"Nickelodeon Movie Deal Article"
Cannes, France, October 7, 1996 -- The Nickelodeon Worldwide Development Group and Showtime Networks Inc., both Viacom companies, have joined forces for the movie, "Doom Runners," it was announced today by Jon Miller, Managing Director, Nickelodeon International; Albie Hecht, Senior Vice President, Nickelodeon Productions (US); and Ann Foley, Executive Vice President, East Coast Programming, Showtime Networks Inc. The movie is slated to premiere on Showtime in the US and will also air on Nickelodeon in the US and in Australia.
"This is the first example of the Nickelodeon Worldwide Development Group producing programming for our channels, and it is an expansion of our line-up to include special event programming," said Miller.
"We are looking forward to working with our sister company, Showtime, as Nickelodeon breaks ground in making its first-ever TV movie, bringing a new genre to our air," said Hecht.
"Doom Runners" is a 90-minute live-action adventure drama set in a post-apocalyptic world where kid heroes and alien characters embark on adventures in alternate universes of the future. A cast of kid heroes make up the Doom Runners, who use friendship, teamwork and futuristic vehicles and tools to escape the villainous Doom Troopers. Nickelodeon Productions (US) will serve as the production company and will work with a local production company in Australia, where the movie will be shot. It is expected to begin production in early 1997.
"Showtime's commitment to quality family and children's programming has been evident since the early days of cable. Our Showtime Original Pictures For Kids feature top talent in positive, entertaining tales with kids as their heroes. We are very excited to have teamed up with Nickelodeon, a leader in the kids programming arena. We are confident that our combined efforts will yield exceptional television," said Foley.
Nickelodeon, a programming service of Viacom International Inc., is currently seen in nearly 90 million households worldwide on dedicated channels in Germany, the UK, Australia and the US, and is seen in over 70 countries via individual program sales. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), which is wholly owned and operated by Viacom Inc., owns the premium television networks, SHOWTIME, THE MOVIE CHANNEL and FLIX as well as Showtime Satellite Networks. SNI operates and manages the new premium television network SUNDANCE CHANNEL, which is owned by SNI, Robert Redford and PolyGram Filmed Entertainment. SNI also manages, through a joint venture, ALL NEWS CHANNEL. SHOWTIME en Espanol, a separate audio feed of SHOWTIME, is also available for the Spanish-speaking audience.
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