Nicktoons Renames and Rebrands Itself as Nicktoons Network

Nicktoons Renames and Rebrands Itself as Nicktoons Network

Animation Network Unveils New Logo, New On-Air Look, New Packaging and New Web Site

Nicktoons Network to Roll Out Three New Series in 06 With Sneak Peak of Skyland Thanksgiving Weekend 05

NEW YORK, Sept. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Nicktoons, Nickelodeon's 24-hour animation network, flipped the switch to become Nicktoons Network this past Friday, September 23. The network, which recently became ad-supported, will remain committed to being kids' favorite channel for animated hits showcasing a variety of quality animation all day and night. Targeting kids 6-14, Nicktoons Network features programming that is 75% exclusive to the channel. In addition to a new name and logo, Nicktoons Network has unveiled a fresh look including, new packaging both on-air and on the network's new web site, http://www.nicktoonsnetwork.com/.

Nicktoons Network will be built on the power and success of Nickelodeon's long history of creating hit animated series. Nicktoons Network's home base will be the Nicktoons Studio (formerly called The Nick Animation Studios). Located in Burbank, CA, Nicktoons Studio is the place where the number one brand of animated hits is created. The studio will visually come to life on-air and will be showcased in the network's new on-air packaging. In addition, the network's website will echo the new design.

"We are excited to introduce our new name, look, identity and web site to our viewers which will help us create brand distinction and provide added value to our audience," said Keith Dawkins, General Manager, Nicktoons Network. "As always, Nicktoons Network will remain dedicated to providing a top destination for animation lovers 24-hours a day."

"We are thrilled to see Nicktoons Network expand from showcasing classic Nicktoons hits to a network with its own identity and original programming," said Tom Ascheim, Executive Vice President, General Manager, Nickelodeon Digital Television.

The new logo embodies combines three components that are the essence of the network: Nicktoons -- the network, Nicktoons -- the studio and Nicktoons -- the animated programming.

In 2006, Nicktoons Network will launch three new series:

* Skyland -- (series will sneak peak this Thanksgiving Day weekend) -- produced by Method Films and created by Emmanuel Gorin, Alexandre de la Patelliere and Matthieu Delaporte -- a sci-fi action adventure series set in the year 2251 that follows a heroic young brother and sister team searching for their parents in a new world order.

* Kappa Mikey -- produced by Animation Collection and created by Larry Schwarz (Leader Dog, Tortellini Western) -- a parody that centers on an American actor named Mikey who inadvertently becomes a huge star in Japan after joining the cast of a struggling Japanese anime series.

* Shuriken School -- produced by Xilam Entertainment -- a quirky comedy with a martial arts twist about a boy's adventures at Ninja school.

In conjunction with the new on-air look and branding, Nicktoons Network will premiere a new programming block entitled, "Three-Headed Monster" which will run every weekend, from Friday through Sunday from 7:00 p.m. to midnight ET beginning September 23. The weekend block will feature Nicktoons favorites, including two of the newest and exclusive series:

* My Dad the Rock Star (Premiered earlier this month) -- Fridays-Sundays at 9:00 & 9:30 p.m. ET

Produced by Gene Simmons, this series introduces Willy Zilla, a 12-year- old kid who just wants to lead a quiet, normal existence. Unfortunately that's pretty much out of the question when your dad happens to be a super- popular seven foot tall, fire-breathing, billionaire Rock Star! So when the legendary Rock Zilla suddenly decides to go into semi-retirement and moves the family to a house in the suburbs, Willy thinks all his dreams have come true. But he soon learns that when hotel rooms and tour buses are the only home you've ever known, living in a small town, as the son of a famous celebrity, can present a whole lot of unexpected challenges!

* Martin Mystery (Premiered July 05) -- Fridays-Sundays at 10:30 p.m. ET

The series chronicles the thrilling, mysterious and always slimy adventures of a brother and sister team, Martin and Diana -- two mismatched teenagers, as well as their friend, a lost-in-time caveman named Java. The three investigate paranormal mysteries and phenomena and uncover some of the eeriest slime dripping creatures imaginable during the course of an otherwise perfectly normal day. The series, created by Vincent Chalvon-Demersay and David Michel and directed by Stephane Berry, is based on the original Italian comic book written by Alfredo Castelli.

In addition, Nicktoons Network will continue its commitment to bringing Nextoons: The Nicktoon Film Festival to viewers. For the past two years, Nicktoons Network has partnered with Frederator Studios to host the world's first on-air festival featuring original animation shorts submitted by independent cartoon filmmakers around the globe. A panel of judges select ten finalists from hundreds of entries of animated film shorts, then these shorts run in a "top ten" special that counts down the films to ultimately reveal the grand-prize winner. This year's $10,000 winner of the second annual Nextoons: The Nicktoons Film Festival is La Revolution des Crabes by Arthur de Pins.

Nicktoons Network, the 24-hour animation network, owned by Nickelodeon, features 24-hours of animation a day, with a wide variety of programming that have defined kids' and animation lovers' television for more than 10 years. Targeting kids 6-14, Nicktoons Network features programming that is 75% exclusive to the channel, including Martin Mystery, My Dad the Rock Star, Corneil & Bernie, Kaput & Zosky and Yakkity Yak, as well as classic Nicktoons hits like Ren & Stimpy, Invader Zim, Ahhh! Real Monsters, SpongeBob SquarePants and The Fairly OddParents. In addition, Nicktoons Network is home to award-winning shorts that helped redefine kids' television.

Nicktoons Network currently reaches 36 million homes via cable, digital cable and satellite, and can be seen on Cablevision, Charter Communications, Comcast Cable, Cox Communications, DirecTV, DISH Network and Time Warner Cable. Nicktoons, and all related titles and logos are property of Viacom, Inc.

Source: Nickelodeon

CONTACT: Nicole Mazer, +1-818-736-3613, Nicole.mazer@nick.com; or Maria Poulos, +1-212-654-6632, Maria.Poulos@mtvnmix.com, both for Nickelodeon

Web site: http://www.nicktoonsnetwork.com/

------- Profile: Ent