Nickelodeon Greenlights Over 100 New Episodes of Top Pre-School Series

Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids, has ordered 125 new episodes of the network's top-rated preschool series, including new episodes of the latest hits Bubble Guppies, Team Umizoomi and The Fresh Beat Band and new episodes of the groundbreaking series Dora the Explorer. The network, which is home to four of the top five preschool shows on all TV--including top-ranked Bubble Guppies- has also ordered new seasons of Yo Gabba Gabba!, Max & Ruby and Olivia.

"Over the years, our preschool shows have introduced a wide range of educational concepts, from Spanish and Mandarin language and culture to mathematics and music," said Brown Johnson, President, Animation, Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids & Family Group. "All have found that magic mix of educating and entertaining our audience, and we're excited to continue creating content with great storytelling, that delivers on our commitment to give kids and parents what they really want."

In addition, Nickelodeon in conjunction with media content company Chorion (Olivia, Max & Ruby) and publisher Frederick Warne & Co. (owners of the Beatrix Potter? property), is in production on 26 episodes of the brand-new animated preschool series The Tales of Peter Rabbit. Slated to air in 2012 on Nickelodeon and Nick Jr., the series will feature many of the beloved and iconic Beatrix Potter characters, including Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny.

Nickelodeon's new preschool episodes rolling out across 2011-12 include:

Bubble Guppies

Bubble Guppies, currently in its first season and picked up for 20 new episodes, is the number-one preschool show on television year to date. From the Emmy Award-winning team behind The Backyardigans and Little Bill, this musical comedy set in a vibrant 3D underwater environment follows a group of diverse preschoolers with colorful fish tails who go on adventures discovering their world. Bubble Guppies is set to a soundtrack of catchy pop songs, and the series infuses the core elements of kindergarten readiness, including: math, literacy, the arts, science and socio-emotional development.

Team Umizoomi

Team Umizoomi, picked up for 20 new episodes, is currently in its second season and is one of the top preschool shows on TV. Created by Blue's Clues alumni, Team Umizoomi features a tiny team of superheroes who use their mighty math powers to help little kids solve big problems. The series combines action-adventure missions with an interactive math curriculum designed to help kids develop self-confidence in their math abilities and appreciate the many ways in which math shapes their world.

Dora the Explorer

Dora the Explorer, picked up for 20 new episodes, is currently in its sixth season. Off the heels of its landmark 10th anniversary this past summer, Dora continues to rank as one of the top preschool shows on all TV. Dora the Explorer, which can be seen in 151 markets and is translated into 30 languages, has been honored with many awards, including the Peabody, NAACP, Alma, Imagen, Latino Spirit, Gracie Allen, Parents' Choice Award, Television Critics Association Award and has received 16 Daytime Emmy nominations.

The Fresh Beat Band

The Fresh Beat Band, picked up for 13 new episodes, is currently in its second season. The Fresh Beat Band centers on four best friends - Kiki, Marina, Twist and Shout - in a band who attend music school together and love to sing and dance. Set to original pop songs, the half-hour series teaches preschoolers about music appreciation and how to express their feelings through movement, song and instrumental music. In each episode, preschoolers sing and dance along as they help The Fresh Beat Band solve everyday challenges.

Yo Gabba Gabba!

Yo Gabba Gabba!, picked up for 13 new episodes, is currently in its third season. The critically acclaimed series infuses retro-style and beat-driven music to teach simple life lessons. The series and the live show stars DJ Lance Rock and a cast of colorful characters, including: Brobee, Foofa, Muno, Toodee and Plex. Yo Gabba Gabba! has broad appeal among preschoolers, parents, teens and adults and has featured some of the most popular names in movies, television, music and sports.

Max & Ruby

Max & Ruby, picked up for 26 new episodes, is currently in its fourth season on Nick Jr. and consistently ranks as one of the top preschool shows on TV. Each half-hour episode of Max & Ruby consists of three stories that celebrate the universal nature of sibling relationships. The series follows Max, an enthusiastic and determined preschool bunny, and his big sister Ruby, a very smart and goal-oriented seven-year-old, through their everyday lives in the village of East Bunnyhop.

Olivia

Olivia, picked up for 13 new episodes, is currently its second season on Nick Jr. The half-hour series invites children into the life--both real and fantasy--of an adventurous, can-do 6 3/4-year-old girl named Olivia. Based on acclaimed author/illustrator Ian Falconer's award-winning titles, Olivia captures the book series' trademark humor and the irrepressible personality of its heroine. Olivia's confidence and positive nature inspires kids everywhere to think boldly and follow their dreams.

Nickelodeon, now in its 31st 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 and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 16 consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B).

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