After pulling off successful channel launches in Japan, the Philippines, Hungary and Russia (the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Baltic Republic) last year, Nickelodeon’s Global Network Ventures (the entity that launches new channels worldwide) is poised to usher Nick into Eastern Europe. Reportedly, the first countries into which the cable network will expand are Poland and the former Czechoslovakia.

The ubiquitous Nick has also launched a Russian-language digital service in Russia via NTV Plus, the territory’s first

digital DTH platform.

According to Bruce Tuchman, general manager of Nick’s Global Network Ventures (and the brains behind the

network’s global launch plans), this emergence of DTH technology in Eastern Europe is what’s making further expansion possible. As for India, where other kids webs, such as Cartoon Network, have preceded Nick, Tuchman prefers a ‘wait-and-see’ approach, given the fact that India is now considering passing comprehensive broadcast regulations, which could drastically affect networks’ programming there.

The Nickelodeon Worldwide Development group,

comprised of Nick programming executives from around the world, constitutes the production arm of Nick’s international business, and is charged with discovering fresh talent from international territories to produce shows for Nick’s channels abroad. Programming developed and produced by the Nickelodeon Worldwide Development group includes Toons from Planet Orange (August 1998), Renford Rejects (February 1998), Doom Runners (January 1998) and Nickelodeon’s World Gamefest (October 1997).