China Toy Fair


Spin Master’s Paw Patrol Helps Boost Nickelodeon’s Ratings

December 19, 2013 By

paw-patrol-post-2Spin Master‘s Paw Patrol helped to tip the scales in Nickelodeon‘s favor, making it the children’s TV network leader in the battle between Disney and Nickelodeon for kids share, according to a report on Bloomberg News. The battle between these two large players grew even more after last year’s debut of Disney Junior, a channel aimed a preschoolers watching Nick Jr.

Nickelodeon cited Nielsen data that reported it averaging 918,000 viewers a day among kids ages 2 to 11 in the fourth quarter through December 15 compared to The Disney Channel’s 874,000 viewers. According to the Bloomberg News article, the ratings shift, is accelerating ad sales for Viacom, which posted its best quarterly growth in at least two years last month. The battle between the largest players in children’s TV intensified last year after the debut of Disney Junior, a channel aimed at preschoolers who watch Nick Jr.

Filed Under: 3-5, 5-8, 6-8, 8 and up, 9 and up, Cartoon, News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Nickelodeon Introduces The Story of Me Research Study

November 26, 2013 By

In a presentation to advertisers, Nickelodeon released its latest research insights into today’s kids, born since 2005, who are growing up markedly different from the generation before them. For these kids, the hallmarks and traits include being closer to their parents than prior generations, being seen as smart and funny by peers and family, and creating their own relationship to technology.

Drawn from a proprietary Nickelodeon Consumer Insights study titled “The Story of Me,” the presentation at the network’s Times Square headquarters compared and contrasted the kids of today with kids of a similar age 10 years ago, as well as highlighting select third-party data about kids’ media consumption.

Today’s generation of kids is demonstrating defining characteristics that set them apart from generations prior. Select findings and highlights from the presentation include:

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Data, News Tagged With: , , , , ,

Power Rangers Megaforce Halloween Line-Up Includes New Costumes, Safety Video, and More

October 16, 2013 By

Power.RangerSaban’s Power Rangers Megaforce celebrates this Halloween season with a variety of Power Rangers activities throughout October, including a Halloween safety campaign that highlights safety tips for kids to use while trick-or-treating. The video can be viewed either at the Power Rangers YouTube site or below.

Power Rangers costumes, including all-new Power Rangers Megaforce costumes, are available at Spirit Halloween locations nationwide and online. The Power Rangers have also joined forces with Spirit Halloween for a second annual Power Rangers Spirit of Children Week, in which the Power Rangers Megaforce will visit 16 hospitals across the country to entertain young patients, bringing the Halloween spirit to life. [Read more...]

Filed Under: New Products, News Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

COMMENTARY: Power Rangers Toys Power Up for 20th Anniversary

October 11, 2013 By

When I was a kid, I was in love with the Power Rangers, from Saban Brands. I was a huge fan of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers series in the ’90s and I was even The Red Ranger one year for Halloween (They were all out of The Pink Ranger costumes and Kimberly was my favorite, so I had to compromise). I recently re-watched some episodes of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers when the series was on Netflix, and you know what? I still thought it was great in all of its ’90s glory.

However, the lucky kids of today get to obsess over two Power Rangers series of their own—Power Rangers Super Samurai and Power Rangers Megaforce. Power Rangers Super Samurai, which began airing in 2011, is about a new generation of Power Rangers that must master the mystical and ancient Samurai Symbols of Power, which allow them to control the elements of Fire, Water, Sky, Forest, and Earth. Aided by their devoted animal Zords and guided by an all-knowing mentor, these Power Rangers battle the dark forces of the Netherworld and a mysterious Warrior out to destroy.

Power Rangers Megaforce is the 20th season of Power Rangers, coinciding with the series’ 20th anniversary. This season features Gosei, a supernatural being who has protected the earth for centuries with his robotic assistant Tensou. When evil Warstar aliens begin a massive invasion, the Gosei calls upon the Power Rangers Megaforce to form the ultimate team. When morphed into the Power Rangers, the five teenagers gain superhuman strength and mastery over martial arts.

In light of the recent news of Saban extending its agreements with both Nickelodeon and Bandai America to keep the Power Rangers franchise alive, here are some great licensed toys from Bandai America that celebrates this new season of the Power Rangers series, as well as the brand’s 20th anniversary: [Read more...]

Filed Under: 3-5, 5-8, 6-8, 8 and up, 9 and up, Commentary Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

COMMENTARY: Smell My What?

October 4, 2013 By

It’s gooey, it’s stretchy, it’s slimy, and it goes by the name Gak. This original Nickelodeon staple has been around for years, but has never failed to impress me with each wacky new version the brand continually comes out with. Just when I really thought I had seen it all (if this is your first time hearing about Gak, things may get a little weird for you), between glow-in-the-dark Gak and Gak that changes color based on your mood, Nickelodeon gives us a new line called Smell My Gak—and you can definitely let your imagination run with that one for a little longer.

I must admit this move does make sense. Gak is already known for being squishable and frrrrt-able (in relation to the sound the Gak makes when you cram it into the container using different methods of force in order to essentially make all kinds of “fart” noises, but frrrrt is just a nicer-sounding word), so it now needs to be smell-able. Although each new Smell My Gak toy comes with a unique scent and container, there are some that I would willingly sniff over others, and now you will see why:

m44_VHjAcziKvPJr8LiEN_wBacon: Growing up with two younger brothers and a little sister, who for most of her life acted like a little brother, I’m no fool to knowing that there are few things dearer to boys (and girls) hearts than bacon. I don’t know why, they just love it, so kudos to Nickelodeon for capitalizing on this one. Not only was it just a great idea, but it also really does smell like a pan of home-cooked bacon on a Sunday morning – only you can roll it up into a ball in your hand and throw it against the wall for that famous Splat effect. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Commentary Tagged With: , , ,

Saban Brands Extend Partnerships for Power Rangers with Nickelodeon and Bandai America

October 2, 2013 By

image003Saban Brands has extended agreements with Nickelodeon and Bandai America Inc. through 2016 for its Power Rangers franchise. Nickelodeon and Saban Brands initiated their strategic partnership when Saban re-acquired the Power Rangers brand in 2010 and re-launched the TV series with Power Rangers Samurai in 2011. The extension confirms additional seasons of original Power Rangers programming on Nickelodeon through 2016. Bandai will continue to act as the global master toy licensee for the Power Rangers franchise.

Saban’s Power Rangers Megaforce, the 20th anniversary season, currently airs on Nickelodeon on Saturdays at 1:00 p.m. (ET/PT). The upcoming installment of the TV series, Power Rangers Super Megaforce, will premiere early next year.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: , , , ,

Saban Brands Announces New Episodes of Power Rangers Megaforce and Digimon Fusion

September 2, 2013 By

rangers Saban Brands and Nickelodeon have announced that Saban’s Power Rangers Megaforce will return with all-new episodes on September 7 at 1 p.m. (EST/PST), followed by the season premiere of the all-new Digimon Fusion at 1:30 p.m. (EST/PST) on Nickelodeon. The back-to-back episodes team up to create a power hour packed with action, excitement, humor and entertainment.

digimonThe return of new episodes of Power Rangers Megaforce continues the celebration of the franchise’s 20th Anniversary, with August 28 marking 20 years since the original series, Saban’s Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, first aired on television in 1993. Power Rangers Megaforce picks up when a shadow-stealing monster attacks, and the Megaforce Rangers must teach Robo Knight the power of teamwork in order to defeat him.

This past Wednesday, when the Power Rangers turned 20, Saban Brands celebrated by releasing Power Rangers Dubstep 2.0 with the Power Rangers Lost Galaxy Rangers video on MyVortexx.

Digimon Fusion marks the sixth installment of the Digimon franchise, which Saban Brands re-acquired last year. The all-new Digimon Fusion series follows Mikey, a human boy, who is transported into the digital realm and must team up with his new Digimon, or Digital Monster, friends before their world is deleted once and for all. New fusion powers allow Digimon to combine and fuse their abilities to create endless battle possibilities. Unleashing countless Digimon combinations, Digimon Fusion takes today’s tech-savvy kids inside an adventure-packed digital world, where the heroes’ courage is matched only by the fusion of their teamwork, loyalty and humor.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Spin Master Entertainment Launches its First Preschool Animated Series, Paw Patrol

July 30, 2013 By

PawPatrolSpin Master Entertainment, in association with Nickelodeon, launches its first solely owned intellectual property, Paw Patrol. Paw Patrol, based on a concept by Keith Chapman (Bob the Builder), with animation from Guru Studio (The Backyardigans and Justin Time), is set to premiere August 12 on Nickelodeon in the U.S., followed by the Canadian premiere on TVO and Knowledge Network on September 2. The series will begin airing on Nickelodeon’s international channels in the fall.

Paw Patrol is a CG-animated series starring a pack of six heroic puppies–Chase, Marshall, Rocky, Rubble, Zuma, and Skye–led by a tech-savvy, 10-year-old boy, Ryder. The series focuses on citizenship, social skills, and problem-solving. The Paw Patrol work together to protect the Adventure Bay community believing that “No job is too big, no pup is too small!”

Spin Master is responsible for producing and distributing Paw Patrol in Canada through broadcast partners TVO and Knowledge Network, as well as owning the worldwide toy rights. Nickelodeon licensed from Spin Master the global (excluding Canada) distribution rights for the show on behalf of Viacom International, as well as ancillary exploitation rights, including licensing and merchandising.

Filed Under: Licenses, News Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Nickelodeon Signs with Rubie’s Costume Co.

July 25, 2013 By

Rubies LogoNickelodeon has signed a licensing deal with Rubie’s Costume Co. to develop and produce a line of Halloween costumes, accessories, and dress up products inspired by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series.

The new line will target kids, adults, and pets. The Costume Collection features Raphael, Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, Splinter, April O’Neil, and The Foot Clan.

Filed Under: Licenses, New Products Tagged With: , , , ,

Ubisoft’s Rabbids to Debut on Nickelodeon

July 20, 2013 By

NICKELODEON RAVING RABBIDSUbisoft‘s Rabbids will make their TV debut in Nickelodeon‘s CG-animated series Rabbids Invasion, premiering August 3 at 11:30 a.m.  The 26 half-hour episodes will follow the unpredictable creatures as they discover, explore, and often wreak havoc in the human world. All episodes will be available on iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Xbox Video, PlayStation Store, Samsung Media Hub, and Vudu starting the day after they air. The series will also debut on Nickelodeon channels internationally beginning this fall.

During the premiere, “Omelet Party,” the Rabbids stumble across a farm and become fascinated with the chickens’ ability to lay eggs. Next in “Rabbid Mollusk,” the Rabbids find questionable uses for a starfish and an octopus while disrupting an old man’s attempt to clean the windows. In “Rabbid, Are You There?,” the Rabbids become fascinated watching a burglar attempt to rob an apartment while unknowingly assisting with a fortune-teller’s reading on the floor below.

Beginning July 17, viewers can log on to Nick.com/rabbids to access photo galleries featuring the world travels of the Rabbids, animated gifs, and videos of the upcoming series. The Nick app joins in on the mischievous fun, featuring Rabbids-themed comedic disruptions in the funny, and surprising Do Not Touch button. On August 26, fans can play the Rabbids Rhythm Game on Nick.com/rabbids.

Created and produced by Ubisoftin 2006, the wacky, mischievous Rabbids have become known worldwide, with more than 14 million video games sold and hundreds of licensed products that feature the Rabbids characters. Viral videos starring the Rabbids have attracted more than 62 million views on YouTube. The Rabbids brand extends across multiple genres including parodies, videos, illustrations, and consumer products. The new television series will also generate a range of opportunity for Ubisoft, with a string of partnerships for every major category including apparel, accessories, toys, and back-to-school.

Filed Under: 5-8, 6-8, 8 and up, 9 and up, Cartoon, Licenses, News, The Toy Book Tagged With: , , ,
« Older Posts
Newer Posts »