Nickelodeon has reconfigured its Saturday night "Snick" block, adding the new live-action comedyNoah Knows Bestand movingCaitlin's Wayinto the lineup.
"We're trying to make sure the right shows are in the right time slots," said Cyma Zarghami, Nick's general manager. "This felt better. It felt like a great mix."
The reformulated Snick schedule, which kicked off earlier this month, starts at 8 p.m. withThe Amanda Show, the network's highest-rated live-action series.
The sketch-comedy program stars 14-year-old Amanda Byrnes, and includes parodies of celebrities and TV shows likeSurvivorandDawson's Creek.This season Josh Peck, star of the theatrical filmSnow Day,joined the cast.
At 8:30 p.m. comes the new seriesNoah Knows Best,from creator and executive producer Ken Lipman, co-creator of Nick'sThe Secret World of Alex Mack.Noah is a 14-year-old high school student on Manhattan's Upper West Side.
Each episode is told from Noah's point of view, and the show generally centers around his rivalry with his 15-year-old sister.
The 9 p.m. slot now featuresCaitlin's Way,a show about a 14-year-old girl who, after moving in and out of foster homes since her mother's death, relocates to a small town in rural Montana to live with her distant cousin.Caitlin's Way, which enters its second season,had aired on Sundays.
Caitlin's Wayis followed at 9:30 p.m. byAll That.
The former Snick lineup featuredRugratsat 8 p.m.;The Amanda Showat 8:30 p.m.;100 Deeds for Eddie McDowdat 9 p.m.; andAll Thatat 9:30 p.m.
Nick just finished a fairly strong third quarter in terms of ratings. For five straight years, it has ranked No. 1 in total day, and the third quarter was no exception. Nick posted a 1.6 rating, up 7 percent from a 1.5, according to Nielsen Media Research.
But Nick saw no growth in primetime this third quarter. It garnered a 1.7 rating, flat compared to the year-ago period.
Snick, the Saturday primetime block that debuted in 1991, is aimed at kids aged 9 to 13-the older end of Nick's target demographic, Zarghami said. In the past, the block included a mix of live action and animation; it now consists of four live-action series.
"This seems to fit together better," Zarghami said.
In particular, Nick has high hopes forNoah Knows Best."Here is a boy's view of whatClarissa [Explains It All]was early on with Melissa Joan Hart," Zarghami said.
In addition to the Snick changes, later this month Nick will debut two new, animated half-hour primetime series:PelswickandAs Told By Ginger.
Pelswick, from nationally syndicated cartoonist John Callahan, depicts the adventures of a 13-year-old quadriplegic boy and debuts Oct. 24. One character, "Mr. Jimmy," will be voiced by actor David Arquette.
As Told by Ginger,fromRugratscreator Klasky Csupo Inc., bows Oct. 25.
Last week, Nick News aired exclusive interviews with presidential candidates Al Gore and George W. Bush. The nominees tackled kids' questions onNick News Special Edition: Kids Pick the President, hosted by Linda Ellerbee.
This week, Oct. 20, Nick will hold its "Kids Vote," in which viewers can call a toll-free number to pick their candidate of choice. Nick's "Kids Vote" has correctly predicted the winner in the past three presidential races.
