Nickelodeon Content, Like SpongeBob and Dora, Lands on Amazon

By Gilbert Falso :: 10:32 AM

When Netflix did not renew its contract with Viacom last month, many children’s programs that used to be available on Netflix streaming were suddenly yanked from the lineup, much to the disappointment of young children and their parents.

Now, kid favorites like SpongeBob Squarepants, Dora the Explorer, Blue’s Clues and The Backyardigans, staples of the Viacom-owned Nickelodeon lineup, have found a new home online with Amazon Instant Video. Amazon announced today that it has secured a “multi-year, multi-national” arrangement for streaming hundreds of Viacom titles on Amazon Prime.

In a release, Amazon said:

“Prime members will now have unlimited instant streaming access to popular kids programming such as Bubble Guppies, The Backyardigans, Team Umizoomi, Blue’s Clues and Victorious, along with top-rated shows from MTV and Comedy Central like Awkward, Tosh.0 and Workaholics. Prime members will also have access to future episodes of Dora the Explorer, SpongeBob SquarePants, Fairly Odd Parents, Fresh Beat Band and more.”

Amazon is fast becoming a major player and force to be reckoned with in the online content streaming world. Sources say that this Viacom deal is the largest outlay in Amazon’s streaming history. In addition to the Viacom win, Amazon also secured rights to the popular BBC / PBS show Downton Abbey earlier this year. Beginning this month, Amazon is the only site online where viewers will be able to watch Downton’s third season. The first two seasons of the popular British show will also be exclusive to Amazon later this year.