"The Backyardigans" Special Press Release

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The Backyardigans Salsa Into Summer With "Race to the Tower of Power," A New Half-Hour Super-Adventure Premiering Monday, July 18, at 11 a.m. (ET/PT) on Nick Jr.

Animated Special to Feature Original Salsa-Inspired Music and Groundbreaking Choreography by Former Director of Alvin Ailey Dance School's Children's Program

NICK RECORDS/SONY BMG Music Entertainment to Release First-Ever Collection of Songs from The Backyardigans on July 12

New York, NY – July 7, 2005 –  Nick Jr.'s high-spirited neighbors The Backyardigans will take an epic, musical adventure from the frozen North to the high seas this summer with the premiere of the new special "Race to the Tower of Power" on Monday, July 18, at 11 a.m. (all times ET/PT) on Nick Jr.  The episode's action is set to a salsa beat, with four original songs and real choreographed movements recreated in animation.    

"This special episode combines hilarious super-powers with just the right amount of edge-of-your-seat adventure and an infectious salsa score," said Brown Johnson, Executive Creative Director, Nickelodeon Preschool Television.  "The Backyardigans' super-imaginative expeditions are designed to inspire little kids' own adventures in their backyards."

In "Race to the Tower of Power," Pablo and Tyrone are super-villains who want to rule the world, but Uniqua and Austin are superheroes out to stop them.  Their salsa music-themed adventure takes them to the forest, the frozen North and the high seas – all in a race to see who is the first to get to the Tower of Power.

The special will be preceded by the July 12 release of the first-ever collection of songs from The Backyardigans from NICK RECORDS/SONY BMG Music Entertainment.  The album features many song favorites from the series, all from different musical genres including reggae, jazz and opera.

Each of The Backyardigans animated dance steps are choreographed by Beth Bogush, a former director of the Alvin Ailey Dance School's children's program and performed by real dancers whose movements are then recreated in animation.  The show's rich animation style features lush, fantasy backgrounds created with CGI and 3D techniques.  

In every episode of The Backyardigans, five high-spirited neighbors meet in their adjoining backyards and use their imaginations to transform themselves into different locations for epic adventures.  The Backyardigans are: Pablo, an energetic, enthusiastic and excitable penguin; Pablo's best friend Tyrone, an easy-going, confident young moose; Uniqua, a one-of-a-kind character with an adventurous nature; Tasha, a deceptively sweet and girlish hippo; and Austin, a resourceful and shy kangaroo.  The Backyardigans airs regularly weekdays on Nick Jr. at 11 a.m. and weekends on CBS (check local listings).

The Backyardigans was created by Janice Burgess, who joined Nick Jr. in 1995 as a production executive for the award-winning series Blue's Clues and Little Bill.  Burgess also serves as Executive Producer.  Robert Scull is Executive Producer and Supervising Director, and Jonny Belt is Co-Executive Producer and Supervising Creative Director.  Scull and Belt also teamed up for Little Bill and Whoopi's Littleburg, both on Nick Jr.  The Backyardigans original music is composed by accomplished musician Evan Lurie, one of the original members of the eclectic New York group "The Lounge Lizards."

Nelvana Limited is one of the world's leading international producers and distributors of children's programming and products.  Nelvana is owned by Corus Entertainment, a Canadian-based media and entertainment company.  Corus is a market leader in both specialty TV and Radio.  The company's other interests include music, television broadcasting and advertising services.  A publicly traded company, Corus is listed in the Toronto (CJR.B) and New York (CJR) Exchanges.  Corus' website can be found at //www.corusentertainment.com

Nick Jr. is a specially designed programming block airing on Nickelodeon weekdays from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m.  (ET/PT) and weekends on CBS (check local listings).  Completely dedicated to preschoolers ages 2-5, Nick Jr.'s Emmy, Peabody and Parents' Choice Award-winning programs are curriculum based, fun and commercial free.  At Nick Jr., kids play to learn with innovative, original shows created just for them.

Nickelodeon, now 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 ten consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.