Upfronts 2013: Nick Greenlights Seven New Series

Net picks up 'Dora the Explorer' spinoff; renews 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'

By Andrea Morabito -- Broadcasting & Cable, 2/26/2013 5:19:16 PM

Complete Coverage: Upfronts 2013

New York -- Nickelodeon has greenlit two new animated series, two live-action series and three preschool series as part of its 2013-14 programming slate, the network announced at its upfront event on Tuesday afternoon.

The animated projects are Sanjay & Craig, about a boy and his best-friend snake; and Breadwinners, about two ducks who operate a bread delivery service. The pick-ups join previously announced animated series Rabbids and Monsters vs. Aliens.

Nick has also renewed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for a third season of 26 episodes after its first season ranked as 2012's top new animated program with boys 2-11.

Two live-action family comedies are joining the lineup: The Haunted Hathaways, about a family who moves into a house in New Orleans occupied by a family or ghosts; and The Thundermans, about sibling rivalry between twins in a family of superheroes. Previously announced live-action series include Sam & Cat and Wendell & Vinnie.

Three educational programs will join Nick's preschool slate including its first literacy show Wallykazam!; Blaze and the Monster Machines, the net's first series dedicated to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) curriculum; and Dora the Explorer spinoff Dora and Friends, which follows the popular Latina heroine as a 10-year-old going on adventures with a new group of friends in the big city. Those will join the just-launched Peter Rabbit, a CG-animated version of the classic Beatrix Potter children's books.

This April, Nick will also launch a new live, daily afternoon daypart Nick Studio 10, featuring four friends making and sharing funny content in real time. The content will migrate from on-air to the recently launched Nick App and vice-versa.

Finally, the network announced a partnership with Brian Robbins' AwesomenessTV to co-develop a half-hour sketch comedy show based on the popular online site.