Nickelodeon Branded Block to Launch in Ukraine

LONDON: MTV Networks International (MTVNI) has inked a multi-year deal for a new branded Nickelodeon block, with more than 800 half-hours of programming, to launch in Ukraine on QTV and STB.

Programming—including SpongeBob SquarePants, The Penguins of Madagascar, Rugrats and Back at the Barnyard—will be localized for Ukrainian audiences. The block will air daily on QTV and during the weekends on STB; both channels are part of the StarLightMedia Group.

Maria Rakhmatullina-Ufland, the sales director for emerging markets at MTVNI, commented: “We are delighted to launch a Nickelodeon branded block on STB and QTV, the first of its kind in the Ukraine. Nickelodeon is a global leader in animation and our shows have a proven track record in crossing borders and scoring successes the world over. We’re looking forward to working with STB and QTV to firmly establish the Nickelodeon brand as the home of top quality animation for kids and families in the Ukraine.”

Sergei Nazarov, the programming director at STB, added: “As one of the leading Ukrainian channels focused on family audiences, we are always on the look out for strong international brands such as Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants. We consider Nickelodeon animation to be top of its class and really unique content that will make an important contribution to the further growth and success of our channel portfolio. STB is proud to be the home to some of the world’s most popular TV shows such as Got Talent, The X Factor and So You Think You Can Dance and we are really looking forward to welcoming Nickelodeon and the Nickelodeon programme brands to the STB family.”

Alex Chien, the VP of content at Nickelodeon for MTVNI’s Emerging Markets group, which spans Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, the Middle East, Africa and India, added: “Nickelodeon continues to grow from strength to strength and this ground-breaking deal in the Ukraine will greatly augment and complement our fast growing portfolio of localized Nickelodeon services. We’re really looking forward to working with STB and QTV to provide a first-class Nickelodeon offering that’s created just for Ukrainian kids and families."