SpongeBob to Reach New Milestone on Nickelodeon

BURBANK: Nickelodeon has ordered a ninth season of the hit animated series SpongeBob SquarePants, taking the show to reach its 200th episode.

A total of 26 fresh episodes will roll out out in 2012. SpongeBob ranks as the top animated program with kids and tweens for 2010. It has also been the number one animated series on TV with kids 2 to 11 for ten consecutive years.

"SpongeBob‘s success in reaching over 200 episodes is a testament to creator Stephen Hillenburg’s vision, comedic sensibility and his dynamic, lovable characters," said Brown Johnson, the president of animation at Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family Group. "The series now joins the club of contemporary classic Nicktoons that have hit this benchmark, so we’re incredibly proud."