Nickelodeon (UK and Ireland)

For Nickelodeon in the United States, see Nickelodeon.

Nickelodeon
Current logo, used since 15 February 2010.
Launched	1 September 1993 (1993-09-01)
Owned by	Nickelodeon UK (Viacom International Media Networks Europe/BSkyB)
Picture format	576i (4:3/16:9 SDTV) 1080i (16:9 HDTV)
Audience share	0.1% 0.1% (+1) (January 2013, BARB)
Sister channel(s)	List MTV MTV Base MTV Classic MTV Dance MTV Hits MTV Live MTV Music MTV Rocks VH1 Viva Comedy Central Comedy Central Extra Nick Jr. Nick Jr. 2 Nicktoons
Timeshift service	Nick +1
Website	www.nick.co.uk www.nick.ie
Availability
Satellite
Sky	Channel 604 (SD/HD) Channel 605 (+1) Channel 632 (SD) On Demand (United Kingdom) Channel 604 Channel 605 (+1) Channel 632 (HD) On Demand (Ireland)
Cable
Virgin Media	Channel 712 Channel 713 (+1) TV Choice On Demand
Smallworld Cable	Channel 604 Channel 605 (+1)
UPC Ireland	Channel 604 Channel 605 (+1)
WightFibre	Channel 100
IPTV
BT Vision	Programmes available on-demand
Internet television
Sky Go	Watch live (UK & Ireland only)
Virgin TV Anywhere	Watch live (UK only)

Nickelodeon (usually abbreviated as "Nick" but more commonly stated as "Nickelodeon" in commercials) is a children's and teenager's television channel operated by Nickelodeon UK, a joint venture between Viacom International Media Networks Europe and BSkyB. On 1 September 1993, a localized version of the US channel launched in the United Kingdom and later in Ireland. In the United Kingdom, the channel is available on Sky, Virgin Media, Smallworld Cable, TalkTalk TV. In Ireland, the channel is available on UPC Ireland, Magnet Networks and Sky Ireland.

History

Early History (1993 - 1998)

The channel launched on satellite (as part of British Sky Broadcasting's Sky Multichannels package) on 1 September 1993, originally airing from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily, and showing both cartoons and live action series. The channel originally had a channel transponder to itself on the Astra satellite, and whilst off-air would show static logos, schedule information, or pages from NickText, the channel's teletext service. In later years, the evening hours timeshared with the Paramount Channel (now Comedy Central) when it launched in October 1995.

Live presentation followed in 1994, branded as Nick Alive!, 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, with children in the studios taking 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 - 2010)

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. The TEENick block has also adopted the new American identity 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. In Early 2012, Nick's broadcast hours were changed from 11pm to 2am daily, to 12am to 3am daily.

Rebrand and launch in high definition (2010 - present)

As part of a global strategy Nickelodeon's parent company Viacom decided to rebrand their networks with new imaging globally. On 15 February 2010 VIMN rebranded its channels around the world sharing the same on-air and off-air identity regardless of the territory (except Nickelodeon US who had its own identity). The new global typographic logo is now used in all forms, including broadcast, online and print. At first, each country had a different on-air format. In 2012, Nickelodeon countries around the world began to the use the new on-air format from the US parent channel, with Nickelodeon UK & Ireland launching it first in October 2011. The new format included a refresh with new bumpers, continuity and closing credits promotions.

A HD channel of Nickelodeon was launched on 5 October 2010 on Sky+HD in UK & Ireland. Promotional graphics on the standard definition feed flag programmes airing in high definition format as being "also available on" the HD simulcast in the format.

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 Viacom International Media Networks Europe. British Sky Broadcasting owns 40% of Nickelodeon UK.

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 OddParents 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 Ireland. MTVNHD (now MTV Live HD) formerly carried Nickelodeon content until the launch of the simulcast network.

Timeshifts

On 1 September 1999, a one hour timeshift of Nickelodeon was initially launched on Sky. Nick +1 is available on Sky and UPC Ireland 605 and Virgin Media 713. The channel originally launched as Nick Replay but was be rebranded as Nick +1 on 2 October 2012, along with the launch of Nick Jr. +1 and closure of Nicktoons Replay.

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

A one-hour timeshift of Nick Jr. launched on Sky channel 630 on 2 October 2012. The channel is a twenty-four hour channel, like the main Nick Jr.

Irish feeds

In 2004, Viacom International Media Networks launched an Irish feed of Nickelodeon, which exists as a complete simulcast with Irish-specific ad breaks and sponsorships. An Irish feed of Nick Jr. was launched in 2006. Currently there is no Irish feed of NickJr. 2 or Nick +1. On 13 September 2012, it was announced that Sky would be launching an Irish feed of NickToons on 16 October 2012. There are now Irish feeds of all of the main Nick channels.

Defunct spin-off channels

Nicktoonsters

Main article: 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). The channel closed due to lack of views on 31 July 2009 and was replaced with a one-hour timeshift of Nicktoons, Nicktoons Replay on 1 August 2009. The only shows that were shown on Nicktoonsters which are currently on at this time is Hey Arnold!, SpongeBob SquarePants, Fairly Odd Parents and Rugrats (Rugrats is shown on Nick, Nick Jr. and Nick Jr. 2, but does not show on Nicktoons).

Programmes broadcast on Nickelodeon UK & Ireland

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

Over the years the network has produced series including Genie in the House (2006–2009) and the recent Summer in Transylvania.

Apart from local continuity programming and Camp Orange, Nickelodeon UK mainly airs imported programming from the US network, Canada's YTV, and the children's division of Australian broadcast network Network Ten. House of Anubis is filmed in the UK, but is produced for the American channel and premieres in the US market first.

Highest rated programmes

Below is data listing the ten most viewed programmes in the network's history, as determined by the BARB panel. This list only includes the premiere airing on the main channel, excluding encores and Nick +1 (formerly Nick Replay) airings.

Rank	Show	Episode	Viewers	Date
1	iCarly	"iGoodbye" (Part 1)	437,000	5 April 2013
2	iCarly	"iGoodbye" (Part 2)	376,000	5 April 2013
3	iCarly	5.07/08 - "iStill Psycho"	329,000	5 November 2010
4	iCarly	4.01 - "iGot a Hot Room"	328,000	13 April 2012
5	iCarly	4.23 - "iMeet The First Lady"	300,000	23 April 2012
6	iCarly	2.18/19 - "iDate a Bad Boy"	295,000	19 November 2009
7	Victorious	3.15/16 - "Tori Goes Platinum"	293,000	19 October 2012
8	iCarly	3.01 - "iThink They Kissed"	287,000	4 February 2010
9	iCarly	6.02 - "iGo One Direction"	284,000	16 April 2012
10	iCarly	5.01 - "iLost My Mind"	278,000	6 February 2012

Highest rated films and specials

Below is data listing the five most viewed films and specials on the network, as determined by BARB. This list only includes the premiere airing on the main channel, excluding encores and Nick+1 airings.

Name	Type	Views	Date
Fred 2: Night of the Living Fred	Film	321,000	28 October 2011
Kids' Choice Awards 2013	Awards Special	281,000	24 March 2013
Fred 3: Camp Fred	Film	261,000	26 October 2012
iGo to Japan	Special episode	226,000	4 April 2009
iParty With Victorious	Special episode	222,000	7 October 2011
Kids' Choice Awards 2012	Awards Special	201,000	1 April 2012
A Fairly Odd Movie: Grow Up, Timmy Turner!	Film	196,000	2 March 2012

Nickelodeon UK Presenters

Current presenters

Name	Presenter Of	Start Date
Olly Murray	Host of Nickelodeon marathons	20 July 2009
Nathan A Thomas	Host of Nickelodeon marathons, off-air events and special events.	Late 2009
Anna Williamson	Now presents Camp Orange and behind the scenes specials (e.g. Anubis Unlocked).	August 2010
Jamie Rickers	Now presents Camp Orange and behind the scenes specials (e.g. Anubis Unlocked).	August 2010
Denise Lewis	Presents Camp Orange.	22 July 2011

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 the Alien (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 the Reindeer (puppet, left December 2002 but briefly returned during Summer on Nick (2008) for a sketch called 'Big Bother')
• Bogie the 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)

Nickelodeon UK Kids' Choice Awards

As part of a global strategy Nickelodeon decided to launch localized versions of the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, including for their UK, Russian and Australian networks. In 2007, Nickelodeon launched the UK Kids' Choice Awards on 14 April. The first awards show broadcast live from London's ExCeL Exhibition Centre, Docklands on 20 October 2007, with the ceremony presented by the male pop quartet McFly. The second awards show took place on 13 September 2008, also at ExCel, and was presented by Australian entertainer Dannii Minogue. Since that 2008 ceremony the UK awards have been reduced to being presented during breaks in the main American show due to the current global financial situation and network restructuring making a locally presented ceremony financially unfeasible.

Nickelodeon specials

Over the years Nickelodeon have had many special programmes.

• Red Hot Lobster Tour/Nick on the Road 1996–2004 - Hosted by various Nickelodeon presenters over the years, a road show where network personalities interacted with children at certain stops and aired network programming.
• 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 programme, and also recorded advert bumpers for the network, which were screened to the summer of 2005.
• Coast to Coast - Summer 1996 - A series of thirty-minute episodes tracking eight Nickelodeon viewers on holiday on a coast-to-coast trip to the United States. 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. Winners had to call via freephone to confirm their winning card within the alloted time.
• Big Green Thing - 2006–2010 - Local equivalent of The Big Help campaign.
• 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.
• Anubis Unlocked - March 2011 - June 2011 - A behind-the-scenes of House of Anubis presented by Jamie Rickers and Anna Williamson.
• Big Time Rush: Hello London - 10 May 2011 - Tour special about the group's London stop.
• Nickelodeon's Young Hopefuls - April 2012–August 2012 - Network tie-in to the 2012 Summer Olympics and 2012 Summer Paralympics involving medal hopefuls for the Great Britain national team.

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 public in April 2011. [1]

See also

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

External links

• Nick.co.uk - Official website
• Nick.ie - Official Ireland website (note, site redirects to Nick.co.uk)
• Nickelodeon UK listings and schedules
• Nickelodeon UK Official Twitter Page
• Nickelodeon UK Official Facebook Page