Nickelodeon Acquires “Pinky and the Brain,” “Animaniacs” and “Tiny Toon Adventures”
via press release:
Nickelodeon Acquires Exclusive Television Rights to Warner Bros. Animation’s STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS PINKY & THE BRAIN
August 29, 2000
STEVEN SPEILBERG PRESENTS PINKY & THE BRAIN to Make Cable Television Debut on Sept. 4
STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS ANIMANIACS Joins Nickelodeon in 2001 and STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TINY TOON ADVENTURES in 2002
New York, NY — Nickelodeon has acquired the exclusive television rights to three Emmy Award-winning animated series created and produced by Steven Spielberg and Warner Bros. Animation from Warner Bros. Domestic Pay-TV, Cable & Network Features, it was announced today by Cyma Zarghami, Executive Vice President, Nickelodeon.
Warner Bros. Animation’s STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS PINKY & THE BRAIN will make its cable television debut on Nickelodeon on Monday, Sept. 4, and will air Monday-Saturday from 6-6:30 p.m. (ET/PT). Nickelodeon has licensed all 78 episodes of PINKY & THE BRAIN and PINKY, ELMYRA & THE BRAIN.
Ninety-nine episodes of STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS ANIMANIACS will be available to Nickelodeon in spring 2001, and 102 episodes of STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TINY TOON ADVENTURES will be available in September 2002.
“I love these characters,” said Spielberg. “They are three-dimensional, have very diverse personalities and exude the irreverent humor found in the classic Warner Bros. cartoons.”
“Pairing Nickelodeon with Warner Bros. Animation and Steven Spielberg is part of our never-ending commitment to present kids with smart, entertaining programming,” said Zarghami. “Because Steven’s intuitive understanding of children’s tastes and sense of humor is so clearly evident in these shows, they will easily complement our existing programs, which rank as number-one with kids and adults alike.”
Edward Bleier, President, Warner Bros. Domestic Pay-TV, Cable & Network Features, added: “We’re very proud of these three series, which combine the genius of Steven Spielberg with the artistry of Warner Bros. Animation and are among the finest in children’s programming available today. We couldn’t be happier that Steven’s work will air on Nickelodeon.”
The three-time Emmy Award-winning STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS PINKY & THE BRAIN features the exploits of two laboratory mice: The Brain, a would-be world dominator, and his ever-bumbling assistant, Pinky. STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS ANIMANIACS, which has been honored with eight Emmy Awards and the prestigious Peabody Award, presents the adventures of brothers Yakko and Wakko, sister Dot and a wild group of original characters in a collection of cartoon shorts, musical numbers and comedy blackouts.
The seven-time Emmy Award-winning STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TINY TOON ADVENTURES features a whole new generation of characters: Babs and Buster Bunny at Acme Looniversity, Plucky Duck, Hamton, Montana Max and Shirley McLoon, among others.
The three hit series, executive produced by Steven Spielberg and Amblin Entertainment, were produced and animated by Warner Bros. Animation, headed by Jean MacCurdy, under the creative supervision of Tom Ruegger.
Nickelodeon, now in its 21st year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything. The company includes television programming and production in the U.S. and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon’s U.S. television network is seen in more than 77 million households and has been the number-one rated cable network for four consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom International, Inc.