Nickelodeon Arabia
Encyclopedia
Nickelodeon Arabia was a satellite, free-to-air channel for Arab children, teens and adults. It was the Arab arm of Nickelodeon
and the last remaining arm to retain the older 'splat' design.
It was the second channel in the joint venture between MTV Networks International and Arabian Television Network
, part of Arab Media Group
, the largest media group in the United Arab Emirates
, after the successful launch for MTV Arabia (now known as MTV Middle East).
As of 2011, it was the only Nickelodeon
channel not to change its logo after the parent company's 2009 rebrand. Since late 2010, the channel had been suffering a frozen broadcast, broadcasting its usual programmes repetitively without any evidence of upcoming updates. Its official website is currently down, and there were no clear indications or citations for why the channel was heavily neglected. Regardless, the channel remained live for many months in 2011.
On 8 September 2011, at one minute past midnight in U.A.E. time, and without a mainstream warning the channel went on an indefinite hiatus without any explanation. The broadcast signal initially displayed nothing but a static message indicating Nickelodeon Arabia's viewers to continue watching Nickelodeon programmes via the Nickelodeon block on MBC 3
. The signal then reverted to a casual test card
a few days later.
Rumours surfaced had indicated that the channel is not defunct, but is being reworked (probably including the newer typographical logo in the process) and be re-launched at an undetermined date. Some reports also indicate there is a possibility the channel will return as a scrambled signal, only accessible by subscription via Orbit Showtime
. Reasons for this remain unclear, but it was reported that the channel's Emirati owners have filed for bankruptcy, and resold the Nickelodeon franchise back to Europe. All this information remains rumour though.
Most of the shows were outdated, old series, although they are considered fairly never-before-seen by most of the Arab audience at one time, in either their English or Arabic formats. There are even several series yet to debut on Nickelodeon Arabia, with exemption of The Fairly OddParents
, which apparently already settled on the Middle Eastern Disney Channel
.
Like most Arab channels, Nickelodeon did feature censorship, but this is by far limited to simply scenes of French kiss
ing, although any mention of said kisses are retained. This was similar to the censorship on MTV Arabia
.
Catch Match is a new program being Arabic children's channel Nickelodeon during the holy month of Ramadan, which is provided by the crown shared by assistants from each team. The Albornameh It is a wrestling take place between the two teams. The two teams have to collect the largest number of points qualify to win. In the end, the winner gets the grand prize! Each team consists of four people (two girls and two boys of the same age). The team in each episode six challenges, and games are the first four games while the fifth is a regular puzzle game, and competition is intense and has no limits of fun and games is somewhat puzzling. In each game the team gets a set of points. When the collection of points into two teams in wrestling Alkatc Match is the most difficult challenge in the game, which will be the two teams over several stages, at the end of each stage have access to a banner or flag, and therefore, gets the team that collected the largest number of flags in the shortest period of more points. In the last game is collect points and win the team that won the highest title of hero and have won the challenge. Displays Catch Match on Thursday and Friday at 9 Bbahaptoukat Arabia, and returned twice at 17 and at 22 GMT
Nickelodeon (TV channel)
Nickelodeon, often simply called Nick and originally named Pinwheel, is an American children's channel owned by MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom International. The channel is primarily aimed at children ages 7–17, with the exception of their weekday morning program block aimed at preschoolers...
and the last remaining arm to retain the older 'splat' design.
It was the second channel in the joint venture between MTV Networks International and Arabian Television Network
Arabian Television Network
Arabian Television Network was a Dubai, United Arab Emirates based broadcast media company, part of Arab Media Group. It's staff and resources have been merged in to Dubai Media Incorporated....
, part of Arab Media Group
Arab Media Group
Arab Media Group is a Dubai, United Arab Emirates, based media company, part of TECOM, the technology and media holdings management arm of Dubai Holding...
, the largest media group in the United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
, after the successful launch for MTV Arabia (now known as MTV Middle East).
As of 2011, it was the only Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon (TV channel)
Nickelodeon, often simply called Nick and originally named Pinwheel, is an American children's channel owned by MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom International. The channel is primarily aimed at children ages 7–17, with the exception of their weekday morning program block aimed at preschoolers...
channel not to change its logo after the parent company's 2009 rebrand. Since late 2010, the channel had been suffering a frozen broadcast, broadcasting its usual programmes repetitively without any evidence of upcoming updates. Its official website is currently down, and there were no clear indications or citations for why the channel was heavily neglected. Regardless, the channel remained live for many months in 2011.
On 8 September 2011, at one minute past midnight in U.A.E. time, and without a mainstream warning the channel went on an indefinite hiatus without any explanation. The broadcast signal initially displayed nothing but a static message indicating Nickelodeon Arabia's viewers to continue watching Nickelodeon programmes via the Nickelodeon block on MBC 3
MBC 3
MBC 3 is a free-to-air children channel that hosts by Dania al-Shafii and Hassan al-Mula and belongs to the Middle East Broadcasting Center . It was launched on 8 December 2004...
. The signal then reverted to a casual test card
Test card
A test card, also known as a test pattern in North America and Australia, is a television test signal, typically broadcast at times when the transmitter is active but no program is being broadcast...
a few days later.
Rumours surfaced had indicated that the channel is not defunct, but is being reworked (probably including the newer typographical logo in the process) and be re-launched at an undetermined date. Some reports also indicate there is a possibility the channel will return as a scrambled signal, only accessible by subscription via Orbit Showtime
Orbit Showtime
Orbit Showtime Network, now officially branded as OSN, is a subscription television service in the Middle East and North Africa. The platform is owned by Panther Media Group, and the company is registered in DIFC. OSN is a joint venture between the Kuwait-based KIPCO and Saudi Arabia-based Mawarid...
. Reasons for this remain unclear, but it was reported that the channel's Emirati owners have filed for bankruptcy, and resold the Nickelodeon franchise back to Europe. All this information remains rumour though.
Programming
The animated shows featured on Nickelodeon Arabia are all dubbed into Arabic, and there had been no means of switching between audio languages. The live-action shows are only subtitled in Arabic, but this only applies to the TeenNick shows. Any other feature produced by Nickelodeon Arabia's own studio is also in Arabic.Most of the shows were outdated, old series, although they are considered fairly never-before-seen by most of the Arab audience at one time, in either their English or Arabic formats. There are even several series yet to debut on Nickelodeon Arabia, with exemption of The Fairly OddParents
The Fairly OddParents
The Fairly OddParents is an American-Canadian animated television series created by Butch Hartman about the adventures of Timmy Turner, who is granted fairy godparents named Cosmo and Wanda. The series started out as cartoon segments that ran from September 4, 1998 to March 23, 2001 on Oh Yeah!...
, which apparently already settled on the Middle Eastern Disney Channel
Disney Channel Middle East
Disney Channel Middle East is an edition of the The Walt Disney Company-owned Disney Channel broadcasting to the Middle East, North Africa as well as Pakistan and Maldives with exceptions of Iraq, Libya, and Syria...
.
Like most Arab channels, Nickelodeon did feature censorship, but this is by far limited to simply scenes of French kiss
French kiss
A French kiss is a kiss in which one participant's tongue touches the partner's lips or tongue and usually enters his or her mouth. A French kiss is a slow passionate kiss which is usually considered intimate, romantic, erotic or sexual...
ing, although any mention of said kisses are retained. This was similar to the censorship on MTV Arabia
MTV Arabia
MTV Middle East, formerly MTV Arabia, is a free-to-air music television channel, and the Middle Eastern incarnation of MTV. As an addition to the MTV network, it is a joint venture between MTV Networks International and Arabian Television Network, a subsidiary of Arabian Broadcasting Network, and...
.
Nicktoons
- SpongeBob SquarePantsSpongeBob SquarePantsSpongeBob SquarePants is an American animated television series, created by marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg. Much of the series centers on the exploits and adventures of the title character and his various friends in the underwater city of "Bikini Bottom"...
- CatDogCatDogCatDog is an American animated television series which premiered on April 4, 1998, and ended with an unaired episode on September 22, 2004. The series was created for Nickelodeon by Peter Hannan. It was also shown as a sneak peek in theaters with The Rugrats Movie...
- As Told by GingerAs Told by GingerAs Told by Ginger is an American teen drama animated series that was produced by Klasky-Csupo and aired on Nickelodeon from 2000 to 2009. The series focuses on a middle schooler Ginger Foutley who, with her friends, tries to become more than a social geek. There are many subplots that focus on...
- My Life as a Teenage RobotMy Life as a Teenage RobotMy Life as a Teenage Robot is an American animated television series, created by Rob Renzetti for Nickelodeon. The series follows the adventures of XJ-9, better known as Jenny Wakeman, a female robot designed to protect Earth, who is excessively addicted to teen-related activities, which are almost...
- Kappa MikeyKappa MikeyKappa Mikey is an American animated sitcom created by Larry Schwarz, who chose 4Kids Entertainment as the worldwide licensing, marketing and official promotional agent of the series...
- Jimmy Neutron
- Hey Arnold!Hey Arnold!Hey Arnold! is an American animated television series created by Craig Bartlett for Nickelodeon. The show's premise focuses on a fourth grader named Arnold who lives with his grandparents. Episodes center on his experiences navigating big city life while dealing with the problems he and his friends...
- Danny PhantomDanny PhantomDanny Phantom is an American animated television series created by Butch Hartman for Nickelodeon, produced by Billionfold Studios. The show was about a teenage half-ghost boy, who frequently saves his town and the world from ghost attacks, while attempting to keep his ghost half a secret...
- RugratsRugratsRugrats is an American animated television series created by Arlene Klasky, Gábor Csupó, and Paul Germain for Nickelodeon. The series premiered on August 11, 1991, and aired its last episode on June 8, 2004....
- The Wild ThornberrysThe Wild ThornberrysThe Wild Thornberrys is an American animated television series that aired on Nickelodeon. It was rerun in the USA on Nickelodeon and occasionally The N until 2009 and Nicktoons until 2007...
- Avatar the Last Airbender
- CatscratchCatscratchCatscratch is a American animated television series created by Doug TenNapel airing on Nickelodeon in 2005 and on Nicktoons in late 2007 . It was also shown on Nickelodeon UK/Ireland in 2006. It is a light-hearted adaptation of TenNapel's graphic novel, Gear, which is also the name of the cats'...
- ChalkzoneChalkZoneChalkZone is an American animated television series that aired on Nickelodeon. It was created by Bill Burnett and Larry Huber, and produced by Frederator Studios for the Nickelodeon TV channel...
Catch Match
Catch Match is a new program being Arabic children's channel Nickelodeon during the holy month of Ramadan, which is provided by the crown shared by assistants from each team. The Albornameh It is a wrestling take place between the two teams. The two teams have to collect the largest number of points qualify to win. In the end, the winner gets the grand prize! Each team consists of four people (two girls and two boys of the same age). The team in each episode six challenges, and games are the first four games while the fifth is a regular puzzle game, and competition is intense and has no limits of fun and games is somewhat puzzling. In each game the team gets a set of points. When the collection of points into two teams in wrestling Alkatc Match is the most difficult challenge in the game, which will be the two teams over several stages, at the end of each stage have access to a banner or flag, and therefore, gets the team that collected the largest number of flags in the shortest period of more points. In the last game is collect points and win the team that won the highest title of hero and have won the challenge. Displays Catch Match on Thursday and Friday at 9 Bbahaptoukat Arabia, and returned twice at 17 and at 22 GMT
External links
- Official English website (Actual address is down - this is an archived page on Wayback MachineWayback MachineThe Wayback Machine is a digital time capsule created by the Internet Archive non-profit organization, based in San Francisco, California. It is maintained with content from Alexa Internet. The service enables users to see archived versions of web pages across time, which the Archive calls a "three...
) - Official Facebook page