Corus Entertainment a leading media and entertainment company and Nickelodeon, a division of Viacom International Media Networks, has announced that they are broadening their partnership with a new long-term agreement that grants Corus exclusive rights to all of Nickelodeon’s English and French-language content across existing and emerging digital platforms as well as linear services in Canada.
Under the terms of the new licensing deal, Corus is the sole distributor and rights holder of Nickelodeon’s robust catalogue of current content and library titles in Canada. The all-encompassing agreement gives Corus the ability to exploit Nickelodeon’s content across linear and non-linear platforms including OTT, SVOD, electronic sell-through, games and mobile apps. In addition to English-language rights, this new deal includes rights to Nickelodeon’s French-language programming.
“This marks a new phase of our enhanced partnership with Nickelodeon and builds on Corus’ 10-year history as a trusted steward for the brand,” said Corus Entertainment president & CEO Doug Murphy. “We are excited to leverage Nickelodeon’s high quality content in new and innovative ways, giving Corus a competitive edge in this evolving media landscape; while offering Canada’s young, savvy digital consumers and their families full access to Nickelodeon’s brands.”
“We have a well-established track record of success with Corus. We’re thrilled to extend and deepen our partnership, which marries the power of our brand and award-winning kids’ content with the leading children’s media company in Canada,” said Nickelodeon International EVP and VIMN Americas president Pierluigi Gazzolo. “Expanding our long-term relationship with additional rights will ensure Canadian kids and families can access our content across all relevant platforms.”
Canadian audiences have been enjoying Nickelodeon content on Corus’ kids and family networks YTV and Treehouse since 2005, when Corus signed its first output deal with Nickelodeon. Subsequently, in 2009, Corus launched Nickelodeon (Canada) offering Canadians a stand-alone channel dedicated to the Nickelodeon brand and its properties. Nickelodeon’s iconic hits include SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and iCarly, as well as favourite Nick Jr. series Dora and Friends, Team Umizoomi and Bubble Guppies among others.