or


[08/06/19 - 09:01 AM]
Viacom to Acquire Garfield for Nickelodeon Portfolio
Following completion of the acquisition, Nickelodeon plans to develop a new Garfield animated television series.

[via press release from Nickelodeon]

Viacom to Acquire Garfield for Nickelodeon Portfolio

Nick Plans to Develop New Garfield Content for All Platforms and Consumer Products for a New Generation of Fans

NEW YORK -- Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B), through one of its subsidiaries, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Paws, Inc., the entity holding global intellectual property rights to the Garfield and the U.S. Acres franchises--including corresponding rights related to content, consumer products, and location-based experiences. The acquisition is expected to close in the upcoming weeks.

The acquisition of Garfield is part of Nickelodeon's strategy to be the home for the biggest franchises kids and families love, and it expands Nickelodeon's growing portfolio of influential properties that already includes SpongeBob SquarePants, PAW Patrol, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the forthcoming Blue's Clues & You!, the first-ever SpongeBob spinoff, Kamp Koral, and an all-new animated Star Trek series.

Said Nickelodeon's President, Brian Robbins: "This acquisition marks another step in our evolution toward being kids' first stop for the best new content and characters, so we're incredibly happy to have Garfield join our growing roster of globally loved franchises and to introduce this cool cat to a new generation of fans."

Following completion of the acquisition, Nickelodeon plans to develop a new Garfield animated television series. Global merchandising rights to Garfield will be managed by Viacom Nickelodeon Consumer Products (VNCP), including the property's existing portfolio of licensees. Garfield creator Jim Davis will continue to produce the Garfield syndicated comic strip.

"Great content is core to the strength of our brands, and Garfield is a beloved character that continues to be part of the cultural zeitgeist with universal resonance across all ages," said Sarah Levy, Chief Operating Officer of Viacom Media Networks. "The acquisition of Paws, Inc. provides another opportunity for Viacom to leverage our platforms to extend the global reach of iconic IP."

Pam Kaufman, President of VNCP, added: "Garfield is a global evergreen franchise that is a natural fit with Nickelodeon and our portfolio of iconic properties. With fans around the globe that span both kids and adults, we are excited to ignite Garfield into a multi-generational consumer products juggernaut and further deliver on VNCP's 'Every Age, Every Aisle' mission."

Created by cartoonist Jim Davis, Garfield is the most widely syndicated comic strip in the world (Guinness World Records), and the franchise spawned movies, TV shows, stage shows and merchandise. Garfield has received four Emmy Awards for Outstanding Animated Program, and Davis was inducted into the Licensing Hall of Fame in 1998.

Davis said: "I've always tried to make people laugh with humor that is classic and appealing to both kids and adults. I'm delighted that Garfield is going to be placed in the capable hands of the folks at Nick. They know how to entertain and will be great stewards for the franchise. I am also excited to continue to do the thing that gets me out of bed every morning... the comic strip!"

About Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon, now in its 40th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The brand includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, location based experiences, publishing and feature films. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB).

About Viacom

Viacom creates entertainment experiences that drive conversation and culture around the world. Through television, film, digital media, live events, merchandise and solutions, our brands connect with diverse, young and young at heart audiences in more than 180 countries.

For more information on Viacom and its businesses, visit www.viacom.com. Keep up with Viacom news by following us on Twitter (twitter.com/viacom), Facebook (facebook.com/viacom) and LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/viacom).





  [august 2019]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
    


· GARFIELD (NICKELODEON)





[11/14/24 - 08:02 AM]
Miss Universe Organization Taps Mario Lopez, Olivia Culpo, Robin Thicke, Amongst Other Talent for the 73rd Miss Universe Competition
This landmark event, held at Arena Ciudad de Me´xico on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 8 PM ET / 7 PM CT / 5 PM PT, marks Miss Universe's triumphant return to Mexico after 17 years.

[11/14/24 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "The Madness" - Official Trailer - Netflix
After a media pundit stumbles upon a dead body deep in the Poconos woods, he finds himself framed for the murder of a notorious white supremacist.

[11/14/24 - 08:01 AM]
Class Is Back in Session! Prime Video's Smash Hit Series "LOL: Qui rira le dernier?" Returns for Season 3, Putting a Brand-New Cast of Comedians to the Laugh Test
The full lineup of comedians includes Jean-Michel Anctil, Réal Béland, Anne-Élisabeth Bossé, Jo Cormier, Korine Côté, Mona de Grenoble (Alexandre Aussant), Maude Landry, Mélanie Maynard, Dominic Paquet and Erich Preach.

[11/14/24 - 08:00 AM]
Max Original Comedy Series "Bookie" Returns December 12
The eight-episode season, starring Sebastian Maniscalco and produced by Warner Bros. Television, will debut episodes weekly on Max leading up to the season finale on Thursday, January 30.

[11/14/24 - 08:00 AM]
"Love During Lockup" Returns Friday, December 13th at 8PM ET/7PM CT on WE tv
The prequel to "Love After Lockup," "Love During Lockup" reveals the fascinating moments that happen when people in the free world look for love and begin relationships with inmates, capturing their journey as they count down the days, weeks, months, or even years until the anticipated release.

[11/14/24 - 08:00 AM]
Video: Prime Video Reveals Launch Date, Key Art and Trailer for New Upcoming UK Comedy Special "Jack in Time for Christmas"
Premiering exclusively on Prime Video globally on December 3, the special, led by Jack Whitehall, hosts an ensemble of famous faces including Michael Bublé, Jimmy Fallon, Dave Bautista and Rebel Wilson.

[11/14/24 - 07:32 AM]
Video: "Get Millie Black" - Official Trailer - HBO
From Booker Prize winner Marlon James, the limited series premieres November 25.

[11/14/24 - 07:06 AM]
Apple's Acclaimed Workplace Comedy "Mythic Quest" Returns for Season Four
The series returns Wednesday, January 29 followed by the all-new anthological expansion series "Side Quest," premiering on March 26.

[11/14/24 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "Masterpiece" Winter/Spring 2025 Preview
New seasons of "All Creatures Great and Small," "Miss Scarlet," plus the premieres of "Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light," and all-new series "Miss Austen," are coming your way in early 2025.

[11/14/24 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "Back in Action" - Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz - Official Teaser - Netflix
Years after giving up life as CIA spies to start a family, Emily (Cameron Diaz) and Matt (Jamie Foxx) find themselves dragged back into the world of espionage when their cover is blown.

[11/14/24 - 07:01 AM]
"Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade" Adds New Stars to 2024 Lineup
Now scheduled to perform at 34th Street are Grammy, Oscar, Emmy, and Tony Award winner Jennifer Hudson, host of "The Jennifer Hudson Show" and on tour with her new holiday album "The Gift of Love"; global pop icon and Grammy winner Kylie Minogue; and Tony, Grammy, and Emmy winner Billy Porter.

[11/14/24 - 07:00 AM]
"Transformers One" Rolls Out - Streaming Exclusively on Paramount+ November 15
Paramount+ subscribers can also access the expansive "Transformers" universe collection featuring all seven live-action films and Paramount+ original animated series "Transformers: EarthSpark" seasons 1-3 streaming now.

[11/14/24 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "Jentry Chau vs the Underworld" - Official Trailer - Netflix
As her 16th birthday approaches, a not-so-average teen rediscovers the fiery powers she's long suppressed and is forced to face her demons - literally.

[11/14/24 - 06:01 AM]
Danica McKellar and Trevor Donovan Star in New Original Movie, "Grounded," Adapted from Bestselling Novel by Angela Correll, Written by Andrea Canning
In the film, Annie (McKellar), a career flight attendant who loves her job and traveling the world, is dealt a blow when an airlines merger causes her to be furloughed, a setback further compounded by breaking up with a selfish boyfriend.

[11/14/24 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "Beatles '64" - Official Trailer
From producer Martin Scorsese and director David Tedeschi, look for the original documentary on November 29.