Nickelodeon Animation Studio Reveals New Untitled Animated Projects

Nickelodeon Animation Studio has revealed on the studios' official Career Opportunities website that they are currently looking for a six Storyboard Artists and a Art Director to join the production crew of a brand-new, currently unannounced, 66-minute animated made-for-TV Nickelodeon Original Movie! Although not much is known about the movie, it will feature comedy and elaborate action sequences.

Additionally, Nickelodeon Animation Studio was also recently looking for a Executive Assistant to work on an unnamed brand-new animated series for Nickelodeon, and is currently looking a Character Designer to work on Nickelodeon's hit original animated series SpongeBob SquarePants!

More Nick: Nickelodeon Animation Studio Announces New TV Movie "Lucky"!

H/T: Jobbing.com.

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Nickelodeon Central And Eastern Europe To Premiere "Regal Academy" On Sunday 2nd April 2017

The Hungarian children's television news blog Gyerek-Világ is reporting the exciting news that Nickelodeon Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) will start to premiere and show the brand-new animated series Regal Academy on Sunday 2nd April 2017 at 08:55 CET, beginning with the episode "The Great Dragon Race"! Following the shows debut, Nick CEE will premiere two brand-new episodes of Regal Academy back-to-back every Sunday at 08:25 and 08:55 CET, respectively, from Sunday 9th April 2017.

Regal Academy is a brand-new funny and exciting animated series (26 episodes X 26') from Winx Club creator Rainbow that brings classic fairy tale characters into the modern world. Using a a mixture of comedy, music and innovative animation techniques, the new show takes the familiar world of fairy tales and turns it upside down by adding a delicious and charming twist.

The action takes place through the eyes of Rose Cinderella, a average teenage girl who's as obsessed with shoes as she is fairy tales. But when she finds a key that unlocks a magical new world, she learns that fairy tales are not just in storybooks!

When Rose tumbles into Fairy Tale Land, she discovers something even greater--her own magical family legacy! Her grandmother Cinderella is headmistress of Regal Academy, where five famous fairy tale families come together to teach the next generation of princes and princesses how to become heroes... with a lot of help from their legendary grandparents.

Now Rose and her new best friends – Astoria Rapunzel, Joy Le Frog, Travis Beast, LingLing Iron Fan and Hawk Snowwhite, all of whom belong to the school's founding families – figure out how to fly dragons and outsmart witches, all while learning to use their magic and live up to their famous family names. Can they make the grade?

Below is a list of currently announced brand-new Regal Academy episodes which Nickelodeon Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) will premiere in April 2017:

2017-04-02 - 08:25 - 1x01 Tündérmesék iskolája (A School For Fairy Tales) - series premiere
2017-04-02 - 08:55 1x02 - A nagy sárkányfutam (The Great Dragon Race)
2017-04-09 - 08:25 1x03 - Mocsárszöny a Hattyú-tóban (The Swan in Swamp Lake)
2017-04-09 - 08:55 1x04 - Astoria és a paszulykaró vár (Astoria and the Beanstalk)
2017-04-16 - 08:25 1x05 - Mesebeli esküvő (Fairy Tale Wedding)
2017-04-16 - 08:55 1x06 - Rejtély a Hamupipőke kastélyban (Mystery at Cinderella Castle)
2017-04-23 - 08:25 1x07 - A borsóhercegnő álma (The Pea Princess's Granddaughter)
2017-04-23 - 08:55 1x08 - A bosszú (The Revenge)
2017-04-30 - 08:25 1x09 - A linzerboszorkány támadása (Attack of the Shortbread Witch)
2017-04-30 - 08:55 1x10 - Rose mesegyűjteménye (Rose's Fairy Tale Collection)

Created and produced by Rainbow in collaboration with Rai Fiction, Regal Academy premiered in Italy last May on Rai YoYo and has been sold in more than 120 countries. Nickelodeon acquired the global broadcast rights To Regal Academy in October 2015.

Rainbow's new IP also has more than 80 licensing agreements to its name.

Giochi Preziosi, is the pan-European master toy licensee for the brand; while Auldey Toys of North America will serve as the North American master toy licensee for the property; Guangdong Alpha Animation & Culture Co., which specialises in both toys and animation, will cover the U.S., Canada and Asia; and Witty Toys, which has a strong reputation in toy production and distribution across more than 20 countries, will manage the rest of the world.

Giochi Preziosi is already developing a range that includes fashion dolls and accessories, play sets and role play toys. A range of dolls will be the first toy line on the market and will launch in Europe.

Building upon the series' success, The Alpha Group will release a full line of fashion dolls and playsets based on Regal Academy in the USA during Fall 2017. Designed for girls five and older, the line spans 14 skus across 7 assortments with a wide range of price points. The toy line was recently showcased at New York Toy Fair in February 2017, during which fans of the show were also able to catch a glimpse of the Regal Academy bus driving around Manhattan.

Other licensees already signed on include Justbridge Entertainment (DVD distribution) and Italian publisher Fabbri Editori (storybooks and activity and novelty formats). Procos has also signed a multi-territory agreement to cover the party-ware category.

Regal Academy is the latest property created and developed by Rainbow, the force behind Winx Club, whose consumer products sales generated more than US$2 billion at global retail last year.

Nickelodeon Central and Eastern Europe comprises Nickelodeon Malta, Nickelodeon Romania, Nickelodeon Hungary, Nickelodeon Czech Republic, Nickelodeon Croatia, Nickelodeon Ukraine, Nickelodeon Slovenia, Nickelodeon Serbia, and Nickelodeon Bulgaria.

More Nick: Nickelodeon Central And Eastern Europe To Premiere "Rufus 2" On Sunday 16th April 2017!

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Celebs Reveal Their Amazing Ideas About What They Think Kids Should Be Able To Choose | Nickelodeon KCA 2017

TWIST recently caught up with a ton of your favorite celebs on the Orange Carpet of Nickelodeon's 2017 Kids' Choice Awards, an event where kids get to pick which actors, musicians, movies, and more are honored with Orange Blimps! But there are so many things out there in the world which adults get 100% of the say in: like bedtimes, homework, and voting in elections. So TWIST asked a ton of your favorite stars what they believe kids should be able to choose for themselves, and they got so many different kinds of answers!:

Stars like Kira Kosarin, Cree Cicchino, Isabela Moner, Lizzy Greene, Madisyn Shipman, Brec Bassinger, Benjamin Flores Jr., Machine Gun Kelly, Chloe X Halle, Corey Fogelmanis, Jenna Ortega, Ashley Liao, Jacob Sartorius, and more all weighed in on this big question. Can you guess which stars think kids should be able to speak out on the causes they care most about, which celebs think homework should be optional, and which actors are all for kids controlling how much junk food they eat?

Nickelodeon Invites Curry School Of Education Professor To Join The Nick Jr. Preschool Advisory Panel

Sonia Cabell has studied the development of early language and literacy skills in young children for more than a decade. Much of her work is about understanding how to lay a strong language and literacy foundation for children in preschool – a foundation that fosters their reading and writing skills in years to come.

Sonia Cabell, a research assistant professor in the Curry School of Education, serves on Nick Jr.’s Preschool Advisory Panel. (Curry School photo)

Cabell’s language and literacy work recently caught the attention of Nickelodeon, the number-one network with kids of all ages and their parents. Nickelodeon’s Nick Jr. preschool programming slate includes shows that focus on entertainment and storytelling through relatable characters. Many shows include a curriculum focused on language, math, science and technology.

Nickelodeon invited Cabell, a research assistant professor at the University of Virginia’s Curry School of Education, to join a preschool advisory panel, which gives feedback on the educational elements of Nick Jr.’s content for kids ages 2 to 5, including programming, games and curricular components. Cabell accepted the invitation and has spent the last two years sharing her language and literacy expertise with a media network whose content reaches children and their families worldwide.

The Curry School’s Kathy Neesen recently talked with Cabell about her work with Nickelodeon, and found that her input is highly valued.

Wallykazam!

Q. How did you become involved with the Nick Jr. Preschool Advisory Panel?

A. Nick Jr. was looking for experts in different areas to advise on their television programming and content. They asked me to serve on their advisory panel as an expert in language and literacy development. The panel consists of professors and practitioners, all with varying expertise related to children’s learning and development. Some experts focus on social-emotional development of children, others on STEM or technology. The panel has a wide range of expertise that considers different aspects of children’s learning within Nick Jr. programming.

Q. As part of the Nick Jr. panel, what is your role?

A. The panel comes together two times a year. At our meetings, the Nick Jr. team asks each expert to share the top insights their staff should know about each educational field. I’ve presented on topics such as language learning and the importance of interactions between parents and children around television watching.

During the meetings, they also share some of their upcoming shows to get feedback on ways to incorporate learning into the show itself, or as part of a supplementary curriculum or game. Nickelodeon is very interested in integrating and linking educational content in deliberate ways in its preschool programming. For example, the animated show Wallykazam! embeds a literacy curriculum into the full-length story, introducing skills such as letter and sound identification, rhyming, vocabulary development and comprehension strategies. Another animated show, Blaze and the Monster Machines, is a preschool series that covers all areas of STEM in every episode.

Q. As a language and literacy expert, what do you look for in Nick Jr.’s programming?

A. I keep an eye out for ways shows or games can foster language development. For example, I look for the introduction of vocabulary and the way words are introduced with child-friendly definitions.

I also appreciate ways Nick Jr.’s programming helps children learn about the art of storytelling as it entertains. A lot of the value of these shows to children’s language development is dependent on the ways parents are involved.

Blaze and the Monster Machines

Q. Speaking of parents, what advice would you give those parents who are trying to decide what types of media their children should watch, or whether they should be watching at all?

A. The American Academy of Pediatrics has clear guidelines around the amounts of screen time recommended for children at different age levels. But ultimately, it’s important for parents to be interacting with children around any content they’re taking in, regardless of the medium.

Being a parent of a young child myself, I think about the storylines and the messaging that programs bring to the table. If possible, watch programming together with your child and have a conversation about it. You can retell the stories that you watch. Or, you can ask questions about the story that prompt comprehension or encourage further storytelling. All of these interactions are improving language development, which is a critical area of development from birth onward.

Q. So, there does seem to be some educational value in the type of programming channels like Nickelodeon provide?

A. Certainly. I think that Nick Jr.’s programming has rich storylines that engage children. The organization is also very thoughtful about how to approach vocabulary and language development through its programming.

But just letting children watch programming is not enough, of course. The science on language learning has been really clear that adults and children need to interact with each other. So, to maximize the content of a television program, you would talk about it. It is the talk around that programming that matters a lot to children’s learning.

Q. What has been the biggest reward so far in working with Nick Jr. on the panel?

A. I think it’s an honor to be able to weigh in on TV programming and related media that reaches a majority of households in America. There is hardly a household that doesn’t know Nickelodeon and there is hardly a child who doesn’t consume some of their programming. In fact, these shows and materials are distributed worldwide in different languages.

To be able to make a small contribution, to add to something that can promote language learning in positive ways, that is the biggest reward. It’s exciting to play a small role in something that is so far-reaching.

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Two South African Animators Are Heading To Nickelodeon After Winning Internships At 2017 Cape Town International Animation Festival

The sixth Cape Town International Animation Festival presented by Animation SA gave students a chance to showcase their work earlier this month.

The annual Festival brings South Africans the chance to catch some of the world’s best animated films, as well as masterclasses and workshops with global industry leaders.

A highlight is the annual student competition and awards evening, which provides a platform for animation student work in several categories, both team and individual projects. There were 67 entries this year, judged by leaders in the industry.

Nickelodeon once again sponsored the prize for two students to do an internship at Nickelodeon in the USA. Creator of the hit animated preschool series Shimmer and Shine, Farnaz Esnaashari-Charmatz from the Nickelodeon Animation Studio and Chris Torline, senior marketing and digital director of Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa, handed over the award to winners Toni Andrews and Kent Mayne.

“The calibre of entries just gets higher every year,” says Shani Campbell, schools coordinator for the Cape Town International Animation Festival. “It is also encouraging for the upcoming students to sit in the audience at the awards evening and aspire to great heights by watching their peers before them.”

An additional award this year was the Draw for Life Most Promising Student award, which was won by Dawood Salie, the prize for which is a Wacom tablet gifted to Draw for Life by DDS and Wacom Europe. Draw for Life was started by Animation SA and PASCAP Trust with the support of The Animation School, Animate Africa and Digital Canvas Academy to find and nurture the skills of talented learners from diverse backgrounds and to help them discover the art of drawing for animation.

The full list of winners is:

CHARACTER ANIMATION / 1 YEAR STUDENTS – Rita Du Plessis at LEARN 3D for PORK HEART

CHARACTER ANIMATION / INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS - TRADITIONAL/TRADIGITAL - Tamlyn Nunes at CITY VARSITY for STREET RAT

CHARACTER ANIMATION / INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS DIGITAL - Karien Benz at THE ANIMATION SCHOOL for PRIMAL INSTINCTS

CHARACTER ANIMATION / TEAM PRODUCTION - Depesh Cara, Eduardo Rocha and Dirk Coetzee at THE ANIMATION SCHOOL for BEN AND JERRY

STORY / TEAM PRODUCTION - Kelly McCarter at THE ANIMATION SCHOOL for HEWN

ART DIRECTION / TEAM PRODUCTION - Sebastian Kristiansen at THE ANIMATION SCHOOL for HEWN

LIGHTING / TEAM PRODUCTION - Matthew Levack at THE ANIMATION SCHOOL for BEN & JERRY

VISUAL FX TEAM PRODUCTION - Matthew Dunwoody at THE ANIMATION SCHOOL for NOVA

BEST PRODUCTION 1st YEAR STUDENTS - Dewald de la Rey at UDACITY for JULIET

BEST PRODUCTION / INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS TRADITIONAL/TRADIGITAL - Tamlyn Nunes at CITY VARSITY for STREET RAT

BEST PRODUCTION / INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS DIGITAL - Karien Benz at THE ANIMATION SCHOOL for PRIMAL INSTINCTS

BEST TEAM PRODUCTION - Alison Parker and team at THE ANIMATION SCHOOL for BEN & JERRY. The team is Depesh Cara, Dirk Coetzee, Matthew Levack, Thivhusiwi Mamaila, Alison Parker, Eduardo Rocha and Anrich Wolmarans

The Chaos Group sponsored annual licensed software to three winners who will be able to choose from a range of world class programmes across Best Visual Effects, Best Lighting, and Best Art Direction.

The winners, who were presented with their awards by Stacey Pearson of Touchvision, were Sebastian Kristiansen, Matthew Dunwoody and Matthew Levack.

The CTIAF is made possible thanks to generous support from sponsors the National Film and Video Foundation; Wesgro; Animation SA, the French Institute of South Africa, The Embassy of Japan and the Canadian Embassy. CTIAF has also partnered with Nickelodeon and Draw for Life.

Visit www.ctiaf.com for information about the Festival.

Original source: artlink.co.za.

"Shimmer And Shine" Creator Farnaz Esnaashari-Charmatz Reveals What Goes Into Creating A Hit TV Show

It comes as no easy task when developing your own series, let alone an animated series.

Farnaz Esnaashari-Charmatz (centre) and motion puppets (Shimmer and Shine) at the Cape Town International Animation Festival. Picture: ENRICO JACOBS

From start of production right through to airing, it can take up to nine months to complete a 22 minute episode order.

Channel24 recently caught up with the creator of Nickelodeon's hit animated preschool series Shimmer and Shine, Farnaz Esnaashari-Charmatz, at the Cape Town International Animation Festival to find out more about her journey from a post-production intern to show creator.

You started at Nickelodeon’s animation studio as a post-production intern. Did you ever imagine you would end up creating your own animated series with them?

I didn’t necessarily think I was going to create my own animation when I started, but I was always very driven, like I wanted to get into more of the executive side.

So, I never knew that I would have my own show until I started, kind of, mentally working towards it in about 2006, and then in 2009 I started pitching show ideas and I was pitching for about five years before Shimmer and Shine happened.

"Plankton Retires" Sneak Peek | SpongeBob SquarePants | Nickelodeon USA

To celebrate Nickelodeon USA premiering the brand-new SpongeBob SquarePants episode "Plankton Retires"/"Trident Trouble" (#211) on Saturday 25th March 2017 at 10:00am (ET/PT), Nick USA has unveiled a Sponge-Tastic sneak peek preview from the all-new episode, which you can watch in the super online streaming video clip here on Nick.com!

In the brand-new SpongeBob SquarePants episode "Plankton Retires", Plankton closes the Chum Bucket and moves to a new town, but Mr. Krabs suspects he is still up to no good! Then, in "Trident Trouble", when SpongeBob accidentally picks up Neptune's magic trident, there is no telling what trouble he may cause!

In Nick's fantastic sneak-peek, "No More Chum", it seems like Plankton is closing up the Chum Bucket! This is great news for SpongeBob and the Krusty Krab!

More Nick: Cast Of Nickelodeon's Brand-New Futuristic Drama "I Am Frankie" Announced!

Additional source: Screener TV Listings.

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ALVINNN!!! and the Chipmunks | "Summer Camp" Sneak Peek | Nickelodeon USA

To celebrate Nickelodeon USA premiering the brand-new ALVINNN!!! and the Chipmunks episode "Summer Camp"/"Blabber Mouth" (#224) on Saturday 25th March 2017 at 10:30am ET/PT, Nick USA has unveiled a super sneak peek preview from the first all-new episode, which you can watch in the fantastic video clip here on Nick.com!

In the all-new ALVINNN!!! and the Chipmunks episode "Summer Camp", the Chipmunks help an owner fix up his run-down summer camp and his broken relationship with his brother! Then, in "Blabber Mouth", Alvin believes that Theodore cursed him so that he can never lie again and cannot help himself from blabbing the truth! In Nick's fantastic sneak peek, "Camp Songs", the Chipmunks and Chipettes are off to camp! Will they get through the long drive by learning new camp song!?

More Nick: Nickelodeon USA's March 2017 Premiere Highlights!

Additional sources: Screener TV Listings, Nick and More, ToonZone Forums member RDG.

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Play around with Doug’s inimitable sound effects

There’s plenty to love about Nickelodeon's Doug, the quirky animated series about a goofy, earnest preteen in the kaleidoscopic town of Bluffington.

One of the shows features that stands out most, however, is its jazzy, offbeat sound design, which often eschewed instruments in favor of vocalized scats and man-made sound effects. A new video from Great Big Story celebrates the man behind the show’s honks, boings, and doo-do-doo-do-doos: Fred Newman, who, in addition to Doug, provided voices and sounds to the likes of Gremlins, Bigfoot and the Hendersons, Men in Black, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, and even Grand Theft Auto 2.

There’s some fun trivia in there, too. In addition to improvising the theme song, Newman lent his elastic voice to Skeeter and Porkchop, as well as to Mr. Dink (whose name he says stood for “double income, no kids”) and the lead singer of The Beets (he modeled him after Sting, apparently).



The relish on this Honker dog is Great Big Story’s custom soundboard, which allows you to trigger one of Newman’s signature wooshes or chicka-chickas whenever you, or whoever you’re using it to prank call*, need a rush of warmhearted nostalgia.

* NickALive! cannot be held responsible for anyone detained by the Phone Police from the classic "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" episode "The Tale of the Phone Police".

More Nick: "Rugrats" Season 1 & Season 2 DVD Sets Announced For "Wide" General Release!

Watch all your '90s Nickelodeon favorites on The Splat, your late-night destination for your favorite childhood Nickelodeon cartoons and live-action shows! The Splat doesn't question football-shaped heads, but embrace them - along with Reptar bars, a Big Ear of Corn, orange soda, and even slime for Pete (and Pete's) sake. Make your slime-covered Nickelodeon childhood dreams come true every night at 10pm ET/PT, only on TeenNick USA! #TheSplat!

More The Splat: On the Orange Couch: Doug | #NickAnimation25 | The Splat!

Original source: The A.V. Club; Additional sources: IMDb, Are You Afraid of the Dark Wiki.

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Penguin to launch "Peppa Goes to London" storybook this Spring

Penguin Random House is gearing up for the launch of a brand-new Peppa Pig picture book, titled Peppa Goes to London!

The launch of the new title will coincide with Entertainment One’s My Fist Cinema Experience initiative this April, in which exclusive Peppa Pig TV episodes will be screened at select cinemas in the UK.

Peppa Goes to London is a specially designed story focusing on Peppa and George’s first trip to the capital city of the UK, featuring entertaining and educational visits to famous landmarks. The title will also feature a special cameo from the Queen herself.

‘Perfect for keeping toddlers and young children entertained on coaches, car journeys, trains and planes, Peppa Goes to London is enjoying a timely release on Thursday, April 6th ahead of the Easter Holidays, prime time for vacationing and staycationing parents and Peppa Pig fans alike,’ read a statement from Penguin Random House.

‘With Peppa’s My First Cinema Experience coming to cinemas all across the UK in time for school break, our book is the ideal companion for the brand new episodes and offers a unique view of one of the world’s most famous cities.’

In Peppa Pig My First Cinema Experience, the nine brand-new five-minute episodes of Peppa Pig and sing-along content will only be available in cinemas. The episodes will be connected with never-before-seen interactive entertainment featuring live-action Peppa and George characters, along with their friend Daisy. The release will include special appearances from new characters including Policeman Panda voiced by David Mitchell and Mrs Crocodile voiced by Jo Brand. In the first episode, titled "Peppa Vists London", the Queen will make a return to Peppa Pig, as she takes Peppa and friends on an unforgettable sight-seeing tour around London on a double decker bus. Eight additional episodes will see a trip to the zoo, a cruise along a canal and some advice from the police. To celebrate, eOne has released the first UK teaser trailer and film poster. Children and parents can join in with games as well as singing and dancing along to new versions of favourite nursery rhymes.

Airing regularly on Nick Jr. UK & Ireland & Nick Jr. Too, Peppa Pig follows the adventures of Peppa, a loveable, exuberant little piggy who lives with her brother George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig. Peppa's favorite things include playing games, dressing up, spending days outdoors, and jumping in muddy puddles. All episodes are wholesome entertainment for the entire family; Peppa's adventures always end happily with loud snorts of laughter. Peppa Pig episodes are available on DVD.



Original source: Licensing.biz.

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Nickelodeon Names Vivid As International Master Toy Licensee For "Nella The Princess Knight"

Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products (NVCP) has appointed UK-based Vivid Group to serve as the international master toy licensee (excluding the U.S.) for Nickelodeon's brand-new animated preschool series Nella the Princess Knight!

Under the terms of the agreement, Vivid becomes the exclusive master toy licensee for Nella the Princess Knight in all countries outside of the U.S. Categories within the license include dolls, figures, play-sets, plush and role-play toys. The new products are slated to launch in spring 2018 in all countries outside of the U.S.

“Nickelodeon’s preschool properties have fueled the brand’s consumer products success abroad, and we look forward to even more growth in the space as we embark on this partnership with Vivid Group for ‘Nella the Princess Knight,’” says Ron Johnson, Executive Vice President (EVP), Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products. “‘Nella’ represents Nickelodeon’s unique twist on the traditional princess story, and we’re confident that Vivid is the right partner to bring this special property to toy aisles around the world.”

Eric Rossi, the CEO at Vivid Toy Group, said, “We are delighted to be partnering with Nickelodeon on such a unique and engaging preschool property. Nella is an inspiring and empowering role model to young girls, and we look forward to bringing her Princess and Knight adventures to life through an innovative and comprehensive toy range internationally.”

Nella the Princess Knight premiered in the U.S. in February 2017 and will begin launching on Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. channels internationally in April 2017. The new 40 x half-hour series follows Nella, a confident 8-year-old princess who likes dancing at extravagant balls just as much as she likes meeting fire-breathing dragons. She transcends traditional roles and expectations through her ability to transform into Nella the Princess Knight, protecting her kingdom with the help of her friends: Trinket, Nella's glamorous unicorn and best friend; Sir Garrett, a loyal and adventurous knight; and Clod, Garrett's trusty steed.

The series features a social-emotional curriculum that promotes empowerment, inclusiveness and compassion for others. Robert Vargas (head writer for Zack & Quack) serves as executive producer on the show created by Christine Ricci (curriculum advisor for Blaze and the Monster Machines and Dora the Explorer).

Nella has won a dedicated fanbase due to its fresh spin on the cartoon Princess formula, with a proactive hero of dual heritage.

Nick first announced Nella the Princess Knight along with three other new preschool shows, Butterbean’s Café, Top Wing and Abby Hatcher, last year at Nickelodeon Upfront 2016.

Sources: TVKIDS, License! Global, ToyNews, Kidscreen.

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Viacom And OSN Launch Nicktoons And TeenNick Channels In The Middle East

Original Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) SWEMEA Press Release via zawya.com:

OSN and U.S.s Viacom expand exclusive agreement, increasing entertainment content offer in the Middle East

· Paramount Channel, Nicktoons and Teennick added to Viacom's growing portfolio on OSN

· VIMN is now the largest provider of international content for OSN
21 March 2017

Dubai, UAE – OSN, the region’s premier entertainment company, and Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), part of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), one of the leading multimedia entertainment companies in the world, expanded their distribution agreement to make even more incredible channels and exclusive content available for OSN customers in the Middle East. The partnership adds three new channels for OSN subscribers: Leading global kid’s brand Nickelodeon launched NickToons on Feb 15th, and a Teen Nick On Demand channel, while VIMN’s iconic Paramount Channel, the fastest growing brand in the VIMN International portfolio, is set to launch on OSN on April 15, 2017.

“It is great to be able to share more good news about VIMN’s growing business in the Middle East,” said Raffaele Annecchino, President & MD, VIMN SWEMEA. “I’m very pleased to have reached another exclusive agreement with OSN for three new channels: NickToons, TeenNick and Paramount Channel. After launching the first Paramount Channel ever just five years ago, the MENA version will be the twelfth in the world, expanding the Paramount Channel reach to more than 94 million households across nearly 100 countries. The Paramount Channel in MENA is the next step forward in this rapid expansion and a very important launch. In addition to that, the launch of Nick Toons and Teen Nick reinforce our commitment to this market. In MENA, we are applying our Glocal strategy, which combines international brands and properties with local productions, as we’re doing with Comedy Central with Ridiculousness and Comedy Central Presents, and I hope to do more in the future involving other brands in our portfolio.

“The partnership with OSN has been the key driver of our success in this region. Together we continue to find effective ways to expand the presence of the VIMN brands and deliver great content to audiences across the region. The expanded agreement reinforces VIMN’s position as a key provider of international branded content across OSN’s platforms.’

Emad Morcos, Chief Content Officer, OSN, said: “Continuing to deliver on our customer-first approach as part of #newOSN, we’re delighted to expand our partnership with VIMN to increase the choice of only-on-OSN entertainment for our subscribers. The three new channels, in addition to the offering already available, give our viewers access to the very best entertainment from around the world. With most of this amazing entertainment also available on OSN Play, customers can choose how and when they enjoy their favourite shows and movies. The new channels brings even more value and choice and we will continue to expand our unmatched entertainment offering for the region.”

Paramount Channel, the fastest growing brand in VIMN’s international portfolio, will offer audiences a rich variety of blockbuster movies, contemporary series, and behind-the-scenes features, while the new NickToons linear channel features family-friendly animated content in English and in Arabic, including Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness, Tuff Puppy, and the series Monsters vs. Aliens. The new Paramount Channel will be introduced at the 2017 CABSAT Congress in Dubai on March 22.

TeenNick is a digital library of Nickelodeon favourites, including iCarly, Sam and Cat, and Victorious, subtitled in Arabic and curated specifically for teenagers who can access the exclusive channel via OSN’s On Demand platforms, OSN Play and OSN On Demand.

VIMN now distributes 9 brands in the Middle East exclusively on OSN including Nickelodeon HD, NickToons, Teen Nick, Nick Jr, Comedy Central; a Spike branded block – VH1, MTV Live HD; and soon Paramount Channel; with content available on the On Demand and OSN Play services and the NickPlay App and dual-language localized websites.

The launch of Paramount Channel (ch 34), Nick Toons (ch 358), and Teen Nick (OSN Play, OSN On Demand) expands VIMN’s portfolio with OSN to eight channels, alongside Nickelodeon HD (ch 355), Nick Jr (ch 356), Comedy Central (ch 207) with a Spike branded block, Vh1 (ch 303) and MTV Live HD (ch 300).

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About Viacom International Media Networks:
Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), is comprised of many of the world’s most popular multimedia entertainment brands, including MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount Channel, Channel 5 in the UK, VH1, VIVA, COLORS, Spike, Game One and Tr3s: MTV, Música y Más. Viacom brands are seen globally in more than 3.2 billion households in approximately 170 territories and 40 languages via more than 200 locally programmed and operated TV channels and more than 550 digital media and mobile TV properties. Keep up with VIMN news by visiting the VIMN PR Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/VIMN_PR. For more information about Viacom and its businesses, visit www.viacom.com blog.viacom.com and the Viacom Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/Viacom

About OSN:
OSN is the region’s leading entertainment network with the rights to broadcast into 24 countries across the MENA. The company is owned and operated by Panther Media Group, registered in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and has two shareholders, KIPCO and the Mawarid Group Limited.

OSN has a history of providing exceptional value for customers with its focus on exclusive and in-demand content, and innovative digital platforms for anywhere, anytime access.

With over 150 channels, OSN’s strength is its unbeatable range of exclusive programming led by its long-term partnerships with studio majors including Disney, HBO, NBC Universal, Fox, Paramount, MGM, Sony, DreamWorks and Warner Brothers.

65 HD channels mean OSN is the home for premium and nowhere-else content in Arabic, English, Filipino and South Asian languages. OSN broadcasts the latest content at the same minute as in the US, including popular series, blockbuster movies, and the best sports events. In addition, OSN also provides entertainment content for devices such as laptops, tablets and mobile phones via its OSN Play and Go online TV service, offering movies, series and sports on the go.

OSN has been at the forefront of digital technology innovation in the Middle East introducing the first Digital Video Recorder HD, OSN Play, an online TV platform, an internet-enabled satellite receiver and recorder and OSN on Demand, the region's first VOD service.

OSN also expanded its language services when it acquired Pehla Media & Entertainment, offering around forty channels in a variety of South Asian languages in the MENA region, with content such as Bollywood movies and cricket, including the ICC Cricket World Cup.

OSN’s ambition is to deliver entertainment everywhere for everyone, which is informed by the company’s three key pillars: A customer-first approach, unrivalled exclusive content and unbeatable value.

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