Network | SMG |
---|---|
Launched | 1 May 2005 |
Closed | October 2007 |
Country of origin | China Mongolia Hong Kong Macau |
Owner | SMG (51%)[1] Viacom (49%)[1] |
Headquarters | Shanghai |
Format | Children's television |
Running time | 6 hours |
Official website | web |
HaHa Nick (also spelled HAHA Nick; Chinese: 哈哈尼克) was a television programming block co-produced by Nickelodeon and Shanghai Media Group (SMG). It consisted of original live-action host programs and several of Nickelodeon's flagship American shows, dubbed in Mandarin. It aired on multiple SMG channels, mainly their children's network, Oriental.[2]
The block began development in March 2004, following a change in China's media regulations that allowed foreign ownership of televised content. Sumner Redstone, the chairman of Nickelodeon's parent company Viacom, oversaw the creation of the block. HaHa Nick marked the first time that a foreign investor took an equity stake in a major Chinese content producer. The block premiered on 1 May 2005, and stopped airing in October 2007. It ran for 6 hours daily, with start and end times depending on the day of the week.
Around 100 episodes of the block's original host programs were produced. The on-air continuity featured the host characters from these programs, in addition to original animation created by local Shanghai studios. Dubbed content included Oobi, Blue's Clues, ChalkZone and The Fairly OddParents. After HaHa Nick stopped airing, two of the host shows were retooled for SMG without Nickelodeon's involvement.