Nickelodeon Comes to Licensing Show With Expanded Merchandising Programs For the Network's Newest Hits - Avatar, the Backyardigans and Go, Diego, Go!

NEW YORK, June 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products, Licensing Show, Booth #1317, Javits Center -- Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products comes to Licensing Show, June 20-22 at the Javits Center in New York City, with a hit-driven roster and expanded licensing programs for its newest hits including Avatar, The Backyardigans, and Go, Diego, Go! All three programs have quickly become ratings success stories filling out Nickelodeon's ownership of the top six programs on children's commercial television. Avatar, The Backyardigans, and Go, Diego, Go! join licensing leaders SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer as characters at the top of kids' wish lists. In addition, Nickelodeon characters are worldwide favorites and are now seen in 200 million homes globally.

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Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products will also announce at Licensing Show, plans for merchandising The Wonder Pets!, the hit show on Nick Jr. that's already achieved leading preschool show status since its debut in March and now regularly ranks among the top three preschool shows on commercial television.

"We are thrilled to come to licensing show this year with our largest roster of hits ever," said Leigh Anne Brodsky, president, Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products. "The recent ratings success of The Backyardigans, Go, Diego, Go!, Avatar, and The Wonder Pets! proves that kids and parents are already enchanted with these new characters, ensuring these properties will have exciting licensing programs alongside established Nickelodeon home-runs like Dora and SpongeBob," she said noting that Nickelodeon owns all six of the top six preschool programs on commercial television for kids.

Also being offered for merchandising opportunities are three much-anticipated releases from Nickelodeon Movies, the feature film development and production division of Nickelodeon. Nacho Libre, an off-the-wall comedy starring Jack Black set in the colorful world of Mexico's Lucha Libre comes to screens nationwide on June 16th. Barnyard, a CGI animated comedy by Steve Oedekerk about the secret lives of cows, debuts on August 4th. And just in time for the holidays, the children's literary classic Charlotte's Web comes to the big screen in December and features an all-star cast including Dakota Fanning and Julia Roberts.

"Nickelodeon is a part of kid's lives across multiple entertainment platforms and Nickelodeon Movies' rich slate of releases including Nacho Libre, Barnyard and Charlotte's Web, showcases some incredible talent and extraordinary stories," added Brodsky. "We're thrilled to share these exciting properties with licensing partners in the months ahead -- they each offer unique product opportunities."

Highlights from Nick Jr. & Nickelodeon at this year's Licensing Show include:

Nick Jr.: The Backyardigans

Since launching in 2005, The Backyardigans has quickly become a favorite of preschoolers and their parents who love the irresistible mixture of imaginary play, adventure, music, dance and vibrant animation. In every episode of The Backyardigans, next door neighbors Tyrone, Uniqua, Austin, Pablo and Tasha gather in their backyards and use their imaginations to transform their yards into amazing locations for epic adventures. Each episode features a unique music/dance style with four original songs and professionally choreographed dance movements recreated in animation. Winner of a 2005 Parent's Choice Award for preschool television, The Backyardigans recently had a highly successful consumer products debut with colorful apparel, cuddle pillows, bedding, home video and music. Fall 2006 is an exciting time for The Backyardigans fans with the launch of products across all categories at mass retailers.

Blue's Clues/Blue's Room

Blue's Clues revolutionized preschool television with interactive programming that encouraged creativity and problem solving. The series, which celebrates its 10th Anniversary this year, is a "play to learn" half-hour animated series starring live-action host Joe and a bright blue puppy named Blue. Blue's Clues continues to draw critical acclaim and has remained one of the most watched preschool shows on U.S. television. The recipient of 21 Daytime Emmy nominations with four of them being in 2005, Blue's Clues has seen continued success with its book, Home Video/DVD, toy, accessories, interactive and apparel licensing programs. The excitement continues in 2007 with the launch of a new season of Nick Jr.'s Blue's Clues spinoff series Blue's Room and an exclusive line of learning and development toys.

Dora the Explorer

Dora the Explorer is a play-along, animated adventure series starring Dora who is proudly bilingual and uses her knowledge of English and Spanish to communicate with her friends, overcome obstacles and reach her goals. Dora the Explorer, received a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2006 and was named Property of the Year for the last two years by the Toy Industry Association. Dora has consistently been among the top-rated preschool shows on commercial TV for the past five years and is a licensing phenomenon, with hundreds of top selling products including last year's award-winning Dora's Talking Kitchen from Fisher-Price. For the past two years, Dora was also the #1 kid's non-theatrical/television DVD franchise. With the #1 Q-Score among moms of kids 2-5, Dora products are truly favorites of moms as well as kids. In 2006, Dora the Explorer will continue to introduce a variety of new and exciting products across the globe!

Go, Diego, Go!

Go, Diego, Go! has recently emerged as a top ratings hit and is consistently one of the top three preschool shows on commercial TV. In each episode, Diego (Dora's cousin) receives a call for help at his Animal Rescue Center in the rainforest. With help from his friends, high-tech gadgets and viewers at home, Diego identifies and locates the animal in trouble and the adventure continues! The show has many of the same attributes that make Dora the Explorer so special, including learning Spanish, Latin culture and constant adventure -- but with the key difference that Diego is a boy "action hero." While viewership evenly splits between boys and girls, upcoming consumer products launches will be boy-targeted. The first DVD release, Diego's Dinosaur Rescue had strong immediate sales, confirming that parents and kids are eagerly awaiting Diego merchandise. Products launching in fall 2006 include toys, books, stationary, and DVDs. Plans for 2007 include a Go, Diego, Go! live tour which will connect with fans from coast-to-coast.

LazyTown

LazyTown is a gravity-defying, action-packed, pop music world that uses humor and visually dynamic stories to encourage kids to discover the joys of being physically active and healthy. Two inspirational "superheroes" -- Stephanie and Sportacus -- bring high energy music and movement to kids, encouraging them to dance, move and live a healthy, balanced life. LazyTown features an exciting mix of live-action, puppets and CGI animation. In keeping with the theme of encouraging physical activity, licensed products for LazyTown include activity toys and get-up-and-move CDs and DVDs.

The Wonder Pets!

The Wonder Pets! is Nick Jr.'s newest hit. The series which launched in March 2006, quickly became one of the top three preschool shows on commercial television -- often occupying the top slot! The show is a photo-puppetry animated series that chronicles the adventures of three funny, operatic-singing classroom pets. Linny the Guinea Pig, Ming-Ming Duckling and Turtle Tuck travel the world and use teamwork to save baby animals in distress. Every episode of The Wonder Pets! is an original mini-operetta filled with world music influences suited to the locale of the day's adventure. The music on the series is written and developed by some of Broadway's top talent and each episode is recorded with a live orchestra. The new property and its adorable characters are a perfect fit for younger boys and girls, particularly two to three year-olds. Consumer products will launch in spring 2007.

Nickelodeon: Avatar: The Last Airbender

Avatar is the number one animated show on television with boys aged 9-14. The epic story of Avatar: The Last Airbender follows the journey of Aang, a 12-year-old boy torn between fulfilling his fate as the long-awaited Avatar and just wanting to be a regular kid. A reluctant hero, Aang must lead the fight against the Fire Nation to restore balance in his warring world. Avatar's Consumer Products program, based on the show's fantastical world and unique martial-arts inspired "bending" moves -- launched this spring with a collectible trading card game from Upper Deck and DVDs created by Nickelodeon Home Entertainment and distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment. This fall, consumers can expect new action toys, building sets, videogames and books.

SpongeBob SquarePants

The Emmy-award winning SpongeBob SquarePants is a true pop culture icon and consistently one of the top kid's shows on television. The recent "Lost in Time" episode made ratings history -- ranking second only to the Super Bowl in ratings for kids 2-11. The most watched cartoon in history, SpongeBob is also a licensing powerhouse that has cut across all age groups with more than $5 billion in retail sales over the past five years. In the months ahead, SpongeBob SquarePants will launch new and exciting products including toys, interactive games, packaged goods, apparel and special DVDs. As always, SpongeBob will delight fans with irreverent product in fresh, unexpected styles.

Unfabulous

Unfabulous features rising-star Emma Roberts (AquaMarine, Nancy Drew) as awkwardly adorable, quick-witted 13-year-old Addie Singer who uses her penchant for sometimes silly, but poignant song-writing to get through the ever-uncertain trials of junior high. With over 10 million monthly viewers, the show brings tween girls relatable characters and issues combined with humor and girl-power. Unfabulous recently introduced a tween fashion line in 2,000 Wal-Mart stores nationwide, and released a CD inspired by the series with tracks sung by Emma Roberts. In 2007, there will be expanded fashion offerings plus books, accessories, room décor and cosmetics.

Zoey 101

Zoey 101 spotlights teen sensation Jamie Lynn Spears as Zoey Brooks, a 13-year-old winsome leader whose independent nature is put to the test at the newly co-ed Pacific Coast Academy. Spears and the ensemble cast have to fit into the new school and adjust to life away from home at their ocean-side boarding school. The show carries on Nickelodeon's tradition of empowering young girls by featuring strong, independent females as lead show characters. Zoey 101 is in the top three shows for girls 9-14 and Spear's holds the top live character Q-Score for girls 9-14 as well. Taking inspiration from its California roots, a Zoey 101 apparel line recently launched at retail where it quickly became a leading tween brand at department stores. In addition, DVDs, CDs, and books were released to meet fan demand. In 2007, expanded product categories will include footwear, interactive games and home goods

Nick Movies: Barnyard

Premiering in August 2006, Barnyard is the latest feature film comedy from Steve Oedekerk, the creative force behind blockbusters like Bruce Almighty, Ace Ventura and Jimmy Neutron. Filmed entirely in CGI, Barnyard is a hilarious look at what really happens in a barnyard when the farmer's back is turned. Barnyard is at its heart, a coming-of-age story centering around Otis (voiced by Kevin James), a carefree party cow who struggles with the new responsibility of protecting and caring for the farm. In Barnyard, the secret lives of farm animals are finally revealed! The launch of the film includes a videogame from THQ and a book from Simon & Schuster. Set to become a Nickelodeon television series in 2007, Barnyard has an exciting future!

Charlotte's Web

Premiering in December 2006, Charlotte's Web is a contemporary live-action re-telling of one of the most beloved children's books of all time. The classic family adventure will be brought to life with Hollywood magic for the first time -- featuring an all-star cast including Dakota Fanning, Julia Roberts, Oprah Winfrey, Thomas Haden Church, Andre 3000, Steve Buscemi, John Cleese, Cedric the Entertainer, Reba McEntire, Kathy Bates, and Robert Redford. Product tie-ins include boutique apparel, plush, books and interactive products. The film will also have a strongly supported DVD launch in 2007.

Nacho Libre

Hitting theaters on June 16, 2006, Nacho Libre is a wildly original and colorful comedy inspired by the world and sport of Lucha Libre. From the creators of Napoleon Dynamite and the writer of The School of Rock, Nacho Libre stars Jack Black as Ignacio (Nacho), a cook by day in a Mexican orphanage, who moonlights as a Lucha Libre wrestler to raise money for the orphans. Nacho Libre was shot entirely on location in Oaxaca, Mexico. The film launches with an apparel and soft-goods exclusive at Hot Topic along with posters and calendars at Spencer Gifts. Expanded product offerings are expected in conjunction with the DVD release for Holiday 2006.

About Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products

Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products manages the world's third largest licensing business, representing leading properties such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer, and managing merchandising for Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures, Comedy Central, MTVN International, and Spike TV.

Nickelodeon, now in its 27th 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, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 89 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for ten consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.