NICKELODEON & DStv TO PAINT AFRICA ORANGE

MTV Networks Africa and Multichoice Africa have concluded a deal to bring family channel, Nickelodeon, to millions of new viewers in sub-Saharan Africa.

Starting on 23 August 2011, Nickelodeon will be distributed 24 hours a day to an additional 36 countries in Central, East and West Africa on DStv channel 305, bringing Nickelodeon’s amazing line-up of family-friendly, kids-centric entertainment to children and parents throughout the continent. The channel will be available on the DStv Premium, Compact Plus, Compact, Family and Access bouquets.

Combining world-class animated programmes with live-action TV series, movies and more, Nickelodeon offers fresh, entertaining, programming for parents and kids from 2-15 yrs including dedicated content for pre-schoolers, tweens and teens.

Among the high quality programmes offered on the Nickelodeon channel will be world famous animated sea sponge SpongeBob SquarePants, adventurous pre-school heroine Dora the Explorer, teen hits Victorious, Big Time Rush and iCarly and Bubble Guppies, an interactive educational programme for pre-schoolers 2-5 years that teaches essential school-readiness skills.

Commented Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, MTV Networks Africa, “We are delighted to expand Nickelodeon’s ‘orange’ footprint to a new fan base in Central, Eastern and Western Africa with our partners at DStv. We are confident that Nickelodeon will become a firm favourite with kids and parents in these regions.”

“Nickelodeon’s core values of fun, playfulness and innovation, along with our “putting kids first” philosophy and top quality content resonates with kids and their families all over the world. We are looking forward to spreading the word and creating even more fans across sub-Saharan Africa,” said Andy Goodhand, Senior Vice President, Nickelodeon, Emerging Markets, VIMN. “Our new partnership with DStv means audiences across the continent will have the opportunity to connect with our much-loved characters, such as iconic animated superstars SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer and live-action hit shows Victorious and iCarly.”

Commenting on the launch of the channel, President of MultiChoice Africa Collins Khumalo said, “We are pleased to make the Nickelodeon channel available to our subscribers across the continent on several different bouquets. This serves to further diversify our already strong line-up of youth focussed channels. I am confident the channel will bring hours of fun, family entertainment to our audiences.”

Nickelodeon was launched in July 2008 in southern Africa and has grown from strength to strength by becoming the channel of choice for many African families. Nickelodeon will now reach 3 million households across sub-Saharan Africa and will be broadcast in 47 countries across the African continent. For more information about Nickelodeon programming, go to www.nickelodeonafrica.com or for more information on DStv, log on to www.dstv.com.