Interesting Fact: Nickelodeon Was Also Late Entry In Germany As It Relaunched In 2005, Followed By Africa Three Years Later Now Its Winding Down

Not long ago, it was reported that Nickelodeon will be exiting Germany as RTL looks to acquire the channel awaiting regulatory approval. Several shows from the channel such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Paw Patrol are set to rollout under Toggo.

Nicktoons and Nick Jr. serve as sister channels to Nickelodeon are anticipated to remain in the market for now.

Based on a programming block on Super RTL, Toggo will be rolling out as 24 hour channel in the region which is set to continue the Nickelodeon legacy while also supplying other content. As Paramount opts to build its children's offering through streaming. 

Interesting to note, Nickelodeon had a troublesome launch in the market initially rolling out in 1995 went through bankruptcy and several of its shows had been licensed to Super RTL. Coincidence, went it relaunched in 2005 it only came in Africa by 2008.

Prior to this, M-Net had operated K-TV as a children's channel to consumers in select countries. The channel shuttered as M-Net was looking to further distance themselves from the kids market due to the rise in competition from other stations.

It wasn't long till Play Room was rolled out taking a page of Sky Kids and Akili Kids offering fun and educational content part of which is locally produced. Although, it is owned/branded as an M-Net channel it is funded by them through MultiChoice - technically K-TV.

The parent company for Nickelodeon had been auctioned off to potential buyers including Skydance, Apollo Global Management and Sony Pictures Television. Skydance is said to be in advanced talks as Sony looks to partner up with Apollo.

Sony was said to be looking to distance themselves from the streaming and linear regime only handling the studios. Apollo on the other would have minimal control of Paramount so if anything could we be looking at the future of their linear lineup through Germany.

Most channels by Paramount Global nowadays had been operating under one feed either commercial or ad free. Then several productions such as The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish and The Casagrandes Movie are being burnt off to Netflix. 

If anything, it wouldn't seem far fetched if Nickelodeon were to halt their linear operations at some point and some countries looked into following RTL's footsteps and kept some content on the air.

Development Alert: Super RTL Looking To Acquire Nickelodeon In Germany And Rebrand It To Toggo, As Paramount Looks To Streamline Its Portfolio In The Region

German family channel Super RTL wants to take over children’s channel Nickelodeon in Germany and rebrand it into its children’s brand Toggo.

The companies confirmed a corresponding agreement to German industry publication DWDL.

According to the agreement, Super RTL will take over Nickelodeon’s established satellite frequency on Astra (19.2° East) and operate the channel under its own Toggo brand after a transitional period, while continuing to show popular Nickelodeon series such as Paw Patrol and SpongeBob SquarePants. The Nickelodeon channel brand will disappear from German free-TV. Paramount intends to focus entirely on its streaming services Paramount+ and Pluto TV in the children’s sector in Germany in future.

“By expanding the partnership with Nickelodeon and Paramount, Super RTL is offering its young audience an even richer wealth of high-quality children’s programmes. The takeover of the satellite frequency creates a new valuable Toggo touchpoint for the target group of 3 to 13-year-olds. This fits perfectly into the strategy of making the Toggo brand present and tangible for children across as many channels and platforms as possible,” said Thorsten Braun, Head of Marketing, Brand & Consumer Products Officer at RTL Deutschland.

Michael Keidel, Vice President Ad Sales, Affiliate & Streaming Partnerships in Northern, Central & Eastern Europe at Paramount, added: “Thanks to the strategic partnership with Super RTL, the popular Nickelodeon characters and stories for children in Germany continue to have a firm place on free-TV. This fits perfectly into our strategy of entertaining fans via numerous high-reach touchpoints. These include our premium streaming service Paramount+, our free, ad-finGerman family channel Super RTL wants to take over children’s channel Nickelodeon in Germany and rebrand it into its children’s brand Toggo.

The companies confirmed a corresponding agreement to German industry publication DWDL.

According to the agreement, Super RTL will take over Nickelodeon’s established satellite frequency on Astra (19.2° East) and operate the channel under its own Toggo brand after a transitional period, while continuing to show popular Nickelodeon series such as Paw Patrol and SpongeBob SquarePants. The Nickelodeon channel brand will disappear from German free-TV. Paramount intends to focus entirely on its streaming services Paramount+ and Pluto TV in the children’s sector in Germany in future.

“By expanding the partnership with Nickelodeon and Paramount, Super RTL is offering its young audience an even richer wealth of high-quality children’s programmes. The takeover of the satellite frequency creates a new valuable Toggo touchpoint for the target group of 3 to 13-year-olds. This fits perfectly into the strategy of making the Toggo brand present and tangible for children across as many channels and platforms as possible,” said Thorsten Braun, Head of Marketing, Brand & Consumer Products Officer at RTL Deutschland.

Michael Keidel, Vice President Ad Sales, Affiliate & Streaming Partnerships in Northern, Central & Eastern Europe at Paramount, added: “Thanks to the strategic partnership with Super RTL, the popular Nickelodeon characters and stories for children in Germany continue to have a firm place on free-TV. This fits perfectly into our strategy of entertaining fans via numerous high-reach touchpoints. These include our premium streaming service Paramount+, our free, ad-financed streaming service Pluto TV and our pay-TV channels.”

The transaction is subject to approval by the German Federal Cartel Office.anced streaming service Pluto TV and our pay-TV channels.”

The transaction is subject to approval by the German Federal Cartel Office.

#BlockTheMerger: Could Sony And Apollo's Possible Acquisition Of Paramount Global Be A Good Thing For MTV And Nickelodeon?

Not long ago, it was reported that Sony and Apollo would be making a joint bid to acquire Paramount Global. This comes after Paramount Global had rejected Apollo's initial offer as talks are still underway with Skydance over a possible restructure.

Similar to Canal+, Sony faces legal hurdles as foreigners are given restrictions pertaining to ownership of a local company. Apollo Global Management is basically their BBBEE or another case they're way of securing the entertainment company. 

Sources had outlined that Sony was looking to distance themselves from the streaming wars years after closing and selling their linear operations. Apollo was looking to possibly merge Paramount+ with another streamer putting its future in a dark corner.

Not that the content would be phased out in the process but if you're living abroad and getting a portion of this content on Paramount+. Them closing and merging it with another broadcaster further lessen the lineup.

Same goes with the Paramount trademark in general as it could as well be folded under Sony.

As for their linear operations, don't expect much improvement there content wise as consumption and revenue for these channels continue to decline. If anything, don't be surprised if they choose to close/sell a few if not all channels globally.

Apollo had hinted at that when making the initial bid for Paramount with film studios. When you look at it, Nickelodeon and MTV would probably be more like CW reliant on third party content and archived material from Paramount while first run content are shipped to other platforms. 

This is an endeavor we envision could await local consumers in the United States while other countries go through a similar fate as Disney's FOX and Disney XD channels.

The Canal+/MultiChoice Effect: Sony Reportedly In Talks To Join Bid With Apollo To Acquire Paramount Global

Even as Paramount Global continues to hold exclusive talks with David Ellison’s Skydance and Gerry Cardinale’s Redbird Capital, another potential buyer group is considering its own moves.

It has been confirmed that executives at Sony Corp., including Sony Pictures chief Tony Vinciquerra, have been in touch with Apollo Global Management about making a joint bid for the entertainment company.

Apollo had previously made a $26 billion offer for Paramount, inclusive of equity and debt, though it was reportedly dismissed. But partnering with Sony would likely eliminate any cash or financing concerns.

The New York Times first reported the Sony talks, adding that no offer has been made, given that the exclusive negotiating window is still in place. The Times reported that one structure under consideration would see Sony and Apollo effectively take Paramount private, with Sony owning a majority of the company, with Apollo operating as a minority owner..

The actual structure of the deal is not clear, though the Paramount film and TV studios would likely fit in nicely with Sony’s own studios. It would raise questions about both Paramount+, given Sony’s decision to avoid entering the streaming wars, as well as Paramount’s linear TV assets, including CBS. There are federal regulations restricting foreign ownership of U.S. broadcast stations, and as a Japanese company Sony could face scrutiny under such rules.

Meanwhile, the talks between Skydance and Paramount continue, with a source saying that the Ellison-led company has articulated a plan to deliver operating efficiencies, and to leverage the executive teams at both Skydance and Redbird (including former NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell), to help turn Paramount around. Paramount would remain a public company under the Skydance deal.

Some investors have complained about the decision not to pursue the Apollo deal, given the all-cash offer.

Shares in Paramount rose in after-hours trading, after reports about the talks were published.

Channel Closure: Comedy Central Family Will Stop Airing In Hungary On July 6th

Comedy Central Family is a general entertainment brand operated by Paramount Global and also a sister network to Comedy Central. It focused on humorous and family oriented shows such as See Dad Run, Mike & Molly, Young Sheldon and The Middle.

According to Hungarian website Media1, Comedy Central Family is set to end its run in Hungary from July 6th. This news comes after the channel had ceased operation in Poland and Dutch territories years prior making it the last feed to offer such brand. 

It is believed to be part of a strategic approach within Paramount Global as the closure was described as something beyond the pay-tv service's control. With further content from Comedy Central Family set to be integrated with Comedy Central. 

Consumption is said to have contributed to the decision to terminate Comedy Central Family similar to the likes of M-Net's Me and 1Magic on DStv. 

Earlier in the year, VH1 was shuttered in the remaining parts of Europe as the latter integrates with MTV and NickMusic. This was followed by a possible rebrand of the TeenNick channels to Nickelodeon Teen and an alignment of some MTV Base African feeds.

Skydance Reportedly Looking To Merge Paramount+ With Another Streaming Service

Last week, merger talks for Paramount Global heated up, with reports that the media company that produces and controls the Star Trek franchise had entered into exclusive talks with Skydance Media. One of the big questions has been how such a deal would impact Paramount+, home to original Star Trek programming. Now a picture of a possible future for the streaming service is starting to emerge.

Skydance wants to keep Paramount+

When the first reports about Paramount Global potentially being sold or merged started in December, industry analysts suggested Paramount+ might not survive the corporate shake-up. While Paramount has seen consistent growth with its streaming service, it has yet to turn a profit. However, now that Skydance Media is in exclusive talks to take over Paramount, they are apparently planning on keeping Paramount+, but will make some changes. The New York Times reports “The plan calls for Skydance to supercharge Paramount’s streaming capabilities, improving personalization with better algorithmic recommendations and making it more efficient through better deals with data providers.”

According to the same report, the post-Skydance/Paramount merger plan would call for teaming up with another major media company for a streaming joint venture in the USA. A new report in Bloomberg confirms Skydance wants to “preserve the Paramount+ streaming service and explore merging it with a peer, such as Peacock or Max.” A deal with Amazon Prime Video has also been considered, according to Bloomberg. Earlier this year, it was reported that Paramount had opened up discussions with Comcast to merge Paramount+ with their Peacock streaming service. The companies already operate the SkyShowtime joint venture in several markets in Europe.

A merged Paramount+/Peacock streaming service could be a winner, according to new consumer research reported today by Variety, 45% of US consumers say they would be interested in such a bundle. Analysis from consulting firm FTI Delta estimates a bundled service could bring in $1 Billion more than the current combined annual revenue of both services.

So if the deal with Skydance happens, it looks like some version of Paramount+ will survive. This would likely continue to be the primary home for original Star Trek television. Being part of a larger service could help ensure funding for more seasons and new Trek series and streaming movies as well.

Of course, none of this is finalized. The first step is for Skydance and Paramount Global to agree to a deal, and any such deal would have to be approved by the board. This can get tricky as the Skydance deal being contemplated is a rather complicated 2-step process, and current Paramount Global investors are expressing concerns over the deal structure being favorable to Shari Redstone, but not regular shareholders. There would also be scrutiny from regulators as well.

Paramount Could Soon See Billions Spent To Rebuild The Company Under New Leadership

Over the last week, news has been flying that Paramount is getting closer to a deal to be sold to or merge with Skydance. This comes as, for months now, Paramount has been in talks with multiple companies for a potential sale or merger. This includes talks with Warner Bros. Discovery, Appollo Global Management, and others. Some of these talks have gone well others like Warner Bros. Discovery have walked away from a possible merger with Paramount.

A few days ago Bloomberg reported that a tentative deal has been reached between Paramount and Skydance for a deal that would see the companies merge and Skydance would take a stake in Paramount.

Now Bloomberg says that if the deal happens, David Ellison will become the new head of the combined Paramount. He also reportedly plans to spend billions to rebuild Paramount. Before this could happen though Paramoutn and Skydance media would need to merge.

This comes after last week Variety reported that Paramount Global has turned down an offer to sell itself to Apollo Global Management for $27 billion. This offer was reportedly made over the weekend as a cash deal, but Shari Redstone, the majority owner of Paramount, declined to entertain the bid.

Exact details of the offer have not been disclosed but it is reported that the Redstone family who owns a majority of Paramount are perfering this Skydance deal over other offers.

This comes as The New York Times reportedly this week Paramount and Skydance Media are getting closer to a deal that would see the two companies merge. According to the report, Paramount and Skydance Media are working on a deal to give Skydance a 30-day window for exclusive talks as the two sides try to finalize a deal.

Exclusive windows like this are common in talks like this. Well, it does not guarantee that a deal will happen typically, windows like this happen when both sides think a deal is very possible.

Currently, Paramount Global is controlled by media executive Shari Redstone. Redstone also controls National Amusements, which owns 77% of Paramount’s voting shares. Reportedly, the Redstone family is also looking to sell their 77% ownership of Paramount. With that ownership, the Redstone family needs to be on board with any deal, and it has been reported that they are more interested in a deal like this than other deals, like the offer from Appollo Global Management to buy just the studios.

Any merger seems to need to be for the full Paramount company to include its cable TV networks, which include Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTV, and multiple movie theaters.

Talks between Paramount and Skydance have reportedly been happening since November 2023.

The news comes as the entertainment industry faces difficult times with cable TV viewership is declining and a majority of streamers struggling to achieve profitability. Paramount’s streaming service, Paramount+, is among the companies fighting to stay afloat.

Paramount Global Might Be Acquired By Skydance As Merger Talks Are Reportedly Underway

Over the last 24 hours, news has been flying that Paramount is getting closer to a deal to be sold to or merge with Skydance. This comes as, for months now, Paramount has been in talks with multiple companies for a potential sale or merger. This includes talks with Warner Bros. Discovery, Apollo Global Management, and others. Some of these talks have gone well others like Warner Bros. Discovery have walked away from a possible merger with Paramount.

Now Bloomberg is reporting that a tentative deal has been reached between Paramount and Skydance for a deal that would see the companies merge and Skydance would take a stake in Paramount.

This comes after yesterday Variety reported that Paramount Global has turned down an offer to sell itself to Apollo Global Management for $27 billion. This offer was reportedly made over the weekend as a cash deal, but Shari Redstone, the majority owner of Paramount, declined to entertain the bid.

Exact details of the offer have not been disclosed but it is reported that the Redstone family who owns a majority of Paramount are perfering this Skydance deal over other offers.

This comes as The New York Times reportedly this week Paramount and Skydance Media are getting closer to a deal that would see the two companies merge. According to the report, Paramount and Skydance Media are working on a deal to give Skydance a 30-day window for exclusive talks as the two sides try to finalize a deal.

Exclusive windows like this are common in talks like this. Well, it does not guarantee that a deal will happen typically, windows like this happen when both sides think a deal is very possible.

Currently, Paramount Global is controlled by media executive Shari Redstone. Redstone also controls National Amusements, which owns 77% of Paramount’s voting shares. Reportedly, the Redstone family is also looking to sell their 77% ownership of Paramount. With that ownership, the Redstone family needs to be on board with any deal, and it has been reported that they are more interested in a deal like this than other deals, like the offer from Appollo Global Management to buy just the studios.

Any merger seems to need to be for the full Paramount company to include its cable TV networks, which include Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTV, and multiple movie theaters.

Talks between Paramount and Skydance have reportedly been happening since November 2023.

The news comes as the entertainment industry faces difficult times with cable TV viewership is declining and a majority of streamers struggling to achieve profitability. Paramount’s streaming service, Paramount+, is among the companies fighting to stay afloat.

Apollo Global Offered $27 Billion For All Of Paramount Global But The Bid Was Rejected

Private-equity giant Apollo Global Management made a $27 billion offer to acquire all of Paramount Global this week, sources familiar with the bid told the media. However, the special committee set up by the Paramount Global board of directors to consider M&A options declined to engage with the bid.

Apollo submitted an all-cash bid on Sunday, March 31, to acquire Paramount Global in a deal worth more than $27 billion of total enterprise value, encompassing equity and debt, according to people familiar with the situation. That came after Apollo had offered $11 billion to buy Paramount Pictures alone, a bid that was also rebuffed by Paramount’s committee. Shari Redstone is Paramount’s controlling shareholder and president of National Amusements Inc., its parent company. But given the potential conflict of interest, Redstone is not a member of the board’s special committee.

NAI, Paramount Global and Apollo have declined to comment on the M&A talks.

Word of Apollo Global’s new bid for Paramount Global comes as Redstone entered into an exclusive negotiating period with David Ellison’s Skydance Media to sell her stake in National Amusements Inc. (and thereby pave the way for Skydance to merge with Paramount Global). NAI holds 77% of the voting shares in Paramount Global.

Redstone’s preference is for Paramount Global be sold as a whole, not in pieces. It’s not clear why the media company’s special committee would have not considered Apollo’s $27 billion bid for the entire company.

It was reported Tuesday that Redstone and Skydance were close to establishing 30-day window for exclusive deal talks after months of discussions. NAI and Skydance have now entered into a provisional agreement covering such exclusive negotiations, likely with a basic outline of potential deal terms, according to sources.

Paramount Global’s market cap stood at $9.26 billion after the market closed Wednesday. The stock shot up 15% in the final hour of trading Wednesday amid a cascade of media reports that Redstone, National Amusements Inc. and Skydance are moving closer to a deal. Shares closed at $13.52.

Paramount Global’s assets include Paramount Pictures; the CBS network and owned local stations; cable networks including Comedy Central, BET, MTV and Nickelodeon; and the direct-to-streaming business housing Paramount+ and Pluto TV.

Development Alert (Rumour): TeenNick To Fold Under The Nickelodeon Teen Trademark In European Countries Including Germany, Austria And Switzerland

TeenNick is a teen oriented entertainment channel operated by Paramount Global and spinoff to Nickelodeon. It is home to various live-action shows formerly seen on Nickelodeon such as Victorious and Zoey 101 alongside animated such as Hey Arnold!.

Although TeenNick is not viewable in most of parts of Africa, the channel has managed to build its presence in MENA, Greece, Israel, Hungary, Latin America, Poland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Romania.

According to a story on Parabola, Paramount Global had filed a new trademark for the network later in the week known as Nickelodeon Teen. This trademark is already in use by the company in France and from the looks of it could be carried in Europe.

The name change is said to be an effort by Paramount Global to strengthen its core brand among children and young audiences. Of course, what's strange about this is why they opted to incorporate a localized trademark as opposed to TeenNick.

In recent years, global businesses tend to operate independently from their main feed. It's likely that Nickelodeon Teen is being added in these countries due to its success in France and another being a globalization as seen with sister networks, MTV and Nick Jr.

Paramount+ Removes 10 Nickelodeon Titles Including ‘Blue’s Clues & You!’ & ‘Rugrats’ Series

Paramount+ has purged 10 Nickelodeon original series, following the removal of other Nick titles from the platform over the past several months.

The list includes Are You Afraid of the Dark? (2019-2022), Blue’s Clues & You! (2019), It’s Pony (2020-2022), Middlemost Post (2021-2022), Ollie’s Pack (2020), Ryan’s Mystery Playdate (2019-2023), Santiago of the Seas (2020), That Girl Lay Lay (2021-2024) as well as the made-for-Paramount+ Big Nate (2022)and Rugrats (2021).

This is said to be part of content removal addressed in the most recent Q4 earnings call on February 28. Targeting Nick titles is a little surprising as, according to parent Paramount Global, the network’s Kids & Family content consistently ranks among the most watched and re-watched programming on Paramount+.

“In connection with our continued review of our international content strategy, during the first quarter of 2024 we made a strategic decision to focus on content with mass global appeal,” the company said in its 10-K filing. “As part of this, we are rationalizing original content on Paramount+, especially internationally, and improving the efficiency of our linear network programming. As a result, we have reviewed our expansive global content portfolio and are removing select content from our platforms.”

Paramount expects “to recognize additional programming charges that we currently expect to be in the range of approximately $700 million to $900 million during the first quarter of 2024.”

Apollo Global Management Offered To Buy Paramount Global Studios For $11 Billion

Recently, we learned that Warner Bros. Discovery and Skydance Media are both in talks to buy a majority control of Paramount. Only last month to find out that Warner Bros. Discovery was no longer interested. Now, the Wall Street Journal reports that Appollo Global Management has offered to buy the film and TV studio for $11 billion.

This deal is only for the studios and is very different from other offers to buy or merge with all of Paramount. This includes an offer from Skydance to merge with Paramount.

Talks with Skydance are reportedly in the early phases and could easily fall apart, especially with investment firms now possibly driving up the price of Paramount. No date for an auction has been revealed, but bankers have reportedly started the process of sharing details about Paramount with potential bidders, it is reported that Redstone is looking at selling its share of Paramount at auction to the highest bidder.

Currently, Paramount Global is controlled by media executive Shari Redstone. Redstone also controls National Amusements, which owns 77% of Paramount’s voting shares. Reportedly the Redstone family is also looking to sell their 77% ownership of Paramount.

Any new owner of National Amusements would control Paramount’s cable TV networks, which include Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTV, and multiple movie theaters.

The news comes as the entertainment industry faces difficult times with cable TV viewership is declining and a majority of streamers struggling to achieve profitability. Paramount’s streaming service, Paramount+, is among the companies fighting to stay afloat.

Apollo Global Management Also Looking To Acquire Paramount Global

Private equity firm Apollo Global Management has “reached out” to Paramount Global about a possible buyout or purchase of some of its holdings, Axios reported Tuesday.

The company faces competition, including a bid from Byron Allen, who in January offered to buy Paramount Global for $14 billion. The entertainment conglomerate’s parent, National Amusements, has also gotten an offer from David Ellison’s Skydance Media in a bid that was backed by rival private equity firms RedBird Capital Partners and KKR.

Warner Bros. Discovery also reportedly considered buying some or all of the entertainment conglomerate’s assets, but backed off last month.

The report said Apollo is looking at a deal only with Paramount, which would involve Paramount Pictures, the CBS network, along with Comedy Central, BET and other Viacom cable networks and the streaming services Paramount+ and PlutoTV.

“It’s also possible that Apollo could wind up bidding only on select assets,” Axios reported, citing two sources familiar with the matter.

Shares of Paramount Global initially jumped about 5% on the report, but the gains quickly disappeared. The stock was trading down 5 cents to 11.57, down nearly 20% since the start of the year, in late morning.

Apollo has long invested in news and entertainment companies, including purchasing “American Idol” owner CKx in 2011. It also has or previously held interests in Barnes & Noble, Cox Media Group, Legendary Entertainment, Redbox, Sirius Satellite Radio. It also bought Yahoo Inc. from Verizon in 2021.