Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids owned by Viacom, Sony Music Label Group and Sony BMG Commercial Music Group announced a global partnership today for co-developing and co-financing a range of television and music projects over a four-year period. The deal calls for developing and producing projects such as original movies and television series to be aired on Nickelodeon, and multiple record releases, with potential to unlock additional business opportunities in consumer products. Judy McGrath, chairman/ceo of MTV Networks, and Rob Stringer, Chairman of Sony Music Label Group made the announcement.
Nickeleodeon and Sony's first partnership came in 2004 to expend Nick Records and the network's presence in the music industry. Projects the company have teamed up on in the past are the albums DORA THE EXPLORER, THE BACKYARDIGANS and the SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS record THE YELLOW ALBUM.
"Music is in our company's genetic code, and it�s so great to have it more deeply infused into Nickelodeon through this terrific brand extension and partnership with Sony," said McGrath. "There�ll be some great new talent and content coming out of this deal, and we�re all excited about the TV and music we�ll create for the fans of Nick around the globe."
"We are incredibly excited that we will work on a wide range of joint audio visual opportunities in our new deal," said Stringer. "We are looking forward to sharing our music with the innovative creative team at Nickelodeon, and together we will launch new talent that will be featured on their programming."
The partnership's first offering will be the fall release of the original music soundtrack from the hit �tween series THE NAKED BROTHERS BAND, Nickelodeon�s rock �n roll "mockumentary" comedy.
