MUMBAI: US kids broadcaster Nickelodeon brings literary icon Peter Rabbit to life with the debut of the CG-animated preschool series ?Peter Rabbit? on 19 February.

The series is a fresh re-imagining of the popular Beatrix Potter children?s books based on Peter Rabbit, which have sold over 250 million copies worldwide and been translated into 35 languages. Peter Rabbit features educational goals that encourage preschoolers to learn problem-solving and interpersonal skills, self-efficacy, resilience, positive re-framing and fostering an interest in and respect for nature.

Nickelodeon Preschool executive VP, production and development Teri Weiss said, "This beloved bunny has touched families for many generations and Nickelodeon continues his legacy with brand-new Peter Rabbit stories for them to enjoy. This series captures the spirit of Potter?s timeless books, while adding high stakes adventures to illustrate that with determination and friendship, you can overcome even the toughest of obstacles."

The series follows Peter, a mischievous, charming and brave rabbit who overcomes obstacles, outwits predators and avoids danger. Clever, resilient and funny, Peter Rabbit wants to grow up to be just like his late father and carries his journal (a guide to everything you to need to know to be a good rabbit) on his fun and exciting adventures with his best friends Benjamin Bunny and Lily Bobtail.

Set in Potter?s Lake District, Peter lives in a world where behind every rock there is a surprise to discover and where dangers (be it a sly fox or bad-tempered badger) lurk around every corner.

MUMBAI: Actor Josh Duhamel will host for the first time US kids? broadcaster Nickelodeon?s 26th Annual Kids? Choice Awards on 23 March 2013.

It is a kid experience where Hollywood and slime collide, kids rule and honour their favorites from the worlds of film, music, sports and television. The celebrity-filled show takes place at USC?s Galen Center.

Nickelodeon president, content development Marjorie Cohn, who is also the executive producer of the Kids? Choice Awards, said, "Josh has come out to play before for Kids? Choice and as a previous ?best arm fart? winner we know he?ll do what it takes to be a great host. We promise that this year will deliver the special, one-of-a-kind surprise-filled slimefest for which our annual telecast is famous."

Duhamel said, "Nickelodeon?s Kids? Choice Awards is a great event that celebrates kids by honouring their opinions and taps into the kid in all of us. I have a lot of secret plans for when I host the awards, but I can tell you I?m excited to lead millions of kids into total crazy fun, chaos ...and, of course, endless slime!"

The 2013 Nickelodeon?s Kids? Choice Awards will be seen in more than 350 million households around the world and in more than 25 languages. Within hours of airing live in the US and Canada, the show will roll out internationally, providing kids around the world the opportunity to tune into their local Nickelodeon channel to enjoy the show faster than ever. In many international markets, the show will feature country-specific award categories and nominees, such as Favourite Asian Act and Favourite UK TV Show. Voting for the 2013 KCAs will span over six continents across 16 localised voting sites, giving kids the chance to decide who takes home a blimp.

Presenting sponsors of the show are General Mills, Hasbro Twister Rave Games and Target. Associate sponsors are Bounty, McDonald?s, nabi, Nintendo and Skechers.

MUMBAI: As part of its attempt to offer differentiated content, Viacom18-owned kids channel Nick has bought the telecast rights for 3D animated TV show Motu Patlu based on the popular characters from Lotpot comics, Motu & Patlu.

Produced by Maya Digital Studios, the 3D animated show will premier 16 October on Nick and will air daily at 6:30 pm.

Inspired from the characters of Lot Pot Comics, Motu Patlu is a lively comic caper that is sure to engage kids as well as the entire family. Set in the beautiful city of Furfuri Nagariya, Motu and Patlu are as similar as chalk and cheese, always on an adventurous expedition and having an uncanny ability to get into tricky situations.

Maya Digital Studios chairman and MD Ketan Mehta said, "At Maya, we want to bring the best of Indian content with world class animation & believe that since animated content is the first interface of a child with entertainment content it is very important to have an Indian cultural connection with it. We are extremely happy that Nickelodeon as a channel has a similar strategy and with this show we will together create new qualitative benchmarks for kids‘ entertainment in India."

Apart from the fact that Motu Patlu boasts of state-of-the-art 3D animation, another highlight of the show is the title song which brings together the musical triumvirate of Gulzar - who is writing a kids song after many years, Sandesh Shandilya - who has composed music for the entire series including the theme song that is sung by renowned singer Sukhwinder Singh.

Commenting on the launch of the new show, Sonic and Nickelodeon India Executive Vice President & Business Head Nina Elavia Jaipuria, , says, "Kids are the most dynamic consumers to please and we have to keep evolving and innovating to keep them engaged. We promise kids that with Motu Patlu we will give them a show that hasn‘t ever been seen in the kid‘s category as yet. Motu Patlu is a path-breaking and contemporary show that will go multi-platform to connect with kids all across the country. We will make sure that the kids have a rollicking time with our crazy duo."

The channel will bring Motu Patlu to the audience through a 360-degree marketing campaign consisting of multiple touch points covering ATL and BTL media vehicles. Mass media such as a cross channel television plan, print, outdoor and radio will be used.

In addition, Motu Patlu will also be brought to the kids through numerous BTL activities consisting of van activations in smaller towns, mall activations and engagement in retail chains such as Pantaloons and Time zone. Innovative Motu Patlu meals will be available across Bombay Blues outlets in Mumbai. Motu Patlu will also be promoted through hobby workshops with Hobby Ideas.

In order to connect with the tech-savvy kids of today, Nickelodeon will invest in building digital assets for Motu Patlu. Kids can interact on the digital and mobile platform through numerous Motu Patlu games, contests, downloads and a lot more on the dedicated micro site motupatlu.in. Social media like Facebook and Twitter will also be used to keep the engagement going.