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Tag: SpongeBob SquarePants

  • Ocean adventures on Netflix to survive soaring temperatures this summer!

    Ocean adventures on Netflix to survive soaring temperatures this summer!

    MUMBAI: Netflix provides all kind of adventures to everyone and ocean is the most exciting one! With a remarkable depth and more than two third of the earth’s surface, the ocean shares an inseparable bond with its creatures ranging from fishes, marine mammals, manta rays, etc. This summer, to escape the soaring summer heat, if your child is ready for some terrific ocean adventures beyond the aquarium, Netflix is the right place to be on!

    Embark on a remarkable and epic journey and take a closer look with your children of these ocean adventurous stories:

    Join SpongeBob SquarePants who takes leave from the town of Bikini Bottom in order to track down King Neptune’s stolen crown. After King Neptune’s crown is stolen, SpongeBob and Patrick go on a quest in 6 days to retrieve his crown. On the way SpongeBob and Patrick defeat many evildoers using their brains and bronzes. While this is happening someone is taking over Bikini Bottom and SpongeBob and Patrick must defeat this mastermind.

    Go wild with the deep sea creatures as the story takes a twist in Shark Tale, when the sea underworld is shaken up when the son of the shark mob boss is found dead and a young fish named Oscar is found at the scene. Being a bottom feeder, Oscar takes advantage of the situation and makes himself look like he killed the finned mobster. Oscar soon comes to realize that his claim may have serious consequences.

    Gear up and tighten your seat belts and follow the adventures of a horribly hungry hyena, a mermaid, and a devoted shark in all their misadventures in Zig and Sharko.

    Get mesmerised in the adventures of H2O – While exploring the mysterious Island of Mako, three quite ordinary teenage girls fall under a spell that changes their lives. From now on, whenever water splashes any one of them, they are transformed into mermaids! Endless situations and missions draw the three friends into the incredible underwater world where they make new friends: Bernie the hermit crab, Zita the inquisitive eel, Teddy the kid turtle, Sue the mystical manta ray and Carlotta the diva-jellyfish – and have endless fun and wonderful, enchanting adventures under the sea.

    Enjoy the excitement when a mysterious old sailor arrives in Grey Rocks, Nova Scotia and meets a young boy and mother whom he offers to help for his own reasons in Pirate’s Passage.

  • The Powerpuff Girls return to Cartoon Network on 9 April

    The Powerpuff Girls return to Cartoon Network on 9 April

    MUMBAI  Reimagined and ready for action, The Powerpuff Girls will return to Cartoon Network right across Asia Pacific in an all-new series on 9 April , just days after the global premiere in the US.

    In addition to the debut on 85 million homes on Cartoon Network, Turner’s other kids channels in the region – Boomerang, Toonami and POGO – will also air the premiere at the same time as Oh!K, TCM Turner Classic Movies, Warner TV and truTV. Simultaneously, channels operated by affiliate partners – notably Astro Ceria in Malaysia and TV5 in Philippines – will also be a part of the launch.

    In the digital space, The Powerpuff Girls series will be supported by video and games on the Cartoon Network Watch and Play and Cartoon Network Anything apps, on Cartoon Network’s regional websites and full episodes on iTunes in selected markets.

    Turner Asia Pacific chief content officer – kids Mark Eyers  said, “The Powerpuff Girls will be simply everywhere! Whatever channel you turn to on April 9, and whatever screen you’re using, there will be Blossom, Buttercup and Bubbles saving the day before bedtime! We’ve waited a long time to see these super-cute and super-fierce girls return to action, and the all-new series marks the homecoming for one of Cartoon Network’s best loved franchises.”

    The Powerpuff Girls is produced by Cartoon Network Studios, with Nick Jennings (Adventure Time, SpongeBob SquarePants) serving as executive producer and Bob Boyle (Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!) as co-executive producer.

    One of Cartoon Network’s most enduring original series, the initial run of The Powerpuff Girls, created by Craig McCracken, premiered in 1996 and earned two Emmy® Awards along with five nominations and countless animation honors throughout its 78-episodes. The series also spawned a feature film with Warner Bros. Pictures in 2002.

    With more than US$2.5 billion in retail sales generated since its debut, The Powerpuff Girls is one of the top-grossing Cartoon Network brands of all time, and the new series will be supported by a comprehensive consumer products campaign. Cartoon Network recently partnered with designer Jeremy Scott and Moschino on a global fashion collaboration – The Powerpuff Girls x Jeremy Scott – which is now available as part of Moschino’s spring/summer 2016 collection. Global master toy partner Spin Master will debut a full range of products based on the-all new series in late 2016 including a well-rounded assortment of products including toys, apparel, publishing and accessories.

  • The Powerpuff Girls return to Cartoon Network on 9 April

    The Powerpuff Girls return to Cartoon Network on 9 April

    MUMBAI  Reimagined and ready for action, The Powerpuff Girls will return to Cartoon Network right across Asia Pacific in an all-new series on 9 April , just days after the global premiere in the US.

    In addition to the debut on 85 million homes on Cartoon Network, Turner’s other kids channels in the region – Boomerang, Toonami and POGO – will also air the premiere at the same time as Oh!K, TCM Turner Classic Movies, Warner TV and truTV. Simultaneously, channels operated by affiliate partners – notably Astro Ceria in Malaysia and TV5 in Philippines – will also be a part of the launch.

    In the digital space, The Powerpuff Girls series will be supported by video and games on the Cartoon Network Watch and Play and Cartoon Network Anything apps, on Cartoon Network’s regional websites and full episodes on iTunes in selected markets.

    Turner Asia Pacific chief content officer – kids Mark Eyers  said, “The Powerpuff Girls will be simply everywhere! Whatever channel you turn to on April 9, and whatever screen you’re using, there will be Blossom, Buttercup and Bubbles saving the day before bedtime! We’ve waited a long time to see these super-cute and super-fierce girls return to action, and the all-new series marks the homecoming for one of Cartoon Network’s best loved franchises.”

    The Powerpuff Girls is produced by Cartoon Network Studios, with Nick Jennings (Adventure Time, SpongeBob SquarePants) serving as executive producer and Bob Boyle (Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!) as co-executive producer.

    One of Cartoon Network’s most enduring original series, the initial run of The Powerpuff Girls, created by Craig McCracken, premiered in 1996 and earned two Emmy® Awards along with five nominations and countless animation honors throughout its 78-episodes. The series also spawned a feature film with Warner Bros. Pictures in 2002.

    With more than US$2.5 billion in retail sales generated since its debut, The Powerpuff Girls is one of the top-grossing Cartoon Network brands of all time, and the new series will be supported by a comprehensive consumer products campaign. Cartoon Network recently partnered with designer Jeremy Scott and Moschino on a global fashion collaboration – The Powerpuff Girls x Jeremy Scott – which is now available as part of Moschino’s spring/summer 2016 collection. Global master toy partner Spin Master will debut a full range of products based on the-all new series in late 2016 including a well-rounded assortment of products including toys, apparel, publishing and accessories.

  • Flipkart partners Viacom18 for licensing global brands

    Flipkart partners Viacom18 for licensing global brands

    MUMBAI: In a first of its kind partnership, e-commerce company Flipkart has inked a deal with Viacom18 for licensing three major international brands in India. 

    In a bid to offer Indian consumers authentic and branded merchandise, the Flipkart – Viacom18 collaboration will see the licensing of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Spongebob Squarepants and Peanuts for sellers in India.

    According to Flipkart, this partnership provides a superior analytics system and tight control to help international brand kick-start their operations in India. Global brands are constantly looking to partner with the most competent manufacturers across categories, and Flipkart aims to become the licensing platform that connects these brands to the most deserving sellers in India.

    Additionally, the company has expertise across more than 70 product verticals, which will allow it to offer these brands in a more innovative approach towards merchandising and sales.

    With this, sellers will have the opportunity to create a better experience for buyers, by assuring them quality of authentic products and differentiating themselves from the clutter on the marketplace.

    Flipkart vice president and head – seller ecosystem Manish Maheshwari said, “Through this online licensing concept, we want to simply this process by connecting brands with the top performing sellers on our platform, giving the brands the power to keep a track on the product sales as well as the quality.”

    “It gives us great pride to introduce a concept like this for the first time in India where a global player can connect with Flipkart and have the product licensed across any number of sellers they want,” he added.

    Flipkart is also looking to expand and extend its existing ecosystem by adding licensors on one side and high-quality sellers that are eligible to be licensees on the other side.

  • Comedy Central to celebrate Children’s Day

    Comedy Central to celebrate Children’s Day

    MUMBAI: Children’s day is a hop, skip and jump away. In today’s busy world with limited options for family entertainment Comedy Central is set to present nine  hours of favourite family shows during their special line up on 14th November.  The channel has  programmes lined up to ensure that not only the kids, but the entire family has a fun on the telly!

     

    The special programming has been prepared keeping in mind that during this busy day and age, parents barely get to spend time with their children. Television viewing is still a family activity and Comedy Central wants parents and their children to bond over the latter are shows.  The line-up consists of shows like Growing Up Fisher, About a Boy, everyone’s favourite sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea Spongebob Squarepants and angsty, ninjutsu trained vigilantes Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

     

    Viacom18 executive vice president and business head English Entertainment said Ferzad Palia said, “At Comedy Central we believe that Comedy is not only for a certain age or audience, it has a universal appeal and children’s day is another excuse for us to air the best family-comedy entertainment in India. The shows airing on children’s day are popular and adored not only by children, but also have a certain appeal with adults as well. We are positive that viewers will appreciate and enjoy the line up with their families.”

     

    So this Children’s Day audiences can  tune in to Comedy Central on14th November from 11am to 8pm

  • Nick opens up Motu Patlu for promotional licensing; launches toys with yellow diamond rings

    Nick opens up Motu Patlu for promotional licensing; launches toys with yellow diamond rings

    MUMBAI : Following the roaring success of Domino’s Junior Joy Box Meal with SpongeBob SquarePants, Viacom18 Consumer Products has signed up with Prataap Snacks Pvt. Ltd., makers of Yellow Diamond Rings to launch three exciting flavors of corn rings – Masala, Chilli Cheese and Tomato with exclusive Motu Patlu toys such as spinners, charms, sling-shooters, snakes and ladders and much more. Strategically choosing to take up the promotional licensing route for growth, Viacom18’s Consumer Products Business is leveraging the popular Nick toons by taking them beyond television and bringing them closer to their target audience.

     

    Motu-Patlu, the No. 1 characters on the No. 1 Kids’ channel Nickelodeon, are two simple but lovable adventurers from a small town in the heartland of India, known as Furfuri Nagariya. The awesome two some have an uncanny ability to attract trouble which only lands them in entertaining and hilarious situations.

     

    Fans of the coolest duo on television will now have the opportunity to bring home Motu Patlu with a pack of their favourite Yellow Diamond Rings. Priced at Rs. 5, the snacks will be available across retail stores, modern trade, railway stations, bus stands and cinema halls across North and East India. The tangy goodness of the corn rings combined with the excitement of discovering a new Motu Patlu toy with every pack is sure to make kids jump with joy.

     

    Speaking about this association with the snacks brand, Saugato Bhowmik, Head – Consumer Products, Viacom18 Media Pvt. Ltd., said, “Nickelodeon’s rich and diverse portfolio of characters provides us with great opportunities to connect with the consumer in new and exciting ways. Motu Patlu have topped the charts and also conquered the hearts of children across the nation with their fun antics and make for the perfect character for this kind of promotional licensing. We are happy to partner with Prataap Snacks to help our young audiences to play with their favourite characters while enjoying their snack time– the perfect combination.”

  • 22 Viacom channels now on Sony web TV

    22 Viacom channels now on Sony web TV

    MUMBAI: Viacom has announced a deal with Sony to make 22 of its channels including Comedy Central and MTV, available for Sony’s forthcoming over-the-top (OTT) TV service in US.

     

    The Viacom channels will be available when the new service launches, the company said in a statement. Customers also will have access to on-demand programming from Viacom.

     

    It is the first time Viacom has agreed to provide its channels for an internet-based live TV and video on demand service, the company added.

     

    Confirming the collaboration, Sony Corporation Network Entertainment Business’ group executive Andrew House said, “Viacom’s award-winning channels are a perfect match for our new service, ensuring that our customers will be able to access the shows they love on their favourite devices, when and how they choose.”

     

    “Our new cloud-based TV service will combine the live TV content people love most about cable with the dynamic experience they have come to expect from our network,” he added.

     

    Scheduled to start later this year, the service is expected to bring live TV and on-demand programming to Sony’s network of 75 million internet-enabled Sony devices in US, including PlayStation game consoles and web-connected televisions.

     

    Excited about the new alliance, Viacom president and CEO Philippe Dauman said, “Given our young, tech-savvy audiences, our networks are essential for any new distribution platform, and we’re excited to be among the many programmers that will help power Sony’s new service and advance a new era for television.”

     

    The new Sony service will give people the ability to watch shows like Spongebob Squarepants and The Daily Show without a cable subscription. Viewers will be able to access the service through Sony’s PlayStation video game console or through mobile devices like the iPad. Users will have access to live streams as well as archived shows.

     

    The 22 Viacom linear networks includes BET, CMT, Comedy Central, MTV, MTV2, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Nicktoons, Spike, TV Land and VH1, BET Gospel, Centric, Logo, CMT Pure Country, MTV Hits, MTV James, mtvU, Palladia, TeenNick, Vh1 Classic and Vh1 Soul and all available HD.

     

    Beyond Viacom, the service is expected to include content from other major network groups. According to media reports, Sony has held talks with Discovery Communications, Time Warner and Starz, among others, about including their networks in the new service.

  • Nickelodeon takes its toons outside TV

    Nickelodeon takes its toons outside TV

    MUMBAI: There are no second thoughts when we say that India is a significant player in the ever growing consumer products and brand licensing market.  Reports peg the brand licensing market globally at close to $ 150 billion at retail, while India contributes $450 million. And banking on this is Viacom18’s consumer products business which sees a massive growth in kids’ merchandise and products space.

     

    While ramping up core categories like toys, apparel, footwear, back to school, eyewear, publishing and accessories for its Nick brands, Viacom18’s consumer products aims to accelerate and build its toons outside broadcast through promotional licensing model. Reason: the network aims to leverage Nickelodeon’s popular kids’ brands to support the promotional requirements of client brands that typically have mothers or families as their media audience and kids and tweens as end consumers.

     

    To kick start this strategic thrust, Viacom18’s consumer product business has partnered with Domino’s, the fast food chain in the country, to launch the first ever ‘Junior’s Joy Box Meal’, to cater to kids’ taste buds and their love for toys alike.

     

    As part of the partnership, families that order ‘Junior’s Joy Box Meal’ for their kids from the nearest Domino’s Pizza outlet can take home Nickelodeon’s popular Nicktoon and SpongeBob Squarepants merchandises.

     

    Priced at Rs 99 per meal, the box includes a slice of pizza, a few breadsticks seasoned with oregano, a rainbow sprinkled custard desert and a mango based beverage.

     

    So why did the network lock the deal with brand Dominos? “Dominos is the number one QSR (Quick Service Restaurant) in its category. Given its reach and popularity we chose to partner with it. We wanted to go beyond the broadcast space while Dominos wanted to associate with a strong and reputed brand like Viacom18,” answers Viacom18 Media head – consumer products Saugato Bhowmik.

     

    According to him, Viacom18 is very selective while partnering with a brand. “The network’s internal preference was Dominos,” he adds.

     

    The three-month deal which was rolled out in May 2014 will be on till September. “Kids loved this since apart from the customised ready meal they are getting an attractive figurine of SpongeBob,” says Bhowmik.

     

    According to him, SpongeBob was a natural fit for the choice of merchandise, because of its happy, cheerful and optimistic characteristics. SpongeBob Squarepants is an extremely popular toon amongst both, kids and adults, “Hence this partnership with Domino’s is set to gain much traction,” hopes Bhowmik.

     

    The association is being supported by 360 degree marketing campaign. This partnership brings two brands together to deliver a product that can be enjoyed, not just by the kids but parents as well.

     

    The network has taken the route of mass marketing to promote this deal starting with a TVC that is being aired on all its channels. Going forward, they are also looking at meet and greets with the children and the toons across India.

     

    According to Domino’s Pizza India VP marketing Harneet Singh Rajpal, Junior’s Joy Box as a product was created to broaden the full meal options for kids, who are already a part of their consumer base. “With our new product, we are also giving out SpongeBob Squarepants as a package during the launch phase.”

     

    Rajpal believes that tying up with Nick gives them an added advantage as it creates higher level of engagement and attraction amongst kids.  

     

    For Bhowmik the deal has helped them go beyond television and bring the famous toons closer to kids. Moreover, the network claims to have achieved three times more business targets that it had even aimed at.

     

    The network has a global partnership out of its international office in the US for ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ which is available with the McDonald’s Happy Meal.

  • Nickelodeon unveils global content strategy for 2014-15

    Nickelodeon unveils global content strategy for 2014-15

    MUMBAI: Nickelodeon, the kids’ channel under the US-based Viacom Media Networks umbrella, recently unveiled its plans for the 2014-15 season – which includes 10 new series, multiplatform content and the Kids’ Choice Sports 2014 live event – at its annual Upfront presentation.

     

    “This season, we are introducing Nickelodeon’s biggest pipeline of content for every demo and in every genre,” noted Nickelodeon Group president Cyma Zarghami in her presentation. “Our preschool slate reinforces Nickelodeon’s standing as the best place for shows that are both smart and fun, powered by great stories, relatable characters and a meaningful curriculum that has been our hallmark.”

     

    Nickelodeon’s continued effort at bringing about groundbreaking shows over the past 30 years, including Rugrats, The Ren & Stimpy Show, Doug, SpongeBob SquarePants and The Fairly OddParents, just goes onto show the drive the channel possesses in the kids’ genre.

     

    The three new shows scheduled for the 2014-15 season are mentioned below:

     

    Bad Seeds (26 episodes) – Harvey, a sweet and well-meaning bird, makes two new best friends, Fee and Foo, the wildest imps in the forest.  Although their friendship seems unlikely, their connection only grows as they push each other out of their comfort zones and into endless adventures. Created, written and directed by C.H. Greenblatt (SpongeBob SquarePants, Chowder).

     

    Pig Goat Banana Cricket (26 episodes) – This show features a series of absurd interwoven stories about four friends and roommates, Pig (the fool), Goat (the artist), Banana (the wise-guy) and Cricket (the brain).  The series is created by Dave Cooper and J. Ryan, and executive produced by David Sacks (The Simpsons, Regular Show) who co-writes with J. Ryan. Cooper also art directs the series and the pilot was directed by independent animator Nick Cross.

     

    Welcome to the Wayne (6 episodes) – Launching on the Emmy Award-winning Nick App, Welcome to the Wayne, is an animated comedy following the adventures of two 10-year-old boys Olly Timbers and Ansi Molina as they explore their crazy apartment building, the Wayne.  The series was created and written by Billy Lopez (The Wonder Pets!). 

     

    The broadcast network will also roll out new episodes of its hit franchises, including, SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Sanjay and Craig, Breadwinners, Rabbids and The Fairly Odd Parents for the 2014-15 season.

     

    In addition, Nickelodeon has slated Kids’ Choice Sports 2014, a live big-ticket event that will take place in Los Angeles this July. The sports celebration will be hosted and executively produced by Michael Strahan.

     

    “Our mission has been to create and deliver funny content that will resonate with today’s kids, and we are well-positioned to do that through our schedule of fresh hits, a deep pipeline of new series, tent-pole events, ratings momentum and innovation on all platforms,” said Zarghami during the presentation. “Nickelodeon is a magnet for creative people and projects, and we’re incredibly excited about the new pool of talent we’re bringing to our audience in front of and behind the camera.”

     

    New live-action programming will include the comedies Henry Danger, about a crime-fighting sidekick-in-training; Bella and the Bullfrogs, in which a cheerleader becomes the quarterback for her school’s team; and Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn, which follows the sibling rivalry among quadruplets. The network will also broadcast new episodes of Sam & Cat, The Haunted Hathaways and The Thundermans.

     

    Also, the original sitcoms Instant Mom, See Dad Run, Yes, Dear, My Wife and Kids, The Nanny and George Lopez under Nickelodeon will continue airing on the network.

     

    For preschoolers, the network has added to the schedule Dora and Friends: Into the City!, which is due to debut sometime in end June; Blaze and the Monster Machines, a end September premiere that will introduce young viewers to science, technology, engineering and math; Shimmer & Shine, about fraternal twin genies; and Fresh Beat Band of Spies, an animated series based on the hit live-action show The Fresh Beat Band. The latter two titles will begin airing in 2015.

     

    The network has had a clear goal to let the kids’ tastes and preferences influence its creative choices, and accordingly it tailors its new content to make the most relevant and funny content for its viewers, and continues to do so even now.

  • Nick US boosts merchandising activity for ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’

    Nick US boosts merchandising activity for ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’

    MUMBAI: US kids‘ broadcaster Nickelodeon has launched a new SpongeBob SquarePants Hot Wheels collection featuring six die-cast vehicles inspired by SpongeBob and his Bikini Bottom friends.

    Each 1:64 scale vehicle features SpongeBob, Patrick, Mr. Krabs, Plankton or Squidward graphics, specially designed in their likeness. Retailing for $3.49 each, SpongeBob, Plankton and Squidward‘s fun-sized vehicles are available now with the remaining rolling out at stores across the US later this summer.

    Nickelodeon consumer products senior VP Global Toys and consumer electronics Manuel Torres said, “We are so happy to have SpongeBob SquarePants join the Hot Wheels family. We continue to push the boundaries of imagination with SpongeBob, and these new cars bring the show‘s characters to life in such a unique way; they are sure to provide hours of action-packed adventure for fans everywhere.”