Kids’ network Nickelodeon is increasing its commitment to animation, announcing at its annual upfront presentation to advertisers and press in New York that it will roll out 45 episodes of animation in the next three years, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Those plans include more episodes of such current hits as SpongeBob SquarePants, The Penguins of Madagascar, Fanboy and Chum Chum and T.U.F.F. Puppy; as well as new series including Winx Club, The Last Airbender: Legend of Korra, a new version of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness.
The new version of Ninja Turtles — a favorite cartoon going back to the 1980s — will be CG-animated and feature the voice of Jason Biggs as Leonardo. It’s expected to air starting in 2012, the Reporter writes, and will be produced at Nick Animation Studios in Burbank.
On the preschool side, Nick is adding four new animated series, including a new version of The Tales of Peter Rabbit due in 2012. Nickelodeon will produce the series in conjunction with Chorion and Beatrix Potter publisher Frederick Warne & Co.
