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Nick brings full episodes streaming to iPhone now, Xbox 360 next month
Nickelodeon released an iPad app with full episode streaming back in February, but now an update has opened things up to the iPhone and iPod touch as well. Version 1.1 also promises more music videos and less crashing, among other tweaks. However, if you have an agreeable cable or satellite provider, then the ability to watch video on-demand is the headliner. There are a few episodes available without logging in, but subscribers to DirecTV, Time Warner Cable, U-verse, FiOS, Bright House Networks, Cablevision, Hawaiian Telecom, Suddenlink and RCN will get the most mileage. Of course, if the kids (or, adult Big Time Rush fans, whatever works) prefer to watch their TV on TV, they may prefer the Xbox 360 app -- like Windows 8 and other platforms, the current app brings mostly clips and other tidbits -- that's on the way. Variety indicates it will hit the console June 25th, but, despite its post-E3 launch, its Xbox One launch plans are "not determined." There's a quick video preview embedded after the break, or you can hit the source link below and grab the free app for yourself.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows this summer
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows will shell shock digital distribution networks this summer. DigitalSpy posted the trailer for the downloadable game coming to PC, PSN and XBLA in several months. The game will offer four-player online co-op where players can become any of the heroes in a half shell.TMNT: Out of the Shadows appears to be the first in a three-game deal between Activision and Nickelodeon. The turtles used to be in the hands of Ubisoft, but that relationship seems to have splintered.%Gallery-180672%
Nickelodeon releases Nick app for iPad
Kids have it all these days -- tailor-made gadgets, their own little corners in mobile platforms, and of course, loads and loads of content. The latest to hit the wires is the Nick app for the iPad, offering a slew of Nickelodeon programming wrapped in a swipe-driven, tyke-friendly interface. The goodies include animated shorts, videos, games, the ability to mark favorites, plus a smorgasbord of funny interactive elements and a "Do Not Touch" button that promises disruptive fun. Full episodes of the current shows can also be accessed if you've subscribed to Nickelodeon's TV package via any one of eight providers. Seems like a swell way to keep those tech-savvy rug rats occupied between outdoor adventures and some DIY action. The 45MB payload is waiting at the source link, yours for the hard-to-argue cost of free.
Activision and Nickelodeon team up for 3 TMNT games
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have a new home in video game publishing. Previously in the hands of Ubisoft, the Turtles now rest with Activision thanks to a new multi-year deal inked with the TMNT owner Nickelodeon. The deal will see Activision publish three games based on the new animated series (pictured), with the first game slated for this summer.No details were offered about the games themselves, including available platforms, though they promise to "take gamers through interactive environments and action-packed adventures that truly capture the essence, tone and exciting elements of the Turtles."Presumably, a lot of Foot Clan soldiers are in for a world of hurt. And Donatello will be the best. Obviously.
Nick Arcade was a technical marvel
If you're reading this website and grew up in the early 90s, there's a good chance you remember Nickelodeon's video-game-infused game show, Nick Arcade. What you might not know is that the final segment of the show, in which contestants went "inside" of an actual video game, was incredibly advanced for its time.Splitsider put together a lengthy history of the program earlier this year and, while we missed it at the time, it's still fascinating reading. For instance, when it was produced, Nick Arcade utilized the "largest blue screen set-up in existence," which occupied roughly half of the show's 10,000 square foot sound stage. Throw in some software with magical "edge-detection" technology that could essentially turn a human being into a game sprite, and Nick Arcade was born.For a (very exhaustive) look at the campy – and, it turns out, very innovative – show, head over to Splitsider.
DirecTV and Viacom disagree on their disagreements, standoff continues
Seeing that DirecTV and Viacom can't even agree on the number of channels that have gone off the air (one says 17, the other 26) as a result of their deal expiring last week, it's no surprise that the two are continuing to challenge each other's statements on every element of the negotiations. The latest tiff? DirecTV claims it has "accepted all material terms...including an increase that was more than fair" for the channels that were pulled, but accuses Viacom of trying to force an addition of the Epix channel package at a cost of around half a billion dollars. Viacom, for its part, calls the statement a "complete work of fiction" and accuses DirecTV of creating more obstacles in the way of a compromise. Both point of views are linked below, we figure DirecTV customers will have plenty of time to read them while they're busy not watching the new episodes of Workaholics and Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta until this is resolved.
Viacom channels disappear from DirecTV after the two companies can't reach a deal
As we feared, DirecTV and Viacom didn't work things out and before the clock struck midnight ET, all of the network's feeds went dark for the satellite company's customers. Of course, both sides are throwing barbs with Viacom saying DirecTV was not interested in engaging in "meaningful conversation" and that their last contact was at 11AM. On DirecTV's side, it's claiming it sent proposals but never heard anything back and as such was forced to pull the channels. Viacom has been running ads and notices all day to make sure kids big and little call DirecTV to apply pressure about missing their television shows. DirecTV is firing back with the Kids Mix channel (shown above) that replaces the pulled children's programming and points out content on other stations, and even suggests customers check out sources like Amazon Prime or Netflix to keep watching their shows in the meantime. There's no telling who may blink first, or when, but you can look at each company's statement and hear the sabres rattling for yourself after the break. Any bets as to who will work out a deal first between these two and Dish Network / AMC?
DirecTV vs. Viacom squabble could see MTV, Comedy Central and 16 others go dark at midnight
The latest participants in the carriage dispute dance are DirecTV and Viacom, with the two companies attempting to reach a new agreement before their existing one expires tonight. If they don't, the network's 26 channels (MTV, BET, VH1, Spike TV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon etc.) could be cut off at midnight. As usual, each has its own side of the argument with Viacom claiming DirecTV has been underpaying for years, while DirecTV accuses Viacom of seeking an increase that will add up to a billion dollars in a year and is responsible for pulling the channels while negotiations continue. We're not particularly sympathetic to the plight of either corporate behemoth (or optimistic that any savings will ever reach customer's pockets) but if you must support one over the other then there's plenty of propaganda to be found at the links below. This may not be as crucial as Dish Network's (potentially) Breaking Bad-interrupting tiff with AMC, but if we have to miss an episode of Workaholics or Awkward it's going to be bad for everyone. Update: We've revised the total channel count from 26 as Viacom stated to 18 -- as much as we like HD feeds, we don't usually count them twice. [Thanks, AJ]
Xbox adding Nickelodeon, Paramount, Machinima, Univision, NHL and more ESPN [update: full list of new apps]
Microsoft hopes to "double" its entertainment offerings over the next year, highlighting four partners during its pre-E3 media briefing: Nickelodeon, Paramount, Machinima, and Univisiona.Microsoft is also adding the NBA and NHL to its content partners, specifically citing the latter as launching next season. Additionally, ESPN's app will be updated to include 24-hour programming from other ESPN channels: ESPN 1, ESPN 2, and ESPN U. Currently, the ESPN app on Xbox 360 only features content from ESPN 3.Update: Here's the full list of entertainment apps planned for the service.
Xbox 360 video gets 35 new content providers, 24/7 live ESPN video
Microsoft's E3 2012 keynote has seen it kick up the video content by more than a few notches: it's adding 35 new content providers for the Xbox 360. Machinima, Slacker, Nickelodeon, Paramount and Univision are among the picks, but the real highlight is the sports push: the NBA and NHL will both have the live treatment that we've previously seen with the MLB. If you're a fan of the existing ESPN app, you're in for your own treat, too: a revamp, Watch ESPN, will provide 24/7 live video that includes sports from ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3 and ESPNU. The timetables for each rollout will vary, but you can be sure you'll have an even wider selection before too long. Follow our liveblog of Microsoft's E3 keynote right here!
Amazon, Viacom deal brings more TV shows to Prime Instant Video service
Just as rumors indicated yesterday, Amazon has announced a new licensing deal with Viacom that will add TV shows from its networks -- MTV, Comedy Central, BET, VH1, Spike, Nickelodeon and the rest -- to the Prime Instant Video service. There's still no word on any potential spinning off of the all-you-can-eat video portion from the rest of Amazon's Prime membership program, but it does bring the count of movies and TV shows available to around 15,000, up from the 13,000 cited recently. The details are in the press release after the break, but it appears Amazon will have many of the same selections Netflix obtained in its earlier deals, from MTV favorites like RJ Berger and The Hills to kids shows like Yo Gabba Gabba and iCarly.
Monkey Quest goes portable
If you or your children are fond of Nickelodeon's Monkey Quest, you may have run into the unavoidable problem that the game requires you to be home. Like many other games, however, Monkey Quest is hopping on the mobile bandwagon with Monkey Quest: Thunderbow. Available now for the iPhone and iPad, the game stars a specific monkey from the world of Ook, the eponymous Thunderbow, as he seeks to dethrone the evil cat king Zotan. Gameplay is managed in a similar style as the popular Angry Birds games, with the caveat being that Angry Birds doesn't allow you to earn special items and equipment for use in the main Monkey Quest game. Regular updates are planned for the game to help keep players engaged and interested as Thunderbow continues his quest. So if you've got one of the portable devices and your child can't get enough monkey business, it's worth a look. [Source: Nickelodeon press release]
The Rabbids become TV stars in 2013
Minigames too involved for you? Soon Ubisoft's Raving Rabbids will be able to yell at you without a single waggle on your part. Ubisoft Motion Pictures is producing a series of 78 seven-minute CG cartoons featuring the rude critters, which Nickelodeon will bundle into 26 half-hours for broadcast "worldwide" in 2013. Those should allow you to gauge (to the minute) your tolerance for the Rabbids. The deal excludes France, where France Télévisions Distribution will offer DVD and Video on Demand of the show, alongside episodes broadcast on France 3. And now, because we haven't said it yet: daaaahhhhhh! [Image: Raving Rabbids Alive and Kicking for Xbox 360]
Netflix adds more Viacom videos for streaming including stuff for kids and bigger kids
There was a notable update to the Netflix Watch Instantly streaming catalog today, and it consisted almost entirely of content from the various Viacom networks (MTV, BET, VH1, Spike, Logo, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon). According to a post on the official blog, you can now view new shows like Yo Gabba Gabba, The Buried Life and The City as well as additional episodes of shows like iCarly, True Jackson VP and Dora the Explorer. Unfortunately quite a bit of the content maxes out in SD resolution simply because it was made that way, but it was interesting to note that the second season of Jersey Shore made is among the growing segment of shows with optional English subtitles.
Monkey Quest hits two million registered users in first month
Nickelodeon's recent kid-oriented MMO Monkey Quest -- which Massively has covered before -- announced today that in its first live month, two million registered users have joined the fray. To celebrate this milestone, Nickelodeon is adding a brand-new storyline known as The Return of the Guardian Knights. This storyline "follows the mystery of the Guardian Knights, a lost patrol of ancient warriors who emerge from the Forgotten Temple after centuries of imprisonment." Along with a new narrative, the storyline expansion also introduces a brand-new area with "epic quests, ferocious monsters, weapons, abilities, and unique crafting recipes" in addition to adding daily quests. Community events, during which players can receive various gifts, are also on the menu. Players who choose to shell out a bit of cash will also be able to access more challenging areas and be able to "train to become a Guardian Knight." If this sounds like something you'd like to get in on, head on over to the Monkey Quest official site to sign up.
Nicktoons MLB seriously combines Nicktoons and Major League Baseball [update 1]
Ever wonder how Stimpy would fare against Robinson Cano from the New York Yankees on the baseball field? All the time, right? 2K Play is giving you the chance to experience this ultimate matchup, while also seeing the athletic prowess of characters like Fanboy, Spongebob, Chum Chum and even Invader Zim. Nicktoons MLB for Kinect, Wii, and DS allows you to play baseball as a bunch of Nicktoons characters, as well as a roster of real, human Major League Baseball players from all 30 teams. High Voltage is developing the two console versions, and Black Lantern is working on the DS version, all due this summer. Nice to see all those characters from cancelled shows getting work! Update: Final, final update: you actually can play as both the Nicktoons characters and the MLB players. 2K Play cleared that up with us just now.
Exclusive: Nickelodeon's Kyra Reppen on Monkey Quest
With family-themed MMOs attracting an ever-growing number of players, it's little surprise that Nickelodeon has tossed its hat into the ring with the launch of Monkey Quest. It's a browser-based, light-hearted MMO that combines the action style of console games with the virtual world and questing that's traditional to MMOs. It's free-to-play, but it also offers several different subscription plans to suit practically every playstyle. Massively was happy to talk with Nickelodeon Senior Vice President Kyra Reppen about Monkey Quest, the challenges of creating a kid-themed MMO, and trends for the genre overall. Read on for all the details!
Time Warner Cable takes Viacom to court over its TWCable TV iPad app; Viacom responds
While there's been a lot of talk about whether or not Time Warner has the right to include feeds of cable channels it carries in the new TWCable TV app, besides the company's voluntary removal of several networks there's been very little action until now. Time Warner Cable announced this afternoon it has filed a request in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York for a declaratory judgement regarding Viacom's cable networks. Time Warner continues to maintain its carriage agreements give it the right to allow subscribers access on any screen in their home, not just the TV and is apparently ready to prove that in court -- or at least drive Viacom, Discovery, Fox and other complaining networks towards more favorable negotiations. The app added seven more channels earlier today, while we wait for Viacom's side of the story you can check out the press release after the break or Time Warner's official blog to understand its stance in full. Update: Viacom has responded, saying Time Warner "blatantly grabbed the rights that their competitors have negotiated in good faith to obtain" forcing it to file a lawsuit of its own. The gloves are officially off -- check the full text after the break, or a PDF of Viacom's complaint linked below.
Nickelodeon evolves a new monkey MMO
If you've ever felt like picking through your friends' hair for bugs to eat, or if you've ever found yourself throwing questionable things at strangers, then you might be excited to hear that Nickelodeon is developing an MMO just for you! That's right, in the up-and-coming Monkey Quest, you and your friends can team up to find adventure in a world that is ruled by monkeys and filled with danger! Nickelodeon is no stranger to fun and games, so it will be interesting to see its take on an MMO. Although the game seems made for kids -- as you'd expect -- its cooperative gameplay looks like it will be fun for monkeys at all stages of evolution. The game boasts a free-to-play hybrid payment model for players who might like an "enhanced" player experience. Does that mean cash shop? Does that mean monkey hats and monkey pants? We hope so! If it sounds interesting, click past the jump and check out the trailer. Just watch out for any... flinging.
SpongeBob SquigglePants migrates to 3DS this May
The most absorbent cartoon character ever (sorry, Towelie) is getting his own game for Nintendo 3DS. SpongeBob SquigglePants, due this May, places the porous protagonist in what publisher THQ calls "nanogames" -- we're guessing they're something along the line of WarioWare's similarly monikered microgames. Like its console counterpart due April 12, the title will rely on hand-drawn input, although the Wii's uDraw GameTablet version features "totally unique" gameplay. This one's obviously in 3D -- though we wonder if that extends all the way to the live-action story sequences hosted by Patchy the Pirate. That might just be too much.
