Viacom’s Viacom International Media Networks France unit will launch its 18th network, saying it offers more pay TV channels than any other international media company in the country.
The company said Tuesday that it will add to its network portfolio with the launch of Nickelodeon 4Teen, a channel modeled after U.S. network TeenNick and dedicated to Nickelodeon programming targeting girls 7 to 14 years old. It will feature such popular Nickelodeon shows as Sam & Cat, Every Witch Way, Victorious, iCarly, TV movies and more.
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Nickelodeon 4Teen will be available on Vivendi’s Canalsat platform and cable operator Numericable beginning on Wednesday.
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Viacom’s French channel portfolio also includes MTV, MTV Base (which has a BET-branded programming block), Nickelodeon, Nickelodeon Jr. and the Paramount Channel in addition to the international feeds of VH1, VH1 Classic and others.
Said Raffaele Annecchino, executive vp and managing director of VIMN South Europe, Africa and Middle East: “We are delighted to partner with Canalsat and Numericable to strengthen our kids and family portfolio in France. The addition of Nickelodeon 4Teen is a perfect complement, as it solidifies our position in the market with Nickelodeon Jr. and My Nickelodeon Jr. focused on preschoolers, and Nickelodeon and now Nickelodeon 4Teen, both aimed at kids aged 7-14.”
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Nickelodeon 4Teen will also be available on an updated version of the free Nickelodeon app that allows kids to watch exclusive video clips, listen to Nickelodeon 4Teen radio and play with a social TV timeline.
“We have been investing in France for years,” Annecchino told THR. “We have been adding brands, including the Paramount Channel last year. Nickelodeon 4Teen will further [enhance] our portfolio of linear channels and digital offers.”
Added the executive: “The reason for our success in France has been that we are giving partners and customers the widest portfolio of brands and adapting the distribution of our content via new technologies.”
In comparison, Disney’s French pay TV network portfolio includes Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD and several others, and Time Warner’s portfolio includes Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Boing and others, according to VIMN.
Email: Georg.Szalai@THR.com
Twitter: @georgszalai
