Nickelodeon is commemorating the anniversary with new digital content and innovative partnerships.
SpongeBob launched the 17th July 1999, and has reigned as the No. 1 kids’ animated series on TV for the last 17 years, generating a universe of characters, pop culture catchphrases and memes, theatrical releases, consumer products, a Tony award-winning Broadway musical and a global fan base.
The ‘Best Year Ever’ kicks off Friday 12th July, with the premiere of SpongeBob’s Big Birthday Blowout, an original mixed live-action and animated special, and leads up to the Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies theatrical, The SpongeBob Movie: It’s a Wonderful Sponge, coming summer 2020.
To mark the milestone, new global master toy partner Alpha Group will debut a brand-new line of toys, collectibles, plush and novelties. The range includes a Masterpiece Meme line of vinyl figures, bringing to life fan-favorite viral memes like Mocking SpongeBob, Imaginaaation SpongeBob, Surprised Patrick, SpongeGar and Handsome Squidward; and for the first-time ever, SpongeBob toys that incorporate Nickelodeon Slime.
An official global SpongeBob SquarePants YouTube channel will feature the most iconic SpongeBob moments, music from the show and brand-new content. Themed content added weekly will include Tuesday Tunes, Throwback Thursdays and SpongeBob Saturdays. A new global mobile game will allow fans to share SpongeBob’s experience of being a fry cook in Bikini Bottom, while new short-form content across YouTube, Facebook, Facebook Watch, Instagram and Twitter will celebrate fans and their favorite episodes.
“The tiny residents of Bikini Bottom have held the world’s attention for a remarkable 20 years and we owe it all to the monumental creator Stephen Hillenburg,” said Ramsey Naito, EVP, animation production and development, Nickelodeon. “This anniversary special is a love letter to everyone in the universe of SpongeBob, from the fans across the globe to the incredible creative team, crew and talent who continue to bring these great characters to life.”
