Nickelodeon Gains Worldwide Rights To Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Franchise

Plans CG Series In 2012; Paramount To Launch New Theatrical

Mike Reynolds -- Multichannel News, 10/21/2009 10:48:57 AM

Nickelodeon has acquired global, multiplatform rights to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise for some $60 million.
The deal with The Mirage Group and 4Kids Entertainment gives Nickelodeon the global intellectual property rights to TV, film and video game property.
Nickelodeon also announced plans to develop a new CG-animated television series based on the popular superhero franchise, with a premiere expected in 2012.
Additionally, in partnership with Viacom's Paramount Pictures, a new release of a new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles feature film is also planned for 2012.
Nickelodeon has also acquired all merchandising rights to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and will continue to work with its original and long-standing toy partner, Playmates Toys, which has been the creative force behind Turtles merchandise over the last two decades.
"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles shares a comedic sensibility with the Nickelodeon DNA, with added layers of action and fantasy that have kept this property an evergreen favorite with multiple generations of audiences," said Cyma Zarghami, president, Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group, in announcing the deal. "We are extremely happy to have the opportunity to be able to focus on this property and creatively re-introduce it to a new generation of kids."