LONDON, NEW YORK and CANNES, France, April 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Nicktoons Network and MTV Networks International announced today plans to secure 26 additional episodes of Animation Collective's property Kappa Mikey, which became the Networks' first-ever global acquisition when it was originally commissioned in 2005. The animated comedy series has posted strong ratings on Nicktoons Network in the US since its launch on February 25th and has been gaining momentum across key demos. The new deal comprises 26 half hour episodes and will bring the total number of episodes available for the series to 52. MTV Networks International, as per the original deal, secures international distribution rights for third-party broadcast sales for the new episodes. Kappa Mikey is the first anime series created and produced entirely in the US and beginning in May, 2006, the first season of the series is set to launch across all of Nickelodeon's international channels, including Nick Asia, Nick UK, Nick Spain, Nick France and Nick Europe.
The announcement was made at the MIP-TV television market in Cannes by Keith Dawkins, Vice President and General Manager, Nicktoons Network and Larry Schwarz, Kappa Mikey's creator and C.E.O. of Animation Collective.
"We are so excited to be picking up a second season of Kappa Mikey, which further demonstrates our commitment to bring new, original and distinct content to our audience," said Keith Dawkins, General Manager, Nicktoons Network. Kids have lots of choices and the brands that connect themselves to the freshest ideas win. We believe that Kappa Mikey -- the characters, the story and the funny -- prove to be the kind of idea that kids fall in love with."
"In Nicktoons Network we were fortunate to find the perfect home in which to introduce Kappa Mikey. The Network's enthusiastic support and love for the property has led to its success. The speed with which they renewed the show -- less than a week after its first airing -- demonstrates the commitment they have made to building Kappa Mikey as a brand and how supportive they are of independent creator-producers. We feel very lucky to be able to continue to bring to life the world of Kappa Mikey, its characters and its stories," said Larry Schwarz, Kappa Mikey's creator and C.E.O. of Animation Collective.
"Anime is an extremely popular genre around the world and we are delighted that the success of the first season of Kappa Mikey is being extended across 26 new episodes. Broadcasters have tremendous confidence in MTV Networks International's ability to provide cutting edge, unrivalled hit properties and Kappa Mikey is certainly delivering," commented Debbie Back, Senior Vice President, International Program Sales, MTV Networks International.
A fish-out-of-water anime action comedy, Kappa Mikey chronicles the madcap adventures of once-struggling American actor, Cleveland, Ohio native Mikey Simon, as he adjusts to his new role as the biggest anime star Japan has even seen. When he is recruited to join the cast of LilyMu, formerly Japan's hottest anime TV series, his co-stars know immediately that he's the wrong guy for the job. But, the audience disagrees, and suddenly Mikey is Japan's newest rising star, rocketing LilyMu back to the top of the ratings. But fame doesn't come without a price, and when he's not being chased down by the paparazzi, Mikey must also find time to get to know his costars, adjust to Japanese culture and learn to love life inside the fishbowl.
The theme song from Kappa Mikey is performed and created by Sony Music Japan recording artists, Beat Crusaders. Having only made a major label debut in 2004, lead vocalist Toru Hidaka has arranged and produced some of Japan's top musicians and supervised the musical aspects of the hit Japanese animated series Beck.
Creator Larry Schwarz is the founder and CEO of Animation Collective, the New York-based producer of children's programming for television, the Internet and home video. He's the creator and executive producer of all of Animation Collective's original television series including, Kappa Mikey, Thumb Wrestling Federation, Leader Dog, and Tortellini Western for Nicktoons and Ellen's Acres, HTDT, and Princess Natasha for Cartoon Network. In addition, Schwarz served as producer of Wulin Warriors for Cartoon Network and the first season of The Incredible Crash Dummies for the Fox Box.
New York City based Animation Collective (http://www.animationcollective.com/) is a leader in creating Flash-based animation for television, the Internet, home video and feature films. The company produces programming on a work for hire basis and develops and produces original proprietary properties.
Nicktoons Network, the 24-hour animation network owned by Nickelodeon, features a wide variety of programming that have defined kids' and animation lovers' television for more than 10 years. Targeting kids 6-14, Nicktoons Network features programming that is 75% exclusive to the channel, including Martin Mystery, My Dad the Rock Star, Corneil & Bernie, Kaput & Zosky and Yakkity Yak, as well as classic Nicktoons hits like Ren & Stimpy, Invader Zim, Ahhh! Real Monsters, SpongeBob SquarePants and The Fairly OddParents. In addition, Nicktoons Network is home to award-winning shorts that helped redefine kids' television.
Nicktoons Network currently reaches 38 million homes via cable, digital cable and satellite, and can be seen on Cablevision, Charter Communications, Comcast Cable, Cox Communications, DirecTV, DISH Network and Time Warner Cable. Nicktoons, and all related titles and logos are property of Viacom, Inc.
