went on to become a producer on “Dora the Explorer” and “Go, Diego, “Go.”

Prior to joining Nickelodeon, Galeota worked for two other youth-skewing networks — The Disney Channel and the WB. The University of Colorado-Boulder graduate was a production manager and worked in on-air creative branding for the networks.

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Grammy Award-Winning The Roots and Pop Sensation Fifth Harmony Join Stellar Concert Lineup for Nickelodeon HALO Awards 2014, Premiering Nov. 30 On Nick USA

Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids and families, has announced the exciting Nick news in the following press release, from Business Wire, that the Grammy Award-winning powerhouse hip hop group The Roots and pop sensation Fifth Harmony ("The X Factor") will join a stellar music lineup that includes Jessie J, Nick Jonas, Meghan Trainor, Echosmith and The Vamps for the "Nickelodeon HALO Awards", premiering Sunday 30th November 2014 at 7:00pm (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon USA! Jam-packed with one-of-a-kind performances, the hour-long special celebrates five kids who are "Helping and Leading Others" (HALO) in their communities. The concert will be capped by a must-see, all-star finale led by The Roots.

The 2014 "Nickelodeon HALO Awards" will also feature special appearances by Zendaya and Carlos PenaVega ("Big Time Rush", "Webheads"), along with stars from Nickelodeon's hit live-action series "Instant Mom" (Sydney Park), "The Thundermans" (Jack Griffo, Kira Kosarin), "The Haunted Hathaways" (Benjamin Flores Jr., Breanna Yde) and "Victorious" (Leon Thomas, Matt Bennett).

Creator and executive producer Nick Cannon will host the festivities from New York's Pier 36 and the event will air across Nick networks (Nickelodeon, TeenNick, Nicktoons), in addition to streaming live for the first time ever on Nick.com, the Nick App and Nick Radio.

This year's five "Nickelodeon HALO Awards" honorees are: Lulu Cerone, 15, Los Angeles, California; Yash Gupta, 18, Irvine, California; Cassandra Lin, 16, Westerly, Rhode Island; Nicholas Lowinger, 16, Cranston, Rhode Island; and Alanna Wall, 14, Dayton, Ohio. You can find full bios for each inspirational HALO Award honorees and the huge accomplishments they have achieved in Nickelodeon's full press release below.

Nick.com/halo and the Nick App are the official digital destinations for all things HALO. Kids will be able to learn all about the HALO Awards, relive the best performances from last year's show, watch videos featuring Nick Cannon and all of this year's musical acts, flip through photo galleries featuring kids who have HALO'd, find out which celebs will have a front row seat to this year's concert event, and score some exclusive sneak peeks before the show. On Sunday 30th November 2014, kids can watch the concert special unfold through a live photo stream featuring images of their favorite Nickelodeon Stars, Nick Cannon, Meghan Trainor and more. Plus, for the first time ever, Nick.com and the Nick App will feature a live video stream of the HALO Awards so kids can watch the show anywhere.

Original Nickelodeon Press Release:

Grammy Award-Winning The Roots and Pop Sensation Fifth Harmony Join Stellar Concert Lineup for Nickelodeon HALO Awards, Premiering Nov. 30

Event to Also Feature Special Appearances by Zendaya, Carlos PenaVega and Stars from Nick's Hit Series Instant Mom, The Thundermans and The Haunted Hathaways

*Art available upon request or at www.nickpress.com

November 03, 2014 11:23 AM Eastern Standard Time

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Grammy Award-winning powerhouse hip hop group The Roots and pop sensation Fifth Harmony will join a stellar music lineup that includes Jessie J, Nick Jonas, Meghan Trainor, Echosmith and The Vamps for the Nickelodeon HALO Awards, premiering Sunday, Nov. 30, at 7 p.m. (ET/PT). Jam-packed with one-of-a-kind performances, the hour-long special celebrates five kids who are “Helping and Leading Others” (HALO) in their communities. The concert will be capped by a must-see, all-star finale led by The Roots.

Nickelodeon HALO Awards will also feature special appearances by Zendaya and Carlos PenaVega, along with stars from Nick’s hit series Instant Mom (Sydney Park), The Thundermans (Jack Griffo, Kira Kosarin), The Haunted Hathaways (Benjamin Flores Jr., Breanna Yde) and Victorious (Leon Thomas, Matt Bennett).

Creator and executive producer Nick Cannon will host the festivities from New York’s Pier 36 and the event will air across Nick networks (Nickelodeon, TeenNick, Nicktoons), in addition to streaming live for the first time ever on Nick.com, the Nick App and Nick Radio.

This year’s five Nickelodeon HALO Awards honorees are:

* Lulu Cerone, 15, Los Angeles, Calif. ‐ Through her organization LemonAID Warriors, Lulu Cerone brainstorms, plans events and coordinates "PhilanthroParties," which mix charity work with regular kids' festivities using easy-to-follow toolkits. Following her own model, Cerone raised over $58,000 for water projects in Africa, $33,000 for local organizations, and has personally helped plan nearly 200 Philanthro-Parties across the U.S.

* Yash Gupta, 18, Irvine, Calif. - After an accident left him without his eyeglasses for a week, Yash Gupta was inspired to start Sight Learning, an organization that collects and donates used eyeglasses, sets up eye exams, and gives the gift of sight to students around the world. Since 2010, Sight Learning has donated over 21,000 pairs of glasses to students in need across 14 states in the U.S. and in four countries.

* Cassandra Lin, 16, Westerly, R.I. ‐ Cassandra Lin is the founder of Turn Grease into Fuel (TGIF), a sustainable program that collects waste cooking oil, from local residents and restaurants, then converts it into biodiesel fuel. The fuel is used to heat the homes of families in need. With 145 participating restaurants and businesses in 22 towns and 20 public receptacles throughout three states, TGIF has collected over 170,000 gallons of waste cooking oil and helped heat the homes of over 290 families to date.

* Nicholas Lowinger, 16, Cranston, R.I. ‐ Gotta Have Sole - After an enlightening visit to a local homeless shelter, Nicholas Lowinger started Gotta Have Sole in 2010 to provide brand-new footwear to underprivileged children across the United States. To date, the organization works with shelters in 35 states and has provided brand-new shoes to over 21,500 underprivileged kids, giving them the confidence and means to go to school, socialize, succeed and live healthier, happier lives.

* Alanna Wall, 14, Dayton, Ohio - Striving to brighten the lives of young girls, Alanna Wall created Polished Girlz, an organization that brings trendy nail art parties to those with special needs and frequent hospitalizations. Since its inception in 2011, over 800 volunteers are currently painting girls' nails in over 25 national chapters in North America.

Nick.com/halo and the Nick App are the official digital destinations for all things HALO. Kids will be able to learn all about the HALO Awards, relive the best performances from last year's show, watch videos featuring Nick Cannon and all of this year's musical acts, flip through photo galleries featuring kids who have HALO'd, find out which celebs will have a front row seat to this year's concert event, and score some exclusive sneak peeks before the show. On Nov. 30, kids can watch the concert special unfold through a live photo stream featuring images of their favorite Nick Stars, Nick Cannon, Meghan Trainor and more. Plus, for the first time ever, Nick.com and the Nick App will feature a live video stream of the HALO Awards so kids can watch the show anywhere.

Currently in its sixth year, Nickelodeon HALO Awards is an annual awards show that recognizes real-life kids that are doing extraordinary things in their communities and "Helping and Leading Others" (HALO). In addition to being awarded a grant for their organization and scholarship funds, each HALO Award honoree is given an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet and connect with celebrities that share their same passion for service.

Presenting sponsors of the annual Nickelodeon HALO Awards are Green Giant™, Reese's Puffs Cereal and Dave & Buster's.

The Nickelodeon HALO Awards is produced by Superfly in association with Nickelodeon Productions. Nick Cannon, Alex Coletti, Jay Schmalholz and Shelly Sumpter Gillyard are executive producers.

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. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B).

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