Home Plate Entertainment
Sep 2, 2014
NickSports, a primetime sports-themed block, debuts Wednesday September 3 at 9 PM ET on Nicktoons
Coming on the heels of Nickelodeon’s inaugural Kids Choice Sports Awards this summer, NickSports, a primetime sports-themed block, debuts Wednesday September 3 at 9 PM ET on Nicktoons. The two-hour weekly block will feature a mix of original and acquired long- and short-form content from the NFL, MLS and NASCAR; new episodes of Nicktoons’ animated series Wild Grinders from Rob Dyrdek and NFL Rush Zone; documentary programming, including the world TV premiere of Little Ballers; and acquired theatrical movies, Nickelodeon announced today. The block also will feature a rotating lineup of sports-themed content including series, specials and documentaries from leagues and key athletes, as well as acquired theatrical movies. NBA player Charlie Villanueva, NFL players Jason and Devin McCourty, and Olympic figure skater Sasha Cohen are among the professional athletes who will appear in short-form content such as humorous man-on-the-street style interviews, parodies and sketches. The Michael Strahan-hosted Kids Choice Sports Awards pulled in 2.7 million total viewers (L+7).
Here’s a look at the NickSports block from the release:
NFL RUSH, a brand-new, action packed half-hour magazine-format show (15 episodes) from NFL Films featuring NFL highlights, bloopers, trivia, the science of football, players off the field and throwback moments in NFL history.A brand-new half-hour countdown show (NFL RUSH Follies and NFL RUSH Top 10s; 6 episodes) from NFL Films featuring the classic top ten-themed programs including follies and other great NFL moments. More third-season premieres of the animated NFL RUSH ZONE franchise, a co-production by Nickelodeon and the NFL. Based on the NFL’s online world for kids, the series follows kid protagonist Ishmael and his friends, the Guardians, on a journey to protect the league’s 32 teams and the world from a plotting master villain.
Major League Soccer (MLS)A variety of acquired short-form segments including: Mike Magee’s Day Off, a hilarious movie-trailer-esque nod to the timeless classic, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, starring reigning MLS MVP Mike Magee; MLS Insider episode, “Thierry Henry: A Legend,” a tribute to the career of the global soccer superstar; exclusive sit-down interviews and trivia challenges with stars from MLS and the 2014 World Cup U.S. Men’s National Team, including DeAndre Yedlin and Kyle Beckerman; as well as Anatomy of a Goal, GoalKeeper Trick Shots, and MLS Top 5.
NASCAR
Hammer Down, a brand-new docu-series (4 episodes) profiling the next generation of NASCAR drivers.Brand-new, short-form vignettes covering NASCAR initiatives such as exploring the principles of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) as they relate to racing.
The block’s series will include:
More second-season premieres of Wild Grinders: Rob Dyrdek’s Wild Grinders is a kickin’ animated comedy about Lil Rob, a quick-thinking skater kid. The series also features Lil Rob’s talking right-hand dog Meaty (inspired by Dyrdek’s bull-dog of the same name), his best friend Goggles, and their middle school skate crew, the Wild Grinders. Currently in its second season, Wild Grinders follows the friends and their escapades around their hometown of Sprawl City and at their beloved skate spot, The Lot.
Third-season premieres of the animated NFL RUSH ZONE franchise.
With more titles to be announced, the block’s documentary programming will bow with:
The world TV premiere of Little Ballers: Making its world TV premiere in the NickSports block, Little Ballers is a two-hour documentary set against the backdrop of New York City, shining a spotlight on the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) as a feeding ground to potential NBA stardom. Featuring interviews with NBA and WNBA stars including Amar’e Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony, Steve Nash, Russell Westbrook, Joakim Noah, Walt Frazier, Tyson Chandler, J.R. Smith and Chamique Holdsclaw, Little Ballers follows four 11-year-old boys and their legendary coach as they set out to win an AAU National Championship. For these boys, basketball is more than a game; it offers them hope. The movie is directed by Crystal McCrary and executive produced by Lupe Fiasco and Stoudemire.
More Than a Game (2008): This documentary follows NBA superstar LeBron James and four of his talented teammates through the trials and tribulations of high school basketball in Akron, Ohio, and James’ journey to fame.
The Year of the Yao (2004): This documentary chronicles the first year of basketball player Yao Ming in the United States.
Movies titles will include:Bend it Like Beckham, Space Jam, Cool Runnings, Speed Racer.