TORONTO – Corus Entertainment will expand its representation – and airing – of Nickelodeon’s content in Canada, the two companies have announced. The new deal will mean Canadians will see more of the likes of SpongeBob SquarePants on Corus’ YTV.com, as well as YTV.
The companies have decided to “extend their multi-year broadcast partnership for Nickelodeon content to encompass all digital rights for Nickelodeon and related brands, covering broadcast, broadband, mobile, video-on-demand, pay-per-view, electronic sell-through and gaming,” touts the release.
Under one new multi-platform agreement, Corus will have Canadian rights across all media for Nickelodeon’s award-winning TV properties including – SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer – enabling multiplatform management across TV, Internet and mobile.
As part of the agreement, Corus will also represent Nickelodeon’s popular kids and family web sites, including nick.com, for advertising sales in Canada.
“Corus has enjoyed a successful relationship with Nickelodeon for many years, but this venture takes our partnership to a whole new level,” said Paul Robertson, president, television, Corus Entertainment. “By enriching the interactive experience with Nickelodeon content, we’re dialing up audience’s involvement, which, in turn, builds viewer loyalty. Viacom has made an extraordinary commitment to digital content which Corus can leverage successfully with our strong television brands and advertiser relationships.”
“MTVNI (MTV Networks International, Nick’s owner) is the global leader in creating and packaging innovative multi-branded content and this newly deepened, customized partnership with Corus will now deliver the Nickelodeon programming Canadian kids have come to love across every platform they use,” added Bob Bakish, president, MTV Networks International.
YTV holds rights in Canada to all current Nick animated programming including Nickelodeon’s animated properties SpongeBob SquarePants, El Tigre and The Fairly OddParents as well as live action series The Naked Brothers Band, iCarly and Just Jordan. All Nick Jr. –produced shows, including Dora the Explorer and Go! Diego! Go! air on Treehouse.
