Nickelodeon Greenlights New Episodes of Top-Ranked Tween Hits 'Zoey 101' Starring Jamie Lynn Spears and 'Unfabulous' Starring Emma Roberts

Nickelodeon Greenlights New Episodes of Top-Ranked Tween Hits 'Zoey 101' Starring Jamie Lynn Spears and 'Unfabulous' Starring Emma Roberts

TEENick Series 'Zoey 101' Premieres First Telefilm 'Spring Break-Up' on Friday, March 10

LOS ANGELES, March 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Nickelodeon's "Zoey 101" and "Unfabulous" -- two of television's highest rated live-action series among tween viewers -- have been picked up for 26 and 13 additional episodes respectively, it was announced today by Marjorie Cohn, Executive Vice President Original Production and Development, Nickelodeon. In their first two seasons as part of Nickelodeon's popular TEENick Sunday night line-up, both series dominated the ratings in their respective timeslots.

"Both 'Zoey 101' and 'Unfabulous' immediately emerged as break-out hits and continue to successfully cement their popularity as leading tween brands," said Cohn. "Each show is immensely different creatively, but both feature strong, female leads with two distinctly different yet equally admirable personalities that all kids can relate to and enjoy."

Currently in its second season, "Zoey 101" stars Jamie Lynn Spears as Zoey Brooks, a 13-year-old winsome leader whose independent nature is put to the test at the newly co-ed, picturesque Pacific Coast Academy. On Friday, March 10 at 8 p.m. (ET/PT), Zoey and her pals trade in backpacks for bikinis when the series will premiere its first-ever television movie titled "Zoey 101: Spring-Break-Up." Both the series and telefilm come courtesy of executive producer/creator Dan Schneider (Nickelodeon's "Zoey 101," "Drake & Josh," "The Amanda Show," "Kenan & Kel" and "All That") and his Schneider's Bakery, Inc. "Zoey 101: Spring Break-Up" will be available on DVD on March 14 from Nickelodeon Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment. It marks the first time "Zoey 101" episodes will be available on home video.

The Emmy and Teen Choice-nominated series "Zoey 101" is the number-one live-action, scripted series among tweens on broadcast and cable television. It draws an average of 6.2 million/1.2 million tween 9-14 viewers each week. A complete line of apparel and accessories inspired by the series has resonated with tweens and has quickly become a lead seller in major department stores. The "Zoey 101" CD soundtrack, featuring The Go Go's, Train, Good Charlotte, Joans Brothers and The Gin Blossoms, drops in stores today. Additionally, "Zoey 101" premiered its first iTunes episode in Jan. '06, placing #12 out of 100 shows on TV on iTunes. Complete first and second seasons of "Zoey 101" are currently available to download on iTunes. Since its July launch on TurboNick, Nickelodeon's broadband video service on Nick.com, "Zoey 101" has generated more than 1.1 million streams.

Emma Roberts ("AquaMarine," "Nancy Drew") stars in "Unfabulous" as awkwardly adorable, quick-witted 13-year-old Addie Singer who uses her penchant for sometimes silly, but poignant song-writing to get through the ever-uncertain trials of junior high. Sue Rose ("Angela Anaconda," "Pepper Ann") is creator and executive producer.

"Unfabulous" is currently number one in its time period on broadcast and cable TV among tweens 9-14 and averages 4.9/992,000 tween viewers each week. The series ranks fourth with tween viewers among all live-action series on broadcast and cable television. A CD inspired by the series with tracks sung by Emma Roberts, "Unfabulous and More: Emma Roberts," debuted in Fall 2005. Apparel inspired by the "Unfabulous" series also recently launched at 1,200 Wal-Mart stores nationwide. Additionally, "Unfabulous" recently became available on Nickelodeon on Video On-Demand (VOD) and generated almost 15% of usage in the month of January.*

"Zoey 101" and "Unfabulous" are part of the popular TEENick Sunday night line-up which also includes "Drake & Josh," "Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide," and "Romeo!" The block mixes tween-focused series with music, games and comedy segments and is hosted by deejay J-Boogie and co- hosted by kids' favorite music, TV and movie stars. Some past celebrity TEENick co-hosts include Kelly Clarkson, Chris Rock, Black Eyed Peas and Tony Hawk. Nickelodeon has been the number one destination for tweens on cable television for the past 14 consecutive years.

Nickelodeon, in its 26th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 89 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for more than ten consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA; VIA.B)

* Source: Rentrak

Source: Nickelodeon

CONTACT: Jennifer Musselman of Nickelodeon, +1-310-752-8205

Web site: http://www.nick.com/

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