Kate Mulgrew Reveals What Convinced Her to Return as Captain Janeway for 'Star Trek: Prodigy'

Convincing Kate Mulgrew to return as Kathryn Janeway in Star Trek: Prodigy was no easy task.

Today (Oct. 24), Mulgrew virtually attended the unveiling of a statue honoring her Star Trek: Voyager captain in the character's future birthplace of Bloomington, Indiana. During the event, she took some questions and brought up her involvement with Star Trek: Prodigy. Some fans were surprised to hear she'd be in Prodigy after previously seeming reluctant to return to the Star Trek universe. Much as with Patrick Stewart's return for Star Trek: Picard, convincing Mulgrew to reprise her role was a long process and took some persistence from Star Trek television head Alex Kurtzman. Ultimately, the allure of reaching a new generation of fans is what convinced Mulgrew to come back.

"Well, frankly, the negotiations took quite a long time," Mulgrew said. "When Alex Kurtzman presented me with this idea, I wasn't entirely sure, and then over the months, the conversation evolved into what we could bring to an entirely new demographic of watchers. I thought the idea of bringing this to young minds was just too exciting, too evocative, and too promising."

Despite her initial reluctance to return to Janeway, she compared her relationship to the Starfleet captain to a "perfect marriage," at least by the time Voyager ended. "By the end of Star Trek: Voyager, it was a marriage made in heaven," she said. "As you know, I was shot out of a canon, and all I could do was stand and feel numb at the same time. By the seventh season, I belonged to her, and she belonged to me, and I carry this forward every day in the most unusual way. It's a transcendent kind of reality."

Captain Kathryn Janeway statue in Bloomington, Indiana. Credit: Facebook / @JanewayStatue.

Mulgrew announced at New York Comic Con Metaverse that she will reprise her role as Janeway in Star Trek: Prodigy. During the event, Mulgrew said, "I have invested every scintilla of my being in Captain Janeway, and I can’t wait to endow her with nuance that I never did before in Star Trek: Prodigy. How thrilling to be able to introduce to these young minds an idea that has elevated the world for decades. To be at the helm again is going to be deeply gratifying in a new way for me.”

Star Trek: Prodigy is a new animated series in the works for Nickelodeon that is aimed at younger views. It is one of several Star Trek projects currently in development as the franchise continues to expand. The CG-animated series will debut exclusively on Nickelodeon in 2021.

From Daily Star Trek News:

Star Trek: Voyager’s Kate Mulgrew is optimistic about Prodigy at Captain Janeway statue unveiling

OCTOBER 26, 2020 - Over the weekend, a new statue commemorating the character of Captain Janeway from Star Trek: Voyager was unveiled in her hometown of Bloomington, Indiana. And as a special guest, Janeway actor Kate Mulgrew was on hand - virtually - to say a few words about Voyager’s (and now Star Trek: Prodigy’s) captain.

The event was streamed live on Facebook by The Captain Janeway Bloomington Collective, and our sister podcast, Women at Warp, covered it on their blog. Appearing remotely, Mulgrew discussed Janeway’s legacy as a role model.

Speaking about her feelings on having a statue erected with her likeness, she told those watching the dedication, “It is a great privilege to have played [Janeway] and to know of her great resonance in the world today.”

Peter Kaczmarczyk of The Captain Janeway Bloomington Collective, the group behind the new statue, said, “I love my Trek but Captain Janeway is so much more than just a great character among the Trek pantheon. [...] We have our share of Trek nerds but we have a lot more people who respect and honor who Captain Janeway is and what she represents.”

Kaczmarczyk continued, “From the very beginning we stressed that this wasn’t just about a Star Trek character, it was about Captain Janeway the role model, the inspiration, the leader who young girls and women could, and still can, look up to.”

Mulgrew told the small crowd that she was moved by hearing the speakers at the unveiling, and expressed optimism that she will continue Janeway’s legacy in the upcoming Nickelodeon animated series Star Trek: Prodigy. She said, “To realize that Janeway has had such an important role in your lives, and I think, in cultural history, is not only terribly affecting to me, but makes me want to go forth in a new way, and I am doing that, I think, with Prodigy.”

If you happen to be in Bloomington, Indiana, you can see the new Janeway statue in person on the B-line trail next to the WonderLab Science Museum. You can watch the entire unveiling ceremony on Facebook, at facebook.com/janewaystatue, or check out the website for more information at janewaycollective.org.

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More Nick: Nickelodeon Updates Icons, Sets New Characters for 2021 | Next-Gen Nick!

Originally published: Sunday, October 25, 2020.

Sources: ComicBook (II).

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Melissa Joan Hart Reveals Which Prop From ‘Clarissa Explains It All’ She Wishes She Would’ve Taken From the Set

Melissa Joan Hart provided insight into the teenage mind on Clarissa Explains It All. She played the title character, Clarissa Darling, who clued the audience in on her life.

Clarissa would often sit in her bedroom and provide details about school, friends, her annoying younger brother, and crushes. A teenager herself while filming the show, Hart starred in the beloved Nickelodeon series from 1991 – 1994.

The series, which ran for four seasons, has come to be known as a classic ‘90s TV show. A pilot for a spin-off show called Clarissa Now was shot by CBS in 1995, but unfortunately wasn't picked up for a full series (the pilot can be watched here).

Today, Hart’s still an actor and she has keepsakes from various acting gigs. But when it comes to Clarissa Explains It All she wishes she would’ve left the set with one specific item from her character’s bedroom. 

In a 2019 interview with Architectural Digest about making her Lake Tahoe home her family’s main residence, the 44-year-old talked about what she wishes she would’ve taken from the set of Clarissa Explains It All - which was based at Nickelodeon Studios at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida - and what she ended up with.

What does Hart wish she would’ve taken? “The white and red checker quilt,” she told Architectural Digest. “It’s just so iconic. I really wish I had taken that.”

The quilt always sat on Clarissa’s bed and seeing as her bedroom was one of the most often-used sets it made many appearances throughout the series.

Hart’s time on Clarissa Explains It All didn’t end with her leaving without a keepsake. She kept a vintage sign. 

“There was this episode where there was a gas station, and there was this old-fashioned circular Texaco sign. I took that,” she said.

“When I was a teenager, I had it in my bedroom,” she added, saying it was hanging up “for a long time.”

Not exactly like the hubcaps hanging up on the wall in Clarissa’s bedroom but still car-related.  

‘Clarissa Explains It All’ creator got pushback on Clarissa’s bedroom decor

Mitchell Kriegman, the creator of Clarissa Explains It All, reflected on the drama that ensued when he shared his visions for Clarissa’s bedroom with Mental Floss.

“I’ll never forget when we designed her room,” he said. “The designer was very upset at first because he wanted to design a very girly room. And I said, ‘OK, you can design her girly room,’ and so they did. It was pink.” 

Kriegman then proceeded to have the walls covered with black paint and it didn’t go over well.

“Then I said, ‘Now we’re going to take car paint and paint black checkers across the wall,’” he recalled. “They were in shock. I mean, there was a cameraman who said, ‘What is she, possessed by the devil?’”

Kriegman also noted he instituted a no-purple rule for any of the sets or the wardrobe. An arbitrary rule he made on the advice of an industry veteran, purple ended up making it into the wardrobe or the set multiple times. 

While Hart didn’t get the quilt maybe someday she can explain what happened to it after Clarissa Explains It All went off the air after four seasons.

There was talk about Nickelodeon reviving Clarissa Explains It All for a new generation of fans, but unfortunately, talks seem to have stalled for now. However, Hart's voice can be heard in Nickelodeon's The Casagrandes.

Melissa has also revealed that she has some of the props from Sabrina The Teenage Witch in which she featured. She managed to take with her a hanging mirror and an umbrella holder that was made of wrought iron. She also remained with some candlestick holders and a sign written Witches Brew that still hangs in her kitchen.

Melissa didn't find her favorite role in either Nickelodeon's Clarissa Explains It All or Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Melissa's favorite role was in the ABC Family show, Melissa & Joey. The show had five seasons that started in August 2010 and ended in August 2015. Melissa said that she enjoyed the play so much because she was able to inject her real personality into the film.

Although she wasn't making a lot of money from the show initially, it's believed that from season 2, Melissa could pocket up to $40,000 per episode. The show ended after season five after Joe married Mel and gave birth to twins.

Melissa rose to fame at an early age, and throughout her acting career, she befriended and dated fellow actors, musicians, and other celebrities. She became friends with pop superstar Britney Spears - who once guest starred on Sabrina - and she even appeared in some of Britney's music videos.

In her memoir, Melissa talks about how she used to sneak Spears in and out of clubs, and how they did a lot of stuff together. She also revealed in her memoir how she disliked Ashton Kutcher, and she always made sure that she kept some distance from him.

More Nick: Nickelodeon Unveils First Look at CG-Animated 'Rugrats' and 'Big Nate'!

Originally published: Monday, October 26, 2020 at 01:18 GMT.

Original source: Showbiz Cheat Sheet (II), moms.

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Festival of Licensing Unveils ViacomCBS-Sponsored Community and Wellbeing Programme

Festival of Licensing Unveils Community and Wellbeing Program

ViacomCBS Consumer Products will officially sponsor a community and wellbeing program at Festival of Licensing.

Festival of Licensing, the month-long virtual gathering celebrating the global licensing industry from Oct. 6-29, has unveiled its Community and Wellbeing program, sponsored by ViacomCBS Consumer Products.

The online program will feature the following complementary elements:

1. Exclusive wellbeing sessions brought to you by ViacomCBS Consumer Products that will include:

• Family Friendly Dance & Yoga:  Drawing from Nick Jr. exercise videos, festival goers will be encouraged to take a break from the serious stuff to have fun and exercise with their kids;
• Retro Workout Class:  Neon? Check. Headbands? Check. You’re ready for the Festival of Licensing retro workout. Featuring MTV products in a high-energy workout class with a soundtrack that raises heartrates and celebrates the classic MTV of the ‘80s and ‘90s, the Festival retro workout will also showcase the ‘MTV Move’ pro-social initiative; and
• Self-Care:  A self-care expert from the ViacomCBS Wellness studio will share easy tips on nutrition, sleep and exercise, as well as showcase some funny moments from iconic characters practicing the same habits. The self-care session will end with a guided meditation and a welcome chance to unwind.

2. Business Mentoring and Advice Clinics:

• Festival goers can take advantage of in-region business mentoring and advice clinics offering legal, financial and career advice. Speed networking sessions will also be available to those looking for new job opportunities.

3. Global charity fundraiser in support of The Light Fund, Magic Wheelchair and Licensing International Small Business Global Grants Fund:

• A huge charity fundraiser involving the global licensing industry and beyond will launch very shortly.

“We’re delighted to be working alongside ViacomCBS to bring valuable – and much needed – community and wellbeing content to Festival of Licensing attendees from all over the world,” says Anna Knight, vice president, Global Licensing Group, Informa Markets. “Surviving through COVID has been incredibly challenging for many – whether financially, physically or emotionally – and it’s important that Festival both acknowledges this and provides meaningful support where we can.”

Festival of Licensing runs online Oct. 6-29. Brands interested in exhibiting or sponsorship opportunities should visit FestivalOfLicensing.com, where free visitor registration is also open.

Get moving with Festival of Licensing’s Community and Wellbeing sponsor @ViacomCBS!

With Nick Jr. family friendly exercise, a retro MTV workout, and Bikini Bottom yoga, there’s a little something for everyone. #ViacomCBS#FestivalofLicensing #sponsored pic.twitter.com/0dwtnMCGrO

— Brand Licensing Europe 2020 (@bleurope) September 29, 2020

From License Global:

Industry Leaders Highlight their Vision for Licensing's Future

Executives from across manufacturing, retail and brands are set to spotlight the future of consumer product licensing.

Licensing Leadership Summit is the culmination of the month-long Festival of Licensing virtual event, and offers global brand licensing decision makers insight and thought leadership panels that will help shape their strategic direction for 2021.

The two-day conference, taking place Oct. 28-29, is packed with industry-led thought leadership and online conversations about the opportunities ahead. It will virtually unite the whole licensing industry to form connections, share knowledge and secure licensing deals, and is brought to you by the organizers of Licensing Expo and Brand Licensing Europe.

Each day of the program will include insightful keynotes on the retail and licensing trends shaping the market. Following each keynote, attendees will have the opportunity to tune into an array of sessions covering a wide range of topics, issues and strategic opportunities facing the world of brand licensing such as TikTok, eSports, and gaming to evergreens like museum licensing, as well as hear from industry thought leaders including NPD, MoMA, NFLPA, Sesame Workshop, Hallmark, Trend Bible, Fashion Snoops, Redbubble, Legendary Entertaiment, Funko, Zynga, Nickelodeon, BBC, CPLG Wildbrain, Kantar, FlowHaven and many more.

All sessions will be available on-demand throughout both live event days and for four weeks after the conference ends. We’ve provided a snapshot of the agenda below and you can view the complete program here.

Different by Design: MoMA’s Modern Approach to Museum Licensing

Speaker: Robin Sayetta, Head of Business Development, Retail, The Museum of Modern Art

The Athlete Influencer Difference

Speakers: Terése Whitehead, Senior Manager of Sponsorship and Operations, NFL Player's Association, Inc.; Isaac Rochell, American Football Player

What Do Licensees Want?

Speakers: Connie Chang, Director of Licensing, C-Life Group; Tonya Kirby, Director of Licensing, Retro Brands; and Rick Lowe, Managing Director, Brands In

Moderator: James Dohnert, Content Editor, License Global

How Games Ate the Licensing World 

Speakers: Chris Petrovic, Senior Vice President and Head of Corporate Strategy, M&A and Business Development, Zynga, Inc., and Shaan Akbar, Digital Media Executive and Consultant

How to Combat the Explosion of Print On-Demand Whack-A-Mole on Social Media

Speakers: Rachel Aronson, Head of Business Development, CounterFind, and Jamie Gerson, Head of Strategic Partnerships, CounterFind

Thinking Beyond Revenue: A Holistic Licensing Approach in the Post-Normal

Speakers: Kalle Törmä, FlowHaven, and Anita Castellar, Chief Executive Officer, FanGirl Consulting and Brand Management

Digital Talent: The Future

Speaker: Sid Kaufman, Licensing Agent, UTA

Moderator: Amanda Cioletti, Event and Content Director, Global Licensing Group, Informa Markets

Product as Solutions

Speakers: Lilly Berelovich, President and Chief Creative Officer, Fashion Snoops; Jenna Guarascio, Director of Content Strategy, Fashion Snoops; and Carrera Kurnik, Culture Editor and Consumer Strategist, Fashion Snoops   

Something Old, Something New: How to Plan for Changing Consumer Behaviors 

Speakers: James Foti, Worldpanel Division, Consumer Insight Director, Entertainment, Kantar, and Glen Tooke, Worldpanel Division, Consumer Insight Director, Fashion, Kantar

Licensing and the Toy Industry: A Changing Landscape                                           

Speaker: Juli Lennet, Vice President and Industry Advisor, U.S. Toys, The NPD Group

I Want it Now!: Using the Fan to Expand Distribution

Speaker: Lauren Winarski, Senior Manager, Brand and Licensing, Funko

Knowledge is Power: Throw Away Your Crystal Ball

Speakers: Frank Masterson, formerly of Hallmark, and Tony Scott, Senior Promotions Manager, Edgewell Personal Care

Moderator: Marty Malysz, President, Dependable Rights

New Directions at Retail

Speaker: Robin Lewis, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, The Robin Report

Moderator: Maura Regan, President, Licensing International

Finding Opportunity in the Overwhelm: Key Trends in Consumerism 

Speakers: Maxwell Luthy, Evangelist at Large, TrendWatching

How the World’s Best Brands use Trends to Succeed

Speaker: Joanna Feeley, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Trend Bible

COVID-19: What Happens Next?

Speaker: Bibi Wardak, Content Editor, License Global

YouTube and You: Insights to Drive Retail and Consumer Product Strategies

Speakers: Steve Manners, Vice President, Business Development, WildBrain CPLG and WildBrain Spark, and Jon Gisby, Managing Director, WildBrain Spark

Esports: The Hottest New Licensing Category in Latin America

Speakers: Maca Rotter, President and Chief Executive Officer, La Panaderia, and Habacuc Guzmán, Co-Founder and Director, Arena Esports GG

Forging a Sustainable Future      

Speakers: Mart Drake-Knight, Owner, Teemill; Rikesh Desai, Licensing Director, Merchandise and Gaming, BBC Studios; Anita Manju, Senior Licensing Manager, Softlines, BBC Studios; and Helena Stopher, Founder, Products of Change

Moderator: Ben Roberts, Content Editor, EMEA, License Global

Orchestrating Speed-to-Market: How to Make Everything Hum in Concert

Speaker: Gabriela Arenas, Vice President, Licensing, North America, Sesame Workshop

Moderator: Amanda Cioletti, Event and Content Director, Licensing, Informa Markets

The Importance of Licensing to Brand Owners in these Turbulent Times

Speaker: Michael Stone, Co-Founder and Chairman, Beanstalk

UGC Marketplaces and Brand Licensing

Speakers: Christina Lima, Vice President, Global Franchise Management and Creative Services, ITV Studios; Eric Morse, Senior Vice President, Content Partnerships, Redbubble; and James Ngo, Executive Vice President, Franchise Management, Legendary Entertainment

From Screen to Shelves

Speakers: Nina Hahn, Senior Vice President, Nickelodeon; Veronica Hart, Executive Vice President, Franchise Planning, ViacomCBS; Mark Kingston, Senior Vice President, International Licensing, ViacomCBS Consumer Products

Moderator: Rachel Sandler, Vice President, Communications, Consumer Products, ViacomCBS

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More Nick: Nickelodeon Upfront 2020 Roundup!

Originally published: Sunday, September 6, 2020 at 21:32 BST.

Additional source: Toy World Magazine; Update H/T: Special thanks to @RegularTweetsUK!

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'Ricky Zoom' Season Two to Rev Onto Nick Jr. UK in November 2020

Entertainment One (eOne) is gearing up for the debut of Ricky Zoom season two (52×11 minute episodes) on Nick Jr. UK & Ireland in November 2020!

Ricky Zoom follows the adventures of Ricky, a little red rescue bike, and his loyal Bike Buddies as they zoom around their Wheelford community helping others, trying out new stunts, and learning to stand on their own two wheels.

Meet the Bike Buddies along for the ride:

- Ricky Zoom – A little rescue bike that loves to go fast, Ricky is a loyal friend and natural leader of the Bike Buddies.

- Loop Hoopla – An adventurous dirt bike with a happy-go-lucky attitude, Loop loves having fun and trying crazy new stunts.

- Scootio Wizzbang – Scootio is bright, brainy and never afraid to speak her mind. She loves using her technical genius and gadgets to solve problems.

- DJ Rumbler – DJ has a huge heart and would do anything for his friends. He also has a super toolbox and a robotic arm, so there is nothing he cannot build—or knock down.

Developed by Emmy Award-winning creator Alexander Bar and production house Frog Box, Ricky Zoom highlights the importance of friendship, resourcefulness, community and teamwork. Celebrating differences is one of many zoomtastic themes within the series. The series has been renewed for season two.

Ricky Zoom revved onto Nick Jr. during autumn 2020, where it received a strong debut, being watched by 2.0m to date. The series also raced onto Milkshake! in April 2020, where it has become the number-one show for kids aged 4-6 during its timeslot. The series also airs on Nick Jr. USA.

The growing broadcast exposure will drive awareness for Ricky Zoom as eOne builds up to the consumer products roll-out in autumn which will see additional toys released by master toy partner, Tomy. New toys will include the RC Turbo Tricky Ricky (pictured below), which does real wheelies and boasts the ability to do 360-degree stunt spins. The new toy line is being supported by a heavyweight TV and VOD campaign, targeted social media and digital activations, and targeted influencer campaigns.

The property’s growing popularity was evident in the response to its first app, Welcome to Wheelford, which has been downloaded more than 4 million times globally since its release in August 2019.

Toy World Magazine recently spoke to Katie Rollings, SVP UK Licensing, Hasbro about the company's upcoming plans for the Ricky Zoom brand: "The Ricky Zoom product rollout started earlier this year, in July, and so far, the sales data we're seeing is really strong, bolstered by the great broadcast across Milkshake! and Nick Jr.," said Rollings. "Our plan remains the same as it was the start of the year - a steady rollout, building out the categories as we head into 2021. Towards the end of this year, we'll start to see more on the softlines side, such as nightwear, and other categories will be unveiled from January onwards: publishing, daywear, puzzles and games, wheeled toys and more. We'll be working closely with retailers and licensees to drive those activations where it makes sense. We're pleased with the start Ricky has had; now we need to build on it."

Rollings also talked about the Peppa Pig brand, which came into the Hasbro fold following the toy company acquiring eOne. "With Peppa, it has alreadys been very much an always-on approach. She's always done well for us, and I'm sure she will continue to do so. We've identified new areas with room for growth which will be explored throughout the year, and we're already in discussions with may retailers for 2021 activation plans."

Hasbro also revealed that, now they have iconic eOne properties such as Peppa Pig, rather than burn bridges with the partnerships that eOne made for Peppa Pig prior to the brand, they'll continue to work with licensees, whilst also working on finding new gaps and opportunities in the marketplace to exploit.

For more information on Ricky Zoom, please visit the series website and get up to speed on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Online at nickjr.co.uk and the Nick Jr. Play app, parents and preschoolers can find lots of videos, games and activities guaranteed to keep their little ones occupied for hours. Parents can also like the official Nick Jr. UK & Ireland Twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages and sign up to the official Nick Jr. Fan Club for the latest Nick Jr. news, highlights, video clips, competitions and more.

More Nick: Nick Jr. UK to Premiere New Preschool Series 'Santiago of the Seas' on Monday 2nd November 2020!

About Nick Jr.

Where every day’s an adventure, Nick Jr. is a top-performing commercial pre-school entertainment brand in cable and satellite homes. Launched in 1999 as the world's first channel dedicated to pre-school children, Nick Jr.’s programming includes beloved shows PAW Patrol, Shimmer and Shine, Nella the Princess Knight and Peppa Pig. Kids and parents can find lots of video clips, games, exclusive activities and downloads featuring their favourite Nick Jr. friends online at nickjr.co.uk and on the Nick Jr. Play app. Viewers also have the opportunity to catch up with the schedule through Nick Jr. +1. Nick Jr. is available on Sky 615, Virgin 715, through BT Vision and TalkTalk channel 318.

About Nickelodeon

The Nickelodeon Network is a top-performing commercial kids’ TV network in the UK and Ireland with Nickelodeon channels available in over 13 million cable and satellite homes. Having launched in 1993 Nickelodeon UK comprises seven dedicated entertainment channels for kids aged 4-15 and their families, and is a joint venture between Viacom International Media Networks and BSkyB.

Originally published: Tuesday, October 06, 2020.

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ViacomCBS Consumer Products Unveils 2021 Highlights for the UK

ViacomCBS Consumer Products has unveiled some of its exciting plans for 2021!

ViacomCBS Consumer Products has new developments coming through in 2021. The diverse and extensive portfolio will have products on offer for 'Every Age, Every Aisle, Everywhere'.

In 2021, PAW Patrol releases its first-ever feature length film, Paw Patrol: The Movie. In partnership with Spin Master Entertainment, Nickelodeon Movies and Paramount Pictures, the film will hit the big screen in August 2021, as the pups leave Adventure Bay for a new mission in Adventure City. The movie will feature big-screen storytelling and epic action, which will include new locations, vehicles, characters and a roster of celebrity voice talent to create the ultimate 2021 family summer movie. The release will be supported by a multi-phased global marketing campaign with investment spanning the wider ViacomCBS eco-system and beyond. The fresh new look will offer the opportunity to create and distribute new and different cross-category consumer products for the brand.

Blue's Clues & You! will be one of 2021's top contenders in the pre-school area. Reigniting this cult pre-school powerhouse has already proven successful. Thanks to an approach across linear and digital, reaching kids wherever they watch content, the show was the number one preschool premiere in the UK when it first launched on Nick Jr. in May 2020. In the Blue's Clues & You! universe, children can learn, interact with the host and be challenged with problems to solve, all while having fun. The UK consumer product team will leverage the learning through play element to create a range of toys for 2-5 year olds for the 2021 autumn/winter season.

Baby Shark was named a top five new brand in the global market by NPD in March 2020. ViacomCBS will be expanding the reach of this iconic brand through a Nick Jr. animated series, Baby Shark's Big Show, which will launch in the UK during Q2 2021. Next year will be the opportunity to expand on the franchise with new licensees and products launching.

Rugrats will be back in 2021 with a brand-new CG-animated series slated to launch in Q3 2021 on Nickelodeon. This series will include the well-known characters, threaded with the memorable humour of the classic series, while also being reimagined for a modern-day audience. A consumer products line will follow in 2022.

Other key 2021 developments for ViacomCBS Consumer Products will include the release of Top Gun Maverick in July 2021 and the launch of social stars such as That Girl Lay Lay and Johnny Orlando, following their respective partnerships with Nickelodeon and MTV.

More Nick: Nickelodeon Updates Icons, Sets New Characters for 2021 | Next-Gen Nick!

Originally published: Monday, October 26, 2020.

Original source: Toy World Magazine (October 2020)

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Nickelodeon Launches 'Do Not Touch' App in the UK

Nickelodeon has released its first-ever augmented reality (AR) app Do Not Touch in the U.K.!

The Do Not Touch app allows users to bring Nickelodeon’s iconic properties to life in a new and exciting way. 

Do Not Touch users experience interactive surprises and mini-games in the app which highlight Nickelodeon's properties including SpongeBob SquarePants, The Loud House, Slime and the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards blimp, along with original animations.

The app makes Nickelodeon’s recognisable 'Do Not Touch' button found on Nickelodeon's official websites and the Nickelodeon Play app, and the animations and interactive experiences it randomly generates, seem to appear in a user’s surrounding physical space when viewed through a mobile device’s camera.

Moving a device allows users to see the action from all angles on the screen, and tapping characters and objects reveals more surprises.

Play with SpongeBob in your kitchen, enter a portal into outer space from your living room, and dig for buried treasure under your bedroom floor! Get high scores to unlock rare buttons, games, and goodies – think you've got what it takes to collect them all?


The award-winning app will rollout new games and features on a regular basis to keep users entertained and engaged.

Nickelodeon's Do Not Touch app can be downloaded for free for iOS and Android devices via the Apple App Store and Google Play store, respectively.

Nickelodeon's Do Not Touch app first made its debut in the U.S. in March 2018.

More Nick: Nickelodeon Updates Icons, Sets New Characters for 2021 | Next-Gen Nick!

Originally published: Monday, October 26, 2020.

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Nickelodeon UK Ratings For Week Of Monday 12th - Sunday 18th October 2020

Nickelodeon UK Network Ratings for week of Monday 12th - Sunday 18th October 2020.

The Nickelodeon UK Network's ratings were a bit of a mixed bag this week, compared to the previous week (Oct. 4-11), according to BARB data. Danger Force, the spin-off from hit series Henry Danger took a bit of a hit, down 20,900 viewers over the previous week. The Boy Who Cried Werewolf made a welcome appearance, despite premiering nine years ago.

Nickelodeon Total

1. VICTORIOUS (WED 14:00) - 77,300

2. HORRID HENRY (WED 16:31) - 76,200

3. VICTORIOUS (WED 14:31) - 74,500

4. THE THUNDERMANS (FRI 07:28) - 49,000

5. HORRID HENRY (FRI 16:00) - 48,600

6. HENRY DANGER (FRI 08:00) - 45,600

7. HORRID HENRY (FRI 16:12) - 42,000

8. THE THUNDERMANS (MON 09:59) - 38,700

9. DANGER FORCE (FRI 18:00) - 35,900

10. HORRID HENRY (SAT 07:15) - 34,300

11. HORRID HENRY (SUN 08:00) - 34,000

12. THE THUNDERMANS (FRI 15:31) - 32,900

13. THE HAUNTED HATHAWAYS (MON 17:31) - 32,299

14. FILM: THE BOY WHO CRIED WEREWOLF (2010) (SAT 07:31) - 32,299

15. HORRID HENRY (THU 16:31) - 32,000

NickToons Total:

1. SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS (TUE 07:45) - 62,300

2. SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS (TUE 07:30) - 54,200

3. SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS (TUE 07:15) - 48,900

4. MR MAGOO (MON 16:29) - 46,300

5. SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS (MON 07:45) - 44,100

6. SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS (MON 07:30) - 44,100

7. SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS (THU 19:30) - 39,200

8. HORRID HENRY (TUE 08:00) - 39,200

9. SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS (MON 07:15) - 37,800

10. MR MAGOO (MON 16:49) - 36,800

11. THE LOUD HOUSE (SAT 08:30) - 34,300

12. SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS (THU 07:45) - 33,800

13. SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS (MON 16:15) - 31,200

14. HORRID HENRY (TUE 17:45) - 29,500

15. SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS (WED 19:00) - 29,300

Nick Jr Total:

1. PEPPA PIG (MON 12:50) - 142,900

2. PEPPA PIG (MON 14:04) - 131,600

3. PEPPA PIG (MON 13:59) - 122,800

4. PEPPA PIG (MON 14:14) - 112,400

5. PEPPA PIG (TUE 13:14) - 108,300

6. PEPPA PIG (FRI 13:14) - 108,300

7. PEPPA PIG (MON 20:59) - 106,700

8. PEPPA PIG (WED 21:49) - 102,100

9. PEPPA PIG (MON 12:30) - 101,900

10. PEPPA PIG (FRI 13:04) - 101,600

11. PEPPA PIG (MON 12:35) - 98,900

12. PEPPA PIG (MON 12:45) - 96,600

13. PEPPA PIG (THU 21:19) - 95,100

14. PEPPA PIG (TUE 10:49) - 93,700

15. PEPPA PIG (TUE 14:14) - 93,400

Nick Jr. Too:

1. PAW PATROL (SAT 12:44) - 102,200

2. PAW PATROL (SAT 12:29) - 98,800

3. PAW PATROL (SAT 18:29) - 84,800

4. PAW PATROL (SAT 12:14) - 83,900

5. PAW PATROL (TUE 17:30) - 80,800

6. PAW PATROL (TUE 16:30) - 80,700

7. PAW PATROL (TUE 19:29) - 78,600

8. PAW PATROL (THU 16:59) - 76,100

9. PAW PATROL (SAT 13:44) - 75,500

10. PAW PATROL (SAT 12:00) - 75,200

11. PAW PATROL (SAT 11:44) - 75,200

12. PAW PATROL (THU 16:45) - 72,500

13. PAW PATROL (SAT 13:29) - 71,000

14. PAW PATROL (TUE 19:14) - 70,800

15. PAW PATROL (SAT 13:59) - 70,400

Note: Nick Jr. Too is listed as Nick Jr 2 on BARB.

Nickelodeon Network:

1. PEPPA PIG (MON 12:50) - Nick Jr Total - 142,900

2. PEPPA PIG (MON 14:04) - Nick Jr Total - 131,600

3. PEPPA PIG (MON 13:59) - Nick Jr Total - 122,800

4. PEPPA PIG (MON 14:14) - Nick Jr Total - 112,400

5. PEPPA PIG (FRI 13:14) - Nick Jr Total - 108,300

6. PEPPA PIG (TUE 13:14) - Nick Jr Total - 108,300

7. PEPPA PIG (MON 20:59) - Nick Jr Total - 106,700

8. PAW PATROL (SAT 12:44) - Nick Jr 2 - 102,200

9. PEPPA PIG (WED 21:49) - Nick Jr Total - 102,100

10. PEPPA PIG (MON 12:30) - Nick Jr Total - 101,900

11. PEPPA PIG (FRI 13:04) - Nick Jr Total - 101,600

12. PEPPA PIG (MON 12:35) - Nick Jr Total - 98,900

13. PAW PATROL (SAT 12:29) - Nick Jr 2 - 98,800

14. PEPPA PIG (MON 12:45) - Nick Jr Total - 96,600

15. PEPPA PIG (THU 21:19) - Nick Jr Total - 95,100

Ratings data provided by BARB.

Programmes of less than 5 minutes duration are excluded from these reports.

Linear TV viewing only; Data for viewing programming on PC/laptops, Tablets and Smartphones is currently unavailable.

More Nick: It's All New All Nick This October 2020 on Nickelodeon UK!

Originally published: Monday, October 26, 2020.

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TUFF PUPPY 10 Years Later | Butch Hartman

TUFF PUPPY 10 Years Later | Butch Hartman


Want a drawing from Butch? https://linktr.ee/butchhartman

Find out how to draw more of your favorite Nicktoons characters!: http://nickalive.blogspot.com/search/label/How%20To%20Draw

Butch Hartman - Facebook | Instagram | Butch's Sketchpad On Instagram | Twitter | Snapchat: @realhartman | YouTube | Speech Bubble | Tumblr | Pinterest

The Noog Network - www.noognetwork.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Snapchat: @noognetwork | Tumblr | Pinterest

More Nick: Netflix and Nickelodeon Form Multi-Year Output Deal to Produce Original Animated Films and Series!

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Treehouse | Dress Up Day | This Saturday, All Day!

Treehouse | Dress Up Day | This Saturday, All Day!


Halloween is almost here! And that means it's dress up day at Treehouse! Catch all your Treehouse friends on Dress Up day, all day Saturday!

More Halloween goodies!: http://nickalive.blogspot.com/search/label/Halloween%20On%20Nickelodeon

More Nick: Treehouse to Premiere 'Santiago of the Seas' on Sunday, November 8!

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Pluto TV Now Available on Multiple Platforms in Spain

PLUTO TV NOW AVAILABLE IN SPAIN ON MULTIPLE PLATFORMS

Pluto TV unveils first content lineup with 40 original channels across cinema, kids & families, crime & mystery, cooking, sports, gaming, and more

MILAN, 26 October 2020 – ViacomCBS Networks International announced today the official launch of its AVOD service Pluto TV in Spain. Currently offering 40 original channels across different genres, Spanish audiences can now access premium and curated content free of charge without registering for the first time ever.

Available on www.pluto.tv, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung TV+, as well as iOS and Android mobile devices, Spanish audiences can access a wide variety of exclusive channels with Spanish and international content, including genre-specific channels like gaming, sports and cooking, as well as pop-up channels and branded channels like MTV Originals.

Pluto TV offers a movie library spanning action, thrillers, romance, comedy, and drama, including Hachi: A Dog’s Tale, The Expendables, Dreamgirls, Mientras duermes, and P.S., I Love You, and an extensive selection of series including Midsomer Murders, Crusoe, Arròs Covat, and Spanish classics such as Ana y los 7 or Curro Jiménez.

Pluto TV’s lineup also includes carefully selected channels for younger audiences and families, with iconic shows from the Nickelodeon brand. These include Nickelodeon favorites such as Big Time Rush, Blue’s Clues and You, Go, Diego, Go!, Nick Jr. hits like Allegra’s Window and Fresh Beat Band: Los Espias, Nick Teen comedy series like Bella and the Bulldogs and True Jackson, VP as well as animated series like Fanboy and Chum Chum and The Legend of Korra.

Fans of MTV can enjoy hours of dedicated content including MTV originals, from Catfish to MTV Tuning to iconic Jackass. At the same time, cooking lovers can binge on dedicated culinary content, featuring Jamie Oliver’s 5 Ingredients: Quick & Easy Food. Whilst Spanish comedy devotees have 24/7 access to Spanish made comedy, offering Comedy Central’s local productions like Central de Cómicos and Smonka.

Pluto TV will continue to expand its content offer every month with more original and exclusive channels to reach 50 channels by the end of 2020 and 100 channels by the end of 2021.

###

From SatCesc:

Paramount+ llegará a España después de Pluto TV

Este 26 de octubre nace Pluto TV en España

ViacomCBS anunciaba hace unas semanas el lanzamiento para el año 2021 de Paramount+, un servicio de vídeo bajo demanda por suscripción con 30.000 películas y episodios de series. El servicio por streaming sumará las firmas de la major y distribuidoras, cadenas y plataformas relacionadas.

El arranque internacional de Paramount+ comenzará a principios de 2021 en Australia, América latina y los países nórdicos. Estas zonas servirán como prueba antes de su expansión en el resto del mundo, también en España.

Así lo ha asegurado el vicepresidente ejecutivo y director general para Iberia, Francia, Italia, Oriente Medio, Grecia y Turquía de Viacom CBS International, Jaime Ondarza, a Expansión. Según el directivo «Paramount + también llegará a España. Estamos trabajando en los planes, pero no puedo dar plazos. Es la evolución natural para una compañía como Viacom CBS con las marcas potentes que tenemos».

Paramount+ contará con la extensa biblioteca de Paramount Pictures, CBS, BET, Comedy Central, MTV y Nickelodeon, entre otros.

Paramount+ ofrecerá además nuevas series originales, que estarán disponibles a nivel mundial en 2021. Además, el servicio proyecta crear una serie de documentales musicales únicos en su tipo que incluye contenido de la biblioteca de MTV.

A nivel internacional, Paramount+ será el servicio exclusivo para los estrenos de SHOWTIME.

Pluto TV antes

El nacimiento de Paramount+ tendrá mucho que ver con la experiencia de Pluto TV, también de la mano de la misma compañía, ViacomCBS.

El nuevo servicio por streaming arranca en España este 26 de octubre con 40 canales exclusivos en temáticas como cine, series, programación infantil, deporte o juegos, y el objetivo de alcanzar el centenar en el plazo de un año.

El servicio ofrece canales de televisión lineal, con contenido bajo demanda, y con publicidad. Todo ello de forma gratuita para el usuario sin necesidad de registrarse.

Pluto TV tiene 33 millones de usuarios únicos mensuales a nivel global, según ha revelado el propio Ondarza.

###

From Woman:

Aterriza en España Pluto TV, la nueva plataforma gratuita de vídeo bajo demanda, y estas son las estrellas de su catálogo

No exige registro y es gratuita aunque incluye publicidad. 

Ya está aquí. Se llama Pluto TV y es la nueva plataforma de streaming que viene a competir con otros servicios de vídeos bajo demanda en España como Netflix o HBO. Y que se presenta como un "servicio gratuito y sin registro de streaming con publicidad". Es decir, en lugar de tener que pagar una tarifa mensual por ver sus contenidos, Pluto TV es una AVOD (advertising based video on demand), es decir, sus ingresos provienen de la publicidad. 

La nueva plataforma, que ya ha demostrado su éxito en Estados Unidos, llega con 40 canales exclusivos y tematizados con cine, series, programación infantil, realities, deportes y gaming, así como "miles de horas de contenido". Además, promete ir sumando nuevos canales hasta alcanzar los 50 a finales de 2020, y un total de 100 a finales de 2021.

Detrás de ella se encuentra ViacomCBS Networks International, la red que integra marcas como MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET y Master TV, que pronto prevén expandirse, además, por Italia o Francia. 

¿Y qué contenidos ofrece? Desde series españolas míticas de las que habrás oído hablar a tus padres o hermanos mayores (desde 'Curro Jiménez' a 'Ana y los 7'), a ficciones ('Taken') o programas tan populares como 'Catfish', 'Central de Cómicos', 'Jackass' o 'Vaya semanita'.. Algunos de ellos son ofrecidos por la 'TV en vivo', mientras que otros se pueden ver elegir en cualquier momento en la sección 'On demand'. 

Mientras dentro de 'TV en vivo', este lunes se podían disfrutar películas como 'Dreamgirls', 'Million dollar baby' o 'Amanece en Edimburgo', el espacio 'Castfish: mentiras en la red' o episodios de las series 'Los asesinatos de Midsomer', 'Curro Jiménez', 'Ana y los 7' o 'La chica invisible', así como 'Supah Ninjas' para los pequeños, y espacios de deportes, dentro de la sección bajo demanda se pueden encontrar estos contenidos: 

Películas: No hay éxitos superrecientes, pero sí contenidos con críticas positivas (en torno al notable, faltan todavía sobresalientes) que están distribuidos por géneros (acción, comedia, romántica, drama, thriller).

En la sección de largometrajes nos encontramos títulos como 'Luciérnagas en el jardín', de 2013, con Ryan Reynolds y Emily Watson; 'Nine' (el filme protagonizado en 2009, entre otras actrices, por Penélope Cruz y Marion Cotillard), 'Siempre a tu lado (hachiko)', la peli de 2009 con Richard Gere que logró un notable alto en las calificaciones de IMDB, 'Betty Anne Waters', donde Hilary Swank interpretó, en 2010, a una madre trabajadora, 'La carretera' (el escalofriante filme protagonizado por Viggo Mortensen en 2006), 'El luchador' (2008, con Mickey Rourke) o la ganadora de un Oscar 'Dioses y monstruos'.

Series: Encabeza la sección 'Arcángel' (2005), con un Daniel Craig de mirada turbadora y series que, en los últimos 15 años, han recabado buenas críticas. Por ejemplo, 'Viaje a los confines de la tierra' (2005), 'The virgin queen' (2005), 'Andrómeda' (2000-2005), 'Las reglas del juego' (2008-2012), o las españolas 'Guante blanco' (2008), con Carlos Hipólito; 'Curro Jiménez' (1976-1979), '23-F: el día más difícil del Rey' (2009), con Lluis Homar, 'Ana y los 7' (la popular ficción de Ana Obregón, de 2002), 'Desaparecida' (2007), 'Historias para no dormir' (1966, dirigida por Narciso Ibáñez Serrador) y 'El Bloke' (2009). 

También hay disponibles contenidos de MTV, programas como el bromista #YouGotGot, 'Vidiots' o el reality '¡Despedido! Por papá y mamá'. En entretenimiento, también hay propuestas como 'El Divo' o 'La hora de José Mota'.

Pluto TV se podrá ver a través de la web www.pluto.tv, así como Apple TV, Android TV o Amazon Fire TV, y en dispositivos móviles tanto Android como iOS. 

###

From Digital TV Europe:

ViacomCBS AVOD Pluto TV launches in Spain

ViacomCBS’s ad-supported streamer PlutoTV has launched in Spain.

First announced earlier this month, Pluto TV is available to Spanish audiences via browser, smart TV and mobile apps, and launches with 40 thematic channels. Pluto claims it is the first free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service on the Spanish market.

Partnering with over 20 content partners in Spain including All3Media, Endemol Shine, Fremantle and Lionsgate, users will have access to movies including Hachi: A Dog’s Tale, The Expendables, Dreamgirls, Mientras duermes, and P.S., I Love You, and a selection of series including Midsomer Murders, Crusoe, Arròs Covat, and Spanish classics such as Ana y los 7 and Curro Jiménez.

Pluto TV also includes a wide range of family content from Nickelodeon and teen viewing from MTV. The company said that it will continue to expand its content offer every month with more original and exclusive channels to reach 50 channels by the end of 2020 and 100 channels by the end of 2021.

The launch comes at a time when PlutoTV is becoming increasingly central to the strategy of parent company ViacomCBS. Reflective of this is the promotion of Pluto TV CEO and co-founder Tom Ryan to the president & CEO of ViacomCBS Streaming. ViacomCBS CEO Bob Bakish said that Pluto will serve to complement Paramount+, the Netflix-rivalling international SVOD which will launch in early 2021.

###

From TV LATINA:

VIS lanza división infantil

ViacomCBS International Studios (VIS) anunció el lanzamiento de una nueva división de contenido para niños con el nombramiento de Nina Hahn como directora de VIS Kids, además de su cargo como VP sénior de producción y desarrollo de Nickelodeon Internacional.

Con sede en Londres, Hahn reportará a Juan ‘JC’ Acosta, presidente de VIS y ViacomCBS Networks Americas, mientras continúa reportando a Jules Borkent, VP ejecutivo, niños y familia, VCNI.

El lanzamiento de VIS Kids permite la expansión del contenido para niños a nivel global, ampliando su oferta de contenido para incluir contenido de formato corto y largo que se producirá y venderá a terceros, además de las marcas y plataformas de ViacomCBS.

Como directora de VIS Kids, Hahn se centrará en hacer crecer el negocio de contenido para niños de VIS y expandir su presencia global. La ejecutiva liderará la búsqueda y el desarrollo de originales dentro de los géneros de animación, acción en vivo y preescolar al alinearse estrechamente con los equipos de producción y desarrollo del estudio en América Latina, el Reino Unido, España e Israel. Hahn colaborará estrechamente con colegas a nivel nacional e internacional, junto con un equipo central que abarcará desarrollo y producción, ventas y distribución internacional.

Durante su liderazgo en Nickelodeon, La ejecutiva fue pionera en desarrollar el primer centro global de la organización para el abastecimiento y la creación de contenido, y ha iniciado proyectos únicos en mercados como China con Deer Squad, una coproducción con iQiyi; Israel con Spyders, la primera coproducción original de Nickelodeon International con Ananey Studios; e India con The Twisted Timelines of Sammy & Raj, la primera colaboración de la marca con Viacom18. Hahn ha incorporado más de 2000 horas de contenido original para la marca infantil y ha liderado esfuerzos en toda la empresa, como el primer programa global de escritores de Nickelodeon, así como el primer programa global de cortos de la marca, que generó It’s Pony, la primera serie animada original de Nickelodeon Internacional para niños de 8 a 10 años, que ha sido autorizada por Estados Unidos para lanzar a nivel global, y Shark Dog, la primera serie animada global de VIS creada internacionalmente para Netflix, que se estrenará a nivel mundial en 2021.

Con 30 series en producción y 50 más en desarrollo, VIS es un jugador clave en el ecosistema de contenido de ViacomCBS. VIS ha alcanzado un crecimiento promedio de ingresos de casi el 50 por ciento desde el inicio, y el lanzamiento de VIS Kids garantizará un crecimiento continuo de los ingresos, al tiempo que servirá como pilar para el plan del estudio de desarrollar más de 30 nuevos programas para niños durante los próximos tres años.

“VIS tiene fuerte presencia en la categoría niños con series exitosas como Club 57 y Noobees, por lo que sentimos que es hora de lanzar nuestra propia división infantil de ViacomCBS International Studios”, dijo Acosta. “Nina ha sido impulsora de muchas de las innovadoras y premiadas series de Nickelodeon en todo el mundo, y estoy seguro de que aprovechará el momento del VIS al frente de VIS Kids”.

Por su parte, Hahn agregó: “Me siento honrada de dirigir VIS Kids y planeo establecer raíces profundas, diversas e inclusivas en el contenido infantil. Este lanzamiento promueve el modelo de nuestro estudio de crear divisiones especializadas con liderazgo centralizado, para garantizar que podamos aprovechar al máximo las oportunidades estratégicas que respaldan el avance continuo de VIS”.

###

From Expansión.com:

Los planes para España de Viacom CBS: de Pluto TV a Paramount+

Hoy arranca el servicio en 'streaming' con publicidad Pluto TV, mientras la compañía trabaja en la plataforma de suscripción Paramount +, que también llegará a nuestro país

El conglomerado mediático estadounidense Viacom CBS ha identificado España como un mercado clave en su ambición internacional de llegar directamente al consumidor mediante plataformas propias de streaming. La compañía estrena hoy en nuestro país Pluto TV, un servicio gratuito financiado con publicidad, mientras trabaa en un futuro lanzamiento de Paramount +, su nueva plataforma de pago, con la que busca plantar cara a competidores como Netflix, Amazon o Disney.

"Paramount + también llegará a España. Estamos trabajando en los planes, pero no puedo dar plazos", explica a EXPANSIÓN Jaime Ondarza, que se incorporó este verano a Viacom CBS International como vicepresidente ejecutivo y director general para Iberia, Francia, Italia, Oriente Medio, Grecia y Turquía. En septiembre, la compañía anunció sus planes para lanzar durante 2021 Paramount+ en Australia, Latinoamérica y los países nórdicos. "Es la evolución natural para una compañía como Viacom CBS con las marcas potentes que tenemos", dice.

Viacom CBS, resultado de la fusión en 2019 de Viacom (dueño de los estudios Paramount y de canales como MTV, Comedy Central o Nickelodeon) y del grupo de radiotelevisión CBS, ve en el streaming un pilar de su estrategia en un momento marcado por los cambios de hábitos del consumo audiovisual y el impacto en su negocio tradicional del retroceso de la TV por cable. "Viacom CBS es la mejor posicionada de entre las compañías de medios y los grandes estudios norteamericanos para tener éxito", opina Ondarza, quien resalta las fortalezas: "Un catálogo de contenidos muy fuerte que seguimos alimentando con producción relevante para el público" y una apuesta por el streaming "con dos patas": el modelo gratuito financiado con publicidad y el servicio de suscripción a contenido bajo demanda (SVOD por su acrónimo en inglés).

TV EN STREAMIMG CON PUBLICIDAD

Pluto TV arranca en España con 40 canales exclusivos en temáticas como cine, series, programación infantil, deporte o juegos, y el objetivo de alcanzar el centenar en el plazo de un año. El servicio apuesta por el concepto de televisión lineal, aunque se complementa con contenido bajo demanda. Ondarza, que asegura que Pluto TV tiene 33 millones de usuarios únicos mensuales a nivel global, no desvela objetivos para España -"confiamos en tener una penetración muy alta", dice-, país al que llega antes que a mercados como Francia o Italia. "Es el momento porque el público ya está educado en la televisión digital", dice Ondarza, que también resalta la ventaja que supone la alta penetración de la banda ancha en España.

Jaime Ondarza, VP de Viacom CBS International y director general para Iberia, Francia, Italia, Oriente Medio, Grecia y Turquía

"La fuerza está en la sencillez del concepto: es la experiencia de televisión de siempre, gratis y sin registro, en una plataforma digital sencilla", resalta. "Siempre habrá sitio para una televisión que no sea bajo demanda, gratuita y lineal", opina. "Hay momentos del día en los que te apetece sentarte en el sofá y ver televisión lineal y Pluto amplifica esta experiencia con más canales", dice.

La compañía está convencida del hueco existente para un modelo de streaming financiado con publicidad. "Para los anunciantes, une lo mejor de la publicidad de siempre en televisión, que no se puede saltar, con la ventaja de poder trazar y medir la campaña gracias a ser un servicio digital", opina.

En España, Movistar + (gran cliente de sus canales de televisión) comercializará la publicidad de Pluto TV, que además estará en su catálogo. "Estamos negociando con otras operadoras para que lo integren en su oferta", dice. El servicio está disponible a través de la web, plataformas como Apple TV, Android TV y Amazon Fire TV, y dispositivos móviles.

PRODUCCIÓN LOCAL

El compromiso de Viacom CBS con España se refleja también en la producción local. "España puede ser un gran hub de producción audiovisual", señala el ejecutivo. De hecho, la división Viacom International Studios anunció el año pasado la apertura de un centro de producción en Madrid para el desarrollo de contenido tanto para sus plataformas como para terceros con un modelo de producción y coproducción. "Nuestra ambición es producir varias series al año en España", dice. Ondarza considera que nuestro país ha sabido en los últimos años atraer producción sobre la base del "talento y la creatividad" existente, lo que ha creado un entorno de competencia que "ha mejorado aún más el nivel de calidad". El hub es responsable de series como La novia gitana, Un día de estos, Jamilia o Poli Díaz: A golpes con la vida.

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More Nick: ViacomCBS to Rebrand CBS All Access as Paramount+ in Early 2021!

Originally published: Monday, October 26, 2020.

Additional source: @JuanPVS9.

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ViacomCBS Int’l Studios Launches New Kids Division Led by Nina Hahn

ViacomCBS International Studios (VIS), a division of ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI), today (Oct. 26) announced the launch of a new kids content division with the appointment of Nina Hahn as Head of VIS Kids.

Based in London, Hahn will continue in her current role as Senior Vice President (SVP) of Production & Development at Nickelodeon International while taking on the additional responsibilities as head of VIS Kids, and will report to Juan “JC” Acosta, President, ViacomCBS International Studios and ViacomCBS Networks Americas, while continuing to report to Jules Borkent, Executive Vice President (EVP), Kids & Family, VCNI.

VIS is a global leader in the development and production of premium content for all platforms, genres and formats. The launch of VIS Kids allows for the expansion of the studio’s global kids content pipeline, broadening its kids content offering to include short and long form content that will be produced and sold to third parties, in addition to ViacomCBS brands and platforms.

Nina Hahn

As Head of VIS Kids, Hahn will focus on growing VIS’s kids content pipeline and expanding its global footprint. Hahn will lead on sourcing and developing originals within animated, live action and preschool genres by aligning closely with the studio’s production and development teams across Latin America, the U.K., Spain and Israel. Hahn will collaborate closely with domestic and international counterparts, along with an expanded central team that will include international development and production, sales and distribution.

During her tenure at Nickelodeon, Hahn has brought in more than 2,000 hours of original content for the kids brand, pioneered the organization’s first global hub for content sourcing and creation, and initiated first-of-its-kind projects with markets like China with Deer Squad, a co-production with iQiyi; Israel with Spyders, Nickelodeon International’s first original co-production with Ananey Studios; and India with The Twisted Timelines of Sammy & Raj, the brand’s first collaboration with Viacom18. Hahn has brought in over 2,000 hours of original content for the kids brand and led enterprise-wide efforts like Nickelodeon’s first global Writer’s Program, as well as the brand’s first global Shorts Program, which spawned It’s Pony, Nickelodeon International’s first original animated series for the 8-10 kids demographic to be greenlit by the U.S. for a global roll-out, and Shark Dog, VIS’ first internationally originated global animated series for Netflix, premiering worldwide in 2021.

With 30 series in production and 50 more in development, VIS is a key component of ViacomCBS’ content ecosystem. VIS has seen nearly 50 percent average revenue growth since inception, and the launch of VIS Kids will ensure continued revenue growth, while also serving as a foundation for the studio’s plan to develop more than 30 new kids shows over the next three years.

“VIS has an existing footprint in the kids arena with successful series like Club 57 and Noobees, so we felt it’s time to launch our own kids division of ViacomCBS International Studios. Nina has been a driving force behind many of Nickelodeon’s groundbreaking and award-winning series across the globe, and I am confident she will build on VIS’ momentum at the helm of VIS Kids,” said Acosta.

Hahn stated, “I’m honored to be heading up VIS Kids and plan to establish deep, diverse and inclusive roots in kids content. The launch of VIS Kids furthers our studio’s model of creating specialized divisions with central leadership, to ensure we can take full advantage of strategic opportunities that support VIS’ continued advancement.”

More Nick: Nickelodeon Updates Icons, Sets New Characters for 2021 | Next-Gen Nick!

Originally published: Monday, October 26, 2020.

Sources: Animation Magazine, TBI Vision.

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SpongeBob SquarePants' Hilarious Scene Change That Fixed A "Too Scary" Episode

One scene in a SpongeBob SquarePants episode was deemed too scary for some viewers, and so it had to be changed. Here's what happened and how it changed.

SpongeBob SquarePants is aimed at a young audience, but some of the writers’ decisions haven’t always been kid-friendly. Such is the case of a scene in the episode “Shanghaied”, which had to be changed after being shown in theaters before a movie. SpongeBob SquarePants was created by marine science educator and animator Stephen Hillenburg and made its debut on Nickelodeon in 1999. Since then, the show has become one of the longest-running American animated series, and has successfully expanded to other media, mostly video games and film.

SpongeBob SquarePants follows the daily adventures of the title character and his friends (and a couple of enemies, even if he sees them as friends) in the underwater city of Bikini Bottom. Among those who often accompany SpongeBob in all types of adventures (though not always voluntarily) are Patrick Star and Squidward Tentacles – the former is SpongeBob’s best friend and the latter is his neighbor and co-worker at the Krusty Krab. In season 2, they got involved in a big problem with the Flying Dutchman in the episode “Shanghaied”, which also brought a minor problem to the writers of the episode, as they had to do a quick change to a scene that was deemed “too scary” for children.

“Shanghaied” follows SpongeBob, Patrick, and Squidward as they come across the Flying Dutchman, a ghostly pirate with a bad temper and who is looking to acquire a new eternal crew to help him terrorize the residents of Bikini Bottom. The events of the episode are kickstarted by the anchor of the Dutchman’s ship crashing into SpongeBob’s pineapple house and later Squidward’s Easter Island head. They climb the anchor’s rope to complain to the Dutchman, but once they get to the ship they are informed they can’t leave and will be forced to work as ghostly crew for eternity. Squidward complains and so the Dutchman opens a zipper-like portal (called the “Fly of Despair”) and throws Squidward into it. As Squidward falls into that chaotic dimension, many creatures and objects can be seen in the background, and these turned out to be too much for some viewers.

“Shanghaied” was originally shown in theaters before a movie, but the demonic atmosphere of the “Fly of Despair”, which included skulls and skeleton remains, turned out to be too scary for some kids, and some changes were made before the episode aired on Nickelodeon. Before Squidward falls back into his home, the background of the “Fly of Despair” was replaced with a stock image of spaghetti and meatballs (real CreepyPasta?), but the first part of his journey down the dimension of chaos doesn’t seem to have changed much. The scene still shows some bizarre things, as are eyeballs, skulls, creatures with horns, a pink-headed monster, and more, and it’s unknown if these are the same ones shown in theaters or different, more toned down ones.

Fans of SpongeBob SquarePants have shared their different experiences with this particular episode, as some remember seeing the skulls and skeletons, and others are convinced it has always been spaghetti (in both scenes set in the “Fly of Despair”). Something similar happened to Ghostbusters 2, with fans reporting the ending that they saw at the theater being different to the ending that ended up on home video. It even varied by theater, with fans ending up getting different endings depending where they saw the movie! The rarely seen alternate ending would of had Slimer flying across the New York City skyline, a bit like at the end of the original Ghostbusters movie.

"At the end of the theater version of Ghostbusters II, Slimer comes out from behind the Statue of Liberty and flies right into the camera just like how he did at the end of the first movie. The VHS/DVD versions omits this and just ends with a pan up to the statue's head then a fade to black," says the Ghostbusters Wiki.

This wasn’t the first and only time the people behind SpongeBob SquarePants unintentionally scared their audience, as it happened again when they pretty much made the “Squidward’s suicide” image (also known as “Red Mist”) canon. Every generation is different, so it remains to be seen if the writers of SpongeBob SquarePants will continue making weird and potentially scary decisions and how the audience will react to them.

Watch SpongeBob SquarePants on Nickelodeon!

Listen to The SpongeBob Musical here!: https://spongebobmusical.blogspot.com

SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated is now available on PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch!

CALLING ALL GOOFY GOOBERS! (ROCK!) Are ya ready for a deep dive into the world of SpongeBob SquarePants? The SpongeBob YouTube channel is THE PLACE for all fan-favorite SpongeBob moments! We’re serving up everything from legendary scenes to remixes of classic songs to deep dives into Bikini Bottom lore. Be sure to check back every week for Music Mondays, Wumbo Wednesdays, and Flashback Fridays! Subscribe now at https://www.youtube.com/SpongeBobOfficial!

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More Nick: Nickelodeon Reveals First Look of Characters in Original 'Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years' Animated Series!

Original source: ScreenRant.

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