Monday, February 22, 2016

Nickelodeon And Spike To Make Kids Version Of "Lip Sync Battle"

Building on the huge success of Lip Sync Battle, Spike and Nickelodeon are teaming with the series' producers to develop a Lip Sync Battle Jr. spinoff of the pop culture hit, reports Deadline!


Lip Sync Battle Jr. is described as a fresh take on Spike's series, celebrating kids' love of music and comedy, mixed with new variety elements. Executive produced by Casey Patterson Entertainment and Matador, Lip Sync Battle is the most-watched original series in Spike's history. The show is averaging over 4 million viewers in its Thursday 10pm time slot and has more than half a billion views online, according to Spike.

The series has featured lip sync-offs between stars like Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan Tatum (featuring Beyonce), Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt, and Dwayne Johnson and Jimmy Fallon.

Spike has ordered a Lip Sync Battle Jr. special that will air later this year on both Spike and Nickelodeon. In addition, sister Viacom brands are also developing special editions of Lip Sync Battle events.

"On the long list of wonderful surprises about Lip Sync Battle is our family co-viewing," executive producers Casey Patterson and Jay Peterson said in a statement. "Lip Sync Battle's multigenerational appeal is our favorite part of the show, and the whole Lip Sync Battle family is very excited about developing a new music-based comedy-variety format to showcase how much our Lip Sync Battle kids rock. It's all the fun of Lip Sync Battle, only smaller."

Hosted by LL Cool J with Chrissy Tiegen as commentator, Lip Sync Battle features celebrities going head to head in lip-syncing the song of their choice - battling for bragging rights. The series is executive produced by Patterson of Casey Patterson Entertainment, Peterson of Matador Content, John Krasinski, Stephen Merchant and 8 Million Plus Productions. The series' success has lead to the creation of various international adaptions in the UK, Poland, Canada, Chile, Indonesia, China and Philippines.

The popular franchise was born out of a popular segment on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon. After NBC passed on the original idea, the series found its way to Spike, which was looking to rebrand itself as a more female-friendly network. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Spike’s Executive VP original programming Sharon Levy noted how Lip Sync skews a 60 percent female audience.

Nickelodeon is expected to announce the networks eleventh season renewal of SpongeBob SquarePants at Nickelodeon Upfront 2016 on Wednesday 2nd March 2016 In New York City.

Lip Synch Battle Jr. joins the trend of kids versions of established reality series, including Fox's MasterChef Jr. and upcoming So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation as well as the Spanish-language The Voice Kids.

Original Spike Press Release via the official Spike Press Center:

Spike Press Release – Spike and Nickelodeon Developing "Lip Sync Battle Jr." with Casey Patterson Entertainment and Matador

SPIKE AND NICKELODEON DEVELOPING "LIP SYNC BATTLE JR." WITH CASEY PATTERSON ENTERTAINMENT AND MATADOR

New York, NY, February 22, 2016 – Spike and Nickelodeon are joining forces with the hit-makers behind "Lip Sync Battle," Casey Patterson Entertainment and Matador, to develop "Lip Sync Battle Jr." a spinoff of Spike's breakthrough original series.

"Lip Sync Battle" is a multiplatform juggernaut that has garnered record ratings for Spike and over half a billion views online.

Spike has ordered a "Lip Sync Battle Jr." special that will telecast later this year on both Spike and Nickelodeon. In addition, sister Viacom brands are also developing special editions of "Lip Sync Battle" events.

"Lip Sync Battle Jr." will celebrate kids' love of music and comedy featuring the battles viewers have come to know and love with new variety elements designed to let the little ones shine. The series will be a fresh take on Spike's star-studded series.

"On the long list of wonderful surprises about Lip Sync Battle is our family co-viewing. Lip Sync Battle's multigenerational appeal is our favorite part of the show and the whole Lip Sync Battle family is very excited about developing a new music based, comedy variety format to showcase how much our Lip Sync Battle kids rock! It's all the fun of Lip Sync Battle, only smaller," said Executive Producers Casey Patterson and Jay Peterson in a joint statement.

"Lip Sync Battle" is the most-watched original series in Spike's history and is currently averaging over 4 million viewers on Thursdays at 10:00pm ET/PT.

About Lip Sync Battle:

The critically-acclaimed and award-nominated "Lip Sync Battle" features celebrities going head to head – lip-syncing the song of their choice – battling for the coolest bragging rights on the planet. The series is a ratings and multiplatform superstar for Spike and is the most-watched original series in network history. "Lip Sync Battle" is executive produced by Casey Patterson of Casey Patterson Entertainment, Jay Peterson of Matador, John Krasinski, Stephen Merchant and 8 Million Plus Productions.

"Lip Sync Battle" can be seen in over 130 countries and territories worldwide. The UK version launched January 9 on Viacom’s Channel 5 and was the top-rated show in the 16-34 demographic in the time period.

Spike TV is available in 91.4 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks. A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike TV’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike TV’s press site at http://www.spike.com/press. Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.

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Original source: NICK&MORE; Additional source: EW.com.
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