Companies to produce kids and family content based on Nick characters and new IP
Nickelodeon and Netflix have just announced a multi-year deal to produce original animated features and TV series for kids and families. The deal calls for the two companies to develop content based on Nickelodeon’s library of characters as well as new IP, expanding upon a relationship that already saw Netflix stream the animated specials Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling and Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus earlier this year. Specials based on The Loud House and Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are currently in the works.
“Nickelodeon has generated scores of characters that kids love, and we look forward to telling wholly original stories that re-imagine and expand on the worlds they inhabit,” Netflix vice president of original animation, Melissa Cobb, stated. “We’re thrilled to continue collaborating with Brian Robbins, Ramsey Naito, and the creative team at Nickelodeon in new ways as we look to find fresh voices and bring bold stories to our global audience on Netflix.”
According to Nickelodeon president Brian Robbins, the deal furthers the entertainment company’s efforts at moving more aggressively into the streaming world. “Nickelodeon’s next step forward is to keep expanding beyond linear platforms, and our broader content partnership with Netflix is a key path toward that goal.”
“The Nickelodeon Animation Studio is home to the world-class artists and storytellers behind some of the most iconic characters and shows ever made, and our head of Animation, Ramsey Naito, has been building on that legacy over the past year by ramping up development and production exponentially,” he added. “The ideas and work at our Studio are flowing, and we can’t wait to work with Melissa and the Netflix team on a premium slate of original animated content for kids and families around the world.”
Netflix’s upcoming animation slate includes Sergio Pablos’ 2D animated feature film Klaus (streaming November 15), kids animated series Dino Girl Gauko from Japan (streaming November 22), the Annecy Cristal-winning animated indie feature I Lost My Body from Jérémy Clapin (streaming November 29), and Fast & Furious Spy Racers from DreamWorks (streaming December 26), among others.
Source: Nickelodeon
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
