New Garfield Coming To Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon should soon secure the rights to produce new Garfield content soon and if anyone can bring Garfield into a new day and age for a different generation it is Nickelodeon. Viacom has entered into an agreement to buy Paws, Inc., which is the company that holds the rights to both Garfield as well as the U.S. Acres franchise, and everyone is hopeful that the deal will close in the next few weeks.

Nickelodeon is looking to become the one stop place for kids and family and adding another Intellectual Property like Garfield is moving them in the right direction. This is a great move for Jim Davis as Nickelodeon plans to develop a new animated series based on Garfield while Jim will continue to deliver the comic strip. Garfield has acquired many fans in a multitude of generations so families will be able to enjoy the character for many years to come on 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

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!”