MTVNI, Corus Entertainment Expand Partnership

TORONTO, January 9: Corus
Entertainment has extended its multi-year broadcast partnership with MTV
Networks International to encompass all digital rights for Nickelodeon and
related brands, covering broadcast, broadband, mobile, video-on-demand,
pay-per-view, electronic sell-through and gaming.

Under the new multiplatform
agreement with MTVNI, Corus Entertainment now has the Canadian rights across
all media for hit Nickelodeon properties like SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer. As part of the agreement, Corus will also
represent Nickelodeon’s kids and family websites, including nick.com, for
advertising sales in Canada.

The Corus-owned kids’
network YTV holds rights in Canada to all current Nickelodeon animated
programming, including the animated properties SpongeBob SquarePants, El Tigre and The Fairly OddParents
as well as the live-action series The Naked Brothers Band, iCarly and Just Jordan. All
Nick Jr.-produced shows, including Dora the Explorer and Go! Diego! Go!, air on the sister network Treehouse, targeted at
preschoolers.

“Corus has enjoyed a
successful relationship with Nickelodeon for many years, but this venture takes
our partnership to a whole new level,” said Paul Robertson, the president of
television at Corus Entertainment. “By enriching the interactive experience
with Nickelodeon content, we’re dialing up audience’s involvement, which, in
turn, builds viewer loyalty. Viacom has made an extraordinary commitment to
digital content which Corus can leverage successfully with our strong
television brands and advertiser relationships.”

“MTVNI is the global
leader in creating and packaging innovative multi- branded content and this
newly deepened, customized partnership with Corus will now deliver the
Nickelodeon programming Canadian kids have come to love across every platform
they use,” noted Bob Bakish, the president of MTV Networks International.

—By Irene Lew