Nickelodeon, launched in 1979, is an American pay television channel owned by Paramount Global. As the first cable channel for children, its primary target audience is children and adolescents aged 2 to 17. It also caters to a broader family audience through specific program blocks.
December 1, 1977: Nickelodeon Test Broadcast
Nickelodeon began its journey as a test broadcast named "Pinwheel" on December 1, 1977, as a part of the QUBE cable system.
February 1979: Nickelodeon's Planned Launch Date
Nickelodeon was initially scheduled to launch in February 1979.
April 1, 1979: Nickelodeon Launches
On April 1, 1979, Nickelodeon launched as the first cable channel specifically for children.
January 1984: Advertising Introduced on Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon transitioned from being commercial-free to incorporating advertising in January 1984.
1984: Nickelodeon Introduces Advertising
Initially commercial-free, Nickelodeon started incorporating advertising into its programming in 1984.
1985: Viacom Acquires Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon's growing success led to its acquisition by Viacom in 1985, along with sister networks MTV and VH1.
January 4, 1988: Nick Jr. Launches
Nickelodeon expanded its reach to preschoolers with the launch of Nick Jr., a dedicated morning block, on January 4, 1988.
1990: Nickelodeon's First Magazine Attempt
Nickelodeon made its first attempt at publishing a magazine in 1990, but it was short-lived.
1991: Nickelodeon Increases Focus on Original Animation
Nickelodeon began to focus more heavily on original animated series in 1991, moving away from its reliance on imported shows.
1992: THQ Publishes Ren & Stimpy Game
THQ began its relationship with Nickelodeon by publishing a Ren & Stimpy game for Nintendo consoles in 1992.
1992: "Nick News with Linda Ellerbee" Debuts
"Nick News with Linda Ellerbee", a news magazine series for children, premiered in 1992 as a weekly program.
1993: Nickelodeon Magazine Launch
Nickelodeon launched its print magazine, Nickelodeon Magazine, in 1993.
1993: Nickelodeon Interactive is Founded
Nickelodeon established its video gaming division, Nickelodeon Interactive, in 1993.
1993: Nickelodeon Opens International Channels
In 1993, Nickelodeon expanded its reach by opening international channels in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Germany. This marked the beginning of the network's global presence and set the stage for further international growth in the following years.
October 1995: Nick.com Launch
Nickelodeon launched its main website, Nick.com, in October 1995 as part of America Online's Kids Only channel.
1995: Nickelodeon Expands to 70 Countries
By 1995, Nickelodeon had significantly increased its global footprint, providing its programming to broadcasters in 70 countries. This expansion included the launch of language- and culture-specific channels for various territories, including Europe, Asia, Oceania, and Canada.
1995: Nickelodeon Movies is Founded
Nickelodeon Movies was founded in 1995 as the family entertainment division of Paramount Pictures.
1996: Harriet the Spy is Released
Nickelodeon Movies released its first film, "Harriet the Spy," in 1996.
1997: Nickelodeon Interactive Becomes Nickelodeon Software
Nickelodeon Interactive was renamed Nickelodeon Software in 1997.
1997: Nickelodeon on Sunset Opens
Nickelodeon opened its primary production facility, Nickelodeon on Sunset, in Hollywood, California, in 1997.
1998: THQ Expands Partnership with Nickelodeon
THQ expanded its partnership with Nickelodeon in 1998, publishing several Rugrats titles.
March 1999: Nick.com Becomes Top-Rated Children's Website
By March 1999, Nick.com became the highest-rated website among children aged 6-14.
1999: Nickelodeon Partners with Sesame Workshop
In 1999, Nickelodeon joined forces with Sesame Workshop to create Noggin, an educational brand encompassing a cable channel and an interactive website.
March 2001: TEENick Block Launch
In March 2001, Nickelodeon launched the TEENick programming block, catering to adolescents and young adults.
2001: Nickelodeon Partners with Networks Inc.
Nickelodeon partnered with Networks Inc. in 2001 to offer broadband video game rentals on Nick.com.
2001: THQ Acquires Assets from Mattel Interactive
THQ acquired assets from Mattel Interactive in 2001, including computer publishing rights and video game rights to The Wild Thornberrys.
May 1, 2002: Nicktoons TV Launches
Nickelodeon launched Nicktoons TV, a dedicated channel for its animated content, on May 1, 2002.
November 24, 2002: "Barbie as Rapunzel" Premieres on Nickelodeon
The first Barbie movie, "Barbie as Rapunzel," premiered on Nickelodeon on November 24, 2002, marking the beginning of a partnership with Mattel.
2002: Nickelodeon Software Becomes Nick Games
Nickelodeon Software was renamed Nick Games in 2002.
2002: Nicktoons Channel Launch
Nickelodeon launched a dedicated channel for its original animated series, Nicktoons, in 2002.
2002: Nicktoons Channel Launches
Capitalizing on the popularity of its animated shows, Nickelodeon launched Nicktoons as a separate sister channel in 2002.
April 2003: Nicktoons TV Renamed to Nicktoons
Nicktoons TV was simplified to Nicktoons in April 2003.
September 2005: Nicktoons Rebranded as Nicktoons Network
Nicktoons underwent another name change in September 2005, becoming Nicktoons Network.
2006: Nickelodeon Partners with DreamWorks Animation
Nickelodeon entered into a partnership with DreamWorks Animation in 2006 to adapt the studio's animated films into television series.
2007: Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America Opens
Nickelodeon Universe, the first indoor Nickelodeon theme park in the United States, opened at the Mall of America in 2007.
2008: Nickelodeon Universe Becomes Largest Indoor Theme Park
Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America became the largest indoor theme park in the Western Hemisphere in 2008.
February 2009: TEENick Block Ends
After eight years, Nickelodeon ended the TEENick programming block in February 2009.
August 18, 2009: Nickelodeon Announces Outdoor Theme Park
Nickelodeon announced plans to build an outdoor Nickelodeon Universe theme park in New Orleans on August 18, 2009.
September 2009: Nicktoons Network Reverts to Nicktoons
Reverting to its previous name, Nicktoons Network became Nicktoons again in September 2009.
September 28, 2009: Nick Jr. Channel Launches
The Nick Jr. Channel, a spin-off of Nickelodeon's preschool programming block, officially launched on September 28, 2009, replacing Noggin.
November 9, 2009: Nickelodeon Ends Licensing Agreement for New Orleans Theme Park
On November 9, 2009, just a few months after announcing the outdoor theme park, Nickelodeon ended the licensing agreement with Southern Star Amusements.
December 2009: Nickelodeon Magazine Ceases Publication
After 16 years, Nickelodeon Magazine ceased publication in December 2009 due to a decline in the magazine industry.
2009: TeenNick Channel Launches
Targeting a teenage audience, Nickelodeon merged its existing blocks TEENick and The N to form TeenNick, a standalone channel, in 2009.
2009: Nick Games Becomes Nickelodeon Games
Nick Games was renamed back to Nickelodeon Games in 2009.
2010: Planned Opening Date for New Orleans Theme Park
The outdoor Nickelodeon Universe theme park in New Orleans was initially planned to open by the end of 2010.
2011: Nickelodeon Reaches Peak Availability
Nickelodeon achieved its highest reach in 2011, with availability in 101 million households in the United States.
October 1, 2012: NickMom Block Introduced
On October 1, 2012, the Nick Jr. Channel introduced NickMom, a four-hour nighttime block aimed at parents, featuring traditional advertising.
February 2013: Nickelodeon Mobile App Launch
Nickelodeon released a free mobile app for Apple and Android devices in February 2013.
September 30, 2013: Nick Radio Launch
Nickelodeon launched Nick Radio on September 30, 2013, in partnership with iHeartMedia.
June 2015: Nickelodeon Magazine Revived by Papercutz
Papercutz revived Nickelodeon Magazine in June 2015.
September 28, 2015: NickMom Block Ends
The NickMom block on the Nick Jr. Channel concluded on September 28, 2015.
2015: "Nick News with Linda Ellerbee" Ends
After a long run, "Nick News with Linda Ellerbee" concluded in 2015.
September 9, 2016: NickMusic Launch
Nickelodeon launched its music-centric channel, NickMusic, on September 9, 2016, replacing MTV Hits.
2016: Nickelodeon Magazine Ceases Publication Again
The revived Nickelodeon Magazine by Papercutz ceased publication again in mid-2016.
2017: Nickelodeon on Sunset Closes
Nickelodeon on Sunset, Nickelodeon's primary production facility, closed in 2017 after 20 years of operation.
July 31, 2019: Nick Radio Shutdown
Nick Radio shut down unexpectedly on July 31, 2019, and was replaced by Hit Nation Junior.
October 25, 2019: Nickelodeon Universe American Dream Meadowlands Opens
The second Nickelodeon Universe theme park opened at the American Dream Meadowlands complex on October 25, 2019, becoming the new largest indoor theme park in the Western Hemisphere.
June 2020: Nickelodeon Announces "Nick News" Revival
Nickelodeon announced the return of "Nick News" with a series of hour-long specials in June 2020.
June 29, 2020: "Kids, Race and Unity: A Nick News Special" Premieres
Nickelodeon brought back "Nick News" with an hour-long special, "Kids, Race and Unity", hosted by Alicia Keys, which premiered on June 29, 2020.
2021: Nickelodeon Begins Airing NFL Games
Nickelodeon started airing at least one live NFL game annually in 2021, featuring elements like green slime and SpongeBob SquarePants graphics.
November 2023: Nickelodeon's Reach Decreases
By November 2023, Nickelodeon's availability decreased to approximately 71 million pay television households in the United States, down from its 2011 peak.
December 2023: Nickelodeon Mobile App Discontinuation Announced
In December 2023, Nickelodeon announced the discontinuation of its mobile app.
2024: Nickelodeon Airs SpongeBob-Themed Super Bowl Simulcast
In 2024, Nickelodeon offered the first alternate Super Bowl broadcast with a SpongeBob SquarePants-themed simulcast of CBS's coverage.