Nickelodeon to Launch New CG Animated Kung Fu Panda: The Series from DreamWorks Animation SKG
May 14 2009 - 11:12AM
PR Newswire (US)
Series Based on Academy Award-Nominated Theatrical Blockbuster Set
to BURBANK, Calif., May 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a
record-breaking ratings premiere of The Penguins of Madagascar,
Nickelodeon today announced that it has ordered 26 episodes of its
second co-production with DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.
(NASDAQ:DWA), Kung Fu Panda: The Series -- a new CG animated comedy
series adapted from the studio's 2008 blockbuster film. Today's
announcement, which strengthens the strategic alliance between two
of the world's most prolific producers of television and feature
film animation, was made by Brown Johnson, President, Animation for
Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids & Family Group. (Photo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090514/NY17075 ) Today's
announcement comes just six weeks after Nickelodeon's unprecedented
March 28 debut of the hit CG-animated series The Penguins of
Madagascar, which ranked as the most-watched series premiere in the
network's history, drawing 6.1 total million viewers (P2+). The
half-hour premiere also delivered more kids 6-11 than any other
Nick animated series premiere, averaging an 11.0/2.3 million K6-11.
Since then, The Penguins of Madagascar has already become a top
program with kids on all of broadcast and cable television,
averaging nearly 13 million kids 2-11 each week and also averaging
nearly 28 million total viewers (P2+) every week. The series is
currently the #2 program (live action or animated), only behind
only SpongeBob SquarePants, with kids 2-11 and 6-11 and is the #2
kid-targeted program (live-action or animated) among total viewers
(P2+) on all of broadcast and cable television.* "Our seamless
collaboration with DreamWorks Animation has now reached an
anticipated 78 half-hours of unparalleled television CG animation,"
said Brown. "With the pick-up of Kung Fu Panda: The Series, we are
thrilled to be bringing to our audience the rich stories and
energy-packed character and action sequences Po the panda delivered
on the big screen." "We are thrilled to extend our ongoing
collaboration with Nickelodeon, whose creative expertise in
producing hit TV series is second to none," said Ann Daly, Chief
Operating Officer of DreamWorks Animation. "The characters and
worlds we originally created for Kung Fu Panda are particularly
well-suited to be further developed and explored in new and
exciting ways." Kung Fu Panda: The Series, is based on DreamWorks
Animation's hit feature film, Kung Fu Panda which has grossed over
$630 million at the worldwide box office and became the studio's
most successful original feature film ever. Kung Fu Panda garnered
an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature Film of the Year and
a Golden Globe nomination for Best Animated Feature Film. The
series will chronicle the further adventures of Po, the energetic,
enthusiastic, always hungry martial arts panda. He is aided by his
mentor Shifu and the Furious Five: Tigress, Mantis, Crane, Monkey
and Viper. Anointed "Dragon Warrior," Po protects the Valley of
Peace from threats of all kind. Kung Fu Panda: The Series will be
executive produced by Cheryl Holliday (King of the Hill, Still
Standing, Father of the Pride). The show is being produced at the
Nickelodeon Animation Studios in Burbank, California, currently the
largest producer of television animation in the U.S. Kung Fu Panda:
The Series joins Nickelodeon's successful slate of animated series
including pop culture phenomenon and number one ranked SpongeBob
SquarePants (coming up on its 10th Anniversary this July), Emmy
Award-nominated The Fairly OddParents from animation veteran Butch
Hartman, The Mighty B! co-created by and starring actress/comedian
Amy Poehler and Back at the Barnyard from the creative mind of
box-office chief Steve Oedekerk. About DreamWorks Animation SKG
DreamWorks Animation is principally devoted to developing and
producing computer generated, or CG, animated feature films. With
world-class creative talent, a strong and experienced management
team and advanced CG filmmaking technology and techniques,
DreamWorks Animation makes high quality CG animated films meant for
a broad movie-going audience. The Company anticipates releasing its
feature films into both conventional and IMAX(R) theatres
worldwide. The Company has theatrically released a total of
eighteen animated feature films, including Shrek, Shrek 2, Shark
Tale, Madagascar, Over the Hedge, Shrek the Third, Bee Movie, Kung
Fu Panda, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa and Monsters vs. Aliens. All
of the Company's feature films are now being produced in
stereoscopic 3D technology. About Nickelodeon Nickelodeon, now in
its 30th 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, magazines and feature films.
Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 98
million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable
network for 14 consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related
titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE:
VIANYSE:VIA.B). Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This
document includes certain forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
The Company's plans, prospects, strategies, proposals and our
beliefs and expectations concerning performance of our current and
future releases and anticipated talent, directors and storyline for
our upcoming films and other projects, constitute forward-looking
statements. These statements are based on current expectations,
estimates, forecasts and projections about the industry in which we
operate and management's beliefs and assumptions. These statements
are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks,
uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict.
Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied
by the statements herein due to changes in economic, business,
competitive, technological and/or regulatory factors, and other
risks and uncertainties affecting the operation of the business of
DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. These risks and uncertainties
include: audience acceptance of our films, our dependence on the
success of a limited number of releases each year, the increasing
cost of producing and marketing feature films, piracy of motion
pictures, the effect of rapid technological change or alternative
forms of entertainment and our need to protect our proprietary
technology and enhance or develop new technology. In addition, due
to the uncertainties and risks involved in the development and
production of animated feature projects, the release dates for the
projects described in this document may be delayed. For a further
list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the
reports filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and our most
recent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. DreamWorks Animation is
under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to,
update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result
of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or
otherwise. *Source: NMR, most current data for kids 2-11, kids 6-11
and persons 2+, 3/23/09-5/3/09
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090514/NY17075
http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Nickelodeon CONTACT: Nicole
Parker, Nickelodeon/LA, +1-818-736-3613, , or Jodi Davis,
Nickelodeon/NY, +1-212-846-5981, ; or Jeff Hare, Publicity,
+1-818-695-6055, , or Shannon Olivas, Corporate Communications,
+1-818-695-3658, , both of DreamWorks Animation
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