New York - Nickelodeon Kids and Family Group, a unit of Viacom's (NYSE: VIA) MTV Networks, has announced that it will split its video games and virtual worlds development teams into two separate divisions. The games division, to be led by Dave Williams, will oversee all paid and subscription games across all platforms, including console and handheld, as well as online games sites Shockwave.com and AddictingGames.com. The virtual worlds group, headed by Kyra Reppen, will manage the company's growing stable of communities that include Neopets and Nicktropolis.

New York - Viacom's (NYSE: VIA) Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group announced on Friday that it plans to launch a number of additional virtual worlds for kids, building on the success of its existing Neopets and Nicktropolis sites. The company said it will develop virtual worlds for "SpongeBob SquarePants," "Monkey World" and "World of Neopia."

Jamie Lynn Spears, sister of Britney, has confirmed to OK! Magazine that she’s pregnant.  The 16-year-old star of Nickelodeon’s Zoey 101 is planning to keep the baby, and the network released the following statement: "We respect Jamie Lynn's decision to take responsibility in this sensitive and personal situation. We know this is a very difficult time for her and her family, and our primary concern right now is for Jamie Lynn's well being."

Redmond, Wash. - Microsoft on Tuesday introduced a new family-friendly Xbox 360 bundle, while will retail for $279 and come with five family-friendly game titles.

New York - Viacom's Nickelodeon children's network announced that it has partnered with consumer electronics maker Imation on a new, higher-end line of branded consumer electronics for kids. The Npower devices include a $299, 15-inch LCD TV that looks like SpongeBob SquarePants, as well as digital cameras and photo frames, portable video and MP3 players, a DVD player and an alarm clock that feature Nickelodeon characters from shows including "Dora the Explorer," "Go, Diego, Go!" and "The Naked Brothers Band."

New York - Take-Two Interactive on Monday announced the formation of a new casual games publishing label, 2K Play. In conjunction, the company also announced an expansive new handheld and console game licensing deal with Viacom's Nickelodeon, to produce casual titles based on properties including "Dora the Explorer" and "Go, Diego, Go!"

New York - Viacom's MTV Networks announced on Friday that it is developing two dozen new targeted websites for its various TV and other properties, as part of its "360-degree development process across all platforms," and will count more than 300 by the end of the year.

London - Apple on Wednesday launched video downloads at its U.K. iTunes Store, initially offering American TV shows from partners including ABC, and MTV Networks' Nickelodeon, MTV and Paramount Comedy.

New York - Viacom's Nickelodeon announced on Monday that it plans to air a new series on the network based on its video game collaboration with publisher THQ, "Tak and the Power of Juju." The game franchise has shipped over 3 million units since its inception in 2003. The CG-animated series is slated to premiere on Nickelodeon on Aug. 31

New York - Worldwide Biggies Inc., a New York-based digital entertainment studio focused on content for kids and families, has raised $9 million in its first round of venture capital financing, co-led by NBC Universal and Platform Equity.

New York - Viacom's MTV Networks has announced that its Nickelodeon Kids and Family Group will invest $100 million over the next two years in the development and distribution of casual game titles, websites and platforms.

New York - Viacom's Nickelodeon children's TV network announced this week that it has partnered with Sony Music Label Group to jointly finance and produce TV and music projects over the next four years.

Los Angeles - Viacom's MTV Networks has announced that its Nickelodeon children's cable network plans later this month to launch a series of animated mini-shows based on Neopets, the online virtual pet community acquired by MTV Networks in 2005 for an estimated $160 million. The mini-shows will air in between other shows, and serve to introduce kids to Neopets characters and drive traffic to the website, which claims 40 million registered users. Neopets.com also launched Neovision, a broadband video player that will showcase both the mini-shows and user-generated content.

New York - Media conglomerate Viacom announced on Tuesday that it has created a joint venture with India-based TV18Group, which will distribute TV, film and digital media content across numerous brands in India.

http://www.nickelodeon.com

Agoura Hills, Calif. - THQ on Tuesday announced the roster of titles it plans to release this year based on its master license with children's programming network Nickelodeon. The games will include the debut of "El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera," as well as new installments in THQ's "SpongeBob SquarePants," "Avatar: The Last Airbender," "Nicktoons," "Zoey 101" and "Drake and Josh" franchises. THQ said that its Nickelodeon games have to date sold a combined more than 45 million units worldwide.

Bethesda, Md. - Kajeet, a provider of cell phone service for children between the ages of 8 and 14, announced on Wednesday a strategic partnership with Nickelodeon. Under the deal, kajeet will offer customers mobile content -- including downloadable ringtones, wallpapers, and games -- from Nickelodeon shows including "Rugrats" and "SpongeBob SquarePants." Kajeet announced last year that it had raised $27 million from Bessemer Venture Partners, Gabriel Venture Partners, InterWest Partners and FidelityVentures.

Sunnyvale, Calif. - Media conglomerate Viacom said on Tuesday that it has signed a multi-year deal that will make Yahoo the exclusive provider of sponsored search and contextual ads to all of its 33 broadband sites, including MTV.com, VH1.com, Nickelodeon.com, comedycentral.com and BET.com.