Forging programming relationships with the NFL, MLS and NASCAR, Nickelodeon is celebrating kids' love for the action and excitement of the game with the launch of NickSportsa brand-new PRIMETIME programming block debuting Wednesday, Sept. 3, on Nicktoons. In the wake of Nick's success with its inaugural Kids' Choice Sports awards show this summer, this new, two-hour weekly block will feature a mix of original and acquired long- and short-form content from professional sports leagues NFL, MLS and NASCAR; new episodes of Nicktoons' hit animated series Wild Grinders from Rob Dyrdek and NFL RUSH ZONE; documentary programming, including the WORLD TV premiere of the acclaimed Little Ballers; and acquired theatrical movies. NickSports will air on NickToons Wednesdays from 9-11p.m. (ET).
"More than 70 percent of kids ages 7-14 in the U.S. play two-to-three organized sports a year, so the interest and enthusiasm is already there," said Keith Dawkins, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Nicktoons, TeenNick and Nick Jr. "Our NickSports block will bring kids and families into the huddle by giving them an all-access pass to their favorite athletes, teams and leagues."
The NickSports block will feature a rotating lineup of sports-themed content including series, specials and documentaries from leagues and key athletes, as well as acquired theatrical movies.
At launch, league contributions for the NickSports block will include:
The block's series will include:
With more titles to be announced, the block's documentary programming will bow with:
Movies titles will include:
Additionally, the block will launch with a wide array of original short-form contentfrom humorous man-on-the-street style interviews, to parodies and sketchesthat shows off the personalities of professional athletes including NBA player Charlie Villanueva, NFL players Jason and Devin McCourty, and Olympic figure skater Sasha Cohen.
Nickelodeon has established relationships over the years with major sports leagues and world-class athletes. This includes partnering on pro-social initiatives such as NFL PLAY 60, athletes appearing in PSAs and sports activations at the network's Worldwide Day of Play events, in addition to the first-ever Kids' Choice Sports awards show this summer.
Kids' Choice Sports, which garnered 2.7 million total viewers (L+7) and was hosted by Michael Strahan (LIVE with Kelly and Michael, FOX NFL Sunday), featured an all-star lineup of sports superstars from the NFL, NBA, MLB, MLS and NHL, along with Olympic athletes. David Beckham was presented with the Legend Award and additional show participants included: Dwyane Wade, Kevin Durant, Gabby Douglas, Larry Fitzgerald, Earl Thomas III, Henrik Lundqvist, Marshawn Lynch, Carmelo Anthony, Floyd Mayweather, Tony Hawk, Russell Westbrook, Victor Cruz, Bethany Hamilton, Russell Wilson and Lisa Leslie.
Nicktoons has the highest concentration of B2-11 across all television and offers programming such as the NFL RUSH ZONE franchise, Rob Dyrdek's Wild Grinders, Dragon Ball GT, the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise, the Digimon franchise and the POWER RANGERS franchise as well as a roster of hits that have defined kids' and animation lovers' TV, including Avatar: The Last Airbender, Invader Zim, Danny Phantom, SpongeBob SquarePants, The Fairly OddParents, and The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius. NickToons currently reaches almost 68 million homes via cable, digital cable and satellite.
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