Rabbids Invasion

Weekdays from Tuesday, January 28, 7:30am

New Zealand Premiere – new episodes continue

Rabbids Invasion brings the comedy of the wildly successful Rabbids video games to television. Unpredictable and silly, the Rabbids are a mysterious breed of rabbit-like creatures that explore, and often wreak havoc, in the human world. They will try to study human behaviour by mimicking everything they do…but in the Rabbids sort of way, with no logic…of course!

Viacom to Launch Customized Kids' TV Channel

My Nickelodeon Junior to Combine Elements of Streaming Services Pandora and Netflix

Viacom Inc. plans to launch a children's TV channel in the U.S. that can be programmed according to parents' tastes and provide access to hundreds of old episodes of shows like "Dora the Explorer," in a novel TV-delivery approach that combines elements of streaming services Pandora and Netflix Inc.

'Dora the Explorer' episodes will be available on My Nickelodeon Junior. Nickelodeon/Everett Collection

The new "My Nickelodeon Junior" interactive channel will be available in coming months to customers of Verizon Communications Inc.'s FiOS TV service, and Viacom plans to roll it out to other U.S. pay-TV operators later, the companies say.

It will be adjacent in the TV menu to the main "Nick Jr." channel that is home to "Dora,""The Backyardigans,""Bubble Guppies," and other fare targeted at a preschool audience.

TV viewers have two basic options nowadays: They can watch a channel with programming scheduled by a TV network, or sift through on-demand services to find a show they like. The My Nick Jr. technology introduces a third way to deliver TV—giving each household a customized channel.

Parents will be able to personalize the content that airs on My Nick Jr. by indicating their relative preference for seven themes such as "word play,""super-sonic science," and "get creative."

Based on those preferences, My Nick Jr. will choose content to air from hundreds of episodes in the Nick Jr. library.

Children can rate shows by clicking on smile or frown icons, and the service will tweak the programming lineup accordingly. Parents can get reports on what their children watch and can program the channel to shut off after a set period. There won't be ads.

The new service highlights how media companies and pay-TV operators are trying to modernize TV viewing at a time when consumers want greater control over what they watch and services like Netflix and Amazon.com Inc.'s Prime Instant Video are offering compelling alternatives to cable television.

TV networks and pay-TV operators also are developing sophisticated mobile-TV apps and beefing up video on-demand offerings.

Netflix and Amazon have become particularly popular as an outlet for children's programming.

Terry Denson, Verizon's vice president of content strategy and acquisition, said My Nick Jr. will help the company compete against these streaming-video services. He said other media companies and distributors could launch their own interactive channels.

"It's a way you can quash the momentum of over-the-top players in the marketplace," said Mr. Denson, referring to Web-based video options such as Netflix. "There's no reason they should own that space—we should own that space."

For Viacom, streaming outlets are customers—it licenses shows to them. But the company also wants to ensure that the pay-TV ecosystem—which provides the bulk of its revenue and profit through carriage fees and advertising—is healthy and technologically advanced.

Viacom hopes the new channel will help it negotiate higher carriage fees and give characters in its shows greater exposure, helping its consumer products licensing business.

One risk for the media company is that the new channel could draw viewers away from existing Nickelodeon channels. In the U.S., the flagship Nickelodeon network has a preschool programming block that averaged 570,000 viewers among children 2 to 5 years old in 2013.

Like Walt Disney Co.'s Disney Junior and Comcast Corp.'s Sprout, the Nick Jr. channel caters to a preschool audience and shows repeats of episodes aired in that block. Viacom said it gained confidence before the U.S. launch by testing the service in France, where it thought the stakes of failure would be lower.

"You haven't seen that cannibalization effect" in France, said Bob Bakish, president and chief executive of Viacom International Media Networks. "Now it's starting to roll out around the world."

The interactive channel was a good fit for CanalSat, a unit of Vivendi SA, that was looking for ways to differentiate itself from the array of free over-the-air channels competing in France's TV market. It fit nicely with CanalSat's other efforts to personalize TV viewing, such as technology that recommends shows to viewers based on what they've previously viewed.

"The future of pay TV relies on personalization," said Claire Basini, marketing director of CanalSat. "We were convinced of the potential" of Viacom's service, she said.

Viacom could potentially extend the idea of a personalized channel to its other properties like MTV, executives said.

It is unclear how widely other companies will adopt the approach. One constraining factor: Many consumers still have set-top boxes hooked up to their TVs that can't support interactive services like My Nick Jr.

Verizon and AT&T have the most advanced TV set-top boxes since they are the latest entrants in the market. Eventually, Verizon will add support for mobile devices, so consumers can launch My Nick Jr. from a tablet or smartphone—a feature that is available on CanalSat.

“#TheKillerTunaJump: #Freddie #Jade #Robbie,” premiering Saturday, Jan. 18, at 8:00p.m. (ET/PT). from Jessica Wilson on Vimeo.

nick wallykazam naptime clip 1 640x480 1600 m30W from Jessica Wilson on Vimeo.

Artist transforms iconic properties into Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics

Josh Lane replaces the likes of Anubis and Osiris with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Iron Man and Captain America

The parallels between superhero fantasy and ancient mythology have been drawn ever tighter thanks to new interpretations of Egyptian hieroglyphics featuring the popular superhero brands of today.

Created by artist Josh Lane, the artwork features X-Men, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Kick Ass and the Power Rangers, as well as Star Trek, all in the side-on positions synonymous with Ancient Egypt.

Replacing the likes of Egyptian gods Osiris and Anubis, the papyri includes Captain America, Thor and Wolverine.

The Guardian reports that Lane ‘applies the conventions of ancient Egyptian art to his portrayal of modern heroes. Captain America and other Marvellous beings pose with feet side-on, torsos turned to face the onlooker and heads in profile.'

Take a look at some of these new looks for the properties below:

["X-Men"]

["Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles"]

["Star Trek"]

["Spider-Man"]

["The Avengers"]

["Kick Ass"]

["Mighty Morphin Power Rangers"]

TAGS: iron man,captain america,the guardian,tmnt,josh lane

Management changes continue at Nickelodeon; Paula Kaplan leaving

SpongeBob SquarePants; Children's Nickelodeon, the cable TV home of "SpongeBob SquarePants," has lost several senior executives during the past two years. On Thursday, longtime West Coast executive Paula Kaplan told her staff she was stepping down. (Nickelodeon / July 2, 2009)

Management changes continue at Nickelodeon as another high-level executive announced that she was leaving the children's channel — her home for nearly 20 years.

Paula Kaplan, who serves as executive vice president of current TV series, told her team on Thursday that she would be leaving the network, according to people familiar with the matter.

Kaplan previously was a West Coast general manager and head of talent and casting for many of Nickelodeon's businesses.
She did not return a call left at her office Thursday afternoon.

Kaplan long has been a creative force within the children's network, forming the company's Los Angeles talent department in 1996. Kaplan also helped build the "Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards" into a marquee event.

Even First Lady Michelle Obama attended the "Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards" nearly two years ago with daughters Malia and Sasha. The First Family got splattered with green slime intended for Justin Bieber.

"Sliming" people with green goo typically is the highlight of the children's awards show.

Nickelodeon has been retooling its operations and mounting a comeback from a perilious ratings plunge nearly two years ago, which saw its ratings plummet nearly 30%.

The channel, owned by media company Viacom Inc., has been trying to develop a new generation of hits.

Ratings for the channel have improved in recent quarters, although the Disney Channel ended 2013 as the top children's network for a second year among viewers aged 2 to 11.

In August 2012, Nickelodeon Group president Cyma Zarghami undertook a major restructuring, entrusting power to a loyal lieutenant, Russell Hicks, who became the top creative officer.

During the last year, Hicks, who serves as president of Nickelodeon content, development and production, has become more deeply involved in West Coast operations. Hicks, who grew up in Los Angeles and Orange counties, has rearranged operations, promoting his own group of executives.

Hicks, who has worked at Nickelodeon for about 15 years, now spends most of his time at Nickelodeon's animation studio in Burbank and network offices in Santa Monica — rather than the New York headquarters.

The August 2012 shakeup forced out Nickelodeon's animation chief Brown Johnson, the executive who was most responsible for creating the network's cartoon sensation "Dora the Explorer."

Then, in August 2013, programming development chief Margie Cohn departed and soon accepted a post as head of television for DreamWorks Animation. Cohn had been with Nickelodeon since its earliest days, helping shepherd "SpongeBob SquarePants,""iCarly" and "Rugrats" onto the screen.

Also last year, Alison Dexter, the Los Angeles-based executive vice president of production, resigned.

Nickelodeon shakeup continues; Paula Kaplan and Sal Maniaci out

The management shake-up at Nickelodeon continued late Thursday, with the departures of two senior executives, Paula Kaplan and Sal Maniaci.

Kaplan, who has served as executive vice president of current TV series, told her team Thursday that she would be leaving the children's network, according to people familiar with the matter.

A network spokesman confirmed Kaplan's pending exit but would not elaborate. Kaplan's departure was reported earlier Thursday.

Late Thursday, Nickelodeon said that Maniaci -- who re-joined the Viacom Inc.-owned cable channel, his longtime home, nearly two years ago after a stint at sister outlet TV Land -- also was resigning.

Maniaci could not be reached late Thursday.

Since his 2012 return, Maniaci had been part of the New York-based group that developed original shows and coordinated live TV events, such as the "Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards," and the "TeenNick HALO Awards."

Maniaci had worked closely with Margie Cohn, who left Nickelodeon last summer in another management overhaul. Cohn quickly landed at DreamWorks Animation as that company's head of television.

Cohn, Maniaci and Kaplan had been at Nickelodeon in the mid-1990s, and over the years helped develop such juggernaut hits as "SpongeBob SquarePants" and "iCarly."

Nickelodeon has been retooling its operations after a steep ratings plunge nearly two years ago, which saw Nickelodeon's ratings fall nearly 30%.

The lucrative Viacom channel has been trying to develop a new generation of hits.

Ratings for the channel have improved in recent quarters, although the Disney Channel ended 2013 as the top children's network for a second year among viewers ages 2 to 11.

Nickelodeon Group President Cyma Zarghami has reshuffled the decks several times, most notably in the summer of 2012. The August 2012 shakeup forced out Nickelodeon's animation chief Brown Johnson, the executive who was most responsible for creating the network's cartoon sensation "Dora the Explorer."

Zarghami then entrusted power to a longtime lieutenant, Russell Hicks, who became the top creative officer.

During the last year, Hicks, who serves as president of Nickelodeon content, development and production, has become more deeply involved in programming and West Coast operations.

Hicks has cultivated his own team of executives.

Kaplan formed the network's Los Angeles talent department in 1996. She also helped grow the "Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards" into a marquee event.

Even First Lady Michelle Obama attended the "Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards" nearly two years ago with daughters Malia and Sasha. The first family got splattered with green slime intended for Justin Bieber.

"Sliming" people with green goo typically is the highlight of the children's awards show.

UPDATE: Nickelodeon’s EVP Paula Kaplan & SVP Sal Maniaci Exit

UPDATE: 4:10 PM: I’ve also learned that another Nickelodeon veteran, Sal Maniaci, is departing the company. He was based in New York and served as SVP of event and original programming, responsible for overseeing production of Nickelodeon’s franchise events, including the Kids’ Choice Awards, the TeenNick HALO Awards and Nickelodeon’s Worldwide Day of Play.

PREVIOUS: Another veteran Nickelodeon executive is leaving the company. EVP Paula Kaplan has informed her team today of her departure, a Nickelodeon spokesperson confirmed. Kaplan had been at the network for two decades, she launched and built its Los Angeles Talent Department and grew Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards into a major event. Her exit, first reported by LA Times, comes a year and a half after Russell Hicks was named President, Content Development and Production for the Nickelodeon Group when Kaplan’s title changed from Talent and West Coast General Manager, Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group, to EVP Current Series. Now three high level Nickelodeon executives who became Hicks reports have left: President content development Margie Cohn, EVP Nickelodeon Prods. Alison Dexter and Kaplan.

Tags: Nickelodeon, Paula Kaplan

Únete al Kung Fu Panda Style con los nuevos episodios!!
Todos los domingos @15.55h. Solo en Nickelodeon

.@Foxtel@FOXTEL_Help@TheNickShack When will The Thundermans premiere?

Our brand new show The Thundermans will premiere later this year. We can't wait!! Stay tuned for more info!

Sanjay and Craig Estreno En Febrero De 2014 (Release In February Of 2014)

SB Trailer 60 from Jessica Wilson on Vimeo.

SpongeBob and Patrick love the beach!

[SpongeBob: Nothing quite like the joy of sandcastle-ing!

Patrick: It's awesome.]

But this February...

[SpongeBob: LOOK!]

...something bubbles to the surface that will have the whole world saying Oh...

[Beach goers scream]

My...

[Sandy Cheeks: RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!]

[Goo!]

[Squidward Quincy Tentacles: You'd think the sky was falling(!)

[Goo falls on him]

Squidward: I am going to learn to keep my big mouth shut.]

In a brand new special...

[SpongeBob to goo bubble: Prepare to meet your match, you big bubble bully!]

[Goo falls of lady; baby laughs; goo falls on baby]

[SB: Oh, no! It's heading right towards Bikini Bottom!]

SpongeBob's got some big bubble trouble...

[Sandy: If that thing pops, we can kiss our beautiful town goodbye; SpongeBob gasps; Bikini Bottom citizens kiss ground and buildings; one Bikini Bottomite says "We miss you already!"]

And things are goo-ing to get messy,

[Patrick, entering outhouse: I'll catch you up, I gotta use the can.

[Goo ball runs over outhouse with Patrick inside]

Patrick: Help! I'm out of toilet paper in here!]

SpongeBob Vs. The Goo, the brand new SpongeBob special premieres Monday February 17th at 7/6 C, only on Nick!

Toonzone Attends Nickelodeon UK's 2014 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Animation Reveal

Before speaking to the panel of TMNT producers we viewed an upcoming episode of season 2, ‘Attack of the Squirrelanoids’. Making its UK debut at 9:30am 25th January on Nicktoons, it’s a love letter to Aliens and pulp sci-fi comics in which our heroes must face a ninja’s natural enemy- mutant squirrels. Scary, funny and of course awesome, it shows that season 2 is set to be a good one.

Speaking live from LA to present a run-down of the coming year’s animation output were Rich Magallanes (Senior Vice President Animation, Current Series), Ciro Nieli & Peter Hastings (Executive Producers, TMNT), Ant Ward (Supervising Producer, TMNT) and Brandon Auman (Story Editor, TMNT).

Rich began by mentioning Nick’s success in animation had been founded on inventive, creator driven content such as Ren & Stimpy, Rugrats and Doug. A new generation of creators who had grown up with these shows and an awareness of Nick’s identity were now bringing the next wave to life. The first example of this is Sanjay and Craig, airing currently in the US and the UK. This will swiftly be followed by Rabbids Invasion, a spin off of Ubisoft’s popular games franchise which will make its UK debut on Nicktoons Monday 3rd February at 4:30pm. Dialogue free and driven by slapstick comedy, each episode will contain three 7-minute stories as the Rabbids cause chaos in their exploration of the planet.

This was followed by Breadwinners, launching soon in the US and due to air later in the UK. Created by Steve Borst and Gary DiRaffale, the comedy series focuses on energetic duck buddies SwaySway and Buhdeuce as they deliver bread in their rocket van. It will be Flash animated, with the onscreen action timed to flow with the music soundtrack for a unique experience.

Next was Carl Greenblatt’s Bad Seeds. Greenblatt is famous for his previous show Chowder in addition to working on several other populated animated series including Spongebob and Billy & Mandy. Described by Rich as ‘naughty but nice’, Bad Seeds will focus on the friendship between sweet natured bird boy Harvey and trouble making orphan twin siblings Fee and Foo, with Harvey attempting to help the pair fit in with a community that looks down on them.

The last comedy series previewed was Pig Goat Banana Cricket. Created by Johnny Ryan and Dave Cooper, both comic artists who worked on several issues of Nickelodeon Magazine, each episode will be split into one story for each of the titular eccentric roommates; naïve Pig, bohemian Goat, selfish Banana and mad scientist Cricket.

Counter balancing the comedic focus of the aforementioned shows will be the ongoing second season of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. As established in the season premiere, the Turtles will be on an ongoing quest to secure the many canisters of Kraang-produced mutagen scattered across New York. The quest will see a range of fascinating and freaky new mutants appear before the turtles, with certain familiar faces amongst them. Many more mutations will follow, running from dramatic to comedic.

As the stakes rise higher and the battle extends further, the brothers gain a new ally in the form of teen vigilante Casey Jones. An iconic character who has been present in many past TMNT incarnations, the producers are very excited to bring him into the new show and explore how he interacts with the already established main cast (even if his trademark potty mouth won’t be coming with him).

Episodes of the show take roughly one year from conception through to completion, with a new episode being started roughly every two weeks. Combined with the nature of CG animation, the producers estimate TMNT has three times as many staff as other animated shows.

No firm plans are currently set for the upcoming 30th anniversary in May but work is underway to make it a celebration fans will be happy with.

Concerning potential guest stars, Ciro and many of the team are big horror movie fans which has led to actively casting horror movie alumni in the show, such as Jeffrey Combs as Rat King. They’d like to continue that trend and cast actors including Doug Bradley of Hellraiser fame. Ultimately, however, the crew are committed to casting strong performances that can help create interesting characters.

In terms of the frequent fan requests to bring back older characters, there are several the crew would love to bring into the current series so long as they can be made to work in the story. They comb through tons of incarnations for inspiration such as the Archie comics and roleplaying games (and joked about the more infamous Coming Out Of Their Shells Tour and live action Christmas video).

Lots of work goes into the prop design, partly because CG animation allows props and settings to be reused far more easily than hand drawn animation. As a result the designers and animators instil several hidden jokes into props such as posters and food packaging. They note that viewers who paid attention in season one will have found graffiti left by Casey across the city, well in advance of his actual debut.

All told it looks to be a very strong year for Nickelodeon with some very intriguing and visually dynamic shows in the pipeline. For TMNT fans, the fun has only just begun and there will be some big moments and fun ideas before season two rolls to a close. What does that tease entail, exactly? You’ll need to keep watching to find out.

Toonzone would like to thank Nickelodeon UK for arranging this opportunity and the collective producers for taking the time to speak with us.

New episodes of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles air every Saturday at 9:30am on Nicktoons UK, continuing 25th January with ‘Attack of the Squirrelanoids’.