Full History Of Nickelodeon In Timeline From 1977

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: "Nick News with Linda Ellerbee" Debuts

"Nick News with Linda Ellerbee", a news magazine series for children, premiered in 1992 as a weekly program.

1992: THQ Publishes Ren & Stimpy Game

THQ began its relationship with Nickelodeon by publishing a Ren & Stimpy game for Nintendo consoles in 1992.

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.

1993: Nickelodeon Interactive is Founded

Nickelodeon established its video gaming division, Nickelodeon Interactive, in 1993.

1993: Nickelodeon Magazine Launch

Nickelodeon launched its print magazine, Nickelodeon Magazine, in 1993.

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: Nicktoons Channel Launches

Capitalizing on the popularity of its animated shows, Nickelodeon launched Nicktoons as a separate sister channel in 2002.

2002: Nickelodeon Software Becomes Nick Games

Nickelodeon Software was renamed Nick Games 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: Nick Games Becomes Nickelodeon Games

Nick Games was renamed back to Nickelodeon Games in 2009.

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.

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.