Nickelodeon Int'l Sets India Co-Production 'The Twisted Timeline of Sammy & Raj'
"The popularity of international content is on the rise, and Nickelodeon is focused on meeting the rising demand for diverse, creative stories for a global audience."
Citing audiences’ growing appetite for international content, ViacomCBS’ Nickelodeon International is teaming with an Indian joint venture to co-produce new animated series The Twisted Timeline of Sammy & Raj.
Nickelodeon India, part of the Viacom18 venture between ViacomCBS and India’s Network18, will be the partner on the 20-episode 30 minute 2D series. The companies said it marks “the first collaboration between the top kids’ entertainment brand and the leading Indian kids’ category brand from India’s fastest growing entertainment network.”
"The popularity of international content is on the rise, and Nickelodeon is focused on meeting the rising demand for diverse, creative stories for a global audience," said Jules Borkent, executive vp, kids & family, ViacomCBS Networks International. "This groundbreaking partnership with Viacom18 goes beyond kids’ content as we look to embrace greater diversity both on-screen and behind the camera."
The show will roll out across Nickelodeon International channels in 2021 and could also land on Nickelodeon in the U.S. "With a mysterious time-altering app at their fingertips, the series follows the reality-bending adventures of a pair of cousin-brothers, as they pause, rewind, fast-forward and slow-motion their way into a whole host of rowdy laugh-out-loud exploits," according to a show description.
Work on the series is underway, with animation and storyboards being developed in India, while scripting is in progress in the U.S. and U.K., and casting has been initiated in the U.S.
The head writer of the series is Jordan Gershowitz. Chris Rose, vp, animation, Nickelodeon International and Anu Sikka, head creative, content & research, kids TV network at Viacom18, are overseeing the project.
“In the creative world, geographic borders have diminished, as more content is drawn by the hands of global artists from every corner of the world,” said Nina Hahn, senior vp, international production & development at Nickelodeon International. “The idea for this series was developed in collaboration with the team in India as we sought a way to fuse western and eastern storytelling elements. Indian culture is very much a part of this series’ DNA, and we are eager to share those elements with our global audience.”
Nina Elavia Jaipuria, head of Hindi mass entertainment & kids TV network at Viacom18 said: “Over the years, Nickelodeon India has created successful local IPs and characters that kids love. This partnership with Nickelodeon International has gone beyond the border lines of creativity and stands testimony to the success of Nick India and Nick International in creating groundbreaking content.”
Added Sikka: “The series will be showcasing stories that kids around the world will find relatable and engaging, hopefully opening up more opportunities for future collaboration.”
Via Hollywood Reporter
