Nickelodeon (UK and Ireland)

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, starting in 1984 which is now defunct).

Contents

History

Early History (1993 - 1998)

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.

Launch of Sky Digital (1998)

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.

History (1998 - 2011)

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 broadcasting 24 hours a day, albeit still with three hours of Teleshopping each night from 11pm to 2am.

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

Nickelodeon UK Refresh (2012)

As part of Nickelodeon UK's 2012 refresh, all of Nickelodeon UK and Ireland's channel bumpers have been updated and feature the stars of current Nickelodeon shows, such as the cast of the Nickelodeon show "iCarly", SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star from the hit animated Nickelodeon show (NickToon) "SpongeBob SquarePants", the cast of the Nickelodeon series "Supah Ninjas", and the cast of the Nickelodeon sitcom "Victorious". Nickelodeon UK and Ireland's "Now", "Next", "After The Break" and "Now Back To" bumpers have also been updated in Nickelodeon UK's 2012 brand refresh, and mainly feature the stars on the Nickelodeon show they are talking about, and feature a new unnamed voice over artist. Nickelodeon UK have also unveiled brand new Nickelodeon Idents (also known as a Nickelodeon Station Id's). One of Nick UK's brand new Idents features the Nickelodeon logo jumping on to the screen to the tune of a Nickelodeon jingle, and another brand new Nickelodeon UK Ident features SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star from "SpongeBob SquarePants" catching small I's that are in the style of the Nickelodeon logo with their Jellyfishing nets. Another brand new Nick UK ident features Squidward Tentacles from "SpongeBob SquarePants" sticking his head out of a top floor window of a white coloured version of Squidward's Easter Island stone tiki head house which is located to the left of the Nickelodeon logo protesting at SpongeBob SquarePants annoying him by using a loud "reef blower" in front of the Nickelodeon logo.

Nickelodeon UK's latest refresh is from Nickelodeon USA's 2011 Image Campaign, which was created by New York-based creative studio "Trollbäck + Company".

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.[4]

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.

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

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 OddParents are part of the Nicktoons schedule.

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.[5] A number of new idents were produced for the channel by manvsmachine.[6] 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 on Nick Hits.

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

On 18 August 2008, Nicktoonsters 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).[7] 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.

Nickelodeon UK Programmes & Events

Programmes

Most programming on Nick UK is from NickUS The only programmes from a channel other than NickUS is Life With Boys from the Canadian Channel, YTV and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The most commonly showen shows on Nickelodeon (UK & Ireland) are iCarly and SpongeBob SquarePants. They are both shown over seven times a day (excluding days with a special event e.g Big Time Rush Marathon).

Highlights & Events

Nickelodeon UK rarely ever announce all the months highlights at once. Highlights are usually announced, main events first.

Branded programming blocks

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

Morning blocks

Afternoon blocks

Evening block

Nickelodeon presenters

Current presenters

Former presenters

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.

Nickelodeon Magazine

Nick UK relaunched its magazine in March 2011,[10] following a number of short-lived attempts in previous years at introducing a regular Nick-branded publication to the UK market.[11]

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

External links

See also