Nickelodeon (UK & Ireland)

For Nickelodeon in United States, see Nickelodeon.

Nickelodeon
Current logo, used since 15 February 2010.
Launched	1 September 1993 (1993-09-01)
Owned by	Nickelodeon UK (MTV Networks Europe/BSkyB)
Picture format	576i (4:3, 16:9 SDTV) 1080i (16:9 HDTV)
Audience share	0.2% 0.1% (Replay) (June 2011, BARB)
Sister channel(s)	MTV MTVNHD MTV Base MTV Classic MTV Dance MTV Hits MTV Rocks MTV Shows VH1 Viva Comedy Central Comedy Central Extra Nick Jr. Nick Jr. 2 Nicktoons
Timeshift service	Nick Replay
Website	www.nick.co.uk www.nick.ie
Availability
Satellite
Sky	Channel 604 Channel 605 (Replay) Channel 632 (HD in Ireland) Sky Anytime
Cable
Virgin Media On Demand in	Channel 712 Channel 713 (Replay) TV Choice On Demand
UPC Ireland	Channel 604 Channel 605 (Replay)
Smallworld Cable	Channel 604 Channel 605 (Replay)
IPTV
BT Vision	Programmes available on-demand
Magnet Networks (Ireland)
Internet television
Sky Go	Watch live (UK & Ireland only)
Virgin Media Player	Watch on demand (UK only)

Nickelodeon (or sometimes simply called Nick) is a children's television channel available on Sky, Virgin Media, Smallworld Cable, TalkTalk TV and UPC Ireland in the United Kingdom and Ireland, including on demand on BT Vision. The channel was launched on 1 September 1993. Although one of the oldest children's channels in the United Kingdom, it was not the first (the oldest, The Children's Channel, which started in 1984, is now defunct).

History

Launched on 1 September 1993 as an encrypted channel as part of British Sky Broadcasting's Sky Multichannels package, it originally aired from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. each day and showed both cartoons and live action series. At first, Nickelodeon used various orange-coloured logos in different shapes, surrounding the word 'Nick' or 'Nickelodeon' in white text. The channel originally had a transponder to itself on the Astra satellite, and whilst off-air would show test cards (which usually had schedule information) or pages from NickText, the channel's teletext service since early-1995. Until 1995, it was up to the operator which channel it would timeshare with, which was dangerous whenever Nickelodeon extended its hours. The channel was then timeshared with the Paramount Channel (later Paramount Comedy Channel, now Comedy Central) starting when it launched in 1995, and still continues in areas where analogue cable hasn't been switched off. The channels are separate on the digital satellite and digital cable platforms.

There were no live presenters at launch, but in subsequent years Nick Alive! was introduced, which featured live links between shows, often consisting of just a single presenter and the invitation for viewers to take part in phone-ins. With time, these live links were moved to bigger studios, where people were now invited down to the studios to take part in the live broadcasts, which were given various names over the years.

When Sky launched in 1998, Nickelodeon was in the original channel line-up on Astra 2A, and the channel's closedown was moved from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. for digital satellite viewers. However, analogue satellite services continued to shut down Nickelodeon at 7 p.m. each day until analogue satellite was discontinued in 2001. In February 2002, Nickelodeon revealed a new 'splat' design which became the main logo for several years. Nickelodeon was also in the ITV Digital line-up, until the service closed down in 2002.

Later, additional channels were added, which were Nick Jr., aimed towards a pre-school audience, and Nick Replay, which timeshifted Nickelodeon by one hour each day between 8 a.m - 11 p.m. On 31 October 2005, Nickelodeon and Nicktoons extended their hours to 5 a.m. – 11 p.m., and Nick Replay extended its hours to 6 a.m. – midnight. On 15 February 2010, Nickelodeon adopted the new typographical logo that is being used on the channel in other countries around the world.^[1][2] The TEENick block has also adopted the new American identity ^[3] Nicktoons, Nick Jr. and Nick Jr. 2 adopted the new logo on Friday 30 April.

Broadcasting hours were later extended again around July 2010, with Nickelodeon launching an overnight schedule and bringing forward it's start-up time to 2 a.m. However, around October 2011, this was reduced to 2:05 a.m - 11 p.m. with the teleshopping profit gained from Nickelodeon and Nick Replay between 2 a.m. - 2:05 a.m. and 3 a.m. - 3:05 a.m. respectively now used to keep Nicktoons going for an extra ten minutes until 11:10 p.m. However, later in the same month Nicktoons changed back to its old closedown time of 11 p.m.

Ident and Bumper Refresh 2011

On 1 November 2011, Nickelodeon (UK & Ireland) released a range of new bumpers and idents part of the Nickelodeon UK Ident and Bumper Refresh 2011.^[4] Some included Dudley Puppy (T.U.F.F. Puppy) chasing an orange ball, which then bounces into the 'i' on the Nickelodeon logo. Another one was of Spongebob SquarePants, doing his jellyfishing trick and flies around the screen, and when he landed, he 'transformed' into the Nick logo. After a few seconds of displaying Nick, some circles radiate to zoom out to the full Nickelodeon logo.

Other promotional materials included:

• A new Nickelodeon song sung by the characters of various NickToon's characters including Sheen (Planet Sheen) and the Penguins & Julien (The Penguins of Madagascar), released on 17 November;
• Nickelodeon started using the new bumpers for live action shows today. Only the 'now', the 'you're watching' and the 'now back to' bumpers use them at this time. The 'next' bumpers are still the old style. Some shows with these bumpers include iCarly and Victorious (as 19 November)
• Nickelodeon UK & Ireland updated the Fairly Odd Parents 'bumpers' to the new style on 21 November.

Ownership

The British Nickelodeon channels are operated by Nickelodeon UK Ltd., a private limited company that is a joint venture between British Sky Broadcasting and Viacom, the ultimate owners of the Nickelodeon branded channels in the USA. Unlike in America, there is little (if any) operational connection to the European MTV channels, which are run by MTV Networks Europe. British Sky Broadcasting owns 40% of Nickelodeon UK.^[5]

From 1995, there was an operational connection to The Paramount Channel, which was launched by the Paramount UK Partnership, another joint venture between British Sky Broadcasting (25%) and Viacom (75%). The channels shared transponder space, offices and even transmission suites though they now they have separate offices and each operate multiple channels that no longer share bandwidth.

Current spin-off channels

Nick Jr.

Main article: Nick Jr. (UK & Ireland)

On 1 September 1999, Nick Jr. was launched on Sky, which shows programming aimed at pre-school children, pre-school programming was previously shown during the daytime on the main channel, but this strand has long since been dropped (though it was reintroduced briefly during 2005). Nick Jr. originally timeshared with MTV Dance when that channel launched in early 2001, though this ceased some time ago, with MTV Dance having gone 24 hours since then.

Nicktoons

Main article: Nicktoons (UK & Ireland)

On 22 July 2002, Nicktoons shows Nicktoons cartoons, as well as other cartoons, throughout the day. Teleshopping broadcasts on Nickelodeon and Nicktoons outside of regular transmission times. A similar situation occurs with Nick Jr. 2, with teleshopping airing from 10 p.m. until midnight, and simply a blank screen from midnight onwards. Before teleshopping on program channels in the UK was legal, these channels had shown a test card, logo slide or promo loop during downtime hours. SpongeBob SquarePants and The Fairly Odd Parents are part of the Nicktoons schedule.

Nick Jr. 2

Main article: Nick Jr. 2

On 24 April 2006, Nick Jr. 2 was launched. It broadcasts Nick Jr. shows on a different schedule to the main Nick Jr. channel. However, unlike the main Nick Jr., it does not broadcast 24 hours a day.

Nick HD

The network premiered a high-definition simulcast of the network on 5 October 2010 on Sky in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.^[6] A number of new idents were produced for the channel by manvsmachine.^[7] In response to the Nick HD launch, MTVNHD will no longer broadcast a block of Nick programming every weekend and instead focus on music-related content. However MTVNHD Still shows Nick Shows, On weekends, SpongeBob is shown from 5am-6am and FanBoy and Chum Chum from 6am-7am and then shows Music related content.

Timeshifts

On 1 September 1999, a one hour timeshift of Nickelodeon was initially launched on Sky. Nick Replay is available on Sky and UPC Ireland 605 and Virgin Media 713.

A one hour timeshift of Nicktoons is also available on Sky channel 630. The timeshift channel replaced the Nicktoons spin off sister channel Nicktoonsters, and as such only broadcasts between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., as the channel shares space, bandwidth, and mixerboards with Comedy Central Extra +1 which begins broadcasting at 7 p.m.

Irish channels

In 2004, MTV Europe launched a Nick for Republic of Ireland. It has the same feed as the UK just Irish advertisements. This was followed in 2006 by an Irish feed of Nick Jr.

Defunct spin-off channels

Nicktoonsters

Main article: Nicktoonsters

On 18 August 2008, Nick Toonsters was launched. It broadcast some old Nicktoons shows such as Rugrats, The Wild Thornberrys and Hey Arnold!. Its licence first appeared on the Ofcom website in September 2007 (initially named "Nicktoons 2", this was changed to Nicktoonsters on 3 July 2008).^[8] The channel closed on 31 July 2009 and was replaced with a one hour timeshift of Nicktoons, Nicktoons Replay on 1 August 2009. Rugrats is now shown on Nick and Nick Jr.

Programmes & Highlights

Main article: List of programmes broadcast by Nickelodeon (UK & Ireland)#December 2011

The most commonly shows on Nick are iCarly and Spongebob Squarepants. They are both shown over seven times a day.

Programming blocks

Programming on Nickelodeon UK has often been segmented into blocks. These have included:

Morning blocks

• Rise and Slime - (1996–1999)
• Dawn Patrol
• CBBC on Nickelodeon - (1996–1999)
• Get Up! - weekends
• Bedroom Bedlam
• Nick AM - (1993–1996)^[9]
• Nicktoons Breakfast Feast
• Nicktoons TV - (1998–2000)
• Nick Jr. - weekday mornings, featured programming for pre-school children, replaced by a dedicated Nick Jr. channel (1997–1999, 2005, 2009, 2011–present)
• Nick Juice - weekday mornings, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. (2000–2002)
• Weekend Juice - weekend mornings, 7 a.m./9 a.m. to 12 p.m./2 p.m. (2000–2002)
• SLAM! - weekend mornings, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., featured animated action series (2002–2004)
• You're Nicked - weekday mornings, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., featured a presenter & crew 'invading' a viewer's home before school (2002–2004, latterly became a programme in its own right)
• The Crunch - aired weekday mornings, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. (January 2005 - 2006) Each day had a different set of children who were called the 'kidcrew', who signed up to be on the show, and played studio games. The programming block aired animated shows / live action series.
• Control Freaks (2005) Children competed in a series of challenges live on air, with the two presenters. Included cartoons such as SpongeBob SquarePants.
• The Crunch - Summer Sizzle - (Summer of 2005)
• ME:TV (2006–2007) Features live presentation, and four kids with their webcams help the presenters to introduce shows, but only one of the four children can do this, so they have to compete with the other children in challenges live on air. This programming block airs on half-term holidays. 'ME:TV' was a big success with UK viewers. Nickelodeon US, later picked up the show's format. The block was originally presented by Ed Petrie and Sy Thomas. 'ME:TV' returned in the lead-up to the first UK Kids Choice Awards (October 2007), and was presented by Mark Felgate, Sy Thomas and Laura Hamilton.
• Slime Across the UK and Ireland (Summer 2007) aired 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2nd to the 5th week of the summer holidays, presented by Ed Petrie and Sy Thomas in the studio. With Mark Felgate and Laura Hamilton touring the UK and Ireland.
• Summer on Nick (Summer 2008) aired from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. from the 2nd week of the Summer holidays. It was presented by Sy Thomas, Mark Felgate and Laura Hamilton. All three presenters were usually in the studio. Celebrity guests were regularly featured and the main contact with viewers was through the Nickelodon website. Features included 'Dare the Presenters', 'What The Heck are They Talking About', 'Topic of the Day' and more. Programming during this slot was iCarly, Drake and Josh and SpongeBob SquarePants. There was also a parody of Big Brother entitled 'Big Bother'.
• Ross Lee's Ghoulies (28 September - 13 December 2008) 13-part series, airing each Sunday morning from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.. Ross Lee invited viewers to his manor, with spooky tricks and celebrity guests. Included popular Nickelodeon shows such as iCarly.
• Jamie & Anna's Big Weekend (October 2010 - 2 January 2011) Fridays from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Afternoon blocks

• NickALive!
• Lunchtoons - daily, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., featured animated series (1993–2002)
• Nickelozone - weekends, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., featured double episodes of mainly live-action shows (1999–2002)
• Nick in the Afternoon - (1995)
• Nick PM - (1998)
• Nick NOW - (1997)
• Nick L8R - weekdays, 3:30 p.m./5 p.m. to 7 p.m., featured live studio presentation (2000–2004)
• Thank Nick It's Friday - (2000–2004) Fridays:
  • (2000–2004), 3:30 p.m./4 p.m. to 7 p.m., featured live studio presentation (2000–2004)
• The 4 til 6 Show - presented by two of the 'Big Nick Pick' presenters Claire & Teresa, in a tiny studio, they introduced shows, however this only lasted one week in the children's half term holidays. The two presenters have never been seen on Nickelodeon since, unlike the other 'Big Nick Pick' presenters (2005)
• The Crunch! - had a short period in the afternoons. Details above, in Morning Blocks (2006)
• NickHeads - (2006–2007) the first series aired for a short period in the 4 p.m.-6 p.m. slot, presented by Mark Felgate and Laura Hamilton. The second series returned on 4 June, at 4 p.m.-6 p.m., with Mark and Laura 'back with popular demand' with the run finishing on 22 June 2007.
• Teen Nick - (2009–2010) Presented by Olly Murray and Nathan A. Thomas from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. It may start again in 2011 ^[10]
• Jamie and Anna's U-Pick Summer (August 2010) Was a programming block on Nickelodeon from 12pm to 2pm and 5pm to 7pm.
• Jamie and Anna's Big Weekend - See Morning blocks.

Evening blocks

• SNICK - weekend evenings, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. (1998–2002)

Nickelodeon presenters

Current presenters

• Nathan A Thomas (Also hosts Nickelodeon UK events off air)

Former presenters

• Rick Adams
• Mike McClean
• Myk Scarlett
• Nigel Mitchell
• Malcolm Bird
• James Gilbey
• Matt Brown
• Lucy Alexander
• Eddie Matthews
• Robin Banks
• Helen Chamberlain
• Simon Amstell (1998)
• Dave Benson Phillips
• Kara Tritton
• Sarah Cawood
• Lisa Brockwell
• Oliver Clark
• Leon Campbell
• Elvis (computer generated puppet)
• Bert the Fish (computer generated puppet)
• Mounya Khamlichi, a.k.a. "Moo" (1994 - November 2001)
• Kate Humble (1996, Coast to Coast)
• Jonathan Thompson (1998)
• Dave Berry (November 2000 - November 2002)
• Rude (puppet, left December 2002 but briefly returned during Summer on Nick (2008) for a sketch called 'Big Bother')
• Bogey (puppet, left March 2003, returned for a week in July 2003)
• Rani Khanijau (January 2002 - December 2003)
• Yiolanda Koppel, a.k.a. "Yolly" or "Yoo" (1994 - August 2004)
• Michelle Barber (April 2001 - August 2004)
• Aidan Power (March 2003 - August 2004)
• Nigel Clarke (March 2003 - August 2004)
• Rose Omari (March 2003 - August 2004)
• Teressa and Claire (2005)
• Beth Palmer (January 2005 - October 2006)
• Ed Petrie (January 2005 - August 2007)
• Mark Felgate (January 2005 - September 2009)
• Sy Thomas (October 2006 - September 2008)
• Laura Hamilton (October 2006 - September 2008)
• Ross Lee (September - December 2008)
• David de Rothschild (2006–2010, Big Green Thing)
• Olly Murray (2009–2010)
• Anna Williamson (August 2010–August 2011, may return)
• Jamie Rickers (August 2010–August 2011, may return)

Nickelodeon's UK Kids Choice Awards

2007
The 2007 US Awards show was aired on Nick UK on 14 April 2007. The KCA's usually air in the UK shortly after they are broadcast in the US. But for the first time Nick UK made their version of the KCA's. It was broadcast from London's ExCeL Exhibition Centre, Docklands. The awards were held on 20 October 2007 and were shown on Nick UK a week later on 27 October 2007 and were repeated many times during that week. Nickelodeon did a competition where four lucky winners would be able to carry a 'blimp' (the Nickelodeon award) up on stage and present it to a winning celebrity. UK pop band McFly presented the ceremony.

2008
The 2008 UK Kids Choice Awards were held on 13 September 2008 at London's ExCeL Exhibition Centre, Docklands. The awards where shown on the channel a week later on 20 September 2008 with other four million votes being cast. The X Factor judge Danni Minogue presented the ceremony.

2011
The 2011 UK Kids Choice Awards were merged with the main Awards in LA. There was an award for Nick UK's Funniest Person won by Jerry Trainor and Nick UK's Best TV Show which was won by House of Anubis, which is a first for Nickelodeon as it only started this year.

Nick Specials

Over the years Nick have had many special programmes.

• Red Hot Lobster Tour/Nick on the Road (1996–2004) Hosted by the various Nickelodeon presenters over the years, Nickelodeon toured the UK during the summer holidays setting up a large stage at the destinations they visited. They had a large TV screen, broadcasting the Nickelodeon channel with shows such as Saved by the Bell and SpongeBob SquarePants airing. The presenters would interact with the audience of children and play games with them. A commercial for this event later appeared on Nick in 1997.
• Hall of Fame - During August 2006, Nickelodeon aired classic Nick shows such as Taina, The Brothers Garcia, Pete & Pete,Renford Rejects and Cousin Skeeter for an hour every day. Viewers were also given a chance to vote for their favourites on the Nickelodeon website [2].
• Paint Your Town Orange - Summer 1995. A series of many short films (around 3 minutes in length), where viewers showed off the best aspects of where they live. Children acted as presenters in this programmes, and also recorded advert bumpers for the network, which were also screen throughout the summer of 2005.
• Coast to Coast - Summer 1996. A series of thirty minute episodes tracking eight Nickelodeon viewers as they travelled from the east to west coast of the USA. The programme featured two Nickelodeon viewers from England, as well as two from Scotland, two from Germany and two from Australia. Involved in the production of the programme was Kate Humble, who later presented wildlife and science programmes for the BBC.
• Nick-A-Lottery - 1995-1996. Cable or satellite subscribers were sent a 'Nick-A-Lottery' card, a plastic card with numbers printed on. Presenters regularly gave out numbers which if matched with the numbers on the card would entitle the viewer to win a prize, if they could claim within a very short amount of time. After matching the numbers, the viewer had to immediately call the channel's regular freephone number 0800 801 801. This was often engaged even before the Nick-A-Lottery started, so potential winners had difficulty in claiming a prize.
• Big Green Thing - 2006–present. An environmental short series aired during commercials.
• Jamie and Anna's Big Weekend - October 2010. A weekend special fronted by Jamie Rickers and Anna Williamson- the same people who did the CITV Games. Returns in Autumn 2011
• Nickelodeon Music Exclusives - January -present. presented by Nathan A. Thomas. Featuring Big Time Rush, Victoria Justice & Miranda Cosgrove.
• N-View - April 2011 – present. A special fronted by Anna Williamson. Latest music, games, DVD'S, days out and interviews.
• Anubis Unlocked - March - June 2011 A behind-the-scenes of House of Anubis presented by Jamie Rickers and Anna Williamson.
• Anubis Omnibus - March - June 2011 A catch up of the weeks House of Anubis, followed by Anubis Unlocked (see above)
• Big Time Rush: Hello London - 10 May 2011 A special about Big Time Rush's latest trip to London.
• iCarly Marathon - 29 Saturday 2011 Presented by Nathan A Thomas. iCarly episodes all day.

Nickelodeon Magazine

Nick UK relaunched its magazine in March 2011,^[11] following a number of short-lived attempts in previous years at introducing a regular Nick-branded publication to the UK market.^[12]

Nickelodeon Land

Nickelodeon Land is a collaboration between Pleasure Beach Blackpool and Nickelodeon, which will see a six acre area of Pleasure Beach transformed into Nickelodeon Land, which will feature 14 rides, nine new and five re-themed existing rides. Nickelodeon Land also includes themed retail and catering outlets and represents an investment of £10.3m. The attractions was open to the pubilc in April 2011. [3]

References

1. ^ http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/news/983372/Nickelodeon-unveils-new-on-air-brand-identity-logo/
2. ^ http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitaltv/news/a202650/nickelodeon-uk-to-launch-channel-rebrand.html
3. ^ http://www.nick.co.uk/teenick
4. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0ZiNATP5D4&feature=feedu
5. ^ "British Sky Broadcasting Group plc Annual Report 2008". http://corporate.sky.com/documents/pdf/1ffb247d89b6490c9cd3dc7a4f24f4eb/annual_report_2008.pdf.+p. 96. 
6. ^ "MTV to launch Nickelodeon HD on Sky". Digital Spy. 23 September 2010. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitaltv/news/a278336/mtv-to-launch-nickelodeon-hd-on-sky.html. 
7. ^ http://www.manvsmachine.co.uk/projects/project/nickelodeon_hd
8. ^ Licence Details for Nicktoonsters
9. ^ [1]
10. ^ http://microsites.nick.co.uk/teenick/
11. ^ http://www.licensemag.com/licensemag/Entertainment/NCP-UK-Presents-Nickelodeon-Magazine/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/710754
12. ^ http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/news/197400/MEDIA-BRIEF-Nickelodeon-launches-magazine/

External links

• Nick.co.uk - Official website
• Nick.ie - Official Ireland website (note, site redirects to Nick.co.uk)
• Nickelodeon: Outta Control
• Nickelodeon UK listings and schedules
• Guide to channels broadcasting on Astra satellites
• Guide to receiving Astra satellites

See also

• Nicktoons (UK & Ireland)
• Nick Jr. (UK & Ireland)
• Nick Jr. 2