ITV

Tag: Nickelodeon

  • Sandeep Dahiya appointed as director and biz-head – brand extensions with The Times Group

    Sandeep Dahiya appointed as director and biz-head – brand extensions with The Times Group

    MUMBAI: Sandeep Dahiya who was sr VP and business head – consumer products at Vaicom 18 has moved on to The Times Group as director and biz-head – brand extensions where he would report to Bennet, Coleman and Co‘s COO Shrijeet Mishra.

    The Times Group, director and biz-head – brand Sandeep Dahiya

    At Viacom18 Sandeep spent eight years across various functions – communications, corporate affairs and consumer products. Over the last five years, he was heading the consumer products business for all Viacom18 brands namely – MTV, Vh1, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Sonic and Nick-Junior and Colors as well as communications. At the consumer products end, Vaicom 18 ended the last financial year with a retail turnover of close to Rs 260-265 crore around MTV and Nickelodeon products, with a presence in over 50 categories and over 65 licensees.

    Dahiya stated, “The reason for shift was a greater challenge and an exciting opportunity. The Times Group has a portfolio of brands that resonate extremely well with their respective consumers. The idea is to extend some of these brands beyond their core businesses, thus driving more engagement and growth. It feels great. It is one of the only media companies that has stayed ahead of the industry growth curve, by virtue of sheer innovation, differentiated way of looking at the business and a great team.”

  • Amazon, Viacom announce multi-year video licensing agreement

    Amazon, Viacom announce multi-year video licensing agreement

    MUMBAI: Online retail major Amazon.com and US media conglomerate Viacom have announced an expanded multi-year, multi-national digital video licensing agreement to bring hundreds of TV shows and thousands of TV episodes from Viacom to Prime Instant Video.

    This deal includes a collection of TV shows that customers won‘t find on any other digital video subscription service. Prime members will now have unlimited instant streaming access to popular kids programming such as ‘Bubble Guppies‘, ‘The Backyardigans‘, ‘Team Umizoomi‘, ‘Blue‘s Clues‘ and ‘Victorious‘, along with shows from MTV and Comedy Central like ‘Awkward‘, ‘Tosh.0‘ and ‘Workaholics‘. Prime members will also have access to future episodes of ‘Dora the Explorer‘, ‘SpongeBob SquarePants‘, ‘Fairly Odd Parents‘ and ‘Fresh Beat Band‘. Lovefilm customers in the UK and Germany will get some of the same shows later this summer.

    Select shows from Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. will be available in Kindle FreeTime Unlimited, a service built just for kids that gives them the freedom to explore books, games, educational apps, movies and TV shows, while providing parents with the tools they need to manage their kids‘ screen time.

    Amazon VP of digital video and music Bill Carr said, “Kids‘ shows are one of the most watched TV genres on Prime Instant Video. And this expanded deal will now bring customers the largest subscription selection of Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. TV shows online, anywhere. With programs like ‘Dora the Explorer‘, ‘SpongeBob SquarePants‘, ‘Bubble Guppies‘ and ‘The Backyardigans‘ there are hundreds of great shows for kids and parents to choose from. In addition, we are bringing customers popular shows from MTV and Comedy Central like ‘Key and Peele‘, ‘Workaholics‘, ‘Awkward‘ and ‘Teen Mom 2‘, with the promise of more shows from these networks in the future.”

    Viacom president and CEO Philippe Dauman said, “We are thrilled to be extending and deepening our relationship with Amazon. This innovative agreement will provide Prime members with access to even more of our best programming from our major television brands, including many digital video subscription streaming exclusives. Amazon has created a unique, brand-friendly environment for streaming entertainment and consumer products and we are excited to work with Amazon to bring customers shows they love.”

    Prime Instant Video offers more than 41,000 movies and TV episodes for Prime members to stream on Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire HD, iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Roku, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii and Wii U, among other connected TVs and devices-all at no additional cost. Also as previously announced, later this month Prime Instant Video will become the exclusive home to PBS series ‘Downton Abbey‘ as well as the CBS summer series ‘Under the Dome‘, with each episode of the latter added just four days after initial broadcast.

  • Netflix has 36 mn subscribers; posts $3 mn profit

    Netflix has 36 mn subscribers; posts $3 mn profit

    MUMBAI: OTT subscription service Netflix has reported better than expected first quarter results resulting in its stock appreciating by over 20 per cent. It now has 36 million subscribers. During the first quarter three million were added.

    For the first time the company‘s revenue in a quarter touched $one billion. The company managed to record profits of $ one million compared to a loss of $five million during the same period last year.

    Netflix added a million streaming subscribers in its markets outside the US. It plans to launch in a new European market in the second half of the year. In the US it added 2.02 million new customers. On the content side it has discontinued its deal with Viacom. Netflix will stream content from Nickelodeon, BET and MTV till the end of next month. After that it will let the deal expire. But the company is looking at a deal where it can stream some of Viacom‘s shows. The focus of Netflix is on exclusive content.

    Netflix CEO Reed Hastings and CFO David Wells in a letter to shareholders wrote, “The launch of ‘House of Cards‘ provided a halo effect on our entire service. Customer response to the show increased our confidence in our ability to pick shows Netflix members will embrace and to pick partners skilled at delivering a great series”.

    Netflix‘s share price has crossed $200 compared to a 52 week low of $52 in August.

  • Nick launches its first global mobile app

    Nick launches its first global mobile app

    MUMBAI: Kids broadcaster Nickelodeon has launched its first worldwide mobile app Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Rooftop Run in more than 150 countries and eight languages.

    Available for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices, the app features 3D characters and environments based on the CG-animated series.

    This is a runner ninja combat game, where players run, jump and fight their way across the rooftops of New York in an attempt to save the city from the invading Kraang and ultimate destruction.

    The app will be translated into eight languages, English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish (Latin America) and Spanish (Spain).

  • Nickelodeon partners UBQool to launch cricket contest

    MUMBAI: Nickelodeon has partnered education portal for children UBQool to launch ‘UBQool.com Cricket Mania‘ on Nickelodeon and Sonic channels. The winners of the contest will get an opportunity to greet and meet their favorite cricket stars from the Kolkata Knight Riders Team and catch all the action by watching them play live.

    An on-air contest that is on till May 10, 2013 will select fifty kids across 9 cities along with their moms to meet the Kolkata Knight Riders team and will give fifty more kids, VIP passes to watch the match live.

    All that viewers have to do is to watch their favorite channels Nick and Sonic everyday between 6 pm – 7pm and 2pm – 4pm respectively, spot simple questions and log on to Ubqool.com to answer the questions.

    In addition to the meet and greet cricket stars and passes to watch live cricket matches, few lucky winners will also receive T-Shirts hand autographed from their favourite cricketers.

    Viacom18 EVP and Business Head, Kids Cluster Nina Elavia Jaipuria says, “Cricket is nothing less than a religion for kids in this country. We have always delivered the best of entertainment and engagement to our audiences and this summer we take it a step further to give them a chance to be a part of the biggest craze that has hit the nation. We are happy to partner with UBQool to give kids an experience of a lifetime that allows kids not just to witness a KKR match, but also an opportunity to meet the KKR team.”

  • Nick in deal with Fuhu to launch co-branded tablet

    Nick in deal with Fuhu to launch co-branded tablet

    MUMBAI: Nickelodeon and Fuhu have signed a multi-year deal to produce and distribute Nickelodeon-themed tablet accessories and nabi Jr. tablets pre-loaded with the network‘s content.

    The first release of the partnership is the recently launched, touch screen nabi Jr. tablet, filled with educational apps, games, and videos, from hit Nickelodeon preschool series including Dora the Explorer, Team Umizoomi and Bubble Guppies.

    This spring, a line of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-inspired mobile tablet accessories, such as character bumpers, Kinabis and stands, will be available nationwide, ranging from $19.99 to $79.99.

    “We are thrilled to partner with Fuhu, Inc., they are a leader in designing state of the art devices and kid-friendly mobile tablet accessories,” said Nickelodeon Consumer ProductsSenior Vice President, Global Toys and Consumer Electronics Manuel Torres.

    “Bringing our captivating characters and adventure-filled stories to the nabi Jr. tablets; and our line of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-themed accessories, offers Nickelodeon fans a deeper connection with their favorite properties wherever they are.”

    “We are honored to partner with Nickelodeon, a company that is synonymous with rich and engaging kids and family entertainment, and is genuinely humbling to be creating a unique technology platform like nabi Jr. in collaboration with Nick Jr. content. We believe that this partnership will bring children consumer electronics, learning and entertainment to the next level,” said Fuhu CEO Jim Mitchell.

    “As a leader in entertainment and education, we are thrilled to bring Nickelodeon content to nabi Jr. tablets. Our preschool fans, with their parents, can learn while interacting with characters they love across games, videos and books,” said Nickelodeon Group VP, Games Vikram Goel.

    Additionally, Fuhu, Inc. is an associate sponsor of Nickelodeon‘s 26th Annual Kids‘ Choice Awards 23 March. The nabi Jr. tablet features an Nvidia Tegra dual-core processor, Android 4.0 ICS, 5-inch high-resolution (800×480) capacitive touch screen and rotating front and back camera for only $99.

    nabi Jr. is a breakthrough product that redefines education with the first tablet-based adaptive learning system that takes a holistic approach to courseware vs. individualised textbooks and stand-alone apps.

  • Ron Johnson is Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products executive VP

    MUMBAI: Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) has appointed that Ron Johnson as Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products (NVCP) executive VP.

    From 1 April, Johnson will lead all of Viacom’s international consumer products operations. He will be based in New York and will report to VIMN COO Pierluigi Gazzolo.

    Gazzolo said, “We’re thrilled to have Ron take on this leadership role in overseeing VIMN’s consumer products business. He possesses first-hand knowledge of our global CP operation, as well as extensive experience across global retail partnerships, holistic franchise management and product innovation.

    “Ron’s expertise in global retail will prove invaluable in his new position, as we deepen and form new partnerships with retailers and licensees around the world and build on the strong momentum that we are seeing in our CP business.”

    Mark Kingston has been promoted to NVCP Europe, the Middle East and Africa GM, senior VP and will oversee VIMN’s consumer products operations in these markets. Kingston will report to Johnson and VIMN MD, executive VP UK, Australia and Eastern Europe and International Content Distribution Dave Lynn.

    Gazzolo added, “We’re also excited about the newly expanded position that Mark will be taking on, as it further reinforces the strength of our regionally led consumer products organisation.

    “Mark has already been spearheading our pan-European retail efforts and CP operations in the UK, Russia, and Australia to great success. By extending his purview to include all pan-European CP deal-making, which also includes Middle East, North Africa and Australia, we are streamlining efficiencies to better position us to meet the demands of critical, high growth markets and create more compelling and valuable opportunities for partners.”

  • Viacom launches four channels on mio TV

    Viacom launches four channels on mio TV

    MUMBAI: Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Asia, a division of Viacom, has launched MTV Southeast Asia, Nickelodeon Southeast Asia, Nick Jr., and Comedy Central Asia on SingTel mio TV‘s subscription TV service.

    The partnership also includes Nickelodeon-branded on-the-ground events that will further strengthen its brand experience with its audience. Details about launch dates and price plans will be announced in the coming weeks.

    “Expanding the reach of MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. and the recently-launched Comedy Central with mio TV, enables us to meet the growing demand for our channels, and deliver high quality programming services to mio TV subscribers,” said VIMN Asia EVP and MD Indra Suharjono.

    “We are delighted to bring all four of our linear channels to the channel lineup, particularly given the significance of Comedy Central becoming the first English entertainment channel brand to be across all three subscription TV platforms in Singapore.”

    “We are excited to collaborate with VIMN and welcome their channels onto our platform. The kids segment, in particular, is one that we have been working hard to address so our younger viewers and their parents will be delighted to know that Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. will soon be available on mio TV. The addition of these channels marks a significant step which brings mio TV ever closer to our goal of meeting all the key content needs of our subscribers,” said SingTel MD of Television.

  • Nick launches on-air contest with Dubai’s Atlantis, The Palm

    MUMBAI: With summer vacations round the corner, kids broadcaster Nickelodeon has joined hands with Dubai‘s underwater themed resort Atlantis, The Palm to launch an on-air contest christened Lets Go Atlantis.

    The contest will give eight lucky winners a chance to win a three day and three night trip to Atlantis, The Palm along with their family.

    Beginning 13 February, one can participate in the contest by watching Nickelodeon daily from 6 to 8 pm and answer the question by logging on to Atlantisthepalm.com/nickelodeon and find the right answers. Answers can also be sent via SMS, IVRS or by logging on to nickindia.com.

    In order to ensure maximum participation, Nickelodeon will also allow entries through print and radio advertisements.

    Viacom18 EVP & Business Head – Kids Cluster Nina Elavia Jaipuria said, “Engaging and interacting with kids through our endearing Nicktoons and campaigns has always been Nickelodeon’s top priority. We are thrilled to partner with Atlantis, The Palm and give our viewers an opportunity to win a vacation of their lifetime.”

    Atlantis The Palm & Global Partnerships Kerzner SVP Marketing Ravini Perera added, “Atlantis, The Palm is thrilled to associate with Nickelodeon and give kids a chance to experience our iconic resort and discover all Atlantis has to offer. With something for everyone, we are sure Nickelodeon fans will have an amazing time playing on the various rides in Aquaventure Waterpark or meeting our dolphins in Dolphin Bay.”

  • Scribble Hero is Nick’s first original IP for mobile

    Scribble Hero is Nick’s first original IP for mobile

    MUMBAI: Nickelodeon has launched Scribble Hero, an arcade-style action game available for download on iOS devices marking the network‘s first original IP for mobile.

    The app features unique hand-drawn graphics, 50 levels of adrenaline-pumping fun, power boosts, epic boss battles and a variety of weapons and boosts to upgrade playing experiences.

    Players get drawn into an action-packed world when they join the heroic doodle Sketch as he battles an army of sinister scribbles and deadly doodles in a quest to save his girl pal, Dot.
    Throughout the game, players will collect coins to unlock boosts, weapon upgrades and extra lives to help them face off against hoards of enemies to become the ultimate Scribble Hero.