Nickelodeon UK & Ireland Producing Kids’ Soccer Show

LONDON: Nickelodeon UK & Ireland has teamed up with The Football League for Nick Kicks, a live-action program covering the league’s 72 clubs.

Debuting February 6, the 18×22-minute series will cover the remainder of the 2015-16 season before eventually airing across the entirety of the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons. In total, Nickelodeon UK & Ireland has committed to producing more than 100 episodes of the program across three seasons.

The show will feature highlights of Football League matches filmed, edited and delivered by ITN Productions. Nick Kicks is produced by Nickelodeon UK’s production team, following a broadcast deal struck between The Football League and Viacom International Media Network’s Channel 5. SpongeBob SquarePants will also play a part in the series, as he takes on various club mascots in weekly challenges.

“We know that UK kids love football whether it’s played in stadiums or in the back garden, so it is brilliant to be producing a series that will bring families a Nickelodeon take on the nation’s top sport,” said Alison Bakunowich, the VP and head of editorial at Nickelodeon UK & Ireland. “Nick Kicks is going to be funny and will give fans a unique look at their favorite clubs and players.”

Shaun Harvey, the chief executive of The Football League, said: “Offering a fun insight into life at clubs up and down the country, Nick Kicks will help us to engage and inspire a new generation of Football League fans. We look forward to working with Nickelodeon on Nick Kicks in what is another exciting first for The Football League.”