As part of MTV Networks' (MTVN) niche programming strategy to super-serve targeted audiences, the award-winning NOGGIN and The N, the two Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family Group brands that currently share space on a single channel, will be separated into two 24-hour services beginning Dec. 31, 2007. NOGGIN will become a commercial-free preschool service, while The N will be a tween/teen channel, featuring TEENick programming during the day and The N's content at night. NOGGIN and The N will be carried by all cable operators, DirecTV, AT&T U-verse and Verizon FiOS.
"Having NOGGIN and The N as two separate channels alongside our Nicktoons network gives our core audiences of preschoolers, kids 6-11 and tweens/teens their own dedicated 24-hour services, as well as more places for us to cultivate and develop future hits," said Cyma Zarghami, President, Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family Group. "Making these highly valued channels separate and distinct will also provide us with the opportunity to explore serving audiences adjacent to these demos, and will provide demo- specific home bases for our vast programming library."
"Splitting these channels into two 24-hour services provides MTV Networks and our partners with wonderful growth opportunities to further reach and serve our audiences," said Denise Dahldorf, Executive Vice President, MTVN Content Distribution and Marketing. "The demos that NOGGIN and The N serve are important drivers with VOD, broadband and interactive applications, which adds to these brands' already incredible value."
NOGGIN, with its mission to be a place where preschoolers gain key curricular knowledge through interactivity and narrative, features a schedule of original programming like JACK'S BIG MUSIC SHOW and OOBI AND THE UPSIDE DOWN SHOW, as well as hit shows including FRANKLIN, MAX & RUBY, LITTLE BEAR, PINKY DINKY DOO, and WOW! WOW! WUBBZY! NOGGIN also offers Nick Jr. favorites like DORA THE EXPLORER, GO, DIEGO, GO!, THE WONDER PETS!, BLUE'S CLUES and THE BACKYARDIGANS.
For The N's move to 24 hours, its featured hit TEENick programming in the day will include DRAKE AND JOSH, THE AMANDA SHOW, ALL THAT and THE NICK CANNON SHOW, among others. Programming at night from The N will include its current stable of hits, including DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION, BEYOND THE BREAK and SOUTH OF NOWHERE, as well as brand-new programming including new seasons of DEGRASSI (October 2008), INSTANT STAR (February 2008) and the return of SOUTH OF NOWHERE (February 2008).
In additon, The N will present four new original series:
ABOUT A GIRL, The N's first-ever scripted comedy series, is a 13-episode college-based show produced by Brightlight Productions Inc. Written in LA and shot on location in Vancouver, the show premieres Friday, Oct. 5, 2007.
INTERNS (working title) is a new half-hour scripted comedy from creators Will McRobb & Chris Viscardi (THE ADVENTURES OF PETE & PETE), produced by The Tom Lynch Company, creators of The N's SOUTH OF NOWHERE. INTERNS begins production in Vancouver in August and is scheduled to premiere in 2008.
GIGANTIC (working title), a half-hour dramedy co-created by cult filmmaker Ben Wolfinsohn (HIGH SCHOOL RECORD) and Debby Wolfinsohn, takes a fictional inside look at the lives of teens growing up in the shadow of Hollywood's mega stars. The show is scheduled to premiere in 2008.
QUEEN BEES (working title), an eight-episode reality series produced by Endemol USA, brings a group of teen "Queen Bees" together to live under one roof, and is scheduled to premiere in 2008.
THE DEGRASSI SPRING BREAK MOVIE, the network's first Degrassi TV movie, scheduled to premiere in April 2008, will feature the cast from Degrassi Community High as they take their first college road trip.
The N also has acquired the hit THAT '70S SHOW (June 2008), which will join the recently added LAGUNA BEACH (45 eps) and The Hills (23 eps).
