Nicktoons, Nickelodeon’s 24-hour animation network, which recently became ad-supported, will now be known as Nicktoons Network. As part of its re-branding, the popular animation outlet for kids 6-14 is sporting a new logo and a fresh look both on air and at its website, www.NicktoonsNetwork.com.
The Nicktoons Network is headquartered in the Nicktoons Studio (formerly known as The Nick Animation Studios) in Burbank, Calif., where the outlet will focus on creating new hit shows to augment its current content offerings, which are 75% exclusive to the channel.
“We are thrilled to see Nicktoons Network expand from showcasing classic Nicktoons hits to a network with its own identity and original programming,” says Tom Ascheim, exec VP and general manager of Nickelodeon Digital Television.
“As always, Nicktoons Network will remain dedicated to providing a top destination for animation lovers 24-hours a day,” adds Keith Dawkins, general manager of Nicktoons Network. Dawkins says the new name, look, identity and web site will help the network create brand distinction and provide added value to its audience.
In 2006, Nicktoons Network will launch three original series. Scheduled to sneak peek this Thanksgiving Day is Skyland, a sci-fi action adventure show produced by Method Films and created by Emmanuel Gorin, Alexandre de la Patelliere and Matthieu Delaporte. Set in the year 2251, the series will follow a heroic young brother-and-sister team as they search for their parents in a new world order.
Kappa Mikey, produced by Animation Collection and created by Larry Schwarz , the mind behind Nicktoons’ Leader Dog and Tortellini Western, is a parody about an American actor who inadvertently becomes a huge star in Japan after joining the cast of a struggling anime series.
The 2006 lineup will also feature Shuriken School, a quirky martial arts comedy that centers on a boy undergoing Ninja training at an extraordinary academy. Xilam Ent. is the production company bringing the action to the screen.
On Sept. 23 Nicktoons Network premiered a new weekend programming block titled Three-Headed Monster, which runs Friday through Sunday from 7 p.m. to midnight ET. The block will feature such Nicktoons favorites as the recently launched Martin Mystery, created by Vincent Chalvon-Demersay and David Michel from an original Italian comic book by Alfredo Castelli, and My Dad the Rock Star, produced by K.I.SS. front man Gene Simmons. Rock Star will air at 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ET, followed by Mystery at 10:30 p.m.
Nicktoons Network is also committed to continuing Nextoons: The Nicktoon Film Festival, which just wrapped its second season. The network teamed with Frederator Studios to host this unique on-air festival featuring original animation shorts submitted by independent cartoon filmmakers around the globe. This year’s $10,000 grand prize winner is La Revolution des Crabes (The Crab Revolution) by French filmmaker Arthur de Pins.
Shows that will remain part of the Nicktoons Network lineup include the exclusives Corneil & Bernie, Kaput & Zosky and Yakkity Yak, as well as classic hits such as Ren & Stimpy, Invader Zim, Ahhh! Real Monsters, SpongeBob SquarePants and The Fairly OddParents.
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