F.Y.I.

Nickelodeon launches app in bid to create interactive experience for kids

Kids will be able to interact with TV channel Nickelodeon following the launch of a new app.

The announcement:

Nickelodeon Australia today announced the launch of Nick Play, a branded app experience that allows kids to interact with Nickelodeon wherever they go. One of the first global territories to launch the app as part of Viacom’s Play Plex* model, Nick Play offers Australian kids access to hundreds of Nickelodeon-themed videos, original short-form animations, newly created games, as well as full-length episodes of Nickelodeon’s biggest hits and current top shows via Foxtel subscriber^ authentication.

Nick Play features a tile layout that can be swiped in any direction and will include new content daily, which kids can “favourite” and watch whenever they want. True to the spirit of Nickelodeon, the app offers a range of funny, interactive elements including a “Do Not Touch” button that triggers an array of disruptive comedy and surprises. There is also a “mystery box” element on the homepage designed to include specialised messaging for Nickelodeon highlights and/or sponsor integrated campaigns.

Nick Play launches with Australian-produced animated shorts series Supa Phresh (4 x 3min) created by Melbourne-based Darcy Prendergast of Oh Yeah Wow. The premiere series follows the hilarious journey of Tex (a half-dinosaur, half-fish) and his two best friends – Squidula (a vampire squid) and Pug-tank (part dog, part toy tank), who work (badly) in a low-rent, bulk-buying supermarket. Nickelodeon Australia has also exclusively commissioned two Supa Phresh companion games for the app, Coupon Cannon and Suga Rush. The Supa Phresh shorts and games will be available to international Nickelodeon markets as exclusive digital-first content.

Jihee Nam, Vice President and General Manager of Nickelodeon Networks Australia and New Zealand commented: “Nick Play provides yet another opportunity to connect with our current and new audiences in a safe environment parents can trust.  We have listened to what kids want and have created original short-form content that is true to our brand values of being irreverent, funny and entertaining.”

At launch, Nick Play app will include:

Over 320 videos, including:

  • 24 full episodes of Nickelodeon’s current hit shows (two episodes available to all users and 22 for Foxtel subscribers^);
  • A binge-worthy 13 episodes from the latest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series leading up to the massive Season 3 Finale (as part of Foxtel subscriber^ episodes);
  • The launch of original animated shorts series Supa Phresh and two Supa Phresh mini games;
  • Nickelodeon’s first-ever digital short-form series Welcome to the Wayne;
  • Over 290 short form videos and exclusive behind the scenes content from Nickelodeon’s hit shows;
  • Refreshed content every day and new videos every week.

“With Nick Play, we have the flexibility to create original, unique content that can be accessed by kids no matter where they are. Our dedication to constantly innovate across all of our platforms means that we can provide viewers with a different experience every time they connect with our brand,” added Ms. Nam.

The app will be available on both iOS and Android to download on the Apple store and Google Play respectively. Full-length episodes on Nick Play can be accessed by households that subscribe to Foxtel^ with the Kids Channel Pack.

“Australian kids use an average of six devices, which is more than the global average*. It is vital that we offer them an app that is functional in navigation, user interface and content. Nick Play is designed to complement our linear channel and provide our distribution partner, Foxtel^ with an enhanced entertainment experience for subscribers^,” concluded Nam.

Source: Nickelodeon press release

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