Nickelodeon Unveils New Generation Of Content For New Generation Of Kids At Annual Upfront Presentation

Nickelodeon Unveils New Generation Of Content For New Generation Of Kids At Annual Upfront Presentation

Joining Nick's Content Portfolio This Season Are: Animated Series Sanjay & Craig and Breadwinners; New Live-Action Series The Haunted Hathaways and The Thundermans; and Robust Preschool Lineup Including New Dora the Explorer Spin-Off

Presentation Featured First Research Findings on New Generation of Post-Millennials and Announcements of Innovative New Content Development Platforms

Presentation Punctuated with Appearance by Josh Duhamel, Host of Nickelodeon's 26th Annual Kids' Choice Awards, and Musical Performance by OneRepublic

NEW YORK, Feb. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Nickelodeon today at itsannual upfront previewed its strategy to serve the new generation of post-millennial kids; introduced a line-up of brand-new animated and live-action comedy series from new creative voices; outlined plans for new, innovative content development platforms; and presented a new slate of educational preschool programming. Hosted by Nickelodeon Group President Cyma Zarghami,the presentation was held at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City.

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Among the new animated projects introduced were: Sanjay & Craig, an animated series about a boy and his best friend--a snake--whose creative team combines two first-generation Nickelodeon creators Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi (The Adventures of Pete & Pete) with first-time Nickelodeon creators and co-executive producers Jim Dirschberger, Jay Howell and Andreas Trolf; and Breadwinners, whose creative team (animator Gary "Doodles" DiRaffaele and writer Steve Borst) came from Nickelodeon's Animation Shorts Program and features two booty-shaking ducks who operate a bread delivery service out of their awesome, jet-fueled rocket van. Additional new animated projects include the previously announced Rabbids and Monsters vs. Aliens. Nickelodeon is also picking up a third season of its hit animated series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which bowed in 2012 as the number-one new animated series with boys 2-11.

In live-action, two new family comedy series were announced, including The Haunted Hathaways, created by veteran comedy writer-producer Robert Peacock (Reba, The Jeff Foxworthy Show) in his first Nickelodeon show, about a family who moves into a house in New Orleans, LA, only to learn it's already occupied by a family of ghosts; and The Thundermans, from Jed Spingarn, who most recently served as co-executive producer of the hit Nickelodeon series Big Time Rush, about the sibling rivalry between twins in a family of superheroes. These series join the previously announced live-action series Sam & Cat and the recently launched Wendell & Vinnie.

A robust slate of original new educational programsfor preschoolers was also introduced, including Wallykazam!--Nickelodeon's first literacy show for preschoolers that embeds the curriculum into a rich narrative story with the goal of helping and inspiring kids to read; Blaze and the Monster Machines, which is the first-ever preschool series that features a curriculum dedicated to all areas of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and follows the adventures of an 8-year-old boy and his monster truck; and Dora and Friends, a spin-off from the original creative team behind megahit Dora the Explorer, which stars the Latina heroine as a 10-year-old who goes on adventures in the big city with a group of new friends.

In addition, Zarghami outlined Nick's commitment to researching the newest generation of kids, the post-millennials, born between 2005 to present, as well as how the network is reinventing its development process and pipeline and innovating on new platforms. The presentation also included a look at Nickelodeon's just-launched Nick App-which now ranks as the number-one title on the Entertainment App list and the number-two title on the Free App list in the iTunes Store, approaching 400K downloads. Also detailed were: a new live afternoon daypart, Nick Studio 10; announcements about new sketch-comedy workshops for live-action development; and a partnership with Brian Robbins' AwesomenessTV online site.

"We have reorganized our development process in a way that allows us to make content smarter and faster than ever before, tailored specifically for this first generation of post-millennial kids," Zarghami said. "Our research tells us that for them funny is a badge of honor, and because funny is in Nickelodeon's core DNA, we believe our position will ensure our success with them."

In a surprise appearance, actor Josh Duhamel took the stage to highlight his role as host of Nickelodeon's 26(th) Annual Kids' Choice Awards, which will air Saturday, March 23, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT). Duhamel was later joined by Viacom President and CEO Philippe Dauman; and the presentation was capped off with a musical performance by Interscope recording artists OneRepublic, who performed their latest hit single, "If I Lose Myself."

Details of Nickelodeon's new content slates include:

ANIMATION:


-- Sanjay & Craig-The 20-episode series tells the story of two best
friends--one of whom is a snake--and the true adventures of being a kid.
Voice actors include: Maulik Pancholy (30 Rock) as Sanjay; Chris
Hardwick (Nerdist, Back at the Barnyard) as Craig; Tony Hale (Arrested
Development) as Mr. Noodman; Linda Cardellini (Freaks and Geeks) as
Megan; Kunal Nayyar (The Big Bang Theory) as Vijay; and Grey DeLisle
(Fairly Odd Parents) as Darlene. Sanjay & Craig is created and
co-executive produced by Jim Dirschberger, Jay Howell (character design
for Bob's Burgers) and Andreas Trolf, and executive produced by
Nickelodeon alumni Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi (The Adventures of
Pete & Pete, Alvin and the Chipmunks).
-- Monsters vs. Aliens-Inspired by DreamWorks Animation's 2009 blockbuster
feature film ($383 million worldwide gross), this new series follows the
further adventures of the beloved monsters -- B.O.B., the gelatinous
blob without a brain; Link, the prehistoric fish-man; Dr. Cockroach, the
half-man/half-insect mad scientist; and Susan (aka Ginormica), the
incredible growing woman -- as they learn to adapt to a new world filled
with bizarre aliens. This series, which is greenlit for 26 episodes,
marks the third partnership between Nickelodeon and DreamWorks
Animation.
-- Rabbids-This series brings to television the hysterical physical comedy
that is the hallmark in Ubisoft's wildly successful Rabbids video games.
Irreverent, unpredictable and silly, the Rabbids are a mysterious breed
of rabbit-like creatures that explore, and often wreak havoc, in the
human world. Everything is a source of wonder and amusement, and these
indestructible and uncontrollable creatures have absolutely no respect
for the social rules that govern society. For them, there are no laws,
no rules of the road. It's all about having fun and saying "Bwaaaaaah!"
Nickelodeon has secured global broadcast rights for 26 new half-hour CG
episodes of Rabbids, which will be produced by Ubisoft.
-- Breadwinners - Created by Gary "Doodles" DiRaffaele (MAD,
Metalocalypse), who was discovered from Nick's 2012 Animated Shorts
Program, and Steve Borst (Teen Titans Go!, MAD), Breadwinners follows
two booty-shaking ducks as they operate a bread delivery service out of
their awesome, jet-fueled rocket van. The series was picked up for 20
full-length episodes.
-- Nickelodeon has renewed its Animated Shorts Program, as a further
commitment to produce hit animated content for kids. Last year, more
than 600 pitches were collected during Nickelodeon's inaugural program.
From the pitches, 12 were created and five are in series development.
All 12 shorts will air on the network, or appear on www.nick.com or on
Nickelodeon's new app, which launched Feb. 21.
-- Nickelodeon also announced a third season pick up of its hit Teenage
Mutant Ninja Turtles series, which was 2012's number-one new animated
program with boys 2-11 across all TV. Season two is currently in
production.
-- For the 2013-14 season, the network will also roll out new episodes of
returning hit animated series, including season two of The Legend of
Korra, SpongeBob SquarePants, The Fairly OddParents, Winx Club, T.U.F.F.
Puppy, Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness and Robot and Monster.
LIVE ACTION:


-- The Haunted Hathaways-Life in The Big Easy gets a little more
complicated and way more spirited when the Hathaway siblings (Amber
Montana, Breanna Yde) and their mom (Ginifer King) move into a house
already occupied by a dad (Chico Benymon) and his sons (Curtis Harris,
Benjamin "Lil P-Nut" Flores Jr.) who happen to be ghosts. Created by
veteran comedy writer-producer Robert Peacock (Reba, The Jeff Foxworthy
Show), The Haunted Hathaways is executive produced by Boyce Bugliari &
Jamie McLaughlin (Bucket & Skinner's Epic Adventures). The series will
begin production on 20 episodes this spring.
-- Wendell & Vinnie-A brand-new, live-action family comedy featuring Jerry
Trainor (iCarly) in his first starring and producing role, this series
follows 30-year-old Vinnie Bassett (Trainor) living the life of a
carefree bachelor, when he suddenly becomes the legal guardian of his
precocious, wise-beyond-his-years nephew, Wendell (Buddy Handleson,
Shake It Up) forming a hysterical odd-couple family dynamic. Nicole
Sullivan (Rita Rocks, MadTV) also stars as Vinnie's older
unlucky-in-love sister, Wilma, with Haley Strode (Gangster Squad) as
Vinnie's newly divorced neighbor and love interest, Taryn. Wendell &
Vinnie, which has received has received a 20 episode order. The series
airs regularly on Saturdays at 8p.m. (ET/PT).
-- Sam & Cat -In this comedic spin-off from award-winning creator and
executive producer Dan Schneider (iCarly, Victorious, Drake & Josh, Zoey
101), Sam & Cat stars Jennette McCurdy (iCarly's Sam Puckett) and Ariana
Grande (Victorious' Cat Valentine) reprising their roles from their
respective hit shows. The series features the pair as unlikely
roommates and best friends who become teen entrepreneurs by starting
their own after-school babysitting business. Sam & Cat is currently in
production on 20 episodes in Los Angeles and will premiere this fall.
-- The Thundermans-The Thundermans are a typical suburban family who happen
to have astounding superpowers. At the center of the action are the
14-year-old Thunderman twins, Max (Jack Griffo) and Phoebe (Kira
Kosarin), who share the same bathroom, the same school and the same
annoying younger siblings. Their only difference? Phoebe is a super
student with a super sunny disposition who super looks forward to being
a superhero someday, and Max aspires to become a super villain. The
13-episode series will commence production this spring and is written by
longtime Nickelodeon producer Jed Spingarn, who most recently served as
co-executive producer of the hit series Big Time Rush and prior to that,
produced on The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius and Johnny
Bravo.
-- Nick Studio 10-This live, daily afternoon daypart features four friends
who make and share outrageously funny content in real time. Beginning
this spring, content created on the show will also migrate from on-air
to the recently launched Nick App, and content from the app will also be
featured on the series.
-- Awesomeness (working title)-Nickelodeon is partnering with Brian Robbins
(Smallville, One Tree Hill, Coach Carter) to co-develop a new half-hour
sketch comedy show that features a mix of new and existing content from
the extremely popular online site AwesomenessTV.
-- Nickelodeon will also premiere more new episodes of its hit live-action
series, including Big Time Rush, Marvin Marvin and See Dad Run.
PRESCHOOL:


-- Dora and Friends-An original, animated Dora the Explorer spin-off, Dora
and Friends: Into the City stars Latina heroine Dora as a 10-year-old
who goes on city adventures with a group of new friends. Fantastical
twists and turns abound as the stories take Dora and her friends into
exotic magical worlds waiting to be explored. Dora and Friends features
a curriculum that fosters a child's understanding of Spanish, teamwork,
music and community service. The series has been picked up for 20
episodes and will launch on Nickelodeon in 2014.
-- Wallykazam -This new animated series is Nickelodeon's first literacy
show for preschoolers that embeds the curriculum into a rich narrative
story, with the goal of helping kids fall in love with words and
inspiring them to read. The original comedy follows the adventures of a
boy named Wally Trollman and his pet dragon, Norville. Wally has a
magic stick that makes words come to life and playfully transforms the
world around him. Wallykazam! is currently in production on 26 episodes
that will premiere on Nickelodeon in 2014.
-- Blaze and the Monster Machines-This original CG-animated series
introduces preschoolers to the areas of science, technology, engineering
and math (STEM). This is the first preschool show that features a
curriculum dedicated to all areas of STEM. Viewers will join an
eight-year-old boy named AJ and his incredible monster truck Blaze on
super-sized adventures. AJ and the viewer help Blaze as they explore
the physics of how things move, master mathematics and discover how
everyday technologies work. The series, which received a 20-episode
order, will debut on Nickelodeon in 2014.
-- Peter Rabbit-This new CG-animated series is a reimagining of the popular
Beatrix Potter children's books based on the beloved Peter Rabbit
character, which have sold over 250 million copies worldwide and have
been translated into 35 languages. The series follows the adventures of
Peter Rabbit and his best friends Benjamin Bunny and Lily Bobtail.
Peter Rabbit features educational goals that encourage preschoolers to
learn problem-solving and interpersonal skills, self-efficacy,
resilience, positive re-framing and fosters an interest in nature. The
series, which received a 26-episode order, launched on Feb. 19 and
posted double-digit gains and won its time period across all cable with
kids 2-5, adults 18-49 and total viewers.
During the presentation, Nickelodeon highlighted original research into the newest generation of kids, the post-millennials. The network's early profile of them reveals some of their unique connections to friends, family and funny, including:


-- Post-millennial kids are part of a Velcro family-The post-millennials'
parents are the Gen-Xers who are striving to right those perceived
wrongs from their own neglected childhoods. Their kids, the
post-millennials, are therefore more protected and sheltered than any
generation before. No one is more important to these kids than mom and
dad: 90% of them say their parents are their heroes; 80% say they want
to spend more time with their parents; and the majority of the next
generation says that family time is the first choice for how to spend
free time.
-- Post-millennials view friendship differently than their
predecessors-Unlike millennials before them, friendship is not a game of
numbers but is about shared trust among a small circle of people. While
the post-millennials may have limitless cyber connections, they choose
to have only 2 or 3 real friends in their lives.
-- This new generation of kids speaks fluent "Grown-Up"-Post-millennials
are included in the adult world, and they influence adult decisions.
They understand how to keep the adults in their lives happy, and it
makes them feel good about themselves. They speak fluent "Grown-Up."
-- The post-millennial generation cares deeply about community-This new
generation of kids has been exposed at a very early age to war, climate
change and a poor economy, which has made their sense of compassion and
desire to improve the world particularly pronounced. They genuinely want
to make positive contributions and participate alongside one another in
making the world a better place.
-- Post-millennials have a strong affinity for comedy-Humor plays a pivotal
role in the lives of post-millennials, uniting them with friends and
family and playing a key role in how they view themselves. A majority of
post-millennials (74%) describe themselves as funny, and as a
descriptor, that rates as highly as being smart. Additionally, when it
comes to spending time together as a family, this current generation of
kids ranks laughing together higher than vacations, having a meal
together and holidays. Post-millennials also consider being funny as a
badge of honor, a commodity to be traded with friends, which brings them
social currency.
Nickelodeon, now in its 33(rd) year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in almost 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 18 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB).

SOURCE Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon

CONTACT: Thamar Romero, +1-212-846-7491, thamar.romero@nick.com; Tori Fernandes, +1-212-846-4942, tori.fernandes@mtvstaff.com

Web Site: http://www.nick.com


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