Nickelodeon to Launch New CG Animated Kung Fu Panda: The Series from DreamWorks Animation SKG
5/14/2009
Series Based on Academy Award-Nominated Theatrical Blockbuster Set to
Premiere in 2010
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:
VIA, 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
SOURCE Nickelodeon
05/14/2009
/NOTE TO EDITORS: For downloadable photos and additional information
visit: www.nickpress.com/
/CONTACT: Nicole Parker, Nickelodeon/LA, +1-818-736-3613,
Nicole.Parker@nick.com, or Jodi Davis, Nickelodeon/NY, +1-212-846-5981,
Jodi.Davis@nick.com; or Jeff Hare, Publicity, +1-818-695-6055,
Jeff.Hare@dreamworks.com, or Shannon Olivas, Corporate Communications,
+1-818-695-3658, Shannon.Olivas@dreamworks.com, both of DreamWorks Animation
Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090514/NY17075
http://photoarchive.ap.org
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN10
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
