Chinese online entertainment company iQIYI has secured an expanded, multi-year Nickelodeon content deal for Mainland China with Viacom International Media Networks.
The agreement gives iQIYI the exclusive streaming rights for Mandarin and English Nick series including the newest seasons of Shimmer and Shine (pictured), Blaze and the Monster Machines, SpongeBob SquarePants, Top Wing, Rusty Rivets and Rise of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on the company’s kids platforms.
The Chinese media company’s previous deal with the kidcaster was signed last year and covered the exclusive streaming rights to Shimmer and Shine and Blaze and the Monster Machines. With the new rights, iQIYI’s kids platforms—including recently launched smart TV app Guo Kids Edition—are expected to receive a four-fold increase in Nick content.
Aside from library deals, iQIYI is also working with VIMN Asia and Zhejiang Blue Star Media to develop Deer Run, an original iQIYI kids animated series. Announced last year, the collaboration marks the first time Nickelodeon Asia will air a Chinese original from the development phase. The series is set to bow in summer 2019 on its digital platforms and Zhejiang Satellite TV in China, as well as on Nick Asia.
iQIYI’s kids content growth comes as its monthly active user base reached approximately 421 million people across mobile devices for the three-month period ending December 31, 2017.