Nickelodeon held its annual upfront presentation in New York’s Lincoln Center on Wednesday, detailing plans to head into the season with over 650 episodes of new and returning series. The presentation was also punctuated with a special appearance from New York Knicks power forward, Carmelo Anthony–who was on hand to tout his new TMNT x Melo collaboration, a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-branded capsule collection of boys’ apparel and accessories launching in all Macy’s stores in May. In a surprise finale, top-selling artist Flo Rida closed with a performance of his latest hit single, “My House.”
Returning animated series include preschool programs Shimmer and Shine, Blaze and the Monster Machines, PAW Patrol, Wallykazam! and Dora and Friends: Into the City!; kids series SpongeBob SquarePants (seasons 10 & 11), Harvey Beaks, Pig Goat Banana Cricket, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Fairly OddParents and ALVINNN!!! and The Chipmunks.
Nick’s 2016 new toon pipeline includes:
Rusty Rivets, picked up for 26 episodes, follows the animated adventures of Rusty as he invents his way out of jams by repurposing parts and objects into the wildest, coolest contraptions ever. The series embodies the principles of the maker movement, while exposing preschoolers to concepts found in science, technology and engineering. Rusty Rivets is created and co-produced by Spin Master Entertainment (PAW Patrol), and slated to premiere later this year.
The Loud House, picked up for 26 episodes, is the first series to be greenlit out of Nickelodeon’s Animated Shorts Program and is inspired by first-time creator Chris Savino’s (Rocko’s Modern Life, The Powerpuff Girls) chaotic life growing up in a huge household.
Bunsen is a Beast!, picked up for 20 episodes, is an original animated comedy created and executive produced by animation veteran Butch Hartman (The Fairly OddParents). The series follows the adventures of Bunsen, the first beast to attend a human grade school, and his best friend and classmate Mikey, who guides Bunsen through the ups and downs of life as a human.
Mysticons, picked up for 40 episodes, is a half-hour, action series about four girls who transform into legendary warriors and band together to save their realm from an evil queen, Necrafa. Mysticons is licensed by Nelvana.
Welcome to the Wayne, picked up for 20 episodes, marks Nick’s first digital short-form series to be greenlit for television. The series follows the comedic adventures of two 10-year-old boys exploring the crazy, unpredictable world of their New York City apartment building The Wayne. Welcome to the Wayne is created and written by Emmy Award-winning writer and composer Billy Lopez (The Wonder Pets!, Phineas and Ferb).
Pinky Malinky, picked up for 20 episodes, is a mockumentary series following the everyday life of Pinky Malinky, an infectiously positive hot dog living in a human world. Pinky’s experiences will be shared across social media and Nick’s digital platforms. The series is co-created and co-executive produced by Chris Garbutt and Rikke Asbjoern (The Amazing World of Gumball), and executive produced by Scott Kreamer (Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness).
Albert, Nickelodeon’s first original animated TV movie, is the sweet story of a tiny Douglas fir tree named Albert who loves Christmas more than anyone, but whose miniature size has kept him inside the plant nursery year after year. Joined by his two best friends, a fun-loving palm tree and a rambunctious weed, Albert treks across the country to live his dream of becoming the world’s most famous Christmas tree. Max Lang (The Gruffalo) is set to direct, with Chris Viscardi and Will McRobb (The Adventures of Pete & Pete) executive producing.
Hey Arnold!, a two-part animated TV movie written and executive produced by the series’ original creator Craig Bartlett, will pick up where the original series ended and resolve unanswered questions and plotlines, including Arnold finally getting answers about the whereabouts of his missing parents.
